Best place to live in VA if commuting to Georgetown?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in N. Arlington and are extremely close to Georgetown. For the price you mention, you may find a house you like but you can forget a large yard. We live in a relatively newer build (2 car garage, 4 bedroom/4.5 bathroom) home with (family of 4 also) and there just isn't that much inventory. We were at a house recently of DC's classmate and that house was easily $2 million plus (in the J-W-Y pyramid) and their yard was just as small as ours (in the 1.2/1.3 M range). I've been watching the listings and most of the newer homes while they offer open concept and 2 car garages, do not have desirable locations (i.e., not a desirable elementary school) and/or not a great street location.

PP above. Just took a look at the listings you mentioned and can't help laughing. Even in Oakton and Reston, which would provide hellish commutes, they're listed over $1.5 M. My cousins have lived in McLean for decades and have homes like this--mainly through rolling over the equity in their prior homes. These types of homes in McLean are also easily over $2M. Where we are in Arlington just the lot itself (about 1/8 acre) is $500K. So, for 1/2 an acre, the land alone would come to $2M (excluding the property itself).

OP here. We can afford to go over $2 million and probably go to $3 million. I just prefer to stay under $2. We have decent savings that we prefer not to touch but we are young (mid 30's) and can save more.

That is the look I like but I obviously know that we will not get that much land or house. I meant the brick style home look. We can go as small as 3500 SF with a park close by.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in Mclean, just over from the Arlington border and only about 5 minutes from Chain Bridge. There are a lot of houses in this area in your price range. You get a good size house and lot and excellent schools (arguably better than those in Arlington but I won't open that can of worms). Check out Chesterbrook Woods, Chesterbrook Farm and Chain Bridge Forest.

What is the zip code for those? 5 min from Chain Bridge sounds lovely. Looks like I am losing the Arlington Mclean battle with my husband.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in N. Arlington and are extremely close to Georgetown. For the price you mention, you may find a house you like but you can forget a large yard. We live in a relatively newer build (2 car garage, 4 bedroom/4.5 bathroom) home with (family of 4 also) and there just isn't that much inventory. We were at a house recently of DC's classmate and that house was easily $2 million plus (in the J-W-Y pyramid) and their yard was just as small as ours (in the 1.2/1.3 M range). I've been watching the listings and most of the newer homes while they offer open concept and 2 car garages, do not have desirable locations (i.e., not a desirable elementary school) and/or not a great street location.

PP above. Just took a look at the listings you mentioned and can't help laughing. Even in Oakton and Reston, which would provide hellish commutes, they're listed over $1.5 M. My cousins have lived in McLean for decades and have homes like this--mainly through rolling over the equity in their prior homes. These types of homes in McLean are also easily over $2M. Where we are in Arlington just the lot itself (about 1/8 acre) is $500K. So, for 1/2 an acre, the land alone would come to $2M (excluding the property itself).

OP here. We can afford to go over $2 million and probably go to $3 million. I just prefer to stay under $2. We have decent savings that we prefer not to touch but we are young (mid 30's) and can save more.

That is the look I like but I obviously know that we will not get that much land or house. I meant the brick style home look. We can go as small as 3500 SF with a park close by.

Why not just live in Georgetown?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in Mclean, just over from the Arlington border and only about 5 minutes from Chain Bridge. There are a lot of houses in this area in your price range. You get a good size house and lot and excellent schools (arguably better than those in Arlington but I won't open that can of worms). Check out Chesterbrook Woods, Chesterbrook Farm and Chain Bridge Forest.

What is the zip code for those? 5 min from Chain Bridge sounds lovely. Looks like I am losing the Arlington Mclean battle with my husband.

