I live in 22207 (Cherrydale), and I love our neighborhood. I don't have any opinion on where you should buy. I would just caution you from overspending on a house. We have similar income and bought our house for a little over a $1M in 2007. While the mortgage is do-able we now have 2 kids and the last 6 years of nanny, part time preschool, full time preschool and a brief stint in day care has added up quite a bit. Also, it costs quite a bit to furnish a new home with that many bedrooms.

So, while I would definitely get as many bedrooms as you can afford, I would not necessarily stretch to spend as much as you can b/c child care costs really do cost a lot in this area.

Best of luck in your search.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in 22207. There seems to be some decent inventory on the market now in 22207 and 22205. (and 22201, 22203 and 22209, where you might also look.) I like it here, and we're happy with our schools. (ATS/Williamsburg/Yorktown.) I didn't look in McLean because for the budget, I wanted to be as close in as possible and didn't need/want a bigger lot.

I would personally do a SFH instead of a TH at that price point if you can, unless you really hate outdoor maintenance. (and if you do, you might find something with a lot of hardscaping/deck to minimize it.) Most of the people I know in that range are looking for SFH.

I agree. Though, houses generally go within a few days. There have been a few nice options around the $1m mark recently.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2411-N-Roosevelt-St_Arlington_VA_22207_M50908-58194?view=qv

I just saw this one. Seems very nice to me. And thank you so much for your inputs.

Anonymous wrote:I live in 22207. There seems to be some decent inventory on the market now in 22207 and 22205. (and 22201, 22203 and 22209, where you might also look.) I like it here, and we're happy with our schools. (ATS/Williamsburg/Yorktown.) I didn't look in McLean because for the budget, I wanted to be as close in as possible and didn't need/want a bigger lot.

I would personally do a SFH instead of a TH at that price point if you can, unless you really hate outdoor maintenance. (and if you do, you might find something with a lot of hardscaping/deck to minimize it.) Most of the people I know in that range are looking for SFH.

I agree. Though, houses generally go within a few days. There have been a few nice options around the $1m mark recently.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in 22207. There seems to be some decent inventory on the market now in 22207 and 22205. (and 22201, 22203 and 22209, where you might also look.) I like it here, and we're happy with our schools. (ATS/Williamsburg/Yorktown.) I didn't look in McLean because for the budget, I wanted to be as close in as possible and didn't need/want a bigger lot.

I would personally do a SFH instead of a TH at that price point if you can, unless you really hate outdoor maintenance. (and if you do, you might find something with a lot of hardscaping/deck to minimize it.) Most of the people I know in that range are looking for SFH.

Thanks so much! We both work and we don't have any experience in outdoor maintenance. That's why we were looking THs but with this budget, at least we want to get an End unit with a backyard and some nice trees and plants in the community. I like the area of 22207. It is hard to maintain those old houses built in the 30s -40s with a total renovation?

The outdoor maintenance is not a big issue within the zip codes you are consider for the budget you have. Your yard will be minimal. If you are concerned about the minimal upkeep that you can learn within one season then hire a firm for few bucks, they will cut your grass, reseed and maintain. Very cheaply.
Sacrificing SFH because of this is insane. Besides, you do realize that when you buy TH you will have some front yard that will need the upkeep just the same so just as well if you are ready to do the front , then why not to have a flat grassy area for kids to run on?

Most people in the area have either grass mower and have a husband run once a week through the grass, and that is that. Others hire the crew, they come to your home with all the equipment on their truck, they cut the grass and do anything needed be done, and are out of your property within probably half hour as they zoom and rush. You don't even need to be home.

Imagine having kids watching things grow, this is big thing. It does not take a rocket science to buy a bag of soil from Home Depot
put it in the backyard somewhere in the corner, put some seeds or young plants in it and watch them grow. Kids have such a wonderful time and they learn about the gardening and all. It is really so easy and you live in the times whret here is a youtube video for everything and it truly makes it so easy. Try and see now.

Don't buy a townhouse for that much if you are going have a family. Townhouses (lots of stairs) are not great with all of the stuff that comes along with having kids - strollers, car seats, and just lots of extra stuff in general. Also, the bedrooms might not be on the same floor as the master which is not good when you want to hear your kids at night.

If you are going have kids, you'll want a family friendly neighborhood. I am not that familiar with Falls Church except to know that they one have one elem school and it's huge and their taxes are higher, but we live in 22207, and it's been great for kids. Most of the kids go to the neighborhood elem school, so there are tons of kids around for playdates and such.

I think a townhouse will be more older people or people without kids. Plus, it won't appreciate as much as a SFH will.

I would look for a SFH in McLean, 22207 or Falls church city. I don't think you can go wrong.

Don't be fooled by faux church fake mclean

The Mayfair of McLean development is actually in Falls Church/22043 but zoned for McLean schools.

Of the currently listed properties, this one may be the best as it's not as close as the others to either Westmoreland or Kirby: https://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/2029-Mayfair-McLean-Ct-22043/home/9477712

The feel is very similar to McLean and it's very close to Longfellow MS and Haycock ES (and not that far from McLean HS). There is green space behind Longfellow MS and you're close to both Falls Church City and the central McLean area for shopping. Quick trip by car to West Falls Church Metro station as well.

