How much should I make to live in McLean, VA

[Anonymous]

To make ends meet? I need rent a 2bdrm apartment in an area with good public schools.

[Anonymous]

This will cost you $2-2,500 per month. How much you need to make only you can answer.

[Anonymous]

2.

[Anonymous]

Are there even apartments in McLean?

[Anonymous]

$10MM

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there even apartments in McLean?

Yes, there are large apartment buildings behind the supermarket downtown. High-end transient types and freshly divorced BigLaw dads live in them, mostly.

[Anonymous]

how much is it to rent a condo?

[Anonymous]

Wow. Why all the interest in McLean? Its not all that. I don't know what the attraction is. Plenty of my friends own in McLean, and there are much more "down to earth" areas that I would prefer to raise my kids. And we could afford anywhere. But I figure, while we are in the area (we own), we may as well enjoy it, as well as the kids. It all ties together, right? The people do matter.

[Anonymous]

So would 80K be enough if I had to pay for preschool?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. Why all the interest in McLean? Its not all that. I don't know what the attraction is. Plenty of my friends own in McLean, and there are much more "down to earth" areas that I would prefer to raise my kids. And we could afford anywhere. But I figure, while we are in the area (we own), we may as well enjoy it, as well as the kids. It all ties together, right? The people do matter.

I'm interviewing for a job there and don't want to have long commute. Do want good schools though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So would 80K be enough if I had to pay for preschool?

Well, your rent will be 24-30K per year. Deduct that from you net income and decide for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So would 80K be enough if I had to pay for preschool?

Honestly, no.

[Anonymous]

You can rent a 2 bedroom condo in the Colonies (it's 22102 McLean) for about $1650/mo, and that's for Westgate Elementary. They have 3 bedrooms too. Try there or maybe the Rotunda. I don't have any knowledge of the Regency, but those are condos too. I think an experience with a condo will be better than any apartment around there.

You could also rent in (drum roll. . . .) Pimmit Hills! For $1600 to $2300/mo. They are zoned for Westgate or Lemon Road ES, Kilmer MS, Marshall HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So would 80K be enough if I had to pay for preschool?

ouch - I would shoot for rent under $1700/mo for a 2-bedroom in that case.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, Fairfax County Public Schools are mostly pretty good, and to get into areas around McLean that aren't "McLean" would be better bang for your buck. So maybe try Annandale or Falls Church and commute a little. You will be able to afford more, be able to save more, and schools will still be good.