I'd pick Reston in OP's shoes, but we know nothing about her fussiness with schools, house age/size, lot size, amenities near home, walkability, etc.

If she's wanting a new SFH on an acre, welcome to Purcellville, for example.

If she's wanting a walkable, historic neighborhood, welcome to downtown Leesburg or Herndon.

Anonymous wrote:Potomac Falls/Cascades area is very nice with good public schools.

there are loudoun county commuter busses from there to metro. Or he could drive to a park and ride in reston/herndon (until metro arrives, of course)

I think metro's extension is going to change these suggestions a lot.

I used to live in Sterling, right by Potomac Falls. He'd have to drive from there to a commuter parking lot. I believe the closest one from there is still on the other side of the airport. So he'd need 10-15 minutes to drive to the parking lot. And then about 45 minutes on the commuter bus. Elementary schools there are better than other parts of Sterling. Potomac Falls HS is fine.

If I were you, I'd aim to be in the Merrifield/Dunn Loring area. You can hop on the toll road out and he can metro in.

Potomac Falls/Cascades area is very nice with good public schools.