Agree with a prior poster. Wouldn't travel on 66 out past exit 62 or 64. Vienna might be ok, but oakton and beyond will be a long commute.

Anonymous wrote:
We both work in DC. I would like to keep it at 600k. It's been overwhelming toggling between different reports on the fairfax county page and different real estate sites. I have no idea which of those schools are good. I'm looking at schools like Bush Hill, Clermont, Hunt Valley? for elementary. I'm really lost. Oh, and I had no idea that was a loaded question. I would've been more specific but clearly I'm a newbie to all of this.

So, you need to set some parameters for yourself:

- How far out is too long a commute for you? With a $600K budget, Fairfax probably would be as far out as I'd personally be willling to go, so I'd cross off places like Chantilly, Centerville and Fairfax Station

- How big a house do you want/need? If you are OK with a smaller house, you could probably find something in West Falls Church (22043) or Vienna in an area with good schools. If you want a newer home (1970s or later), you might want to look at western Annandale, Burke, Fairfax or West Springfield.

- Are schools with large numbers of students learning English acceptable to you or not? Some people wouldn't consider Bush Hill for that reason; others might not care. Be honest with yourself, or with others here if you're looking for advice.

If you aren't specific, the "default" approach that most people will take will be to point you in the direction of neighborhoods with schools that, whether they know it or not, typically all have GS ratings of at least "7" or more. So the area around Bush Hill in Alexandria won't make the cut because Bush Hill ES gets a "4." Or the area around Clermont won't make the cut because, even though Clermont gets a "9," Edison HS only gets a "5." But Hunt Valley will make the cut, because all the schools in that pyramid (Hunt Valley/Irving/West Springfield) are highly rated. Which is fine, if that's what you're looking for, but it might turn out that you'd be fine with schools with lower, average test scores so long as they provide your kids with the right opportunities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH has a point....if you put the $$$ into a mortgage, you might get the money back when you sell, presuming the kids get the same education.

West Springfield has some issues...at least it did 15 years ago, when I was buying, west springfield had the mixing bowl construction and issues around springfield mall. We ended up in Vienna. (that worked out well, as my (same) job moved from Arlington to Tysons, back to arlington, and now to reston.

Welll.... that's helpful.... 15 years ago there were "some issues"?????? Seriously.

West Springfield is a great school. There are great elementary schools in the Alexandria section of Ffx County as well.

Where in Alexandria do you work? Where does DH work? What is your price range?

I just hate the "where's the BEST school?" question followed by all the usual DCUMers shouting McLean, Vienna, Tysons!!!! The question assumes that the rest of the schools are sub-standard and therefore the 90% of us not sending our children to the over-proclaimed schools are just hopeless idiots who accept sloppy seconds. There are plenty of parents/kids interested in getting a great education ALL OVER No. Va. school districts. We all want a good deal for our kids, but we make choices based on the needs/means/desires of the entire family. People who don't send their kids Archer and Haycock and Langley and McLean and Oakton are not clueless about the options. They realize that there are many schools that qualify as "good schools."

We both work in DC. I would like to keep it at 600k. It's been overwhelming toggling between different reports on the fairfax county page and different real estate sites. I have no idea which of those schools are good. I'm looking at schools like Bush Hill, Clermont, Hunt Valley? for elementary. I'm really lost. Oh, and I had no idea that was a loaded question. I would've been more specific but clearly I'm a newbie to all of this.

The elementary schools feeding into West Springfield are all good. I would also look at some of the closer-in areas feeding into Lake Braddock, and the schools feeding into Woodson.

yeah, I agree - if you'd give us your price range and where you and husband commute to, that might be more helpful.

Sure, Langley is the "top" high school by reputation and test scores, but the price point to get into Langley is so high, only the elite few can afford it....which of course is why it is considered a "top" school.

There are very good schools and communities all over NoVA. What works for one family may not work for others. To be fair, if we were buying NOW, we would have looked in Southern Fairfax rather than Western because of my husband's current job. The close in communities will never make sense for us.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH has a point....if you put the $$$ into a mortgage, you might get the money back when you sell, presuming the kids get the same education.

West Springfield has some issues...at least it did 15 years ago, when I was buying, west springfield had the mixing bowl construction and issues around springfield mall. We ended up in Vienna. (that worked out well, as my (same) job moved from Arlington to Tysons, back to arlington, and now to reston.

Welll.... that's helpful.... 15 years ago there were "some issues"?????? Seriously.

West Springfield is a great school. There are great elementary schools in the Alexandria section of Ffx County as well.

Where in Alexandria do you work? Where does DH work? What is your price range?

I just hate the "where's the BEST school?" question followed by all the usual DCUMers shouting McLean, Vienna, Tysons!!!! The question assumes that the rest of the schools are sub-standard and therefore the 90% of us not sending our children to the over-proclaimed schools are just hopeless idiots who accept sloppy seconds. There are plenty of parents/kids interested in getting a great education ALL OVER No. Va. school districts. We all want a good deal for our kids, but we make choices based on the needs/means/desires of the entire family. People who don't send their kids Archer and Haycock and Langley and McLean and Oakton are not clueless about the options. They realize that there are many schools that qualify as "good schools."

