OP, what is the current commute? If it is 15 minutes more on top of 15 minutes, then yes.
But if it is 15 minutes more on top of 45 minutes, then no.

It's 15 min now but what will it be in 5 years? Have you looked at area development plans? Downtown Bethesda, White Flint will all explode. Are you commuting near there? You should probably give us an idea of the towns / neighborhoods, OP.

No. Its a quality of life issue for us. Longer drive means less time for activities we prefer. Lots of driving is hard on DC, more expensive (gas, insurance, maintenance) and stressful for me who prefers not to drive much.

No, I wouldn't.

Anonymous wrote:No way. No house is worth making the commute 15 minutes longer. You pay the price everyday, in stress. Instead, improve the home you are in...

+1

We went 10 minutes outside Bethesda...into Potomac and got a much bigger house and huge backyard.

Great schools and do not live off a main road. Its very residential and quiet. For us, it was definitely worth it.

No way. I'd be concerned about house values long term, because closer-in neighborhoods tend to be more desirable.

Also, because I hate commuting by car. An extra hour a day is not worth it.

The only argument that could sway in the bigger house out farther is if the schools are significantly better than the ones close in. Eg: DCPS vs MCPS, FCPS, etc.

This is such a subjective/personal thing. I probably would move for a bigger house and better neighborhood, especially if the schools were better.

Anonymous wrote:No way. No house is worth making the commute 15 minutes longer. You pay the price everyday, in stress. Instead, improve the home you are in...

+1

No way.

Yes, absolutely.

We moved closer in because the stress of traffic and increased commute times was too much. We sacrificed for a smaller home and older community but we have much lower stress levels and more quality time together as a family.

Re: the smaller home - we ended up doing an addition. Our house is still smaller than Ashburn sized homes but we like the character of our house. We love our community, lots of parks, excellent schools, etc.

It all depends on what you determine as better house and better neighborhood. There are lots of good and great neighborhoods in the DC area.

I just don't like to spend a lot of time in the car.

No way. No house is worth making the commute 15 minutes longer. You pay the price everyday, in stress. Instead, improve the home you are in...

Anonymous wrote:Yes to 15 minutes. Would have to be MUCH better house and MUCH better neighborhood to do 25 minutes - which effectively adds an hour to your commute daily.

I would say over everything just better, but not way better.

House: 1997 vs 2010
Size: 1600 sq ft vs 2100
Neighborhood and the layout of the house, the further one is way better.

Sometimes, I know it's pain the ass of stucking in traffic, but once I got home, it's comfortable the. I am relaxed. However, even though only takes me 20 mins (vs 45mins) and I am already home, but the neighborhood and the house I just walked into, I don't have that kind of relaxed feeling.

Thanks for the reply.

Yes to 15 minutes. Would have to be MUCH better house and MUCH better neighborhood to do 25 minutes - which effectively adds an hour to your commute daily.

Would you do that for about the same price of a house, but much bigger and better neighborhood?
About 15 mins during no traffic hours, and 25 mins during traffic.

It would be only around 15 mins more each trip, because I leave my house at 5:45 am and get off at 3pm. (No traffic)