Want to buy a house in Loudoun? Think again

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

1. the broad question of how many clusters are optimal, and what their relationships should be are US wide and not Nova specific. I do not care to discuss off topic questions here (and sorry if I have inadvertently introduced them into what I had hoped would be a discussion of investment in a a particular part of NoVa)

Hey, I understand that you don't want to discuss that particular sub-topic.

But I disagree that the topic of core-vs.-periphery as opposed to multiple clusters concept as they relate to Loudoun and Fairfax is off topic. Feel free to excuse yourself from this sub-thread if you do not wish to discuss it. My responses to your points are not simply for your eyes only. They're also for everyone else who reads this thread.

2. The question of the role of interregional equity in benefit cost analysis is also a difficult one, and one that transcends this particular region.

Again, I would argue that the political economy of input vs. output is highly appropriate given that the demographic distribution of population and tax input has altered significantly in the last ten years HERE.

I fear that listing all the major infrastructure investments that have been made, and will inevitably continue to be made, in Loudoun (including beyond the more established parts of Loudoun) could become quite contentious.

I think they already are.

I would point out that some key investments in the core - for example to relieve congestion at the major transfer stations in DC - will benefit people in Loudoun who use the Silver Line to access DC. (I will also note that any express bus service on the greenway will likely be subsidized, in my opinion rightly so - but at an investment level more appropriate to the density)

Yes, but density is not the sole criterion by which public money is used. It may appear paramount to you, but there are other important factors. For example, overall tax input level is another. And so on and so forth.

3. To get to the more specific qustion of Pot yard vs a station between ashburn and Leesburg. I think perhaps you are confused about the Pot Yard station. Its an infill station in that its on an EXISTING metro line, and will be built BETWEEN the national airport and Braddock road metro stations. The cost is for the station alone. A station between leesburg and ashburn would require an extension ( a further extension) of the line itself. The potomac yards station will be similar to the Florida avenue station on the red line in that sense - both are outstanding examples of leveraging existing infrastructure.

No, I wasn't confused. Yes, you may very well be right that in terms of building costs onlyl (for these specific cases), the former may be substantially less expensive than the latter. But that does not address other related costs associated with contruction in the "core" vs. "periphery," opportunity costs (which are almost always higher in the "core" in my view) and, again, fairness (since additions within existing lines will always be chaper than extensions, PROVIDED all other factors are held relatively constant, that density-and-financial-efficiency-trump-all type of rationale would dictate that bulk of the money from the periphery would always end up subsidizing the core development, sop like a bus service "subsidy" notwithstanding).

Mind you, I am not writing this in support of Metro extension to Loudoun County (even to Ashburn). In fact, I opposed it against my own financial interests (mainly because I think it would be underutilized and also because I think it would negatively affect quality of life). But my own opposition does not mean there aren't good arguments to the contrary, to several of which I am sympathetic esp. in terms of future spending of public money. Sympathy that is compounded if, in lieu of such an extension, the proposal is to spend the money elsewhere for a similar project.

[Victor-in-Fairfax]

Please add these two communities to the above list:

-Willowsford: 4000 acres for Homes + nature conservancy + farm
-NV Homes: Stonegate off Smith Switch Road in Ashburn

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Originally Posted by Victor-in-Fairfax

Please add these two communities to the above list:

-Willowsford: 4000 acres for Homes + nature conservancy + farm
-NV Homes: Stonegate off Smith Switch Road in Ashburn

For a second there, I thought there was going to be a home with a 4,000 acre lot in Ashburn.

Do you know what size homes/lots NV Homes is building in Ashburn?

[lagasmt]

Has anyone bought a home from NV stonegate community right off Waxpool road, Ashburn? I need to compare the homes by NV and other builders in Ashburn area. I believe NV homes at stonegare community is very closer to 28 than other homes in that area. Guys, please share your opinion and suggestions to this post. I'm seriously considering moving to Ashburn this year.

[printingray]

What should be our preference while buying a home ? It must be new or an old one? I think that its just like buying a car that you have to pay some money for a new fully loaded vehicle while you can get an old one at the same price with good mileage and slightly used with some more specs. Similarly, if you go for an older home, you will get some alterations already done by the previous owner while buying a new home will give you glossy look. This is a personal choice.

[sonnymarkjiz]

Man all this metro talk. I believe it will still come to at least ashburn. But leesburg??? Highly doubtful.