Best public schools - budget of around 700k

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We currently live in poorly performing school district in Fairfax county. The kids are 3 and a few months so we are not in a terrible rush to move but are starting to explore our possibilities and map out options for our next move. For the longest time I was set on Burke, West Springfield, Springfield VA because the schools have good results and house values are within out budget. However, recently I discovered that Bethesda, MD or even Chevy Chase (with perhaps upping the budget a bit) might be an option too, perhaps a better one. My main concern with Burke area is that it is quite far from DC and it seems a bit isolated, with many parents being quite religious and with military background (I have nothing against that of course but it is not my profile so I worry we might not fit it). I work in DC so the commute is a concern, but more so, I worry that when the kids start growing up they will be bored in the Burke. I have never lived in Maryland and don't know anything about the schools there. I am seeking views on living in Bethesda area, the public schools, overall quality of life vs. something like Burke. Thank you.

I thought that the only school district in Fairfax County is Fairfax County Public Schools? Is FCPS are poorly-performing school district?

[Anonymous]

^^^Is FCPS a poorly-performing school district?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Burke is "quite religious." That's news to me.

I think OP needs to stay in MD.

She doesn't sound like she would fit in a welcoming open minded place like Burke.

Burke VA is an open minded place? Seriously! ?
There must be something in the water over there that makes them delusional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Burke is "quite religious." That's news to me.

I think OP needs to stay in MD.

She doesn't sound like she would fit in a welcoming open minded place like Burke.

Burke VA is an open minded place? Seriously! ?
There must be something in the water over there that makes them delusional.

You need to get out more.

[Anonymous]

We like Takoma Park. Lots of diversity and good schools. Not sure if TPES (K-2) still has much if any of the gifted program, but they did. Now Piney Branch (3-5) has its own Center for Enrichment, & TPMS dedicates 25 slots to in boundary kids for the magnet program. Great community. Can definitely get something under $700K here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Burke is "quite religious." That's news to me.

I think OP needs to stay in MD.

She doesn't sound like she would fit in a welcoming open minded place like Burke.

Burke VA is an open minded place? Seriously! ?
There must be something in the water over there that makes them delusional.

OP. This is funny. The PP definitely sounds extremely welcoming

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Burke is "quite religious." That's news to me.

I think OP needs to stay in MD.

She doesn't sound like she would fit in a welcoming open minded place like Burke.

Burke VA is an open minded place? Seriously! ?
There must be something in the water over there that makes them delusional.

OP. This is funny. The PP definitely sounds extremely welcoming

Seriously OP, if you are afraid of different viewpoints then Burke is really not the place for you.

That has nothing to do with being welcoming. You're going to find a wide variety of perspectives out in Burke, and people who do not shun their neighbors due to differing religious or political views. If you want a place where most people think the same as you, then you probably won't be happy in Burke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, look near NIH: Wyngate or Mapewood neighborhoods. Zips of 20814 or 20817.

There is nothing in those neighborhoods for $700k.

[Anonymous]

You may be able to get a small rambler or split-level in those areas if you up your budget to $750 or $800K. However, it will not be very updated, and you may be competing with developers or others willing to bid up. Here are some examples:

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/5003-Elsmere-Ave-20814/home/10676725?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ios_share&utm_nooverride=1&utm_content=link

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/6305-Phyllis-Ln-20817/home/10669083?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ios_share&utm_nooverride=1&utm_content=link

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Kensington/4112-Byeforde-Ct-20895/home/11055044?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ios_share&utm_nooverride=1&utm_content=link

You also may want to check in the real estate forum. There’s a current thread about homes in the 700-750K range in Bethesda.

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Chevy-Chase/4117-Jones-Bridge-Rd-20815/home/10637002?utm_source=myredfin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ios_share&utm_nooverride=1&utm_content=link

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Falls Church City.

Easy commute to NW DC to boot.

I think FCC could work quite well for you, but $700K is pretty low for a SFH. There are some smallish townhouses that tend to run in the $600s and the occasional SFH come up. The SFHs will be small and unrenovated, but still pretty livable. Good luck!

FCC has great test scores! Here's a house in your price range: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/423-Sherrow-Ave_Falls-Church_VA_22046_M64334-97612

Garbage house/tear down. Be serious.

[Anonymous]

Herndon/Chantilly (20151/20171) feeding to Chantilly HS is probably the best schools (ES/MS/HS) in FCPS where you can easily get a nice SFH under 70k in a kid friendly community with a pool, sports fields etc. Franklin Farm, Chantilly Highlands, Franklin Glen, Armfield Farms, etc. For example, Oak Hill/Franklin/Chantilly. Also the place to be if you have a kid who could go to TJ. But— things could change in 10 years.


And, you would have a tough commute to DC. A little bit easier with the silver line phase 1. And it will get even better in a couple years when silver line Phase II is built out. But still a long time on metro every day.

[Anonymous]

Burke is not super religious - just sort of normal level as in a lot of people do do church Sun AMs but it is not like the open PTA mtgs with a prayer or anything that bleeds into the rest of the community life in a way that would be ostracizing for non-believers.

And yes it is military. Those that are not military include lots of ex-military. I have found those folks to be very friendly (we are not military) but I do not see how anyone could live in Burke and not think it is heavy on military families.

It depends if you want a SF house, OP. If yes then Burke or west Springfield are good bets. If a TH is fine that opens up your options for good schools closer in a LOT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Burke is not super religious - just sort of normal level as in a lot of people do do church Sun AMs but it is not like the open PTA mtgs with a prayer or anything that bleeds into the rest of the community life in a way that would be ostracizing for non-believers.

And yes it is military. Those that are not military include lots of ex-military. I have found those folks to be very friendly (we are not military) but I do not see how anyone could live in Burke and not think it is heavy on military families.

It depends if you want a SF house, OP. If yes then Burke or west Springfield are good bets. If a TH is fine that opens up your options for good schools closer in a LOT.

I agree with this.
The downside of Burke/WS is the commute. I’d personally want to live closer.
If you want a nice home at a not sky high price, you choose Burke/WS
If you want racially diverse neighborhoods, you choose Burke/WS
If you want uniformly good schools, you choose Burke/WS
If you want uniformly middle and upper middle class neighbors, you choose Burke/WS

But your commute is long, although I hear VRE makes it much more doable for some.

Religious? I’m not sure where that is coming from.
Bored kids? I have nieces that live there. They seem as over scheduled as my Arlington kid. I’m not sure where you are getting these ideas. Perhaps you have some idea of a rural suburb (which Burke is not). You should maybe consider actually visiting the area. Your assumptions are a bit baffling.

[Anonymous]

OP- Bethesda might be tough for 700K unless you are okay with a tiny house or fixer upper. I recommend Rockville in the Richard Montgomery High School District. Your family won't get bored in Rockville, plus the proximity to the red line will be beneficial for your commute. I also highly recommend the Quince Orchard or Wootton HS neighborhoods. You should be able to find homes there within your price range. Finally, Olney is great and it feeds into Sherwood HS. You won't go wrong with any of these schools. There are other schools I would recommend in MOCO but I was simply trying to narrow it down to those areas that would give you a decent commute to downtown and is within your price range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Burke is "quite religious." That's news to me.

I think OP needs to stay in MD.

She doesn't sound like she would fit in a welcoming open minded place like Burke.

Np I didn't know Fairfax county was in Maryland! Maybe you should read the op more carefully before you say stupid things.

We currently live in poorly performing school district in Fairfax county.