Anonymous wrote:OP HERE -- thanks for all of your feedback!

I think we're going to go for a starter home in northern Southern Alexandria -- Belle Haven/Groveton/Hybla Valley east of Route 1, get our foot in the real estate market, and hope that in a few years we can afford to move to McLean or Bethesda. There seem to be some good options in our price range in that area and, from what I can gather, relatively crime-free as long as you're off Rt. 1. Would love to hear any options about those neighborhoods!

If you want a nice upper middle class area with good schools, you are going to have to choose very carefully in this area.

Anonymous wrote:We're looking to buy a home in NoVA and have been frustrated that most of the affordable houses appear to be in bad school districts (particularly Alexandria). Any recommendations?

I recognize we don't have a millionaire's budget, so the obvious places are out (McLean, Falls Church City). However I feel like it shouldn't be impossible to find a house in a district that isn't all low test scores, 80% on reduced lunch, 60% ESL etc. Just a nice upper middle class area with good schools

Sorry, you're not upper middle class with that budget.

RE: Kingstowne, everything I've seen there seems to be HOA. Is the HOA good?

Anonymous wrote:Come on over to Kingstowne --OP! We have newer housing, good schools, great retail on the way, nice upper middle-class folks of all racial/ethnic backgrounds. We aren't super competitive, mostly feds/contractors/military.

If you do decide to go with Belle Haven/Groveton/Hybla Valley --- you will never move to McLean or Bethesda... the mindset of one does not intersect with the mindset of the other (nor does the pricepoint!). In Alexandria, we consider this an asset!

Another vote for Kingstowne and surrounding areas. Tons of young families and nice community.

Anonymous wrote:This would've been a good option but it went under contract right away

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/1947-Storm-Dr-22043/home/9472437

The listing specifies Contingent - Kickout. Sounds like if the sellers receive a higher offer, the existing contract can be rescinded.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This would've been a good option but it went under contract right away

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/1947-Storm-Dr-22043/home/9472437

Yuck. No thanks.

Too late for you

I've seen posts recently here from someone who moved to McLean from the Belle Haven area. It all depends on what you want and can afford at a particular point in time.

Come on over to Kingstowne --OP! We have newer housing, good schools, great retail on the way, nice upper middle-class folks of all racial/ethnic backgrounds. We aren't super competitive, mostly feds/contractors/military.

If you do decide to go with Belle Haven/Groveton/Hybla Valley --- you will never move to McLean or Bethesda... the mindset of one does not intersect with the mindset of the other (nor does the pricepoint!). In Alexandria, we consider this an asset!

OP HERE -- thanks for all of your feedback!

I think we're going to go for a starter home in northern Southern Alexandria -- Belle Haven/Groveton/Hybla Valley east of Route 1, get our foot in the real estate market, and hope that in a few years we can afford to move to McLean or Bethesda. There seem to be some good options in our price range in that area and, from what I can gather, relatively crime-free as long as you're off Rt. 1. Would love to hear any options about those neighborhoods!

LOL! Is that a junked car on blocks parked in the street on the google street view of the pimmit hills shack?

Anonymous wrote:This would've been a good option but it went under contract right away

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/1947-Storm-Dr-22043/home/9472437

Yuck. No thanks.

This would've been a good option but it went under contract right away

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/1947-Storm-Dr-22043/home/9472437

$450K can get you a TH is some pockets of FFX which have really good schools, such as Lees Corner, Greenbriar West, Navy (Chantilly, Fair Oaks and parts of Vienna).

So, look at a micro level and you should be able to get a decent home in that range.

Anonymous wrote:If you are open to a town home, look in Fairlington (South Arlington).

+1 south arlington, fairlington neighborhood in particular is a great option for you.

9:14 I'm one of the Pimmit Hills posters and also posted about Canterbury Woods, Fairfax, and Annandale. I don't know Alexandria neighborhoods, so I can't post about them. Our house is a 3 bed 2 bath 1700 s.f. house which apparently sells for about $460,000. I'm not a promoter of the neighborhood above any other, but I'm not a basher either. I do like it. I especially like that the area is close to a lot of highways and DC so that if we have to find another job, we can look elsewhere besides just one part of the DC metro area. Other than that, I don't really see it's appeal over another area of town.