Most Stay-at-home Dad friendly neighborhood/elementary school in Fairfax County?
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Anonymous
| Hi Anonymous Moms and Dads! My wife recently accepted a position as a physician in Burke, VA, and my new part-time job is figuring out the community that will be the best fit for our family long-term. Based on my research of the real estate that feeds into our choice schools of Woodson, West Springfield, Robinson and Lake Braddock, we would like to buy in the 700K to 800K range, but can afford to spend more. My two year old son and I enjoy gardening and want to plant lots of edible landscaping (fruit trees and berry bushes) in our yard. Being part of a swim team and active community is non-negotiable, as we currently enjoy the amenities of walkable Philadelphia, PA, and don't want to be too isolated from neighbors and civilization. What neighborhood/swim club/elementary school in Fairfax County would you recommend? Are there any particular areas with lots of professional stay-at home parents? Thanks for your time. (AMA) |
Anonymous
|
I would live in Burke if your wife will be working in Burke. Burke is a very family friendly community with good schools. Housing is affordable. We don't live there but have been to a swim club. Many HOAs also have multiple community pools.
Not that many stay at home dads anywhere. Sorry. |
Anonymous
|
We're in West Springfield and I know of some SAHDs here. We have most of the things you're looking for here. But I believe Burke does too, and commute is extremely important. So if I were you, I would look first in Burke.
We had lots of berry bushes and fruit trees in our yard (newly planted, not mature) and unfortunately lost most of them in the extremely cold winter we just had. But the winter was very unusual, and I hope not to see such cold temperatures here ever again. |
Anonymous
| The dads at our school run computer programs and biking days. |
Anonymous
|
At that budget I would buy a house that feeds into Sangster, if you can find it.
After that, any of the schools are fine and all of the areas will likely have many SAH parents. If you buy near military, most of the SAH parents will be educated and/or former professionals. Find the house you love and buy there. Schools are equal and similar quality. Ones that I have heard very good things about and that I know have great parents and neighborhood are all the ones lining Keene Mill Rd. (West Springfield, Orange Hunt, Hunt Valley, Cherry Run, etc) plus White Oaks, Kings Park and Kings Glen. The Kings Park/Glen neighborhoods are mostly within walking distance of Lake Braddock, so families will often walk to the school for games and Homecoming parades, etc. I know a of a few SAH dads in Burke and Springfield but not too many. All of the pools are the center of the neighborhoods out there. Are you kids competitive swimmers/divers or recreational/social? Different pools have different levels of competitiveness with their teams and different personalities to their pool culture. Hunt Valley Pool is exceptionally strong. Others are more fun/recreational. I have heard that there are fewer SAH parents, younger families and laid back neighborhoods the closer you get to Fairfax Station, and the farther you get from the West Springfield and central parts of Burke, but that is just hearsay. Someone from that neck of the woods might have different information that would be helpful to you. The houses are very nice out that way though. Good luck house hunting. It really is a great area to raise a family! Welcome! |
Anonymous
Which school or school pyramid has involved Dads? Your comment is not very useful to the OP without that information. |
Anonymous
Not that poster but both of our elmentary schools have dads involved in school activities. They help with class parties, volunteer to read and lead some activities. West Springfield/Burke. I don't think this is uncommon in this area. |
Anonymous
| You are more likely to meet SAH dads if you live within walking boundaries of your elementary. |
Anonymous
What's the theory behind your statement? |
Anonymous
Probably has something to do with not being isolated within the confines of a car when dropping off/picking up kids. |
Anonymous
Shouldn't be true. There is this one dad at our bus stop who is chatty and very social. I wouldn't discount meeting people at the bus stop. |
Anonymous
| :15 poster again. I would consider the KP, Signal Hill, or LB neighborhoods since they have swim clubs, good school pyramids, and walkability. |
Anonymous
The parents of walkers get to school around ten minutes early for pick up, esp the first couple of weeks of school. There are almost always a couple of dads there, particularly with the younger kids. Some are just on their day off, others telecommute or work part time and are there a few days a week and some are SAH. Everyone eventually start chatting with each other, and a few weeks to months into the year evryone is saying hi, making small talk, walking home or hanging out at the playground together. It is very easy to meet other parents ane also easier to meet other dads if your kid is a walker. |
Anonymous
OP responding here: This is really helpful information. I will most likely fit into the Dad working part-time category within another year or two, and would like to have neighbors that also care about having a more walkable lifestyle. My wife and I have been planning to hold off on buying until we can get a home within a short walk of a swim club or popular playground area. Are elementary school playgrounds available to the community during the summer and after school hours? |
Anonymous
| Wife of SAHD here, we live in Fairfax City (north of Burke). DH was a lawyer but has been at home with our twins since they were born. Other SAHDs are few and far between; the SAHMs at our preschool are very nice, but it is nonetheless isolating. I suggest checking with DC Metro Dads for tips on SAHD-friendly neighborhoods. |