HELP!! - Military Relocation to DC Metro Area - Where to Live!?!

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[Post New]06/20/2016 13:35
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Anonymous
I wouldn't buy at all and I would rent near Dunn Loring metro or Vienna metro. Navy yard is harder to get to from the orange line metro.
[Post New]06/20/2016 13:37
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote: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.


Wow. You really didnt read more than the first sentence of the OP did you?!
[Post New]06/20/2016 13:38
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Anonymous
Mantua is close to the metro, mosaic district, great schools and lots of military families that have either bought or are renting.
[Post New]06/20/2016 13:38
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote: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


i agree. move to VA near merrifield. we like Pimmit Hills. maybe 10-15 minute drive to Merrifield. Closer in to DC. you can get a 1500 sq ft home for 600k. maybe a nearby townhome for under 750.
[Post New]06/20/2016 13:44
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Anonymous
Is the government going to pay if you lose money when you sell (as a taxpayer I hope not)? I would rent. No way would I buy for three years.
[Post New]06/20/2016 13:50
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Anonymous
I would like the OP to clarify how the government is going to pay for realtor fees, closing costs, etc. OP?
[Post New]06/20/2016 13:50
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote: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


I get why you want to buy so won't do the "don't buy" dance. Now here is the thing, in DC if you want an ROI you either have to have lots of money and get into a neighborhood that is currently turning over (bloomingdale, petworth etc) but some of these homes are going for > than a million. Now schools in these areas aren't that hot but doesn't stop the value of the homes from going up. You other choice is get into the "Next" hot neighborhood in the city. I suspect that will be in NE around the Langdon Park, Woodridge and up South Dakota ave. Schools aren't great but have seen homes a year ago that I thought would never sell at a certain price (800's) fly off the market and now a few home that have broken through the million dollar mark. Still lots of home (SFH) in these areas that developers are slowly working their way through. Just my thoughts.
[Post New]06/20/2016 13:52
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Anonymous
The City of Falls Church has great schools. Easier commute for both of you.
[Post New]06/20/2016 14:07
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Anonymous
I would look at 22003/ Camelot/Wakefield Chapel area. Amazing/safe communities with lots of families. 10 minutes to Merrifield, 35 minutes to Navy Yard.
[Post New]06/20/2016 14:16
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BE_Jack
Member Offline
Don't buy, rent. Find a small single family home in Arlington or Falls Church. Better schools and equa-distance for both commutes.
[Post New]06/20/2016 14:22
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I would look at 22003/ Camelot/Wakefield Chapel area. Amazing/safe communities with lots of families. 10 minutes to Merrifield, 35 minutes to Navy Yard.


+1, good schools and prices are starting to level off and come down some.

If it was just you and DH, I would buy in WNY, good amenities and there is constant construction on SW Waterfront which means you might be able to get some appreciation in 3 years.

Or gasp, could hold onto as a rental after the 3 years.
[Post New]06/20/2016 14:27
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Anonymous
Look in 22205 in Arlington.
[Post New]06/20/2016 14:30
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't buy at all and I would rent near Dunn Loring metro or Vienna metro. Navy yard is harder to get to from the orange line metro.


Eh, I kinda disagree. We lived in the Navy Yard for 3 years before buying elsewhere in DC, and my husband commuted out to the Dunn Loring area from there. You would take the green line 2 stops to L'Enfant, then switch to Orange. The main thing is that it can just take a while. Now if OP drove from Navy Yard to Dunn Loring, it would be going against traffic and wouldn't be nearly as bad as traffic from Dunn Loring -> Navy Yard for her husband.

I think the commute would be worth it, but I am a city girl and couldn't do suburbs well (props to those of you that can), so I am a bit biased. FWIW, I absolutely loved living in the Navy Yard, and that was before a lot of the stuff down there opened. We were there when it was just Justin's Cafe and 5 Guys, and it was a great place to live. All things considered though, it may be in OP's best interest to live in the area of the Mosaic District since her husband has the option for flexible hours.
[Post New]06/20/2016 14:34
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Anonymous
If you are buying, get a townhome that feeds into West Springfield HS (22152) or the parts of Burke just off the Fairfax County Parkway or that feed into Kings Park/Kings Goen close to the beltway.

If you are renting look at something close to the mosaic district or just inside the beltway near Annandale off Gallows.
[Post New]06/20/2016 14:36
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:If you are buying, get a townhome that feeds into West Springfield HS (22152) or the parts of Burke just off the Fairfax County Parkway or that feed into Kings Park/Kings Goen close to the beltway.

If you are renting look at something close to the mosaic district or just inside the beltway near Annandale off Gallows.


The WS/Burke neighborhoods above are about 20 minutes to the mosaic district and a reverse commute over the Woodrow Wilson bridge.
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