22101. Here are a few to check out:

https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/22101/real-estate#!v=8&sst=®ion_id=8760®ion_type=2&market=dc

https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/22101/real-estate#!v=8&sst=®ion_id=8760®ion_type=2&market=dc

https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/22101/real-estate#!v=8&sst=®ion_id=8760®ion_type=2&market=dc

https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/22101/real-estate#!v=8&sst=®ion_id=8760®ion_type=2&market=dc

https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/22101/real-estate#!v=8&sst=®ion_id=8760®ion_type=2&market=dc

[Anonymous]

OP, you said there aren't houses in DC that you like. You also said you could go up to 3 mil.

You like brick? What about this? 15 minutes to Georgetown WITH traffic:

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3119-Arizona-Ave-NW-20016/home/9942552

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/5120-Watson-St-NW-20016/home/9944106

Or a straight short down MacArthur from Bethesda, if you are afraid of public high schools in DC:

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/4313-Locust-Ln-20816/home/11180960
or
https://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/5302-Iroquois-Rd-20816/home/10647947

I think if you cut out the need to cross a bridge, your commute will improve dramatically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you said there aren't houses in DC that you like. You also said you could go up to 3 mil.

You like brick? What about this? 15 minutes to Georgetown WITH traffic:

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3119-Arizona-Ave-NW-20016/home/9942552

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/5120-Watson-St-NW-20016/home/9944106

Or a straight short down MacArthur from Bethesda, if you are afraid of public high schools in DC:

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/4313-Locust-Ln-20816/home/11180960
or
https://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/5302-Iroquois-Rd-20816/home/10647947

I think if you cut out the need to cross a bridge, your commute will improve dramatically.

I've lived in Bethesda, NW DC and N Arlington. Bethesda isn't saving you any time commuting. N Arlington is easier, even with the bridge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you said there aren't houses in DC that you like. You also said you could go up to 3 mil.

You like brick? What about this? 15 minutes to Georgetown WITH traffic:

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3119-Arizona-Ave-NW-20016/home/9942552

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/5120-Watson-St-NW-20016/home/9944106

Or a straight short down MacArthur from Bethesda, if you are afraid of public high schools in DC:

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/4313-Locust-Ln-20816/home/11180960
or
https://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/5302-Iroquois-Rd-20816/home/10647947

I think if you cut out the need to cross a bridge, your commute will improve dramatically.

I've lived in Bethesda, NW DC and N Arlington. Bethesda isn't saving you any time commuting. N Arlington is easier, even with the bridge.

Agreed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you said there aren't houses in DC that you like. You also said you could go up to 3 mil.

You like brick? What about this? 15 minutes to Georgetown WITH traffic:

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3119-Arizona-Ave-NW-20016/home/9942552

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/5120-Watson-St-NW-20016/home/9944106

Or a straight short down MacArthur from Bethesda, if you are afraid of public high schools in DC:

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/4313-Locust-Ln-20816/home/11180960
or
https://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/5302-Iroquois-Rd-20816/home/10647947

I think if you cut out the need to cross a bridge, your commute will improve dramatically.

I've lived in Bethesda, NW DC and N Arlington. Bethesda isn't saving you any time commuting. N Arlington is easier, even with the bridge.

Yes, N. Arlington might be closer than Bethesda, but OP is not going to find the house/ lot size she wants in N. Arlington. The area around MacArthur Blvd in Bethesda is also going to be a much quicker commute than, say, NIH Bethesda...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Either way you're basically looking at crossing the Chain Bridge and taking Canal Road. So, look within a mile or so of that in both directions.

Or Key Bridge?

I'd rather stab my eyes out than sit in traffic at Canal St. The light at the bridge is killer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rosslyn

Yuck

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you said there aren't houses in DC that you like. You also said you could go up to 3 mil.

You like brick? What about this? 15 minutes to Georgetown WITH traffic:

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/3119-Arizona-Ave-NW-20016/home/9942552

https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/5120-Watson-St-NW-20016/home/9944106

Or a straight short down MacArthur from Bethesda, if you are afraid of public high schools in DC:

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/4313-Locust-Ln-20816/home/11180960
or
https://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/5302-Iroquois-Rd-20816/home/10647947

I think if you cut out the need to cross a bridge, your commute will improve dramatically.

