The commute to NOVA from southern MD is much, much better after the new Wilson Bridge was put up and the fixes to the exits to Route 1. I live in Alexandria and I do not forget the epic backups to get over the old bridge. It's night and day now and a more attractive option for someone who wants to buy a house for a good price but still work in NOVA.

15:37 you said it yourself, you leave MUCH later than most people can in the area, and yes it makes an enormous difference. What is the commute between 6:30-8:00am?

Contrary to popular belief there are quite a few young non-black non-latino families living in the Ft. Washington and Accokeek area and we are one of them. We see them in the grocery stores, at daycare, at the YMCA etc. If you are not a resident you have no clue. Most are utilizing affordable Catholic schools (aka less than $12k a year and with a $300k single family home with 4 bedrooms yes it can be less than your FFX mortgage). Check those school stats and you will see 10-15% white enrollment in some cases. I too work in the Dulles area (well Herndon) and I do get to work in an hour on a typical day....I have to be at work by 9:30 to 10am so I do not know if the time you leave makes the difference. Where you live in Ft. Washington makes the difference also...my family leave closest to the beltway which makes it faster. I am over the bridge within 5-10 minutes typically...the worst part of the commute is getting past the Annandale and 66 exit until you get to Tysons and then open road again. It is a great reverse commute that was better before all the current construction around Gallows Rd exits etc.
We haven't faced any issues living here (no we have not had any crime happen near us) and enjoy a diverse community of many cultures including Black, Latino, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Indian, Thai and Middle Eastern. Everyone in my neighborhood may vary in hue however they are all educated professional hard working families who want the best for their kids just like everyone else and were drawn by how much home and land you could get for the money and the proximity to NoVa and DC.

"I'd be willing to try Colorado, Park City, Hawaii or some combination of New Hampshire and the Virgin Islands.
I just wish DC had coral reefs and bigger mountains within a couple hour drive. And less gun toting young thugs. Oh well! "

The only things we care about are good job opportunities and good education for the kids. The weather, the political climate, leisure opportunities are just not anywhere near as important to us.

Anonymous wrote:


Wow. I think you have no idea what you are talking about. What Catholic school are YOU talking about?! If we are even talking about the same one, when was the last time you ever spent any time in that neighborhood? You seriously, honestly have no idea what you are talking about.

OP, are you the one saying that you can't move to MD because you work in Ashburn and Lorton? If that's the case, I agree that anywhere in MD would be way too long a commute, but it seems that Leesburg would be great. (you did say you live in Leesburg, right?) I'm having a hard time figuring out what it is that you are trying to improve upon? Maybe find a smaller community a little further out where housing is even cheaper?

This is why I wish it wasn't anonymous on this board. I am the Ashburn/Lorton poster and I did NOT post the other stuff about PG County. I know very little about PG County, but I have absolutely no interest in getting into the fight the other poster is trying to. I live in Reston, and we're pretty happy with our location. I have no interest in moving any further west, as lovely as Leesburg and some other parts of Loudoun might be.

I'm actually the poster hoping to move to Austin this summer.

I wouldn't live here if we didn't make a good living financially speaking. I thrive on the competitiveness, to be honest. Our family is spread all over the country. The only place there's a "concentration" of family is on Long Island, and I'd slit my throat before I'd move there.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I feel the same way as you. Moved here for an internship after school, met a Philly guy, we now have 2 kids. We have had a great time in DC and have carved out a nice life with friends and fun things to do.

However, there are 3 things I just can't get over:
1. It is SOOO expensive. We live in a 2 bedroom condo in Arlington, a walk to the metro, but I don't think we could ever afford a house here with school loans, etc. So we are stuck in our 2 BR condo or would have to move verrrryyy far out, thus losing the qualities that we like in the first place.
2. No family close by. My inlaws are 2 1/2 hours away, but they are it. All my family (a big one) is down south. I miss my parents terribly.
3. So competitive in terms of everything, especially kids. Worrying about getting the lottery to get into...mother's day out at 2 years old. SHEESH. So much competition for kids, when I just want ours to enjoy life and be happy. Even if we go against the grain, they will have no laid-back kids to play with--only super-pressured kids who turn into smart, over-stressed teens who let loose partying (I've seen it).

