Debating moving to Vienna from DC

[Anonymous]

The driver is simple: $1.1 or $1.2M get me a nice place in Vienna. The downside is its bloody Vienna. I worry it'll feel like suburban hell. Can anyone comment on life out there?

[Anonymous]

I don't live in Vienna, but live in 22043. My child is doing a sport in Vienna and I was stunned at the nice sense of community and the relaxed vibe there. I somewhat second guess my decision to choose 22043, but I just couldn't handle the extra 10-15 minutes on my commute. Also, I didn't look in Vienna when we bought so I had no idea how nice it was. You should spend some time out there and see how you like it.

[Anonymous]

What do you get out of living in the city?

$1.2M gets you a plenty OK place in DC, Arlington, etc.

[Anonymous]

depends on where you work/commute, do you have kids, what kind of lifestyle do you want to lead? Vienna is a wonderful place to raise a family - lots of neighborhoods full of kids (Vienna spans 3 zip codes and not all are the same).

you definitely can get a lot of house for your money relative to other places that are closer in - though, at 1.1 or 1.2m, you can find a great home in Arlington or Mclean too. unless you live in the town of Vienna, you have to drive everywhere and Rte. 123 is a damn parking lot and so frustrating.

if you want to be in DC regularly on the weekends, Arlington and Mclean are better options Vienna is still close by normal measures but a 12 or 13 mile drive can take 40 minutes + on the weekends because of traffic.

I lived in Vienna for 10 years, loved the space but the commute was horrendous. Now living in Arlington, it was so worth the trade-off - smaller house/acreage but every amenity is a 5-10 minute drive, 15-20 commute to work, and in DC regularly on the weekends with the kids. Plus, tons and tons of kids in the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Moved from EOTP DC to Vienna but eventually moved closer in. Liked the community feel, and did not find it "suburban hell" at all, but it's just a bear of a commute. For $1.2 M you can split the difference and find a place in Arlington, Falls Church or McLean with an easier commute. If you can tolerate the commute that far out, it's another story, but your post implies you'd be second-guessing yourself from the start.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I work from home so commute is not an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The driver is simple: $1.1 or $1.2M get me a nice place in Vienna. The downside is its bloody Vienna. I worry it'll feel like suburban hell. Can anyone comment on life out there?

Given your attitude ("bloody Vienna"), I suggest you stay in DC. Vienna is a nice town, and I would it hate it if people like you moved here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I work from home so commute is not an issue.

So go hang out for a while at one or more of:

- Amma Vegetarian
- Nielsen's Frozen Custard
- Vienna Inn
- Caffe Amouri
- Cenan's Bakery
- Patrick Henry Library
- Whole Foods
- Vienna Community Center

If you do that, and like it, great. If you think it's too suburban, stay put. No one will put a gun to your head.

[Anonymous]

If commute isn't an issue, and you have kids, there really is no better place than Vienna. Good luck with your decision

[Anonymous]

I have lived in many areas in the DC-MD-VA area over the past 25 years and the small town feel and sense of community of Vienna is unmatched. Traffic can be tough but no worse than in a lot of areas around here. Look for a place in the Town of Vienna within walking distance to the community ctr., Town Green and Church Street. I have yet to meet someone who does not love it.

[Anonymous]

People move to Vienna for the schools and family. Otherwise it is pretty suburban. Far from DC if that is what you like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have lived in many areas in the DC-MD-VA area over the past 25 years and the small town feel and sense of community of Vienna is unmatched. Traffic can be tough but no worse than in a lot of areas around here. Look for a place in the Town of Vienna within walking distance to the community ctr., Town Green and Church Street. I have yet to meet someone who does not love it.

I'm convinced people will only admit how bad the traffic is in Vienna once they live somewhere else that is less congested. It really is the major drawback of the area. And I say this as someone who likes Vienna but doesn't buy the notion that, if you live there, you suddenly gain access to secret routes known only by locals that allow you to avoid the traffic.

Being within walking distance to Church Street is nice, too, but it won't get you anywhere else other than, well, Church Street.

[Anonymous]

When we looked for a house two years ago, we could afford a remodeled place in Vienna or a beat-up place in 22043. I was ready to go for Vienna, but my husband refused to do anything further than WFC. Today, I cherish the fact that he did not listen to me. I would hate that commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If commute isn't an issue, and you have kids, there really is no better place than Vienna. Good luck with your decision

there are plenty of very family-friendly communities in NOVA and MD - Vienna is just example in that group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The driver is simple: $1.1 or $1.2M get me a nice place in Vienna. The downside is its bloody Vienna. I worry it'll feel like suburban hell. Can anyone comment on life out there?

doesn't sound like you'll get on there. Viienna's loss I'm sure