Hi Moms,
My husband is going to be transferred to the Northern Virginia area sometime soon and I need to start researching good communities and school systems. If anyone could tell me the names of some towns to start looking at I would be very appreciative. We're looking within the area of Tysons corner, Washington D.C., Quantico and Manassas. Thanks so much in advance!
Thanks so much for the input so far. Unfortunately we not sure where exactly where the transfer will be. It could be anyone of those places. I do want a more house for the $ (we're in a 2 bed w/2kids now and it worked so far since he had a short commute to Boston but we are out growing it. And I want to add #3 soon ;) ) I guess I'm trying to get some ideas so when we do find out where he will be working I'll have a head start of where to start looking to buy.
Another factor for me is is that I have family in Silver Spring MD and I'd love to have a short as possible drive to see them. So much to think about! When I find out more about where we'll be I may take some of you up on getting more info.
Thanks again :)
Reston, VA is wonderful - not as developed as some of the "newer" communities, tons of public parks, pools, sports, community centers, lots to do, lower cost, still FFX County schools. It has been great for us and as soon as Metro gets finished here it will be accessible to just about everything.
We live in Prince William County, not the city of Manassas. I hate to say this, but our experience with the county schools was not great. Just to let you know.
R.:
Hello!! You are looking in a broad area.
NOVA (Northern Virginia) is an expansive region. I live in Reston - which reminds me of Barre/Holden in quiet and nice but developed like Worchester. However, unlike Worchester - easy to maneuver - we are 8 miles from Dulles Airport and have easy access to travel.
Quantico is 1.25 hours SOUTH of D.C. (on a good day).
Manassas is 45 to 1.25 hours WEST of D.C.
Tysons is a stone's throw but VERY expensive.
I would need to know more - like WHERE is your husband working - it will help narrow down your search as well as what kind of a commute he wants to have.
Do you want to rent or buy?
What are your priorities?
If you message me - I can help you more with your search.
Best regards,
Cheryl
You don't say where your husband will be based for work? You need to base your areas on that , his commute could depend on it. This is a very busy area and during peak traffic times you can be sat in vertually non moving traffic for 2+ hrs. I am in Vienna (very close to Tysons) and it is a very family orientated area (school district is Fairfax county) , McLean , Falls Church , Reston also fall under Fairfax county. House prices are very high , due to it being so close to DC , a single family home , 4 bed 2 bath are around 500k+ , rent you can pay $2000+/month.
You mentioned Manassas , as this is further out you can get more house for you money , but if your husband is working closer to DC then he faces a big lengthy commute on I66 , and he will be stuck in heavy traffic for a long time , if you are in the Vienna , Falls Church , McLean , Arlington , Alexandria area then you have the option of using the Metro system for work. (Arlington is it's own county so schools you would look at Arlington county). I am not certain but Manassas may be Prince William county but you would need to double check that.
Hope this helps
Hi R.,
We moved to NOVA 7 months ago, and I agree with the recommendations that you base your decision on where your husband works. We could have lived about 5 miles further west, but it probably would have added another 30 minutes to my husband's commute!
We are in Fairfax County, which is supposed to have great schools, but they vary. The school systems here are organized by county, so it is not surprising that, in such a large area, the quality varies.
I hope this helps!
We live in Falls Church, near Tysons Corner and LOVE the area, but it is outrageously expensive. The trade-off is that we have been living in a tiny 2-bedroom condo with 2 kids for 5 years. If we lived farther out we could afford much more house. But we don't want to commute. So you have to pick what's most important to you - space? no commute? price? I would try to move as close to your husband's job as possible.
I agree, you need to base your search closer to your husband's work location. The area you named is quite large. I live in Loudoun County and the schools and good and the community is really nice. Good luck to you in your move!
Hi R.! As most people have already said, it makes a HUGE difference where your husband is going to be working. I live in Fairfax (very close to the City of Fairfax) and it can take well over an hour to get into DC during rush hour (where it might take 20 minutes at 3am!!) We LOVE where we are. I have a kindergartner and a third grader and we're so happy with the elementary school (and from what I've heard, the middle/high school is excellent too) Another poster mentioned that the school quality varies in Fairfax County. This is very true - I guess because it's such a huge county. If you want to message me privately I'd be happy to give you more information :)
