Requesting help on living in either Nova or Suburban, MD (Woodbridge: real estate, low crime)

[pennylove76]

My husband is interviewing for a job in DC and we are doing research on areas we could live, if he got the job. We are looking @ either MD or NOVA. I know I have heard nightmare/stories about the traffic in NOVA, but then I keep hearing negative things about MD so I am torn.

My question is, If we were to live in NOVA or MD. Could we fnd an area wth a good school district, very low crime, easy access to a train/metro that takes you to DC in 45 minutes or less & houses in the $450-550 range...3 bedrooms, finished basement, 2bathrooms.

Please provide recommendations on what area, if any would have those amenities.

So far I have not really found info on the NOVA area. However, I have heard that the Rockville, MD. or Derwood, MD. is a good area. Any input is appreciated.

P.s. If this helps. We are 31 & 32 & our only child is 1. Right now we live in beautiful Chester County (West Goshen area), PA.

[LLD]

There's all kinds of information on these forums so you might try some searches on different city name areas you are interested in. Frankly though, a knowledgeable real estate agent and trips to the area are your best bet. You can also do plenty of online searches in your price range to see what is available.

Traffic in the DC metro area is bad everywhere so the usual recommendation is to live close to where you work. I think your $550K number is doable. My agent just told me about a very nice house in Falls Church for $550k but this is a really good deal for that area.

I lived in Montgomery County, MD and I don't particularly care for most of Rockville -- but there are nice areas and then some not so nice areas.

I have just found out though that the jumbo loans (anything over $417K) interest rates are going through the roof at like 8%! So that is a huge factor in house buying right now which means you need to adjust the house you can afford or put down more money to get under that $417K number to get a decent interest rate.

[MovefromFla]

Originally Posted by LLD

There's all kinds of information on these forums so you might try some searches on different city name areas you are interested in. Frankly though, a knowledgeable real estate agent and trips to the area are your best bet. You can also do plenty of online searches in your price range to see what is available.

Traffic in the DC metro area is bad everywhere so the usual recommendation is to live close to where you work. I think your $550K number is doable. My agent just told me about a very nice house in Falls Church for $550k but this is a really good deal for that area.

I lived in Montgomery County, MD and I don't particularly care for most of Rockville -- but there are nice areas and then some not so nice areas.

I have just found out though that the jumbo loans (anything over $417K) interest rates are going through the roof at like 8%! So that is a huge factor in house buying right now which means you need to adjust the house you can afford or put down more money to get under that $417K number to get a decent interest rate.

I wanted to ask you, what are your thoughts on Waldorf, Maryland? We are looking at Waldorf, Md.. vs. Woodbridge..
Please let me know what your thoughts are Waldorf, Maryland vs. Woodbridge, Va as far as crime, safety, etc.
Thanks

[LLD]

I don't know about Waldorf, MD sorry about that. There is lots of information about Woodbridge here. I have a colleague who lived in Woodbridge but can't remember what area and he really liked it. It was a townhouse.

[novaman]

Originally Posted by pennylove76

My husband is interviewing for a job in DC and we are doing research on areas we could live, if he got the job. We are looking @ either MD or NOVA. I know I have heard nightmare/stories about the traffic in NOVA, but then I keep hearing negative things about MD so I am torn.

My question is, If we were to live in NOVA or MD. Could we fnd an area wth a good school district, very low crime, easy access to a train/metro that takes you to DC in 45 minutes or less & houses in the $450-550 range...3 bedrooms, finished basement, 2bathrooms.

Please provide recommendations on what area, if any would have those amenities.

So far I have not really found info on the NOVA area. However, I have heard that the Rockville, MD. or Derwood, MD. is a good area. Any input is appreciated.

P.s. If this helps. We are 31 & 32 & our only child is 1. Right now we live in beautiful Chester County (West Goshen area), PA.

I would look at Falls Church or Vienna.

[sweet-t-virginia]

I agree with novaman - I would look at the Vienna area. You may be able to find a home there in your price range but it would probably be a townhouse or smaller, older house. You would have good access to the metro and the Fairfax County schools are excellent. There are many things to do in the area and I think you would love it.

The only drawback is the traffic during rush hour but people here accept that as a fact of life. Everything else the area has to offer more than makes up for it!

Good luck!