Is the Huntington part of Alexandria best for us?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. As I mentioned we could go up to $480k for the right situation. We are interested in townhouses or SFHs with 3 beds preferably.

OP, you do not get a 3BR with good schools, walkability, and proximity to your job downtown in this price range. I say this without snark, but it is just not going to happen. You either get crappy schools for this price, or you get a terrible commute and car-dependent lifestyle. I am speaking from experience, and I bought a few years ago when the prices were down. We still had to go quite a bit above what we had considered our budget (600K max) to get what you list as your preferences as well (we had to spend almost 700K). You will either need to live in a smaller house/condo, or way further out.

Just a quick correction - you can get 3BR with all those things but you have to be willing to accept very small bedrooms and a condo/townhouse

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. As I mentioned we could go up to $480k for the right situation. We are interested in townhouses or SFHs with 3 beds preferably.

OP, you do not get a 3BR with good schools, walkability, and proximity to your job downtown in this price range. I say this without snark, but it is just not going to happen. You either get crappy schools for this price, or you get a terrible commute and car-dependent lifestyle. I am speaking from experience, and I bought a few years ago when the prices were down. We still had to go quite a bit above what we had considered our budget (600K max) to get what you list as your preferences as well (we had to spend almost 700K). You will either need to live in a smaller house/condo, or way further out.

Just a quick correction - you can get 3BR with all those things but you have to be willing to accept very small bedrooms and a condo/townhouse

Where would that be?

[Anonymous]

We live in north old town and drive down to the area you're looking at about once a month. I wouldn't say it's walkable or bikable but it's a 10-15 min drive between the two neighborhoods.

Regarding walking, you probably could get a home walking distance to Huntinton metro within your budget but you'd need to drive for grocercies and other things.

Regarding schools, the two elementary schools in the area are rated a 6 on GreatSchools and they obviously are part of the AAP program. There area very few schools people on this board would say are acceptable if you can't afford a 1Mhome so take it all with a grain of salt. You can set up a tour if you're still considering the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

http://www.weichert.com/39071448/

At the end of this little street is a bike connection to Eisenhower avenue and then to old town.

It's not close for daily runs.

The schools are ok. You are between 2 metro stations
Huntington and van Dorn,but not as close to van Dorn as Bush Hill or brookland neighborhoods.

Bush Hill school is small and not bad. The Edison cluster is fine unless you are a snob. Recent cross country team member just recruited to Harvard.

Search 22310

[Anonymous]

http://slideshow.mris.com/slideshow/slideshow.htm?ListingKey=98453975770

Cul de sac
Walk to metro
Daily shopping near by
No village charm like old town or Cleveland park, but convenient and affordable
Bush hill elementary one of smallest, if not the smallest elem. in FFx
Tiny neighborhood park 2 blocks away and school playground an easy walk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://slideshow.mris.com/slideshow/slideshow.htm?ListingKey=98453975770

Cul de sac
Walk to metro
Daily shopping near by
No village charm like old town or Cleveland park, but convenient and affordable
Bush hill elementary one of smallest, if not the smallest elem. in FFx
Tiny neighborhood park 2 blocks away and school playground an easy walk.

Realtors are hilarious! First Bush Hilli ES ended the 2013 school year with 500 kids.(easy to look up) That's not even close to being one of the smallest schools in FCPS. And what's with the "walk to the metro"? Seriously?

If you want a small school and walk-ability to the metro (Huntington), try the area around Mount Eagle ES. School was just renovated, it's under 400 students and there is a huge redevelopment going on at N. Kings and Rte 1 with grocery, coffee shop, restaurants, etc. all designed to be pedestrian friendly. My sister moved there 2 years ago and loves it. The duplexes are small, but the community is diverse and has many young families.

Let the trashy ghetto responses commence in 3, 2, 1...

[Anonymous]

You are right PP. There are many strip malls farther along Rt 1, but little around Huntington Metro. Now that all the construction is finished around the Wilson Bridge this area is prime for a rejuvenation. Your sister is smart

[Anonymous]

Look at the neighbhorhoods off the GW parkway of Alexandria -better schools (ES) and little crime. I used to live in that area and hated it. Had property with my exDH - made a fortune when I sold - but there's a lot of low income along Route 1 and high crime.

We bought in the Wellington area of Ft. Hunt and I have to say, it's a little slice of heaven.

[Anonymous]

Hardly a realtor.
I watch the suits walk by my house to the metro everyday.
There's a shortcut through a bit of park.

Lemon Road and Bush Hill used to be the smallest. Lemon Road had an addition. Yeah,Mount Eagle is smaller than Bush Hill now. I know someone who was there briefly and had good teachers and found the kids were nice. It is overwhelmingly English as a second language learners. Not bad, just know it. There are also very odd catchment lines in which you can see Mount Eagle from your house, but be zoned for the school in the Burgundy neighborhood. Not saying any of this is bad, just giving the info I know.

Some days I wish I was a realtor, but you can believe whatever you want. You can also turn your nose up at suggestions, but when you're working on a budget, it's good to gather whatever information you can get.