We both work in DC. I would like to keep it at 600k. It's been overwhelming toggling between different reports on the fairfax county page and different real estate sites. I have no idea which of those schools are good. I'm looking at schools like Bush Hill, Clermont, Hunt Valley? for elementary. I'm really lost. Oh, and I had no idea that was a loaded question. I would've been more specific but clearly I'm a newbie to all of this.

I agree. Lots of schools are very good. Mine is never listed and the school is awesome. Maybe the poster should mention how much they want to spend. what's the point of knowing that X is the 'best' school if you can't affored to buy a house there.

Anonymous wrote:

I just hate the "where's the BEST school?" question followed by all the usual DCUMers shouting McLean, Vienna, Tysons!!!! The question assumes that the rest of the schools are sub-standard and therefore the 90% of us not sending our children to the over-proclaimed schools are just hopeless idiots who accept sloppy seconds. There are plenty of parents/kids interested in getting a great education ALL OVER No. Va. school districts. We all want a good deal for our kids, but we make choices based on the needs/means/desires of the entire family. People who don't send their kids Archer and Haycock and Langley and McLean and Oakton are not clueless about the options. They realize that there are many schools that qualify as "good schools."

The answers would be different if the questions were phrased differently, but usually they contain words like "top" and "best." Often the people asking the questions don't know how many schools there are, or how loaded others may perceive the question to be.

What about Arlington?

Anonymous wrote:DH has a point....if you put the $$$ into a mortgage, you might get the money back when you sell, presuming the kids get the same education.

West Springfield has some issues...at least it did 15 years ago, when I was buying, west springfield had the mixing bowl construction and issues around springfield mall. We ended up in Vienna. (that worked out well, as my (same) job moved from Arlington to Tysons, back to arlington, and now to reston.

Welll.... that's helpful.... 15 years ago there were "some issues"?????? Seriously.

West Springfield is a great school. There are great elementary schools in the Alexandria section of Ffx County as well.

Where in Alexandria do you work? Where does DH work? What is your price range?

I just hate the "where's the BEST school?" question followed by all the usual DCUMers shouting McLean, Vienna, Tysons!!!! The question assumes that the rest of the schools are sub-standard and therefore the 90% of us not sending our children to the over-proclaimed schools are just hopeless idiots who accept sloppy seconds. There are plenty of parents/kids interested in getting a great education ALL OVER No. Va. school districts. We all want a good deal for our kids, but we make choices based on the needs/means/desires of the entire family. People who don't send their kids Archer and Haycock and Langley and McLean and Oakton are not clueless about the options. They realize that there are many schools that qualify as "good schools."

DH has a point....if you put the $$$ into a mortgage, you might get the money back when you sell, presuming the kids get the same education.

West Springfield has some issues...at least it did 15 years ago, when I was buying, west springfield had the mixing bowl construction and issues around springfield mall. We ended up in Vienna. (that worked out well, as my (same) job moved from Arlington to Tysons, back to arlington, and now to reston.

Anonymous wrote:Are you looking for a new house because you are new to the area or because you just want to move to a new house? My post will not be about schools but moving. One important factor to keep in mind, especially if new to the area: LIVE AS CLOSE TO WORK AS yOU CAN AFFORD. As already pointed out, there are a LOT of great schools, but if you can avoid a long commute, your whole quality of life as a family will be greatly improved.

OP here. I work in DC and live in Alexandria. My oldest will be starting kindergarten in 2014. I first thought that we'd be ok to have DC go through elementary and then move before middle school. I've changed my mind and want to try to have DC stay with the same group of kids throughout grade school. I'm starting to freak out now about the stress of a move and about having DC transition to a new school and a new home at the same time. We don't necessarily have to worry about selling our current home but would still be stressed with finding tenants. Selling would also take some effort. I'm trying to find a home close enough to work that is both affordable and within a good cluster of schools. Ideally, I'd want to stay put and have our children go to private school. DH would rather move and put our money into real estate rather than to stay in our low mortage home and pay for private school. I'm ok with moving but feel overwhelmed about trying to get all of these things lined up to find the right situation. We only have a year to do this and I don't even know how to begin to put a timeline together or when to start this process. I think the West Springfield area might be best but I'm not too familiar with the area.

Are you looking for a new house because you are new to the area or because you just want to move to a new house? My post will not be about schools but moving. One important factor to keep in mind, especially if new to the area: LIVE AS CLOSE TO WORK AS yOU CAN AFFORD. As already pointed out, there are a LOT of great schools, but if you can avoid a long commute, your whole quality of life as a family will be greatly improved.

AGREE. there are lots of good schools, but you can't get around distance and time.

Anonymous wrote:Olde Creek/Frost/Woodson. Small elementary school with an active PTA, and very much a neighborhood school. The middle and high schools speak for themselves.

the neighborhood around olde creek is nice and the kids walk to school. it is a great little community.

Are you looking for a new house because you are new to the area or because you just want to move to a new house? My post will not be about schools but moving. One important factor to keep in mind, especially if new to the area: LIVE AS CLOSE TO WORK AS yOU CAN AFFORD. As already pointed out, there are a LOT of great schools, but if you can avoid a long commute, your whole quality of life as a family will be greatly improved.

I also live in 22043 and love it for many of the same reasons (walkable to metro, stores, etc.; close to the highways; quick drive to Tyson's). My kids go to Shrevewood. We really like it there. The new (2 years now) principal is terrific. The families are wonderful. It is diverse, yet there is a nice sense of community.