Are we the only family in the DMV who is priced out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/2931-Woodlawn-Ave-22042/home/9561409?600390594=copy_variant&231528114=control&utm_source=ios_share&utm_medium=share&utm_nooverride=1&utm_content=link&utm_campaign=share_sheet

Close in, cute neighborhood. Schools are just okay, but there are houses you can afford out there. You just need to realize you can’t have it all.

Schools are not “just okay”, they are quite challenged.

You mean the kids are challenged by a school curriculum that isn't in their native language. OP's kids are assumably native English speakers - they should not have the same struggles. Anyway, someone already got on contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/2931-Woodlawn-Ave-22042/home/9561409?600390594=copy_variant&231528114=control&utm_source=ios_share&utm_medium=share&utm_nooverride=1&utm_content=link&utm_campaign=share_sheet

Close in, cute neighborhood. Schools are just okay, but there are houses you can afford out there. You just need to realize you can’t have it all.

Schools are not “just okay”, they are quite challenged.

What do you mean by “challenged”?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/2931-Woodlawn-Ave-22042/home/9561409?600390594=copy_variant&231528114=control&utm_source=ios_share&utm_medium=share&utm_nooverride=1&utm_content=link&utm_campaign=share_sheet

Close in, cute neighborhood. Schools are just okay, but there are houses you can afford out there. You just need to realize you can’t have it all.

Schools are not “just okay”, they are quite challenged.

What do you mean by “challenged”?

NP- I think PP means that the teachers are busy doing ESOL in math class, so the native English speakers get bored.

It's a practical thing. Teachers don't have unlimited attention.

[Anonymous]

By definition, OP is only “priced out” of everything that she wants. The same can be said of everyone everywhere.

[Anonymous]

We bought a 4 bedroom in Fairfax at half that income and down payment. It’s not my dream home- 50s ranch with a tiny kitchen, but I’m grateful every day for the space my kids have to play, our lovely yard and garden and patio, the good schools.

Would I prefer a bigger kitchen and to not have to share a bathroom with teenagers? Sure. But this was a solid choice and feels like home.

[Anonymous]

I can’t afford this house. Please say a prayer for me

I see a 12 bedroom, 7 bath home with a pool and tennis court I really like

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We bought a 4 bedroom in Fairfax at half that income and down payment. It’s not my dream home- 50s ranch with a tiny kitchen, but I’m grateful every day for the space my kids have to play, our lovely yard and garden and patio, the good schools.

Would I prefer a bigger kitchen and to not have to share a bathroom with teenagers? Sure. But this was a solid choice and feels like home.

Agreed, we purchased a house under asking 2 years ago with half that income and a smaller down payment. Our monthly mortgage is still less than what we were paying when renting. Is it perfect? No, but everything works and we have lots of plans to update. But for now, my kids are able to have their own rooms, we have half an acre for them to play on and are building a community in our neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Not trying to be a jerk here. We bought in McLean in 2019 with exact stats as you, OP. We bought for 1.2mil and our monthly payment is $5400, our kids go to public schools so we are very comfortable.

I am amazed at how much house affordability has changed in just 4 years.

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of houses that would work for you. First example I found:
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Springfield/6808-Houndmaster-Rd-22152/home/9771620

[Anonymous]

Barnaby Woods in DC, parts of ChCh, Crestwood, townhomes…

[Anonymous]

I’m in suburban Philadelphia and that I come and DP still gets you a nice house in a top school district here.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you are the only one in the entire region who can’t afford what they want. There is no one with less income or a lower down payment who also wants a nice house in a convenient location.

[Anonymous]

This is one of the most out of touch posts I've ever seen on DCUM and that is saying something.

The median household income in the DMV is $117k. You make more than TWICE what the typical family makes around here. https://censusreporter.org/profiles/31000US47900-washington-arlington-alexandria-dc-va-md-wv-metro-area/

You are not "priced out." You can't have everything you want. Boo hoo. Neither can anyone else. Even Warren Buffet has to make choices sometimes, and so do you. Pick what's most important to you and buy a house from the PLETHORA of options you have. Or, decide you'd rather rent and rent. But either way, thank your lucky stars that you have more resources and choices at your disposal thank 99% of this planet and try to have some gratitude and humility instead of being a whiny, entitled, spoiled brat.

Signed,

Someone with a $200k HHI and a home we love that you would turn up your nose at

[Anonymous]

What about this TH just outside FCC? It’s actually walkable to WFC metro (~15 mins) and close to all the new development on Rt 7. Schools are decent to good

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7433-Chummley-Ct-Falls-Church-VA-22043/51782529_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

[Anonymous]

25 yrs ago, we bought our current home for less than 300K on a HHI of 75K gross. It is in rural area of MoCo.

You can still buy homes in our neighborhood in the range of 500-700K. Everything is great except it has very poorly ranked public schools. The best part of that was that we were given preference for magnet programs.

You can make your own unicorns if you want.