Anonymous wrote:Op, are you still reading this thread? I grew up in McLean also. One of my friends was always amused that the McDonald's had just one arch!

Did you ever feel like people judged you negatively for growing up in McLean? I've avoided telling people because of the sometimes negative ways they would treat me after I told them. I had a college friend who assumed I was spoiled and snobby (neither were true). Whereas if I didn't tell people I was from McLean they would get to know me and not make immediate incorrect assumptions.

Anonymous wrote:

This is OP. Yes, people seem to have an inaccurate perception of McLean, at least from when I used to live there through my childhood until going off to college. No one I knew was "snooty" or a gazillionare although yes they were well-to-do professionals. Everyone we knew was down to earth and focused on their children and families. I will say, we did not live in one of those multimillion dollar properties so may be that is why.

According to the math I do, it seems we could reasonably afford a mortgage of 1 million dollar home. DH, however is very adamant that we live some place cheap and especially not with snobby people, which personally, I think is ridiculous. There are rich people all over NOVA and are not tied to one zip code. He says he does not want to live in Great Falls, McLean or Vienna.

Both of you seem to have some childhood/high school hang ups and could do with some maturing before you make the biggest purchase of your life. I'd focus a lot less on your childhood memories and a lot more on an actual house and area that have the qualities that are most important to you. Good luck, your husband sounds like a major PITA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sold an older, updated house in central McLean in 2019 for $765,000.

Right now there are only two houses at $900K or less on the market in McLean, and they are both teardowns/total rehabs.

For the same amount you could go to Burke and get a house that's been more or less completely remodeled: https://www.redfin.com/VA/Burke/9709-Church-Way-22015/home/9737873

Anonymous wrote:Would you consider Oakton? Great schools but not the snob factor your husband seems to be trying to avoid.

Or you could rent in McLean for significantly less than buying and invest the difference.

Anonymous wrote:Grew up in Mclean, can afford to live there, but you couldn't pay me enough to live in that misery again.

Anonymous wrote:I sold an older, updated house in central McLean in 2019 for $765,000.

This is OP. Yes, people seem to have an inaccurate perception of McLean, at least from when I used to live there through my childhood until going off to college. No one I knew was "snooty" or a gazillionare although yes they were well-to-do professionals. Everyone we knew was down to earth and focused on their children and families. I will say, we did not live in one of those multimillion dollar properties so may be that is why.

According to the math I do, it seems we could reasonably afford a mortgage of 1 million dollar home. DH, however is very adamant that we live some place cheap and especially not with snobby people, which personally, I think is ridiculous. There are rich people all over NOVA and are not tied to one zip code. He says he does not want to live in Great Falls, McLean or Vienna.

Anonymous wrote:you can't buy a house in herndon for 600K anymore. a townhouse, yes. not sure about burke.

i also grew up in mclean and can't afford it. we live in reston now. i love it.