Middletown MD near Frederick is lovely--nice farms and rural area around there. I don't know the prices but I spent a weekend there recently and was impressed.

What about Waterford VA? Really pretty spot and only about an hour away.

Op here... Thanks for all the input. The 1.5 hr rule is just general -- we know getting out on weekends will take longer but it's just to keep it bearable. I would like the beach for the reason mentioned above -- other families but 3 hrs, maybe 4 or 5 on a Friday is just not doable for my family. We are looking at places like this:

http://www.redfin.com/MD/Trappe/1724-Ferry-Point-Ct-21673/home/15341592

And this

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Middleburg/23432-Dover-Rd-20117/home/12029366/mris-LO7951612


We realize we are not in the 3 million dollar jet set crew in these locations. Ad to the poster who called us boring, perhaps we are. We like to read, be in the sun, go on walk, and eat out. Our kids are young enough that weekend sports etc wont start for another 5 - 8 years. We want this place to relax and entertain close friends and family during the weekend.

I would love St Michaels...

Lake Holiday (out be Winchester).

I would vote for Rappahannock county. Wineries, horses, cute towns and still very bucolic. Many landowners have conservation easements on their property which means it won't be developed and also means that property values are lower (because they cannot be sold to developers!). I don't think you will find much in your budget near Middleburg anyway. Some towns south on 29 are nice too.
Consider renting somewhere for a year. Depending what you buy, you will spend "relaxing" weekends mowing lawns, fighting weeds, laying ant traps, dealing with house stuff (plumbing, vacuuming). I speak from experience and I loved the access to nature and parks and getting dirty but it is NOT all relaxation and it is NOT for everyone. Test the water before you jump in.

Wow. People who ask for advice on disposable income sure bring out the nastiness on this site.

My dad has a place right near the bay in southern Anne Arundel County that's 45 minutes from CCDC.

Anonymous wrote:Shenandoah County in the valley on the Shenandoah River. We live there full time now and we love it.

If you can get there in 1.5 hours from D.C., I sure don't want to be on the highway at the same time as you.

PP, again. Plus there are all sorts of camps you can sign the kids up for. Sailing, tennis, horse, skim camp, adventure, etc. Benefit is the cost is at least 1/2 of DC market

You really should consider the beach, if you know the traffic patterns (which you will figure out) it's 2:30-3 hr trip. With the beach you will have other families that do the same as you, come for the summer as well as other holidays throughout the year. We have our beach house friends and our DC friends. Kids love to go and see their friends from the beach. We don't get "I don't want to go to X, none of my friends are there". Some of the other places listed might not have the summering crowd.

I suggest you stop and think about this proposed idea.

Some questions for you to ponder:

* What are you going to do when your kids start playing sports or other activities which require them to be at your principle residence on the weekends?

* What are you going to do when your kids start saying, "I don't want to go to X, none of my friends are there?"

* When are you going to do the yardwork and housecleaning for this extra house? Are you going to do it on the weekends when you've gone to relax?

What do you think you will buy in Middleburg for 600-700K? The homes in that price are hardly vacation type homes. They are in "communities".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It look me almost over an hour to get to Leesburg yesterday with no traffic. If you plan to go for weekends, 1.5 hrs is not going to get you very far.

How did it take you 90 minuets to travel 40 miles in no traffic? Are you riding your bicycle?

I travel to the Leesburg outlets at least 3xs a year and it takes me 40 minuets with light traffic. I always fly down the toll road and Greenway.

She said "almost an hour" - how does that equal 90 minutes? Take a deep breath...

Anonymous wrote:It look me almost over an hour to get to Leesburg yesterday with no traffic. If you plan to go for weekends, 1.5 hrs is not going to get you very far.

How did it take you 90 minuets to travel 40 miles in no traffic? Are you riding your bicycle?

I travel to the Leesburg outlets at least 3xs a year and it takes me 40 minuets with light traffic. I always fly down the toll road and Greenway.