Commuting from Vienna

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think we're pretty settled that if DH's job is in Rockville that we'd have to live on MD side. Google map traffic times made it look doable from VA, but I an trusting everyone who says that's nuts. Long term I think we prefer being in VA to MD so we were just trying to figure out if we could make one move and stay for the long haul (even after he changes jobs to something in DC for example). Still a good chance that he takes a different job in DC, though, so in that case VA would be our preference.

I'm not glued to Vienna. Without having the chance to see anything yet, I was attracted to the small town descriptions and the glowing write ups in places like Money Magazine plus the outdoor areas, walking paths, independently owned restaurants/shops and good schools. We'll of course consider places like McLean and Falls Church, too, but it seemed like McLean is even more expensive than Vienna and Falls Church has fewer houses that feed into a good school pyramid. I'd prefer to stay in Fairfax County Schools because I think the AAP program is a huge selling point, and I may be wrong but I got the impression Falls Church City was it's own school district.

Are there other good towns for commuting into DC that have those attributes that I'm missing?

I think google maps is pretty accurate as long as your searching it at the same time as you would be driving it. I would say it is very accurate, actually, having used it a lot lately. People like Vienna b/c it has high performing schools, very low poverty, quick to the metro (yes, lots and lots of people take it into the city), and it has a true town center with various "community" activities hosted by the Town of Vienna each year (open to all). This past weekend was Octoberfest. There is a Halloween costume parade for kids in a few weeks. There is a Santa sleigh ride and other events. It is close to major shopping at Tysons and the tech/jobs hubs in Tysons/Reston/Herndon. Lastly, you can get an actual sfh with a yard for $700-900. In McLean/Arlington, you pay $900k for a TH. The prices are jacked up more and the houses look like less. The W&OD trail is good for biking/walking and yes, there are a number of independently owned restaurants and businesses. It is an older town (in the business area), so there isn't room for the big box stores. You have to go to Tysons or Fair Oaks for that. Some people really like that.

I think you are getting a skewed view of things on DCUM, OP. If you look around Vienna, there are oodles of $1.3mil tear-down/re-build houses being built. They are EVERYWHERE! Apparently there is something about Vienna that people really want to be there and they are willing to spend $1.3 mil and UP to be in this location. With that kind of $$, there are plenty of people who could live elsewhere or have a less expensive house. But, the Vienna location seems to be key. The market says Vienna is in demand.

Its a nice place to live, but it is a suburb. It does have a community feel and is great for kids with the schools and all. Rockville is pretty much the same, though.

[Anonymous]

I drive from Vienna (near metro) to Rockville (near Shady Grove Road) once a week and it is not bad in the morning. It is usually between 30-35 minutes. I just take 66 to beltway to 270 to Shady Grove Road. The problem is the evening drive back. If I can leave by 3:15 at the latest- it is quick. If I leave at 3:30 it can take 60-90 minutes to get back home.

[Anonymous]

I would never try commuting fromVieanna to that location. Try to find something in McLean if you can. Better schools and commute to that location.

[gatova]

OP chiming back in. Thanks for all of the replies. Since my original post, DH has accepted a job close to Farragut West/North in DC, and I'll be working from home. For ease, we're limiting our search to Northern Virginia. And my budget has gone up after some research and discovering that our current house's value has spiked. So we'll be looking up to $900K and focusing in McLean, Falls Church (McLean pyramid), and still considering Vienna.

We're going up next week for the first time so I will see for myself what these areas are like. Since he'll be taking metro, it seems like Vienna isn't that different from McLean in terms of commute time but I am definitely noting the concerns that the metro parking in Vienna might be tougher than McLean. It seems like some parts of Vienna actually put you closer to the McLean metro than to the Vienna one.

It will really come down to where we can find a house we like in a reasonable time frame.

Given those changes to our plan, do people think that generally these areas make sense?

[Anonymous]

gatova wrote:OP chiming back in. Thanks for all of the replies. Since my original post, DH has accepted a job close to Farragut West/North in DC, and I'll be working from home. For ease, we're limiting our search to Northern Virginia. And my budget has gone up after some research and discovering that our current house's value has spiked. So we'll be looking up to $900K and focusing in McLean, Falls Church (McLean pyramid), and still considering Vienna.

We're going up next week for the first time so I will see for myself what these areas are like. Since he'll be taking metro, it seems like Vienna isn't that different from McLean in terms of commute time but I am definitely noting the concerns that the metro parking in Vienna might be tougher than McLean. It seems like some parts of Vienna actually put you closer to the McLean metro than to the Vienna one.

It will really come down to where we can find a house we like in a reasonable time frame.

Given those changes to our plan, do people think that generally these areas make sense?

Yes - just try to stay east of Tysons in McLean or Falls Church.

