HELP!! - Military Relocation to DC Metro Area - Where to Live!?!
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Anonymous
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Good Afternoon DCUM!
First time poster so I apologize if this topic has been beaten to death already. My family and I just moved to the DC metro area and are will be purchasing a home ideally within the next two months. We are currently in temporary house in Pentagon City. My husband will be working at the Washington Navy Yard and I will be working at the Mosaic District in Merrifield. Due to living the military life, we will most likely only be living in this area for 3 years before my husband's next assignment. Can anyone make any recommendations for areas to buy? Keep in mind that moving expenses, realtor fees, closing costs, etc. will be covered by the Government - just in case someone was going to tell us that buying is a bad decision since we are only staying for 3 years! 
About us / What we are looking for: - Family of 3 - me, my husband, and our 1 year old daughter - Looking for a family friendly community with good walkability - "Easy" commute for both of us - under 30 min drive. Husband will have the ability to have flexible hours to drive off-peak rush hour. - Budget is ~$750k - Even though our 1 year old won't be old enough to be in school by the time we leave - great school district is a big plus for us due to resale ability - Short term return on our investment. Any places people would suggest that are "untapped" or have great room for ROI?? I threw that last bullet in there for my husband He's always trying to make smart housing decisions with big upside.
Looking forward to your responses. THANK YOU in advance for those that are able to reply! Nancy |
Anonymous
| Honestly, since you're only going to be here 3 years and you don't have to worry about schools just but a home in Navy Yard. Makes life way easier since your husband's commute time will be negligible and you can get a 2-bedroom condo or a townhouse easily with that budget. |
Anonymous
| I'd rent. I don't think you'll make enough money in three years on a condo to justify closing costs + 6% in agent fees. There's a glut of condos coming online. Don't buy a condo unless you're willing to hold onto it for 10 years. |
Anonymous
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Or live in the Mosiac area if your DH's schedule for commuting is flexible and yours is not. That budget is plenty for 2 bed condo/townhome in Mosaic. I find life is a lot easier if at least one parent has a minimal commute. Plan for childcare near that parent's work and your home.
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/8093-Gatehouse-Rd-22042/unit-2/home/9834815 |
Anonymous
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How are closing costs and realtor fees covered by the government? The military doesn't give you extra money to buy a house. You receive BAH with which you can either buy or rent, but there is no separate allowance for closing costs and realtor fees.
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Anonymous
They're not covering the costs of selling it so what does it matter??? |
Anonymous
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We always rent when we are in DC. Unless you find an amazing deal, you won't make any money in three years. And you might have difficulty selling when you leave.
My DH is former military now a Fed. The FBI will purchase our house if it doesn't sell in three months giving us a huge safety net. We still never buy in DC. We are selling our sixth house and moving back again. We'll rent in Burke again. VRE and Pentagon Express Bus makes commuting super easy. I would certainly not rely on Metro given the current problems. |
Anonymous
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I also think the Mosaic area would be good. Schools aren't the best in the county but that won't affect you.
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Fairfax/2959-Eskridge-Rd-22031/home/45357309 https://www.redfin.com/county/2965/VA/Fairfax-County/filter/property-type=house+townhouse,min-price=650k,max-price=800k,min-beds=2,max-beds=3,viewport=38.87393:38.85906:-77.22387:-77.25421 This one is closer to Tysons https://www.redfin.com/VA/Dunn-Loring/2220-Journet-Dr-22027/home/9470107 |
Anonymous
Her job might. My DH is a fed and we get those benefits. |
Anonymous
| We loved Fairlington when we were stationed in the DC area. I'm unfamiliar with the areas you'll be working in, but worth looking at in case the commutes make sense. Filled with young families and a very supportive "mom" community. |
Anonymous
Anonymous
| I second the posters that say pick Mosaic or Navy Yard. They both have a lot going for them -- personal preference I think would guide which you choose. 750k won't get you a townhouse in Navy Yard but will get you a nice condo for a family of 3. |
Anonymous
| I would not do navy yard- too far from both jobs. I'd ideally rent or buy in falls church city or n Arlington close to pentagon. Then mosaic has a more reverse commute. |
Anonymous
The husband works in Navy Yard? 
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Anonymous
| Look at Falls Church, 22043. There are lots of neighborhoods off of Shreve Rd that have houses in that price point. Many military families in fact, who commute to Pentagon. |