If you had $450k to spend, wanted a decent commute to Metro Center, good public schools, suburbs,

[Anonymous]

I'm also surprised no one has mentioned close-in Silver Spring. My only thought is that it depends on what the OP means by "good public schools." If you want the best schools in the county, then Silver Spring isn't going to fit the bill. If you want better than what you would get in most of NYC, then most of the Silver Spring schools would. I live in the Woodmoor area of Silver Spring. I drive to the Metro station, park, and take Metro to Metro Center. Including dropping DD off at daycare, it takes me an hour. The schools are good enough that most people in the neighborhood send their kids there and don't pull them out once they reach a certain level. There are lots of options in Silver Spring in the $450k range right now. The area is very convenient for shopping, etc., and in my are at least, there are tons of trees, green spaces, and parks. But yes, taxes are way higher in MD than in VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:15:29 here. We moved years ago but we once lived in Kensington Estates (north end of Parkwood Dr.) which is right next to and largely indistinguishable from Parkwood. The name doesn't quite have the cachet of Parkwood so it is even a bit cheaper. I just looked at Gary Ditto's site and he has a rambler on Warner for 465, so it can be done.

The cachet of Parkwood? Snort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The cachet of Parkwood? Snort.

Hey, it's all relative. No one is claiming it's 5th Avenue, but there is some premium paid for Parkwood houses over those in other, less-known neighborhoods, even adjacent to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Taxes are higher in MD?

definitely. At least they are compared to Arlington.

Far higher. From someone who's lived in both...

[Anonymous]

Reston is a good bet for your price range. LOTS of parks, trails, access to all the pools in the summer. It's in Fairfax County, so your schools are going to be good (don't ask me on specifics). Plus, loads of shopping nearby. If you are commuting to DC, your options (which might not be the greatest) are Route 7, the toll road or there's a bus system that both my brothers-in-law swear by.

[Anonymous]

I second Reston; just had our second child in December and we moved here seven years ago before kids. Good public schools, *wonderful* wooded trails I love jogging on, shopping, tons of community events & causes. I commute to Union Station, and take Toll Road/66 with a co-commuter every morning and it takes 45 minutes. On the way home I'm alone by choice on GW Parkway/123/Toll Road and it takes 45-55 minutes. Bought our 5 BR, SF home in 2001 for $360K and probably worth $500 now.

[Anonymous]

Hollin Hall, Waynewood Area

they are south of old town in Fairfax

[Anonymous]

OP Here. Thanks. These are great suggestions.

[Anonymous]

You might want to keep in mind the fact that Virginians get in-state tuition for U.Va. and William and Mary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might want to keep in mind the fact that Virginians get in-state tuition for U.Va. and William and Mary.

Yes, and so so easy to get into as a Northern Virginian!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for pointing out all of these considerations!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I second Reston; just had our second child in December and we moved here seven years ago before kids. Good public schools, *wonderful* wooded trails I love jogging on, shopping, tons of community events & causes. I commute to Union Station, and take Toll Road/66 with a co-commuter every morning and it takes 45 minutes. On the way home I'm alone by choice on GW Parkway/123/Toll Road and it takes 45-55 minutes. Bought our 5 BR, SF home in 2001 for $360K and probably worth $500 now.

It only takes you 45 minutes to drive to Union Station from Reston in the morning rush hour? Really?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might want to keep in mind the fact that Virginians get in-state tuition for U.Va. and William and Mary.

Yes, and so so easy to get into as a Northern Virginian!

I am the one who wrote t his above comment. I should clarify that I was joking. I think the stats are that 1 in 4 NoVa HS seniors get into one of these colleges. Competition is fierce! However, it is true that there are a lot more excellent Virginia public colleges to choose from than Maryland public colleges.

[Anonymous]

Oh man, I used to make the reverse commute out to Reston/Herndon. Not only is there really only one good route (the Toll Road) but it was ALWAYS bumper to bumper. Expect to shave 5 to 10 years off your life due to the driving stress and lower quality of life. Also, once you're finally out there it's like being in Dallas or Phoenix or something - there's absolutely no good reason for that place. It literally depressed the hell out of me to be out there.

[Anonymous]

To the above PP; you must be referring to the generic office parks that are in the Herndon area. Those have nothing to do with the 'true' Reston. Reston has a lot of woods and trails and lovely homes as others have noted. I currently live in Arlington, but love love love the Reston area. I don't live there because my commute into MD would've been bad. There are lots of affordable THs near Lake Anne if you don't mind a more modern look (but very private).