Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think we're pretty settled that if DH's job is in Rockville that we'd have to live on MD side. Google map traffic times made it look doable from VA, but I an trusting everyone who says that's nuts. Long term I think we prefer being in VA to MD so we were just trying to figure out if we could make one move and stay for the long haul (even after he changes jobs to something in DC for example). Still a good chance that he takes a different job in DC, though, so in that case VA would be our preference.

I'm not glued to Vienna. Without having the chance to see anything yet, I was attracted to the small town descriptions and the glowing write ups in places like Money Magazine plus the outdoor areas, walking paths, independently owned restaurants/shops and good schools. We'll of course consider places like McLean and Falls Church, too, but it seemed like McLean is even more expensive than Vienna and Falls Church has fewer houses that feed into a good school pyramid. I'd prefer to stay in Fairfax County Schools because I think the AAP program is a huge selling point, and I may be wrong but I got the impression Falls Church City was it's own school district.

Are there other good towns for commuting into DC that have those attributes that I'm missing?

Anonymous wrote:I cannot imagine commuting from Vienna to Rockville. That sounds absolutely miserable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think we're pretty settled that if DH's job is in Rockville that we'd have to live on MD side. Google map traffic times made it look doable from VA, but I an trusting everyone who says that's nuts. Long term I think we prefer being in VA to MD so we were just trying to figure out if we could make one move and stay for the long haul (even after he changes jobs to something in DC for example). Still a good chance that he takes a different job in DC, though, so in that case VA would be our preference.

I'm not glued to Vienna. Without having the chance to see anything yet, I was attracted to the small town descriptions and the glowing write ups in places like Money Magazine plus the outdoor areas, walking paths, independently owned restaurants/shops and good schools. We'll of course consider places like McLean and Falls Church, too, but it seemed like McLean is even more expensive than Vienna and Falls Church has fewer houses that feed into a good school pyramid. I'd prefer to stay in Fairfax County Schools because I think the AAP program is a huge selling point, and I may be wrong but I got the impression Falls Church City was it's own school district.

Are there other good towns for commuting into DC that have those attributes that I'm missing?

I think google maps is pretty accurate as long as your searching it at the same time as you would be driving it. I would say it is very accurate, actually, having used it a lot lately. People like Vienna b/c it has high performing schools, very low poverty, quick to the metro (yes, lots and lots of people take it into the city), and it has a true town center with various "community" activities hosted by the Town of Vienna each year (open to all). This past weekend was Octoberfest. There is a Halloween costume parade for kids in a few weeks. There is a Santa sleigh ride and other events. It is close to major shopping at Tysons and the tech/jobs hubs in Tysons/Reston/Herndon. Lastly, you can get an actual sfh with a yard for $700-900. In McLean/Arlington, you pay $900k for a TH. The prices are jacked up more and the houses look like less. The W&OD trail is good for biking/walking and yes, there are a number of independently owned restaurants and businesses. It is an older town (in the business area), so there isn't room for the big box stores. You have to go to Tysons or Fair Oaks for that. Some people really like that.

I think you are getting a skewed view of things on DCUM, OP. If you look around Vienna, there are oodles of $1.3mil tear-down/re-build houses being built. They are EVERYWHERE! Apparently there is something about Vienna that people really want to be there and they are willing to spend $1.3 mil and UP to be in this location. With that kind of $$, there are plenty of people who could live elsewhere or have a less expensive house. But, the Vienna location seems to be key. The market says Vienna is in demand.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think we're pretty settled that if DH's job is in Rockville that we'd have to live on MD side. Google map traffic times made it look doable from VA, but I an trusting everyone who says that's nuts. Long term I think we prefer being in VA to MD so we were just trying to figure out if we could make one move and stay for the long haul (even after he changes jobs to something in DC for example). Still a good chance that he takes a different job in DC, though, so in that case VA would be our preference.

I'm not glued to Vienna. Without having the chance to see anything yet, I was attracted to the small town descriptions and the glowing write ups in places like Money Magazine plus the outdoor areas, walking paths, independently owned restaurants/shops and good schools. We'll of course consider places like McLean and Falls Church, too, but it seemed like McLean is even more expensive than Vienna and Falls Church has fewer houses that feed into a good school pyramid. I'd prefer to stay in Fairfax County Schools because I think the AAP program is a huge selling point, and I may be wrong but I got the impression Falls Church City was it's own school district.

Are there other good towns for commuting into DC that have those attributes that I'm missing?

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think we're pretty settled that if DH's job is in Rockville that we'd have to live on MD side. Google map traffic times made it look doable from VA, but I an trusting everyone who says that's nuts. Long term I think we prefer being in VA to MD so we were just trying to figure out if we could make one move and stay for the long haul (even after he changes jobs to something in DC for example). Still a good chance that he takes a different job in DC, though, so in that case VA would be our preference.

I'm not glued to Vienna. Without having the chance to see anything yet, I was attracted to the small town descriptions and the glowing write ups in places like Money Magazine plus the outdoor areas, walking paths, independently owned restaurants/shops and good schools. We'll of course consider places like McLean and Falls Church, too, but it seemed like McLean is even more expensive than Vienna and Falls Church has fewer houses that feed into a good school pyramid. I'd prefer to stay in Fairfax County Schools because I think the AAP program is a huge selling point, and I may be wrong but I got the impression Falls Church City was it's own school district.

Are there other good towns for commuting into DC that have those attributes that I'm missing?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Main Street of Vienna is a slog during rush hour but it is a great place with lots of activities at other times - nice playgrounds, a town green, a library, a caboose, yoga studios, restaurants, fast food places, whole foods etc. drive out there over the weekend and see for yourself. Then take 123 inside the beltway and see if you like it better.

The cute part is Church St. It's a small strip of road that runs parallel to Maple. While you're there eat at Sushi Yoshi and grab a cup of coffee from Cafe Amouri. Go on a nice day and walk around, check out the little museum, let your kids play on the caboose.

On your way out stop by either Cenans or Silvas Patisserie for some delicious desset to take home.

Anonymous wrote:Only the City of Falls Church, which is small, has its own school district but there are parts (as in several zip codes) of Fairfax County which have a Falls Church street address too. Some of those zip codes have lots of $1.6 million homes and some have lots of garden apartments. If you are considering Falls Church (Fairfax) and McLean also consider northwestern Arlington. All of these localities have excellent schools but Montgomery County, MD also has excellent schools.

If you really want a high quality of life, forget about Vienna. Look at Clarksville, Highland or Fulton, MD. All are in Howard County, MD with decent commuting times (and alternative routes--no bridge choke-points) to Rockville and fantastic public schools.

Anonymous wrote:We in in town Vienna. Love it. Love the town feeling. Love the walkability. Don't let the others dissuade you.

Do not live in Oakton if you are trying to take Vienna metro. Drive down 123 is congested from oakton to tysons. You're better off driving towards oakton from tysons.

Anonymous wrote:We in in town Vienna. Love it. Love the town feeling. Love the walkability. Don't let the others dissuade you.

Do not live in Oakton if you are trying to take Vienna metro. Drive down 123 is congested from oakton to tysons. You're better off driving towards oakton from tysons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What time do you need to leave downtown to drive back out to Vienna and miss the worst of the traffic?

before 2:30

Now, you would need to be HOV 2 to use 66 inside the beltway.... and that's why most people metro downtown.