Moving, estimating commute times, low budget, baby on the way.
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Anonymous
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Please work your magic--budget $400,000, ideally $350,000.
DH and I live in a tiny 1 bdrm condo in Dupont Circle and are expecting our first baby. I love it; he hates it. I'm willing to move. He wants space: 3 bedrooms, easy parking, outdoor space. I like walking places and am worried about our budget and the responsibilities of a house. For the first year, I'll be home, mostly, needing to commute to Foggy Bottom 2 days a week, but off peak hours. After that I'll open a business, probably in NW DC. He needs to get to Foggy Bottom by 930am and leaves work around 7 or 8. He thinks a long commute would be worth it to have a house; I think if he leaves for work at 8am and gets home at 9pm, he'll never see his kids. As a compromise, I'm thinking a 30 minute drive to downtown DC (F. North or Foggy metro area, but DH doesn't like metroing and would drive most days). (People out in Fairfax, it takes you longer than that, right? He's convinced that he could commute from Vienna or Herndon in a half hour--same story Rockville folks--how long does it really take you). From my end, I REALLY can't handle a fixer-upper. I'd love new construction or less than 10 years old. I'm too fearful of needing a new roof, a water main breaking, bad plumbing... all the hidden costs of owning a house. So I've been thinking the new townhouses in teh Arts District Hyattsville? I know schools are an issue. Our budget is so low, but we are also interested in Montessori education--so may be looking at paying anyway. Or could move by the time the kids are in middle school. OR if you think I'm crazy and it's better to live out in Fairfax or MoCo and have him have a long commute to ensure good schools, let me know. He thinks that with interest rates we'd be crazy to rent. help! thanks!! |
Anonymous
| How about Shirlington, VA? I think you can get a nice renovated townhome under $400 and it is close to DC, walkable, and I believe the schools are good (that is what I've heard). Usually, there are two bedrooms on the second floor and one in the basement so not sure if that works for you. |
Anonymous
| By the way, I agree with your DH that buying would be good for you IF you plan on staying for 5+ years. |
Anonymous
| Just to provide some reality on commuting: my no-traffic (7 am) very-best-case driving commute from Kensington/Silver Spring to Foggy Bottom is 30 minutes. With traffic, it's always an hour (much of that hour is spent still in the District). All the way to Rockville would be more like 1.5 hour drive each way, if it's in traffic. Maybe an hour without traffic. |
Anonymous
| [I'm that last poster] And another thing, you are absolutely right that he will never see his child if he chooses the long commute option. The kids are going to go to bed around 8 for pretty much their entire childhood. And you are going to suffer being a single parent all day with an infant. Maybe you can put off the decision for a few years and stay downtown so he can actually get to know the baby. |
Anonymous
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How about this:
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/4504-Shoal-Creek-Ct_Alexandria_VA_22312_M59629-14480 I live in this neighborhood and it's a 30 minute commute in. |
Anonymous
I concur with this, except for the schools bit. Bonus for Shirlington is you can hop right on the bike trail and be in Foggy Bottom in short order too. |
Anonymous
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How about this one if you like Shirlingon? http://franklymls.com/AR7753907
I don't live there so I don't know how long the commute actually is. |
Anonymous
| Pimmit hills but the houses are small and older |
Anonymous
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Vienna to Foggy Bottom in 30 minutes? Not on your life.
It'd take me that long just to get to Crystal City and I have hybrid plates that let me take I-66 during rush hour ... and you can't get those anymore. Herndon to Foggy Bottom? Hell, it's hard to pull that off at 3am (it's 23 miles as it is.) Your hubby is going to have to get used to Metro/MARC, or accept 2 bedrooms, or accept that $350k gets you a TH in this area. Are your job fields tied to the DC area? It's possible to enjoy life in Loudoun/Fauquier/western PWC if you don't have to go further in than say Tysons. |
Anonymous
| My personal advice? Stay where you are and save, save, save. |
Anonymous
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OP here. Thanks all, will look closely at Shirlington this weekend. I also want to drive out and see the Hyattsville Arts District.
I know my husband has the worst time-estimating skills. It's one of those endearing/hilarious/frustrating traits. His job will always be in Foggy Bottom--unless he changes jobs in which case we'd leave DC for NY or BOS. I can open my own shop anywhere, but currently have the most clients in upper NW and work for someone else in Foggy Bottom. |
Anonymous
No, you don't want to live in the Hyattsville Arts District. Not with a commute to Foggy Bottom, and not with PG County Schools. |
Anonymous
| 17:53, would it really be that bad? Just driving down Rhode Island? Understand the schools issue--would do private if we stayed there. |
Anonymous
| I think I just like the idea of a brand new townhouse. All clean and easy... |