Where to move a big family near DC?

[ajzjmsmom]

Originally Posted by old bird

Thanks for the tips. Manassas Park looks like a real option, there are lots of nice looking houses in my price range.

How reliable is the VRE? Is it usually on time?

It would take me a great distance from home to work, but might be worth it for the tradeoffs.

I hope I'm not jinxing this job by talking about it, there's still a lot to work out before it happens, but I needed to be sure that this could work for me as one of the things that needs to be worked out.

I am not to sure about the Manassas line for the VRE, I hear it is better than the Fredericksburg line.

[Gahki74]

Originally Posted by old bird

I'm going to DC this week for a second interview for a good potential position. It's not anywhere near a done deal yet, alot still needs to fall in place on both sides for this to work out. But, I'm trying to do this for a better quality of life, especially for my kids. Which leads to my question: are there good areas to look for family neighborhoods and good cities to raise kids out there? I have two sets of twins, boys 4 and girls almost 2.

We're used to the wide open west, and I live in a place where no one locks their doors (I have 5 doors on this house, and not one has a deadbolt). I know I won't find a place like that within commuting distance (I don't mind up to an hour commute to find the right place), but I hope to find someplace we can feel safe at night, with good schools and parks. We'll be making decent money (if I get this spot I will make about $135,000, my wife will probably stay home until the girls go to school).

Any suggestions on where to look? An thoughts on quality of life with a family out there? I've seen lots of discussion here about singles, but not for families, so this is one of the things I need to figure out before making the move, if it is offered.

One other question: are there places that offer free pre-K programs? We're paying over $2000 per month for daycare right now, anyway to offset that would be great.

My family and I are relocating from TN to NoVa this weekend for my husband's job. This is also a 1-2 year stay. Our #1 priority for a home was commute time for hubby. Long story short, we found a fantastic house in Vienna (5 bed, 3 bath, fenced yard, great schools) for $2500/mo. It does NOT have a garage though. But, Hubby can walk to the metro station (less than 1/2 mi from front door) and his commute will be well under 1 hour. He works in/around the same area you will be at (on the Mall). Check out Vienna/Falls Church area. The prices will be a little higher and homes a little older but you will be very close to the Metro which means (hopefully) you will have more time with your family on a daily basis.