Funny enough, I am from Houston so I have gotten a kick from the Texas talk. We just visited Austin and had a good vibe, but weren't bowled over on first sight (I hadn't been in years). I am very worried we will move somewhere and miss it here, that I will think I have made a mistake. But I just can't get over those 3 things, so Austin & Denver are on our short list to move closer to family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is more to life than living in a big house. Your children will have opportunities if you stay here that would be unimaginable in Buttfuk Tx.
If anything you should move closer to DC to reduce your husband's commute.

OP here: I agree. A house is a house. I'm considering it all, however: house, commute, lower cost of living and still being in a system with good schools and churches (I'm Catholic so a good church and school system is important to me when it comes to the upbringing of my children). As far as exposure I don't think Leesburg is giving us as much exposure as DC families, anyway.

OP, you may not be reading anymore but I have a suggestion for you. Hyattsville Hills (in Hyattsville, MD) is an easy commute to downtown, has extremely inexpensive houses right now ($200Kish), and is a warm, family-friendly community. You can walk everywhere - park, post office, YES organic market (opening this year), school, church. Even more interesting, is that there is somewhat of a Catholic "intentional community" in the neighborhood. http://www.catholicity.com/commentary/pavlat/04479.html
The public schools are so-so (best in elementary), but the Catholic school is inexpensive, and very good, and has space for new children.

Okay that is just NUTS!! You couldn't pay me to live in an area where you need a flack jacket just to go to bed. FYI - I spent the first 10yrs of my life in Hyattsville, and went to that Catholic school you mentioned. It was okay back then, but it has turned into a very dicey area, not just a little dicey - a lot dicey!

Wow. I think you have no idea what you are talking about. What Catholic school are YOU talking about?! If we are even talking about the same one, when was the last time you ever spent any time in that neighborhood? You seriously, honestly have no idea what you are talking about.

OP, are you the one saying that you can't move to MD because you work in Ashburn and Lorton? If that's the case, I agree that anywhere in MD would be way too long a commute, but it seems that Leesburg would be great. (you did say you live in Leesburg, right?) I'm having a hard time figuring out what it is that you are trying to improve upon? Maybe find a smaller community a little further out where housing is even cheaper?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mt. Rainier, MD
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/architecture/neighborhood-spotlight-mount-rainier-maryland--129513

I know people in Mt. Rainier and Cheverly that are quite happy with the price of housing and their location. It would NOT work for us since we both work in VA (he's in Ashburn, I work part from home and part in Lorton). But yes, there ARE some places that are hidden gems and relatively affordable, just none that are anywhere near where WE need to be.

Ft. Washington to Ashburn take one hour and has some lovely homes and neighborhoods closein....but many would never give it a second look. I have noticed many newcomers moving in (aka young white upwardly mobile professionals) with all the great deals over here right now (under $400k) that are taking a chance to make it a community that can be all they desire.

In what universe does Fort Washington to Ashburn take an hour? It takes me 25 minutes just to get from South Vienna to Ashburn.

With that said, I am seeing some Prince George's boosterism here.

Can someone explain why I would want to move to a county with the worst schools in the area (and private school tuition + Prince George's mortgage is about equal to a FFX mortgage), where I'd be virtually the only white person in town? (Laurel, Bowie, and College Park/Greenbelt being exceptions.) Or is Prince George's not as bad if you're not near any older garden-style apartment areas in/around Suitland? FWIW, isn't Calvert/Charles full of Black families wanting to get out of Prince George's?

If I'm going to cough up the dough for a private school, I'd rather live in a condo or older TH in Old Town Alexandria or Del Ray.

