Want to relocate to NoVa - where?

[Anonymous]

Kingstowne area of Alexandria and surrounding new construction areas...

[Anonymous]

How does Kingstowne meet the OP's criteria?

[Anonymous]

I didn't suggest Kingstowne, but I've lived here for 11 years. I think OP's budget is above what would be necessary for Kingstowne. Most of the houses in this area would be in the $700-800K range. Occassionally there would be some that are higher. You can get a very nice, newer house for that amount or a little higher. Clermont is a good elementary school. Island Creek is as well as Hayfield elementary.

Our high schools (ie. Edison and Hayfield) do not have top of the line reputations probably b/c there is a lot more "diversity" in these schools. However, they are satisfactory schools where a child can get a solid Fairfax Cnty education.

As for walkability-- yes, you can often walk to retail/restaurants in this area.

Commuting -- depends what you're looking for. Personally, I discovered slugging and LOVE it! I used to metro, but I'm not a fan. If you are closer to the 395/495 mixing bowl, then you slug or use the Blue Line metro. If you are closer to Clermont elementary, then you would go to Huntington metrol on the Yello Line. If you want to drive, you would either pick up sluggers, leave before 6:00 am, leave after 9:30 am (for HOV lanes to open) or live somewhere else. The ride on the HOV lanes is just 15 min. into DC if all is moving well.

One of the things I like about this area is that it seems less intense than other areas and less label conscious and less consumer focussed. I like a lot of the other parts of the county too. I'm not saying Kingstowne is the best or only choice, but it might be worth a look.

[Anonymous]

We live in Kinsgtowne and paid 850k for our home after living in DC for 10 years. We liked it b/c it is 13 miles to our work in DC, and if you leave early not a problem driving (it's all relative around here). We will likely go public for elementary and private for middle school and beyond. We like that it is not nearly as pretentious but you have a lot of house for your money. Don't want kids growing up with the anvil of keeping up with the Jonses over their head as it is in some other areas around here. We have very nice neighbors and a low stress community feel. So just wanted to present it as an option that is often overlooked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Old Town Alexandria!

Crap public schools and the projects in the midst.

Disagree with the crap schools part.

But if you want a SFH, Old Town is not for you. For walkability, commute, family friendly, it is awesome. Also, some very good elementary schools...

Alexandria City Public Schools is probably the weakest system in the entire Northern Virginia area. The numbers and the anecdotes support this.

[Anonymous]

Curious. What is the draw of Burke, PP? Specifically?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Curious. What is the draw of Burke, PP? Specifically?

If you like/tolerate suburbia and like spending under $600k for a home that's less than 40 years old in a good school district, you like Burke.

If you dislike suburbia and like spending under $600k for a home, you live in a TH in South Arlington/Alexandria or a condo in North Arlington.

Unless, of course, you're able to snag a job outside the Beltway. Then you live in Ashburn, or Leesburg/Warrenton if you like the Historic Downtown feel, or Manassas if you're not as fussy about schools as I am.

It's what all the cool people are doing, yo.