Love the first house. Maybe we will need to look into DC.

DH is the one who likes the suburbs. I am from NYC and love the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have 2 elementary aged children and plan to send our kids to public school. We want a short commute to Georgetown. We have a home budget of $1.3-$2 million. Would prefer to stay around $1.5 million. Ideally we could take back roads to Georgetown and still be somewhat close to highways. We like newer homes in preferably a cul de sac with decent yard (1/4 or 1/2 acre).

Could you recommend areas that we should start our search?

I like the idea of N Arlington and DH likes the look of Mclean. I told DH that N Arlington "looks" like Mclean.

Do you really think we're going to tell you about the secret bridge over the potomac??

Consider Langley Oaks in McLean, OP. But be aware that there are tons of Asians in McLean. Curious why you stated you don't necessarily want to be amongst them? (I agree too much of anything is generally, quite bad.)

Have you seen Annandale?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in N. Arlington and are extremely close to Georgetown. For the price you mention, you may find a house you like but you can forget a large yard. We live in a relatively newer build (2 car garage, 4 bedroom/4.5 bathroom) home with (family of 4 also) and there just isn't that much inventory. We were at a house recently of DC's classmate and that house was easily $2 million plus (in the J-W-Y pyramid) and their yard was just as small as ours (in the 1.2/1.3 M range). I've been watching the listings and most of the newer homes while they offer open concept and 2 car garages, do not have desirable locations (i.e., not a desirable elementary school) and/or not a great street location.

PP above. Just took a look at the listings you mentioned and can't help laughing. Even in Oakton and Reston, which would provide hellish commutes, they're listed over $1.5 M. My cousins have lived in McLean for decades and have homes like this--mainly through rolling over the equity in their prior homes. These types of homes in McLean are also easily over $2M. Where we are in Arlington just the lot itself (about 1/8 acre) is $500K. So, for 1/2 an acre, the land alone would come to $2M (excluding the property itself).

What are you babbling on about? There are currently 15 houses in N Arlington near Chain Bridge priced between 2m and 4m...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington is really over-rated. I'd not want to live there. But it is a hot area right now so if you are looking at it from a point of view of appreciation, you will probably be better off there.

The person who was priced out of Arlington trying to belittle Arlington is really getting tiresome.

Actually not - first time I have posted about Arlington. Never even looked there but have been to Arlington for other reasons.

It is a good place to commute to DC ..... other than that I would pass.

Awesome - you don't really know anything, but thought you'd chime in. Stfu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in N. Arlington and are extremely close to Georgetown. For the price you mention, you may find a house you like but you can forget a large yard. We live in a relatively newer build (2 car garage, 4 bedroom/4.5 bathroom) home with (family of 4 also) and there just isn't that much inventory. We were at a house recently of DC's classmate and that house was easily $2 million plus (in the J-W-Y pyramid) and their yard was just as small as ours (in the 1.2/1.3 M range). I've been watching the listings and most of the newer homes while they offer open concept and 2 car garages, do not have desirable locations (i.e., not a desirable elementary school) and/or not a great street location.

PP above. Just took a look at the listings you mentioned and can't help laughing. Even in Oakton and Reston, which would provide hellish commutes, they're listed over $1.5 M. My cousins have lived in McLean for decades and have homes like this--mainly through rolling over the equity in their prior homes. These types of homes in McLean are also easily over $2M. Where we are in Arlington just the lot itself (about 1/8 acre) is $500K. So, for 1/2 an acre, the land alone would come to $2M (excluding the property itself).

OP here. We can afford to go over $2 million and probably go to $3 million. I just prefer to stay under $2. We have decent savings that we prefer not to touch but we are young (mid 30's) and can save more.

That is the look I like but I obviously know that we will not get that much land or house. I meant the brick style home look. We can go as small as 3500 SF with a park close by.

Why not just live in Georgetown?

Because DC sucks