180 HHI - can we move to DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have one car now. Don't seem to need 2 as we both work from home ? I think with equity we are comfortable going to about 550. I'm still worried about the quality house we will be getting. How far out of DC still feels like DC?

You will not be able to get anything even remotely decent, in a good school district near DC for $550k.

[Anonymous]

PP again. We actually have been considering moving out of the DC area because costs of living are so high here, even on a HHI of $250k. If you have student loan debt, need child care for more than one kid, car payments, etc., forget it. We know several other families that found opportunities in other parts of the country and took them. They are all so happy. Huge homes. Much kinder and gentler way of life.

Something else to keep in mind is that, cost of living aside, this area is very congested, competitive, and full of Type-A overachievers who push their kids like crazy. Good summer camps are appox $450/week, and you need to register in January or February because they book up. Dance classes at the good places fill up with waiting lists. Brownie troops fill up. Soccer fills up. Everything feels like a rat race to get in and then have to pay lots to participate. And then there is the competition in schools. Constant pissing matches over whose kids go where, whose kids are in AAP (Fairfax county's version of gifted and talented), whose kids are getting tutored and prepared to apply to Thomas Jefferson (the top high school in the area, by application).

There is soooo much of that here, it's ridiculous. I would leave in a minute if I could.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to Frederick.

[Anonymous]

Baltimore, Wilmington, Frederick.

[Anonymous]

Its very doable. That is our income but we only have one child in chid care at $1200 a month. $550 depending on how much you put down may be too high of a mortgage. You can get a small house for $400,000 or so, but maybe 1000-1500 square feet. You're dreaming to get 4 bedrooms. Its all about lifestyle choices. Don't listen to those that cannot be done. It can comfortably be done depending on the choices you make. Two cars is a necessity in the suburbs.

[Anonymous]

op, if you are working from home, you can get a very new, and very nice house for that much ($550K) in areas outside of dc. Think Ashburn and Leesburg. It's not DC. But, it would take you much closer to your relatives in PA and you could still take advantage of things in the city now and then.

Can you do it -- yes. Just depends on how much you value being close to PA/family. It's not going to be the same lifestyle you have in Florida re: swimming and enjoying the outdoors all the time.

[Anonymous]

Orlando is a car centric shithole.

[Anonymous]

I think OP is just trying to stir shit. No way somebody making 180,000 in Orlando (and who claims to love it) is thinking of a move to close-in DC. You can live like a king in central Florida on $180,000.

[Anonymous]

I live in a very walkable part of DC ( as in, DH was able to pick up the best croissants in town in the middle of our blizzard today) and we make $160k. Granted, our house would probably sell for closer to 700k today, but we bought it for 400. There are houses in DC, and even not far from us, that are going for 550. But you have to be willing to either rely on the school lottery or send your kids to schools that don't have great reputations.

Of course, this is IN DC. If you don't want to be inside the city, you could probably find a fine house in your range in Silver Spring. But you'd lose some of the walkability.

[Anonymous]

Yes, if you go back in time you can find a house for $550k.

[Anonymous]

I said this back on page 1 of this post, but the OP needs to a search on redfin.com in multiple cities within 30 miles of the DC Beltway and see what is out there. That will give the OP an idea of what housing really costs around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think OP is just trying to stir shit. No way somebody making 180,000 in Orlando (and who claims to love it) is thinking of a move to close-in DC. You can live like a king in central Florida on $180,000.

OP here. A change of scenery doesn't have to be "stirring shit". Sorry you're stuck where you are and don't like it. Also, a person can love more than one place. We do love it here and also really love DC. We may buy a vacation home here eventfully so we can be in both places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Orlando is a car centric shithole.

Have you ever been besides to give Mickey a high five? Doubtful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP again. We actually have been considering moving out of the DC area because costs of living are so high here, even on a HHI of $250k. If you have student loan debt, need child care for more than one kid, car payments, etc., forget it. We know several other families that found opportunities in other parts of the country and took them. They are all so happy. Huge homes. Much kinder and gentler way of life.

Something else to keep in mind is that, cost of living aside, this area is very congested, competitive, and full of Type-A overachievers who push their kids like crazy. Good summer camps are appox $450/week, and you need to register in January or February because they book up. Dance classes at the good places fill up with waiting lists. Brownie troops fill up. Soccer fills up. Everything feels like a rat race to get in and then have to pay lots to participate. And then there is the competition in schools. Constant pissing matches over whose kids go where, whose kids are in AAP (Fairfax county's version of gifted and talented), whose kids are getting tutored and prepared to apply to Thomas Jefferson (the top high school in the area, by application).

There is soooo much of that here, it's ridiculous. I would leave in a minute if I could.

My part of Orlando is very similar. The competitiveness. I doubt it's as high as DC of course. I do understand what you're saying. Thanks for posting! (OP)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love everything yes city has to offer and would like to move my family there. Unfortunately it doesn't seem that 180 will get us much. We live in a 3500 sq ft home in Orlando now that would sell for 1.5 million easily in DC. For those of you who moved to DC area, where did you move?

We live in Pimmit Hills. Friends are in Reston. If schools,aren't that important you have tons of other options. Or if you don't have to commute to DC. OMG erall, it's doable, but in under 2000 Sq ft.