Moving to Area -- Suggestions on where to buy (schools/family-friendly)?
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Anonymous
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We are moving to the DC area and I am hoping for suggestions on where to look for a house. We would like to buy in a neighborhood with lots of kids/families that is w/in walking distance of a decent park. Good public schools are a priority. I am thinking VA but we're generally open. Can pay up to - no more than - $800K for a house but would prefer to stay at $700-$750K. We need 4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms plus a basement or other room that can be used for family members who will visit frequently (week-2weeks at a time). Commute time to downtown DC is a consideration. We don't have to be near a metro b/c we'll have a car (although of course that would be a plus). Another plus would be the ability to walk to restaurants/coffee shops, but we don't have to have that. The biggest priorities are school district (although I'm not saying we have to be in whatever are considered to be the absolute best schools in the entire area -- just good solid public schools), safe neighborhood w/other families, and commute time.
Any suggestions on where to start looking? I know Arlington is considered a good place for families, but what areas of Arlington are compatible with this budget? Would Falls Church be worth trying? Not sure how realistic those are and feeling a little overwhelmed. Thanks very much for any advice. |
Anonymous
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Forest Glen? Rockville neighborhoods?
Parks shouldn't be a problem. It seems like most neighborhoods have those. It seems like the hard element to meet is walking to restaurants/shops. Four bedroom houses that have that location are usually pretty pricey if they are in good school districts and within easy commuting distance of downtown. |
Anonymous
| Thanks for the quick replies so far! We are willing to abandon the idea of walking to restaurants -- I realize that is going to make it more expensive and am not very concerned about that. Have to pick your priorities and that isn't at the top of the list. |
Anonymous
| OP, we are looking for something very similar to you. We've given up on walkability in favor of schools, commute, 3/4 bedrooms. We're actually considering some larger townhomes in North Bethesda and Rockville. |
Anonymous
| Where are your new jobs? Your priority considerations in this area should be commute and schools. The parks, restaurants, shopping are everywhere in Northern VA, and are quite frankly a secondary consideration once you have kids. |
Anonymous
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This is really a great area for your price target - close to West Falls Church metro and excellent schools. |
Anonymous
| Come to Arlington. Near Lee Harrison shopping center. Great parks and schools. Very family friendly and close to East Falls Church metro. |
Anonymous
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http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2613-N-Jefferson-St_Va_VA_22207_M63407-92023
This is very close to Lee Harrison. You could walk to a great park, 2 grocery stores, ice cream, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, bagel shop, bank and Starbux. |
Anonymous
| How about Mantua or Truro or other areas in the Woodson pyramid |
Anonymous
| Kensington |
Anonymous
Hideous. |
Anonymous
| You should be able to find something decent in the City of Falls Church to satisfy your criteria. |
Anonymous
why is this hideous? it looks okay to me.
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Anonymous
I think that's an artificial moniker created by shifty real estate agents. |