I stay here - both sets of families are in the Shenandoah Valley, wife grew up in Northern VA, and I grew up in the Valley.

Whoa! Seriously? You sound like an uneducated hick. Did you get lost on the way back from your KKK meeting? I HAVE been the only white person in my neighborhood in the past (out of state) and I got by just fine. I did not live in the 'ghetto' and nobody was lurking around the corner to get the white girl. Get your head out of the sand PP! I hope you aren't teaching your children to be hateful bigots too.

So let's set aside concerns about "being the only white person in town." (Somehow I suspect you're a bit more tolerant towards other groups that want to gravitate together, but whatever.)

We still have the crime and not-so-great to terrible schools. Caveat: maybe some ES are okay but every single HS in Loudoun/PWC/Fairfax/Arlington/Alexandria/Falls Church except one scores higher on the SATs than the PGC schools. I notice you glossed over that, and my observation about Black flight out of Prince George's.

Wow! Head up ass.

Maybe it is, and maybe I am a close-minded hick. Let's just assume I am.

How does that neutralize anything else I've said? I notice you (or you guys if you are two separate people) keep avoiding the fact that (1) PGC has more crime than other parts of the DC metro area and (2) PGC schools are worse in terms of test scores than other school systems in the DC metro area.

PP, If you would've left it at test scores and crime I don't think many would completely disagree. The fact that you threw race into the mix was a bit off putting. Your second post didn't help. Sure minorities tend to be in a lower socio-economic class but be careful not to make generalizations. It's a slippery slope.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mt. Rainier, MD
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/architecture/neighborhood-spotlight-mount-rainier-maryland--129513

I know people in Mt. Rainier and Cheverly that are quite happy with the price of housing and their location. It would NOT work for us since we both work in VA (he's in Ashburn, I work part from home and part in Lorton). But yes, there ARE some places that are hidden gems and relatively affordable, just none that are anywhere near where WE need to be.

Ft. Washington to Ashburn take one hour and has some lovely homes and neighborhoods closein....but many would never give it a second look. I have noticed many newcomers moving in (aka young white upwardly mobile professionals) with all the great deals over here right now (under $400k) that are taking a chance to make it a community that can be all they desire.

even if this were so (and I doubt it at rush hour), an hour is WAY too long a commute for my husband at this point. We lived with long commutes for many years and are so very happy with his 15-20 minute commute now. And I have to drive to Lorton some days, and I'm not braving the Wilson Bridge and the Mixing Bowl. I'll take my commute down FFX County Pkwy any day.

I sometimes fantasize about moving further south where the weather is nicer. I generally like this area, but notice that my mood is often a lot better in the summertime and spring.

Anonymous wrote:Our friends moved to Mt Pleasant (a suburb of Charleston) and loooove it. They are blissfully happy and were barely making it here. They are both govt contractors btw.

can I ask what kind of contracting they do? Our family has relocated to Charleston and we'd love to join them, but we're both government contractors and honestly not sure how to make the leap into the "true" private sector or what contracting jobs are down there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mt. Rainier, MD
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/architecture/neighborhood-spotlight-mount-rainier-maryland--129513

I know people in Mt. Rainier and Cheverly that are quite happy with the price of housing and their location. It would NOT work for us since we both work in VA (he's in Ashburn, I work part from home and part in Lorton). But yes, there ARE some places that are hidden gems and relatively affordable, just none that are anywhere near where WE need to be.

Ft. Washington to Ashburn take one hour and has some lovely homes and neighborhoods closein....but many would never give it a second look. I have noticed many newcomers moving in (aka young white upwardly mobile professionals) with all the great deals over here right now (under $400k) that are taking a chance to make it a community that can be all they desire.

In what universe does Fort Washington to Ashburn take an hour? It takes me 25 minutes just to get from South Vienna to Ashburn.

With that said, I am seeing some Prince George's boosterism here.

