OP here, you all are so helpful! I really appreciate this. Had no idea about these issues.

lol out of control pedestrian safety!! That’s actually a big plus for most people - walkability.

I'm all about pedestrian safety and walkability, but at least get the lights timed so you can get the traffic through (note to FCC - some protected green arrows might help, too). Walkability, yes, but you have to be honest about the volume of traffic and moving that traffic - I mean even pedestrians would say inhaling the fumes of all those idling cars and trucks is unpleasant!

Anonymous wrote:The only thing I'll add as it relates to resale - people seem to send kids through elementary and maybe middle school, but the numbers at the High School seem very low. Beautiful facility, but a lot of folks opt of of Meridian.

We know a ton of folks in FCC and noone has sent their kids to Meridian.

I'll second what a PP said about the stop lights. It's out of control.

lol out of control pedestrian safety!! That’s actually a big plus for most people - walkability.

I am ambivalent about FCC and personally would want to be in a more dense area. But even if OP likes FCC I can’t see how buying a multi floor townhome for retirement makes sense. I think I would spend half the money on a condo in an elevator building. If you want space for visiting family then agree with PPs that a SFH makes more sense.

The only thing I'll add as it relates to resale - people seem to send kids through elementary and maybe middle school, but the numbers at the High School seem very low. Beautiful facility, but a lot of folks opt of of Meridian.

We know a ton of folks in FCC and noone has sent their kids to Meridian.

I'll second what a PP said about the stop lights. It's out of control.

Anonymous wrote:High taxes in FCC. Can’t imagine choosing to live there when you don’t even have kids in school.

+1

FCC is also absolute hell to drive through. They are constantly adding "traffic calming" measures- low speed limits even on main roads, no turn on red, no left turn signs, adding more and more traffic lights and stop signs, poorly planned light timing- I am looking at you the entire area near the new Whole Foods.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP what’s your budget range?

Anywhere from 1.5-2, Would want to be able to resell if necessary. Also, we will be empty nesters. I remember on our street in MOCO, a couple moved in, but moved three years later. It didn't seem like a good fit for them. So I guess a desirable area, new, home/townhome walking distance to something. That is why someone had mentioned that Park Avenue community to me.

As empty nesters with that budget I’d get a smaller SFH within walking distance of Courthouse or Clarendon metro stations. It takes patience but you can find them in that area for $1.7-2 in decent condition but the house will not be brand new.

The benefit of that neighborhood will be you can walk to most daily needs/wants (grocery, pharmacy, gyms, coffee shops, restaurants) and it is also very fast to go into DC so you can take advantage of all sorts of cultural activities. If you live further out say in Falls Church you’ll do that far less often. A SFH there will also hold its value better than most neighborhoods given the location.

Only thing you’d have to give up is wanting a brand new build. You could get a brand new build townhouse or duplex there for your budget, but honestly a well-maintained and renovated over time 90 year old SFH in that area is going to be better built than a new build townhome. An older home will cost a bit more to maintain but nothing dramatic given your total budget.

Anonymous wrote:OP what’s your budget range?

Anywhere from 1.5-2, Would want to be able to resell if necessary. Also, we will be empty nesters. I remember on our street in MOCO, a couple moved in, but moved three years later. It didn't seem like a good fit for them. So I guess a desirable area, new, home/townhome walking distance to something. That is why someone had mentioned that Park Avenue community to me.

OP what’s your budget range?

Wayyyy to expensive for what you get which isn't much.

Anonymous wrote:What do you like to do outside of work?

I mean, Falls Church City is a nice pocket of this area but man...regardless of what you're into there's a better place in the US for it.

OP here, all of these thoughts are very helpful. This is the first time working remotely for me and I miss seeing people in the office (am I crazy) and we still have some friendships/community there. I also like the DMV for accessibility to day trips and know my kids would enjoy coming back to the DMV to visit. I am realizing being in Florida, that the warm weather is fine, but we may need an escape to the north when it is too hot here (summers). Also, I would love to be near my older kids, but have no idea where they will land so in the meantime, the DMV seems to make sense. I don't have location specific hobbies. I enjoy working out, but can do that anywhere.

High taxes in FCC. Can’t imagine choosing to live there when you don’t even have kids in school.

Looked at those townhomes a while ago. Really bizarre floorplans. The thing that comes to mind is that almost all of them didn't have a main floor bathroom. I also recall that the floors were LVP. I guess people will buy anything if they're really 75% sold.

I saw ads for it, we live near there in Arlington. FWIW I am no fan of Falls Church City and suggest you look at Clarendon too.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I mean, Falls Church City is a nice pocket of this area but man...regardless of what you're into there's a better place in the US for it.

We were in the DMV 20+ years in MOCO, we all liked it, my kids loved it. I always thought I would want warmer weather someday and circumstances changed and we left DMV for FL. Realizing real estate costs really high here, may not be a great place to live. Have a DD (last kid) in high school and once she graduates, will have the freedom to go where ever we choose. My office is in the DMV (would probably go in 1-2x/week, would be nice to have some connection to work) and still have friendships there. Once she graduates, am thinking that it may be nice to live in VA (lower taxes) in a community like this
https://theparkavecollectionva.com/
any thoughts from people who are familiar with this area?

Signed someone who only really knows MOCO

Thanks in advance!