Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 21:28     Subject: Re:$475,000 budget in NOVA
We are the the Navy elementary and Oakton high pyramid in 22033 There is one unique older home in. Our neighborhood fair oaks estates on ox hill road in your budget. Schools are great and it is a super friendly neighborhood with a pool.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 20:44     Subject: $475,000 budget in NOVA
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here: This has all been very helpful, and I am grateful for the thoughts and suggestions and welcome more. What's been difficult for me (the downtown commuter) is imagining how life might look living further out, as I realize that having a non-tiny house might require it. In other words, my commute is the loser over space and schools/neighborhood, though if DH's commute is better than his current drive from Arlington, that's helpful.

It's tricky, though, because DH travels for work for up to a week a month, often without much warning. So, while he could do drop off/pick up if we lived closer to his office (I'm thinking the Fairfax or Herndon option), it could get really crazy during the times he's gone.

I noticed no one has mentioned Falls Church (not Falls Church City, but outside it like around Sleepy Hollow Road)...is that because there are fewer public transportation options from that area? Or the schools? I've poked around on Redfin there simply because it seems a "meet in the middle" area but it's hard to get a sense of the place.


She wants good schools so sleepyhollow doesn't fit the bill


Sleepy Hollow schools are fine. OP just won't find much there in her price range.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 20:34     Subject: $475,000 budget in NOVA
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:22308/ Fort Hunt


For a commute to Dulles? No way.
True, it is a long commute. But Do-able.

Also, you'd be very unlikely to get an updated SFH in Fort Hunt for $475K.
Not true, I live in one.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 18:55     Subject: $475,000 budget in NOVA
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Considering there is NO chance of the Dulles commuter having a public transport option, I think putting this family closer in doesn't make a lot of sense. This is why we looked no further east than the Parkway (immediate surrounding areas) with a commuter going to Ashburn.



Won't metro go to Dulles?


Even if it does get there eventually, the Dulles commuter (the DH)'s office is not going to be located right at the metro stop. No one who works in the Dulles/Chantilly areas takes public transportation to work--its not cost/time effective.

Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 17:03     Subject: $475,000 budget in NOVA
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:20171 - Oak Hill. convenient to commuter buses / vienna metro for DC, and routes west to Dulles. Nice schools, nice lots.


I hate Oakton because of the westbbound 123 or Rt 66 traffic, but if the person commuting to/from DC only takes the metro, then Oakton is a perfect choice if you can find a place in your budget.


I SAID OAK HILL, not Oakton.

Different areas, dear.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 16:59     Subject: $475,000 budget in NOVA
OP, do you mind me asking - why are you waiting a few years? Saving up your down payment?

With these prices and interest rates just wondering - why wait? $475k might not get you as much in a few years as it does today.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 15:59     Subject: $475,000 budget in NOVA
here's info on the Silver Line (from the blog Restonian, which I love even though I loved living in Reston):

http://www.restonian.org/search/label/Metro%20Fiasco
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 15:57     Subject: $475,000 budget in NOVA
15:38: I don't have an exact square footage in mind. It seems like a lot of houses I look at are around 1,400 to 1,500. It would be nice if it were bigger than our apartment, and we've seen houses in our price range in Arlington that are smaller!

15:49: That's really helpful.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 15:50     Subject: $475,000 budget in NOVA
Besides schools, Falls Church to Dulles would SUCK.

And Metro to Dulles is still in its infancy. It is not a definite, AFAICT, nor would it be helpful for at least 5 years as the last projected date I heard was 2018 at the earliest.

At least metro to Reston is almost done.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 15:49     Subject: Re:$475,000 budget in NOVA
I commute from Fairfax City (neighborhood near Fairfax High School) to 13th and New York via 50 East to the E Street exit. My commute in the morning is about 40-45 minutes if I leave at 7, about 35 minutes if I manage to leave even 10 minutes earlier, and about 30 minutes in the summer. The commute home is longer, even if I leave at 4:30; it is usually about 50 minutes but can be as much as an hour on a bad day. When I work late, I can take 66 West after the HOV restrictions expire and be home in about 30 minutes.

When I was parking at the Vienna Metro and taking the Orange Line to McPherson Square, my door-to-door commute time was about 50 minutes.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 15:45     Subject: $475,000 budget in NOVA
Anonymous wrote:OP here: This has all been very helpful, and I am grateful for the thoughts and suggestions and welcome more. What's been difficult for me (the downtown commuter) is imagining how life might look living further out, as I realize that having a non-tiny house might require it. In other words, my commute is the loser over space and schools/neighborhood, though if DH's commute is better than his current drive from Arlington, that's helpful.

It's tricky, though, because DH travels for work for up to a week a month, often without much warning. So, while he could do drop off/pick up if we lived closer to his office (I'm thinking the Fairfax or Herndon option), it could get really crazy during the times he's gone.

I noticed no one has mentioned Falls Church (not Falls Church City, but outside it like around Sleepy Hollow Road)...is that because there are fewer public transportation options from that area? Or the schools? I've poked around on Redfin there simply because it seems a "meet in the middle" area but it's hard to get a sense of the place.


She wants good schools so sleepyhollow doesn't fit the bill
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 15:44     Subject: $475,000 budget in NOVA
My guess as to why no one has mentioned Falls Church is because it would be hard for you to get the size house you want for your budget.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 15:38     Subject: Re:$475,000 budget in NOVA
OP, sorry if I missed it - what square footage do you think is acceptable?
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 15:28     Subject: $475,000 budget in NOVA
OP here: This has all been very helpful, and I am grateful for the thoughts and suggestions and welcome more. What's been difficult for me (the downtown commuter) is imagining how life might look living further out, as I realize that having a non-tiny house might require it. In other words, my commute is the loser over space and schools/neighborhood, though if DH's commute is better than his current drive from Arlington, that's helpful.

It's tricky, though, because DH travels for work for up to a week a month, often without much warning. So, while he could do drop off/pick up if we lived closer to his office (I'm thinking the Fairfax or Herndon option), it could get really crazy during the times he's gone.

I noticed no one has mentioned Falls Church (not Falls Church City, but outside it like around Sleepy Hollow Road)...is that because there are fewer public transportation options from that area? Or the schools? I've poked around on Redfin there simply because it seems a "meet in the middle" area but it's hard to get a sense of the place.
Anonymous
Post 02/06/2013 15:27     Subject: $475,000 budget in NOVA
Anonymous wrote:Considering there is NO chance of the Dulles commuter having a public transport option, I think putting this family closer in doesn't make a lot of sense. This is why we looked no further east than the Parkway (immediate surrounding areas) with a commuter going to Ashburn.



Won't metro go to Dulles?