Can someone explain why I would want to move to a county with the worst schools in the area (and private school tuition + Prince George's mortgage is about equal to a FFX mortgage), where I'd be virtually the only white person in town? (Laurel, Bowie, and College Park/Greenbelt being exceptions.) Or is Prince George's not as bad if you're not near any older garden-style apartment areas in/around Suitland? FWIW, isn't Calvert/Charles full of Black families wanting to get out of Prince George's?

If I'm going to cough up the dough for a private school, I'd rather live in a condo or older TH in Old Town Alexandria or Del Ray.

I stay here - both sets of families are in the Shenandoah Valley, wife grew up in Northern VA, and I grew up in the Valley.

Whoa! Seriously? You sound like an uneducated hick. Did you get lost on the way back from your KKK meeting? I HAVE been the only white person in my neighborhood in the past (out of state) and I got by just fine. I did not live in the 'ghetto' and nobody was lurking around the corner to get the white girl. Get your head out of the sand PP! I hope you aren't teaching your children to be hateful bigots too.

So let's set aside concerns about "being the only white person in town." (Somehow I suspect you're a bit more tolerant towards other groups that want to gravitate together, but whatever.)

We still have the crime and not-so-great to terrible schools. Caveat: maybe some ES are okay but every single HS in Loudoun/PWC/Fairfax/Arlington/Alexandria/Falls Church except one scores higher on the SATs than the PGC schools. I notice you glossed over that, and my observation about Black flight out of Prince George's.

Wow! Head up ass.

Maybe it is, and maybe I am a close-minded hick. Let's just assume I am.

How does that neutralize anything else I've said? I notice you (or you guys if you are two separate people) keep avoiding the fact that (1) PGC has more crime than other parts of the DC metro area and (2) PGC schools are worse in terms of test scores than other school systems in the DC metro area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mt. Rainier, MD
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/architecture/neighborhood-spotlight-mount-rainier-maryland--129513

I know people in Mt. Rainier and Cheverly that are quite happy with the price of housing and their location. It would NOT work for us since we both work in VA (he's in Ashburn, I work part from home and part in Lorton). But yes, there ARE some places that are hidden gems and relatively affordable, just none that are anywhere near where WE need to be.

Ft. Washington to Ashburn take one hour and has some lovely homes and neighborhoods closein....but many would never give it a second look. I have noticed many newcomers moving in (aka young white upwardly mobile professionals) with all the great deals over here right now (under $400k) that are taking a chance to make it a community that can be all they desire.

In what universe does Fort Washington to Ashburn take an hour? It takes me 25 minutes just to get from South Vienna to Ashburn.

With that said, I am seeing some Prince George's boosterism here.

Can someone explain why I would want to move to a county with the worst schools in the area (and private school tuition + Prince George's mortgage is about equal to a FFX mortgage), where I'd be virtually the only white person in town? (Laurel, Bowie, and College Park/Greenbelt being exceptions.) Or is Prince George's not as bad if you're not near any older garden-style apartment areas in/around Suitland? FWIW, isn't Calvert/Charles full of Black families wanting to get out of Prince George's?

If I'm going to cough up the dough for a private school, I'd rather live in a condo or older TH in Old Town Alexandria or Del Ray.

I stay here - both sets of families are in the Shenandoah Valley, wife grew up in Northern VA, and I grew up in the Valley.

Whoa! Seriously? You sound like an uneducated hick. Did you get lost on the way back from your KKK meeting? I HAVE been the only white person in my neighborhood in the past (out of state) and I got by just fine. I did not live in the 'ghetto' and nobody was lurking around the corner to get the white girl. Get your head out of the sand PP! I hope you aren't teaching your children to be hateful bigots too.

So let's set aside concerns about "being the only white person in town." (Somehow I suspect you're a bit more tolerant towards other groups that want to gravitate together, but whatever.)

