Have you looked at Lake Barcroft, Falls Church? Great amenities if you like water. Many retirees and an active community group.

Anonymous wrote:mount Vernon. The school districts aren't that great so the prices don't go up that high. But some nice homes.

I agree - try Alexandria, or Mt. Vernon near Alexandria.

90 minutes is far out - that's like Shenandoah National Park - too far from civilization for me. But I'd love to have a 2nd home there.

mount Vernon. The school districts aren't that great so the prices don't go up that high. But some nice homes.

Like this:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/36376-Lowell-Reed-Ln_Purcellville_VA_20132_M56499-07679

or this:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/15976-Woodgrove-Rd_Purcellville_VA_20132_M52983-61260?row=8

Purcellville!

McLean, VA. There are a number of older, educated people living in this little town, and for your price point you could afford a cozy, low-maintenance townhome near the center of downtown McLean (inside the Beltway).

The proximity to DC and Georgetown also make McLean nice for short trips to the museums, theater, Kennedy Center and restaurants of the city.

So your criteria are:

- Outside the beltway but not more than 90 minutes (this is all the way out to Front Royal, right?)
- Rural or suburban only
- SFH
- Safe area
- Diversity (this would be harder the further out you go)

Anything else?

Anonymous wrote:Do you want suburban, rural, or urbanish?

I would live in Alexandria if schools weren't an issue. But that's me!

Definitely not urban ...... we currently have two acres but we are within 40 mins of DC during non-rush hour periods.

Please keep the suggestions flowing...... thanks!

Belmont Bay in Woodbridge

I'd consider Leesburg or Ashburn, Alexandria/Del Ray and Warrenton?Hagerstown if you want to be farther/cheaper.

Do you want suburban, rural, or urbanish?

I would live in Alexandria if schools weren't an issue. But that's me!

Is Fredricksburg even northern virginia? Thought south of about Woodbridge was RoVa. If downsizning to a condo is in the offing, there are great places in Arlington in that price range. Or for a townhome, out toward Loudoun.

Not to be "one of those," but I would look in Southern MD at a water community. Same distance to DC.

We have friends who love Fredericksburg. It's way too far for us right now for where we are in our lives, but it's a sweet little city.

Or, what about Middleburg?

We are both retired, in our sixties, and are in the process of downsizing. We want to stay in Northern Virginia but our goal is to minimize the cost of our next house recognizing that the DC metro area is expensive by any definition.

Schools are obviously not a factor and neither is commuting since we are not employed. We are not interested in a condo or townhouse. Obviously we'd like to be in a "safe" area .... though a gated community is not a preference. We'd like to be within 90 mins of DC during the non-rush hours for those occasions when we do go to DC for whatever reason. Some diversity would be desirable.

Given these parameters, suggestions would be welcome as to where we might look for our next house. We are ready to spend up to $650K for a property. Suggestions I have received are Leesburg and Haymarket but I suspect there are other viable alternatives.