Ready to play the impossible game?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The family and I are relocating to (near) DC. We need to be as close as possible to the Supreme Court building. Our budget is $1500 for at least a 2bed 1.5bath (preferably 2) and we have a fairly long list of must haves. Good school (currently in elementary), SAFE area (you would let your children play outside), side walks, family/kid friendly area, decent commute to the orange or blue metro lines (ideally within 8 miles), grocery store, big box stores, rec center, & indoor pool all within 10-12 minutes. The wish list-We'd love to have a back yard. We'd LOVE a 3rd bedroom. Day to day traffic that wont have us feeling suicidal. We'd prefer to stay out of Maryland because of the horrible schools.

What do you think? Impossible?

I have no idea what the commute might be - probably something like an hour each way - but I'd say you have to look at Burke or MAYBE annandale. $1500 budget for a 2 bedroom, much less a 3 bed AND a yard, I think you'd have to look out somewhere like Culpepper. That would be maybe 2 hour commute each way.

In burke, here's a choice: http://www.trulia.com/rental/3049855167-6322-Draco-St-Burke-VA-22015 thats just slightly above your budget. In annandle, here's another: http://www.trulia.com/rental/3145691623-7703-Lafayette-Forest-Dr-23-Annandale-VA-22003#photo-16

Without sounding like a total ass, in all seriousness, if you have the things you are describing wherever you are now for $1,500 a month, I'd VERY seriously question the decision to move here. I cant begin to describe how far off course your wants are from reality. Thats not intended to be some condescending comment, but rather a polite suggestion you weigh all the factors.

[Anonymous]

I couldn't find 2 bedrooms for 1500 and I live in Gaithersburg....

[Anonymous]

HAHAHAHA!!!! Best bet is somewhere near Silver Spring metro. And if you don't think MoCo schools are good, you should probably move back to iowa or wherever you think you can get this for your budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HAHAHAHA!!!! Best bet is somewhere near Silver Spring metro. And if you don't think MoCo schools are good, you should probably move back to iowa or wherever you think you can get this for your budget.

I would say near the Silver Spring metro or further out like Wheaton.

Supreme Court is accessible from the Red Line as easily as the Blue/Orange, unless you're factoring in someone else's commute.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the Fair Lakes area with a shuttle or bus to Vienna metro. Loudoun County has some buses that go downtown-not sure how close to the supreme court they get though.

Are you relocating here? If your salary is so low that $1500/month is your max housing budget for a family with elementary-age dc, it seems this might not be the best career/life move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The family and I are relocating to (near) DC. We need to be as close as possible to the Supreme Court building. Our budget is $1500 for at least a 2bed 1.5bath (preferably 2) and we have a fairly long list of must haves. Good school (currently in elementary), SAFE area (you would let your children play outside), side walks, family/kid friendly area, decent commute to the orange or blue metro lines (ideally within 8 miles), grocery store, big box stores, rec center, & indoor pool all within 10-12 minutes. The wish list-We'd love to have a back yard. We'd LOVE a 3rd bedroom. Day to day traffic that wont have us feeling suicidal. We'd prefer to stay out of Maryland because of the horrible schools.

What do you think? Impossible?

Is this real? I live about 1 mile from the Supreme Court building in a 2 bed/2 bath over on H street and it is close to $3300 a month including parking. $1500 2bed/2bath within DC limits is pretty much impossible unless you do an English Basement or live maybe in Trinidad? Or SE? An English Basement 1 bedroom on H street is around $1600 a month (or was a year ago or so).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The family and I are relocating to (near) DC. We need to be as close as possible to the Supreme Court building. Our budget is $1500 for at least a 2bed 1.5bath (preferably 2) and we have a fairly long list of must haves. Good school (currently in elementary), SAFE area (you would let your children play outside), side walks, family/kid friendly area, decent commute to the orange or blue metro lines (ideally within 8 miles), grocery store, big box stores, rec center, & indoor pool all within 10-12 minutes. The wish list-We'd love to have a back yard. We'd LOVE a 3rd bedroom. Day to day traffic that wont have us feeling suicidal. We'd prefer to stay out of Maryland because of the horrible schools.

What do you think? Impossible?

Look at apartments and townhomes in the Pentagon City and Ballston areas --those give you Metro access, good schools, kid-friendly neighborhoods, access to shopping, rec facilities reasonably close. Of course, it's a 30-min commute to the Hill. Also, will need to increase your budget to $2,000 or so.

[Anonymous]

Those criteria are not possible.

[Anonymous]

8 miles from Vienna metro station might take like 30-45 minutes in traffic.

I know you said no to Maryland - but maybe Crofton? I used to commute to the orange line (New Carrollton) from there and it wasn't too horrible. maybe 20 minutes to metro on a good day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:8 miles from Vienna metro station might take like 30-45 minutes in traffic.

I know you said no to Maryland - but maybe Crofton? I used to commute to the orange line (New Carrollton) from there and it wasn't too horrible. maybe 20 minutes to metro on a good day?

Oh I meant to add Anne Arundel schools - particularly crofton area are considered good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those criteria are not possible.

The OP expanded her criteria to a 1 1/2 hour commute. It's very possible. I would start looking in Fredericksburg and move up the VRE corridor until prices put the other criteria out of reach.

[Anonymous]

I live near the Supreme Court (I mean, walking distance) and the only place in VA I really know is Reston. I took a quick look and there are several 2-beds there within your price range. It's a lovely town in a lot of ways, with good schools and tons of green space. The Silver Line will be there (we hope!) this summer, which would bring you to Capitol Hill.

Good luck! I hope you are able to figure this out. I know how tough it is to have a tight budget in this area.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the suggestion! After looking at PG schools I thought there was no way I'd move to MD, but Crofton is now a serious consideration. I've already found 2 listing that meet most of what we need.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8 miles from Vienna metro station might take like 30-45 minutes in traffic.

I know you said no to Maryland - but maybe Crofton? I used to commute to the orange line (New Carrollton) from there and it wasn't too horrible. maybe 20 minutes to metro on a good day?

Oh I meant to add Anne Arundel schools - particularly crofton area are considered good.

[Anonymous]

Also check out university park in MD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the suggestion! After looking at PG schools I thought there was no way I'd move to MD, but Crofton is now a serious consideration. I've already found 2 listing that meet most of what we need.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8 miles from Vienna metro station might take like 30-45 minutes in traffic.

I know you said no to Maryland - but maybe Crofton? I used to commute to the orange line (New Carrollton) from there and it wasn't too horrible. maybe 20 minutes to metro on a good day?

Oh I meant to add Anne Arundel schools - particularly crofton area are considered good.

You would write off an entire state based on a quick perusal of obeviunty? Please tell me you aren't going to have a position doing analysis or writing legal arguments.