Why four bedrooms if you are just starting a new family? And why TH if you want to have kids. TH is okay if you can not afford anything else but if you can then do not go backwards but forward. Once you have a kid you will love a green grassy area called backyard because you can go play ball, run and have a play set within few steps. Yes, you still can go to the park for socializing and all but you don't have to do it every time you want to take kiddo out of the house. Once you move into TH, you will immediately be sorry that you don't have a decent backyard, because the bathroom sized brick-paved thing does not qualify as one. Kids run, kids bump into things, kids fall, you need grass. You want grass.
TH is the only option for people with very tight budget who want to have a family and look for good schools areas, if you are in this position then do it, otherwise go to the next step, as the SHF is the next step.

Anonymous wrote:I live in 22207. There seems to be some decent inventory on the market now in 22207 and 22205. (and 22201, 22203 and 22209, where you might also look.) I like it here, and we're happy with our schools. (ATS/Williamsburg/Yorktown.) I didn't look in McLean because for the budget, I wanted to be as close in as possible and didn't need/want a bigger lot.

I would personally do a SFH instead of a TH at that price point if you can, unless you really hate outdoor maintenance. (and if you do, you might find something with a lot of hardscaping/deck to minimize it.) Most of the people I know in that range are looking for SFH.

Thanks so much! We both work and we don't have any experience in outdoor maintenance. That's why we were looking THs but with this budget, at least we want to get an End unit with a backyard and some nice trees and plants in the community. I like the area of 22207. It is hard to maintain those old houses built in the 30s -40s with a total renovation?

12:14 here - that said, that Park Ave townhouse is gorgeous and the HOA fee of $150/month is really reasonable. (that would be my objection with some TH's - a few I looked at had fees of over $300/month and there weren't even any amenities like a pool covered in that price.)

I live in 22207. There seems to be some decent inventory on the market now in 22207 and 22205. (and 22201, 22203 and 22209, where you might also look.) I like it here, and we're happy with our schools. (ATS/Williamsburg/Yorktown.) I didn't look in McLean because for the budget, I wanted to be as close in as possible and didn't need/want a bigger lot.

I would personally do a SFH instead of a TH at that price point if you can, unless you really hate outdoor maintenance. (and if you do, you might find something with a lot of hardscaping/deck to minimize it.) Most of the people I know in that range are looking for SFH.

^^ PP again. But I love:
- screened in porch
- access to the deck from the master bedroom
- skylights
- solar panels
- easy access to walk to Haycock and Longfellow - and the fact that there are a ton of kids in that neighborhood
- I am meh about the pool but the firepit area looks neat
- semicircle driveway

I can't really tell where in the house the hot tub is, but that would be fun too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a neat house in a good location: https://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/6447-Orland-St-22043/home/9484751

NP here. I love everything about this house.

I'm the PP that posted it. I tend to agree. 2 things I don't like:
- 1 car garage
- and we currently live closer to WFC metro and Falls Church City (in FCPS though)... I've gotten used to the walkability so it would be tough to move. But if that place was in my hood it would be well over $1M so there's that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At your budget I would buy this one. Great location and an extra BR for an au pair/in law suite. Out of my budget sadly.
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/411-Park-Ave-22046/home/12036547

We went to the open house yesterday and it is a beautiful house truly. I am just not sure which is better area 22101 or 22046? It seems anything in 22101 goes so quickly. Why people so crazy about the haycock are?

If you are okay with a TH you cannot go wrong with this suggestion. It is in the heart of Falls Church City and way more walkable and convenient than most of 22101. I have always admired these townhouses!

Yes we are totally OK with a TH with this size. It is huge and the structure is very modern. Do you think it is priced fairly at 1.22M?

Depends on how much you value being in the center of everything. For the location and square footage I absolutely think that’s fair. FCC is its own tiny school system so if you are looking to compare to Fairfax County 22043 or 22201 it’s just a totally different equation. If I had your budget I’d absolutely pick 22046 over either of those other zip codes.

I would pick 22101

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At your budget I would buy this one. Great location and an extra BR for an au pair/in law suite. Out of my budget sadly.
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/411-Park-Ave-22046/home/12036547

We went to the open house yesterday and it is a beautiful house truly. I am just not sure which is better area 22101 or 22046? It seems anything in 22101 goes so quickly. Why people so crazy about the haycock are?

If you are okay with a TH you cannot go wrong with this suggestion. It is in the heart of Falls Church City and way more walkable and convenient than most of 22101. I have always admired these townhouses!

Yes we are totally OK with a TH with this size. It is huge and the structure is very modern. Do you think it is priced fairly at 1.22M?

Depends on how much you value being in the center of everything. For the location and square footage I absolutely think that’s fair. FCC is its own tiny school system so if you are looking to compare to Fairfax County 22043 or 22201 it’s just a totally different equation. If I had your budget I’d absolutely pick 22046 over either of those other zip codes.