Alexandria to Leesburg (or vice versa?) (Arlington, Reston: lease, day care, home)
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I currently live and work in Alexandria (22311). My Fiance is graduating from college and looking for teaching jobs in the area. Right now, it seems the majority of the open early childhood education jobs are in Loudoun County.
What is the commute like from Alexandria (we live just off 395 on King street) to Leesburg or Ashburn?
Conversely, if we were to move to Leesburg, what would be the commute time to 395 at Seminary Road?
I currently live and work in Alexandria (22311). My Fiance is graduating from college and looking for teaching jobs in the area. Right now, it seems the majority of the open early childhood education jobs are in Loudoun County.
What is the commute like from Alexandria (we live just off 395 on King street) to Leesburg or Ashburn?
Conversely, if we were to move to Leesburg, what would be the commute time to 395 at Seminary Road?
Thanks!
It would be tough. I live in Leesburg and commute to McLean and its the furthest I would do. The reverse is tough as well as there is a lot of commuters from DC/Alex/Arlington out 66 and the Dulles Toll Road to Reston/Chantilly area
It would be tough. I live in Leesburg and commute to McLean and its the furthest I would do. The reverse is tough as well as there is a lot of commuters from DC/Alex/Arlington out 66 and the Dulles Toll Road to Reston/Chantilly area
I would suggest looking in to an area in between
Somewhere in between is probably going to be the answer...the other variable to throw in is that I may try to work from home up to 3 days a week.
We really do like Leesburg, would it still be crazy to tough it out 2 days a week to Alexandria? Or here's another option-Working half days in the office and the rest at home (so I would work from like 10-2 in the office, and in theory avoid the majority of rush hour). This is a personal choice, I know, but which would you guys rather do?
I'd rather work 2 full days in the office rather than 4 half days. For one, the cost of gas will be nearly 1/2 if you go the full-day option. Plus, I find it hard to go in the office for part of a day. Depending on what you do, it's sometimes hard to get away if people pull you in to meetings, conversations, etc. or you get into a project and want to finish it up before you leave.
Also, the commute, even if the traffic is lighter, will still be a long commute for 4 days per week. And, honestly traffic is often still bad at 10 am. And to be there at 10, you'd need to leave at 9.
I commuted from Vienna to Rockville to work part-time for several years. Mostly I did it when my kids were in preschool so from about 9:30 am until 1 PM. In the summer I was able to get full-day care for two days per week, and it was so much better. I didn't feel rushed to get everything in. I felt I could linger. And I only dealt with the commute two days per week. I much preferred it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bsheehy
Somewhere in between is probably going to be the answer...the other variable to throw in is that I may try to work from home up to 3 days a week.
We really do like Leesburg, would it still be crazy to tough it out 2 days a week to Alexandria? Or here's another option-Working half days in the office and the rest at home (so I would work from like 10-2 in the office, and in theory avoid the majority of rush hour). This is a personal choice, I know, but which would you guys rather do?
I currently live and work in Alexandria (22311). My Fiance is graduating from college and looking for teaching jobs in the area. Right now, it seems the majority of the open early childhood education jobs are in Loudoun County.
What is the commute like from Alexandria (we live just off 395 on King street) to Leesburg or Ashburn?
Conversely, if we were to move to Leesburg, what would be the commute time to 395 at Seminary Road?
Depending on where you are going in Ashburn, your location in Alexandria to Ashburn will be just under an hour in the morning rush (say 45 minutes), and just over an hour in the evening rush (say 65-70 minutes). Some bad evenings will take an hour and a half or more.
For Alexandria to Leesburg, depending on where in Leesburg, add another 15-20 minutes one way.
For Leesburg to Alexandria, or Ashburn to Alexandria, you will be sitting in traffic the whole time. Figure on it taking about a week, one-way. All kidding aside, I see (but do not drive in) that traffic every day and it is ugly. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.
I'd rather work 2 full days in the office rather than 4 half days. For one, the cost of gas will be nearly 1/2 if you go the full-day option. Plus, I find it hard to go in the office for part of a day. Depending on what you do, it's sometimes hard to get away if people pull you in to meetings, conversations, etc. or you get into a project and want to finish it up before you leave.
Also, the commute, even if the traffic is lighter, will still be a long commute for 4 days per week. And, honestly traffic is often still bad at 10 am. And to be there at 10, you'd need to leave at 9.
I commuted from Vienna to Rockville to work part-time for several years. Mostly I did it when my kids were in preschool so from about 9:30 am until 1 PM. In the summer I was able to get full-day care for two days per week, and it was so much better. I didn't feel rushed to get everything in. I felt I could linger. And I only dealt with the commute two days per week. I much preferred it.
I love Leesburg and I love Alexandria so I can see why you have a dilema. if your going to do 2 day a week commute try Ashburn and leave later. Your issue will be HOV on 66 going toward Alexandria each day unless you carpool or have an Hybrid (would be worth it IMHO).
Also depending on what your looking for Reston may be a good compromise. Before we decided to move to Texas we were looking at Reston (i work in Tysons and my wife works in Ashburn)
Quote:
Originally Posted by bsheehy
Somewhere in between is probably going to be the answer...the other variable to throw in is that I may try to work from home up to 3 days a week.
We really do like Leesburg, would it still be crazy to tough it out 2 days a week to Alexandria? Or here's another option-Working half days in the office and the rest at home (so I would work from like 10-2 in the office, and in theory avoid the majority of rush hour). This is a personal choice, I know, but which would you guys rather do?
I love Leesburg and I love Alexandria so I can see why you have a dilema. if your going to do 2 day a week commute try Ashburn and leave later. Your issue will be HOV on 66 going toward Alexandria each day unless you carpool or have an Hybrid (would be worth it IMHO).
Also depending on what your looking for Reston may be a good compromise. Before we decided to move to Texas we were looking at Reston (i work in Tysons and my wife works in Ashburn)
Thanks! Well now that you say Texas, my number ONE choice would be to move altogether to Austin
used to live in Leesburg, it is a great town and we loved downtown and the summer concerts at the courthouse etc..(yes Ashburn is about 15min closer but it doesn't have the character Leesburg does)
Without ANY traffic it is an hour (don't know who drives it in under 45??)
It once took me 2.5 hours to get home from Alexandria...Rain and accidents...don't even try it if it's snowing!
IF and that is a BIG if you decided to do this...2 days a week would be the best option. Leave at 6am and if you can get out by 3-4pm that would be best. Otherwise stay until 7pm!
Then it will just over an hour into the office and about 1.5-2 hours home.
Dullas Toll road will help out esp comming home (wont need it at 6am) but it's $$$ crazy!
Then I also suggest you rent...try to get a 6mo lease. (so when you've had ENOUGH, you can move closer!!)
MY husband did the Leesburg to Tysons trip for 2 years...and the commute (hours to avoid traffic etc...) just about did us in! We never saw him during the week. He would leave at 6-6:30 and return about 8-9pm.
If you like Leesburg...then look at Vienna, Oakton, Falls Church etc... then you can split the commute. You could take the Metro in and your fiance would not be in heavy traffic for too long.
Quote:
Well now that you say Texas, my number ONE choice would be to move altogether to Austin
HA we now live in Dallas area...housing is soooo much more affordable!!
Austin is awesome, more expensive than Dallas but better than NOVA!!
Good Luck!
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