Maybe something like this:

http://homes.longandfoster.com/Real-Estate/PropertyDetails.aspx?4422-CORTEZ-DR-FAIRFAX-VA-22030&MlsCompanyID=2&MlsNumber=FX7997857

Just be aware that the area is about to go through a school boundary study/redistricitng.

First, those firstt 5 years fly by, and before you know it, your DC will be ready for K. Here's a piece of advice; buy for the area//neighborhood, not the house. We know someone who bought a nice house in a very questionable neighborhood, and can't sel. We bought a handyman special in a very desirable neighborhood, with quick sales, and if we sold today, we'd make good money.

Anonymous wrote:Another option might be Fairfax, and take the Orange Line from Vienna.

+1

A commute from Fairfax would be a more direct commute to both Foggy Bottom and Arlington than a commute from Burke or West Springfield that is dependent on VRE.

Another option might be Fairfax, and take the Orange Line from Vienna.

Anonymous wrote:If you are interested in Northern Virginia, then Annandale would be your best bet inside the beltway with your budget. Outside, look in the Fairfax county part of Alexandria.
There are also some TH options a bit farther out in Burke close to the VRE, which may be a commuting option.

Thanks. Annandale and Alexandria are definitely places on my radar. Nothing perfect on the market now, but I'll keep looking. I hadn't considered Burke, but I'll look into it. Thanks.

If you don't mind a bit more of a commute, what about Reston? With the silver line going in the options for commuting are improviing. Schools are pretty good, nice walking trails and community, and a wide range of townhomes and SFHs that are affordable.

Anonymous wrote:Oh FFS, could people please stop with the ridiculous, "I bought a million dollar house with no help," BS and just answer the OP's question already? Seriously, no one cares what a fabulous financial planner you are. God, people on here are so insufferable.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How long a commute are you willing to tolerate and where are you commuting to?

Need to know this before I can recommend an area.

OP here. Need a workable commute to both Foggy Bottom and Arlington, so probably NOVA or on the Orange/Blue lines would be ideal, but perhaps there are areas I'm not considering. Like everyone, I'd love the shortest commute possible, but I realize in my price range I'm going to have to make some sacrifices. However, I really don't want to have to make a lot of transfers. Somewhere on a metro line or an easy drive to a metro stop with a parking lot would be ideal. I don't know much about but or Amtrak commuting in the area but I'd consider that if it weren't too complicated. I'll have a car, but of course parking in Foggy Bottom is an issue.

Anonymous wrote:People who pay over 500k are either: two lawyer families; helped by parents; extremely house poor; lucked out in pre-crash investment; or are a bit older and extremely thrifty (but will still probably end up house poor).

I really don't think this is true. You can get an FHA loan with very little down. This calculator shows that so long as you have no credit card/student loan debt you can qualify for a 500,000 loan with a HHI of around 125K. http://www.fha.com/calculator_afford.cfm

We bought over 500K in 2010-- certainly don't fall into any of your above categories.

Anonymous wrote:Oh FFS, could people please stop with the ridiculous, "I bought a million dollar house with no help," BS and just answer the OP's question already? Seriously, no one cares what a fabulous financial planner you are. God, people on here are so insufferable.

+1 not the OP, but interested in actual responses to the question.

Oh FFS, could people please stop with the ridiculous, "I bought a million dollar house with no help," BS and just answer the OP's question already? Seriously, no one cares what a fabulous financial planner you are. God, people on here are so insufferable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We make 250k and bought in 2006 at 850 k. No trust fund. No student loans. Car 6 years old. We eat out from time to time but I shop at Aldi grocery and try to keep that at $80 a week. We vacation with family.

There is a way, minus a trust fund.

I could save a lot too with your HHI. You are among the elite, even if you shop at Aldi.

Stfu, most of the money goes to the house so people like me and pp shop the same as people like you . No elite

You STFU. 250k is 5x the national average. It is elite. Enjoy it, you deserve it, but have the balls to own it.

I thought 250k was fake rich?

People who pay over 500k are either: two lawyer families; helped by parents; extremely house poor; lucked out in pre-crash investment; or are a bit older and extremely thrifty (but will still probably end up house poor).

Anonymous wrote:How long a commute are you willing to tolerate and where are you commuting to?

Need to know this before I can recommend an area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We make 250k and bought in 2006 at 850 k. No trust fund. No student loans. Car 6 years old. We eat out from time to time but I shop at Aldi grocery and try to keep that at $80 a week. We vacation with family.

There is a way, minus a trust fund.

I could save a lot too with your HHI. You are among the elite, even if you shop at Aldi.

Stfu, most of the money goes to the house so people like me and pp shop the same as people like you . No elite

You STFU. 250k is 5x the national average. It is elite. Enjoy it, you deserve it, but have the balls to own it.