[Anonymous]

What are your housing criteria OP? How soon are you wanting to buy? We are thinking of selling our 5 bdrm 3.5 ba house in Madison pyramid. Nottaway Park and the Metro. Houses in this subdivision are selling for upper 800's and right at 900. 1993 build.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think you'll do just fine on that budget and location. I would focus on 22043, 22046 (Ffx County), 22101, and 22180 to stay close to metro. The WFC and Dunn Loring parking lots are both big and have plenty of spaces, given that folks can't get to them from 66 inside the Beltway if not HOV-2.

I live in 22043, drive and park at WFC, and commute to McPherson Square. Door to desk, it's about 45 minutes each way for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are your housing criteria OP? How soon are you wanting to buy? We are thinking of selling our 5 bdrm 3.5 ba house in Madison pyramid. Nottaway Park and the Metro. Houses in this subdivision are selling for upper 800's and right at 900. 1993 build.

NP here, what subdivision? Looking to buy in 2017.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your husband needs to metro in or also get to Rockville, I'd live in N Bethesda 20852 near white flint. Then you can do both those things. No reason to be in Vienna or anywhere in NoVa.

An example:
https://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/7020-Sulky-Ln-20852/home/10505424

I totally agree with this PP. He'll be using metro most days anyway. He can easily do that from the Rockville area. That would make those days where he has to go to Rockville pure cake.

[Anonymous]

gatova wrote:OP chiming back in. Thanks for all of the replies. Since my original post, DH has accepted a job close to Farragut West/North in DC, and I'll be working from home. For ease, we're limiting our search to Northern Virginia. And my budget has gone up after some research and discovering that our current house's value has spiked. So we'll be looking up to $900K and focusing in McLean, Falls Church (McLean pyramid), and still considering Vienna.

We're going up next week for the first time so I will see for myself what these areas are like. Since he'll be taking metro, it seems like Vienna isn't that different from McLean in terms of commute time but I am definitely noting the concerns that the metro parking in Vienna might be tougher than McLean. It seems like some parts of Vienna actually put you closer to the McLean metro than to the Vienna one.

It will really come down to where we can find a house we like in a reasonable time frame.

Given those changes to our plan, do people think that generally these areas make sense?

Congratulations!

If your DH is commuting to DC, McLean, Falls Church and North Arlington are all good choices. I would skip Vienna as it's about 20 miles from downtown DC.

[gatova]

Anonymous wrote:What are your housing criteria OP? How soon are you wanting to buy? We are thinking of selling our 5 bdrm 3.5 ba house in Madison pyramid. Nottaway Park and the Metro. Houses in this subdivision are selling for upper 800's and right at 900. 1993 build.

We want to buy pretty soon. Our house goes on the market Monday and we're coming up to Virginia to tour houses next Thursday/Friday to get things rolling. DH starts new job in early December so trying to move at least relatively quickly but can do temporary housing for a bit if we can at least land on the right area so we can get daycare squared away. Yours sounds like it could fit so I'd love to connect! We're looking for minimum 4 bedrooms/2.5 baths, a flat grassy backyard with at least enough room for a playset, and a kitchen that is either already open to den or could be renovated to be that way. If that sounds like your place, let me know how I can reach out to you directly. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are your housing criteria OP? How soon are you wanting to buy? We are thinking of selling our 5 bdrm 3.5 ba house in Madison pyramid. Nottaway Park and the Metro. Houses in this subdivision are selling for upper 800's and right at 900. 1993 build.

NP here, what subdivision? Looking to buy in 2017.

Courthouse Oaks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are your housing criteria OP? How soon are you wanting to buy? We are thinking of selling our 5 bdrm 3.5 ba house in Madison pyramid. Nottaway Park and the Metro. Houses in this subdivision are selling for upper 800's and right at 900. 1993 build.

NP here, what subdivision? Looking to buy in 2017.

Courthouse Oaks.

http://www.courthouseoakshoa.com/joomla30/index.php/photos

To the other pp, we have open space (flat, grass) behind our house, but most of it is owned by the HOA and therefore mowed by it!! There is a playset in the neighborhood, but I couldn't say if you could put your own set on the community grass behind this house. The HOA is very relaxed, so they may be fine with it... especially if you mow (or have your mower) go all around it.

[Anonymous]

OP, go to www.mris.com and enter 22181. Choose 845000 -900000 and you will find houses in the Madison and Oakton pyramids. Both are great pyramids. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

To PP and OP, let me know if you are interested (I'm the PP at Courthouse Oaks subdivision). I can provide more details. If not, no worries. Good luck in your search. Our house is not on the market currently. But, if our house was a good fit for you, we would be able to make it work asap.

trytoseeit at
yahoo dot
com