Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a known fact that commuting longer makes people unhappier. Don't underestimate "15 minutes" -- that's 30 minutes a day, so 2.5 hours a week extra that you'll be driving.

That's around 120 hours extra driving per year...

It's a known fact that having to take all your pots and pans out of the oven before using the oven sucks.

That takes 10 seconds though, not a half-hour a day

Oh the pans then take up counter space (or what's left of it) and the pots have to be stacked on the floor which end up being a tripping hazard..... 1/2 hour? meh.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a known fact that commuting longer makes people unhappier. Don't underestimate "15 minutes" -- that's 30 minutes a day, so 2.5 hours a week extra that you'll be driving.

That's around 120 hours extra driving per year...

It's a known fact that having to take all your pots and pans out of the oven before using the oven sucks.

LOL... i have to do this now, and AGREE. cannot wait to be in a bigger place with an actual decent sized kitchen that has actual storage.

15 minutes yes. 25 minutes, no. Which is why we picked McLean over Arlington, but would consider Vienna too far out.

Personal opinion, of course, just like everyone else's here.

Honestly, I never worry about resale. I figure you shouldn't buy a place if you are not willing to live there 5-10 years and if you are, you should look for something that works for you. If there are features of a house that make it less attractive to some people, then that will be reflected in the price you pay for it as well as the price you get for it.

Anonymous wrote:No one else's opinion matters. This is your life and your decision. Do what feels right to you.

+1

Pick your poison. There are not perfect options, not in this area.

Perhaps you could try driving extra time for a week to see how much it bothers you. Go a circuitous route to work that would equal the increased commute time. Do it for a week or two and see how it feels.

I made a huge mistake once assuming I wouldn't mind a certain type of commute. I realized later that I should have tried it out for a couple of weeks before moving, because some decisions are harder to undo.

But for other people, what I found intolerable is actually preferable. It's the same with the public transit v. driving debate. Some people HATE driving. Other people HATE being public transportation.

It's all about personal preference. In fact, I think it is a horrible idea to pose the question on a forum like this, because then you let other people's judgments cloud your decision-making when, at the end of the day, you will be the one who lives there. It doesn't matter if 80 percent of people prefer a shorter commute to a bigger house. If YOU hate living in a small house, then you will be miserable.

I think this is a product of real estate agents focusing on resale. Of course, you should keep resale in mind, but I think with all of the real estate shows and agents focusing on resale and what increases "value," people actually have gotten away from thinking about what they like, what kind of living situation would work best for their family and is most conducive to their happiness.

Some of the responses are strange, OP stated it's 1600 sq.ft house vs 2100 sq.ft house, it's really not that much difference in size, but there is difference in feel of the neighborhood, from what she described. Obviously, higher upkeep would not be an issue here, and honestly 2100 sq.ft house is really not a large home. She is not really choosing between 1000 sq.ft rowhouse in the city and 5000 sq.ft way in the exurbs.

OP, sounds like you are between the rock and a hard place, honestly, none of these homes sound appealing, and I see why your choice is hard. I would keep looking, maybe something that suits your needs better will come up. Maybe something 1800 sq.ft with a better setting and in between would work better?

OP, can you tell us where to where?


Hopefully someone who is not narrow sighted can chime in?

NO. We are in Pimmit now. It would have to be around or inside the beltway as well, but maybe a different place near the beltway or inside would be ok.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people defending their tiny, close-in houses here.

Or defending a carbon-copy Putle home 35 miles from anything worthwhile

What is "worthwhile" to you is not necessarity "worthwhile" to me.

I find nature worthwhile - do you consider bars and Starbucks "worthwhile".

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people defending their tiny, close-in houses here.

Or defending a carbon-copy Putle home 35 miles from anything worthwhile

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a known fact that commuting longer makes people unhappier. Don't underestimate "15 minutes" -- that's 30 minutes a day, so 2.5 hours a week extra that you'll be driving.

That's around 120 hours extra driving per year...

It's a known fact that having to take all your pots and pans out of the oven before using the oven sucks.

That takes 10 seconds though, not a half-hour a day

Is the 15 min the difference between Arlington & Falls Church? Or Fairfax & Manassas? If the former - I'd do it. If the latter, no way.

Is the 15 min the difference between a house that doesn't really meet your family's needs and one that does? Or the smaller house has enough "zones" or space for your family, just the bigger house would be more comfortable? If the former, then yes. If the latter, than no.

Is your commute already 1 hr - then I wouldn't add on 15 min. If it’s going from ½ hr to 45 min, I’d do it.

If the closer in neighborhood means always fighting for parking, or parking far away vs. the no parking issues at the farther out neighborhood – I’d take no parking issues.

I would for better schools - not for bigger house. Not worth the cleaning, taxes and upkeep.

No one else's opinion matters. This is your life and your decision. Do what feels right to you.