Commute from Herndon/Washington D.C. - Arlington (Burke, Annandale: for sale, buying a home)

[JJMB]

We're currently living overseas but looking into buying a house. We work for the government so our jobs most likely will be located in Arlington/D.C.

We were looking at Fairfax, Burke, and Falls Church but even with a budget of 650K, we can't find anything that we really like. We looked at some houses online in Herndon and they look absolutely gorgeous.

My question is, how do most people commute from Herdon to D.C.? From Dulles toll road to...what?? I-66 is HOV-3 so how do most people commute? And how long is the typical commute?

[mlv311]

Our temporary quarters were in Herndon and my husband commuted by car alone to Capitol Hill. During rush hour, you are looking at an average of 60 minutes in the morning and 90 minutes in the evening.

We ended up buying a home in Fairfax (near Burke). Personally, I think you will be able to find a single-family home within your budget much closer in and with more commuting options. Burke's supply of homes for sale is limited, but if you expand it to nearby areas, including West Springfield, you should find some homes.

[claremarie]

We were looking at Fairfax, Burke, and Falls Church but even with a budget of 650K, we can't find anything that we really like. We looked at some houses online in Herndon and they look absolutely gorgeous.

And there is a reason for that -- it's a much longer commute to DC. You can count on well over an hour during peak traffic periods, depending upon where exactly your jobs will be located. You might get more house for your money in Herndon, but you'll pay for it in commuting time.
If you don't want to spend upwards of 3 hours a day in your car, keep looking in Burke, Springfield, Annandale, Vienna, Falls Church, and North Arlington.

[saganista]

I-66 is actually only HOV-2 inside the Beltway, and the others are right by me. Herndon is a nice place and has some nice homes for less than what you would pay closer in, but the commute from there to downtown at least will take a toll. Arlington might not be as bad, but I'd still say look around closer in. Unless you're looking for a brand new, fully-equipped McMansion, there are plenty of nice places around that you can get for $650 and under...