We still have the crime and not-so-great to terrible schools. Caveat: maybe some ES are okay but every single HS in Loudoun/PWC/Fairfax/Arlington/Alexandria/Falls Church except one scores higher on the SATs than the PGC schools. I notice you glossed over that, and my observation about Black flight out of Prince George's.

Wow! Head up ass.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mt. Rainier, MD
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/architecture/neighborhood-spotlight-mount-rainier-maryland--129513

I know people in Mt. Rainier and Cheverly that are quite happy with the price of housing and their location. It would NOT work for us since we both work in VA (he's in Ashburn, I work part from home and part in Lorton). But yes, there ARE some places that are hidden gems and relatively affordable, just none that are anywhere near where WE need to be.

Ft. Washington to Ashburn take one hour and has some lovely homes and neighborhoods closein....but many would never give it a second look. I have noticed many newcomers moving in (aka young white upwardly mobile professionals) with all the great deals over here right now (under $400k) that are taking a chance to make it a community that can be all they desire.

In what universe does Fort Washington to Ashburn take an hour? It takes me 25 minutes just to get from South Vienna to Ashburn.

With that said, I am seeing some Prince George's boosterism here.

Can someone explain why I would want to move to a county with the worst schools in the area (and private school tuition + Prince George's mortgage is about equal to a FFX mortgage), where I'd be virtually the only white person in town? (Laurel, Bowie, and College Park/Greenbelt being exceptions.) Or is Prince George's not as bad if you're not near any older garden-style apartment areas in/around Suitland? FWIW, isn't Calvert/Charles full of Black families wanting to get out of Prince George's?

If I'm going to cough up the dough for a private school, I'd rather live in a condo or older TH in Old Town Alexandria or Del Ray.

I stay here - both sets of families are in the Shenandoah Valley, wife grew up in Northern VA, and I grew up in the Valley.

Whoa! Seriously? You sound like an uneducated hick. Did you get lost on the way back from your KKK meeting? I HAVE been the only white person in my neighborhood in the past (out of state) and I got by just fine. I did not live in the 'ghetto' and nobody was lurking around the corner to get the white girl. Get your head out of the sand PP! I hope you aren't teaching your children to be hateful bigots too.

So let's set aside concerns about "being the only white person in town." (Somehow I suspect you're a bit more tolerant towards other groups that want to gravitate together, but whatever.)

We still have the crime and not-so-great to terrible schools. Caveat: maybe some ES are okay but every single HS in Loudoun/PWC/Fairfax/Arlington/Alexandria/Falls Church except one scores higher on the SATs than the PGC schools. I notice you glossed over that, and my observation about Black flight out of Prince George's.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is more to life than living in a big house. Your children will have opportunities if you stay here that would be unimaginable in Buttfuk Tx.
If anything you should move closer to DC to reduce your husband's commute.

OP here: I agree. A house is a house. I'm considering it all, however: house, commute, lower cost of living and still being in a system with good schools and churches (I'm Catholic so a good church and school system is important to me when it comes to the upbringing of my children). As far as exposure I don't think Leesburg is giving us as much exposure as DC families, anyway.

OP, you may not be reading anymore but I have a suggestion for you. Hyattsville Hills (in Hyattsville, MD) is an easy commute to downtown, has extremely inexpensive houses right now ($200Kish), and is a warm, family-friendly community. You can walk everywhere - park, post office, YES organic market (opening this year), school, church. Even more interesting, is that there is somewhat of a Catholic "intentional community" in the neighborhood. http://www.catholicity.com/commentary/pavlat/04479.html
The public schools are so-so (best in elementary), but the Catholic school is inexpensive, and very good, and has space for new children.

Okay that is just NUTS!! You couldn't pay me to live in an area where you need a flack jacket just to go to bed. FYI - I spent the first 10yrs of my life in Hyattsville, and went to that Catholic school you mentioned. It was okay back then, but it has turned into a very dicey area, not just a little dicey - a lot dicey!