Housing in area from Gainesville to Tysons Corner (Burke, Harrisonburg: 2011, apartment)

[matt987321]

My wife and I will be moving to the DC area in October due to a job transfer, where I will be working in DC. We are looking for housing options in Northern Virginia. We've found some stacked townhomes in Gainesville that look nice in our price range (up to $350K) and fairly large (almost 2000 square feet). However, I'm not sure what the commute will be like, and we both like the area closer to Tysons Corner / Falls Church - if we could only find something in a decent size (at least 1200 square feet) in the same price range.

I'm looking for suggestions on housing, and how long the commute might take from Gainesville. Would it be best to drive straight in, take the VRE, or drive to a metro station? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[goldenmom7500]

Hi,

The good thing about Gainesville/Haymarket is that they are right by I-66. You could get to a VRE station, like in Manassas, or a metro off of 66. However, to be honest, I think it would be fastest and easiest to drive. However, your only hope would be to leave very early in the morning. That would give you a commute of about an hour which is reasonable in DC. Otherwise, it would be a very long commute.

You might also want to look by the Vienna metro where there are a lot of condos and townhouses and you will be more "in the middle". You could look for an apartment of condo in Tysons, Falls Church, or a few other places. Prices are so high, that it would be difficult to find a townhouse for under 400 or 500 that was very close in.

good luck!

[DavidS827]

Matt - I live in Gainesville now and would estimate that your commute time would be about an hour to an hour and a half, depening on where in Gainesville you live and what time you leave to get to/come home from work. The section of Gainesville that is north of route 29 would probably put you closer to an hour and the south side of Gainesville would put you around an hour and a half.

[matt987321]

We're really intrigued by the Centex Stacked Townhomes located at 14444 Landseer Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155. We're coming down later this week to take a look at housing options, and those look really nice. Are they on the north or south side of Gainesville? Also looking for feedback on that community anyone is willing to share. Thanks again.

[mark2544]

Absolute commuter Hell. They do look nice, though. You can get a 43 year old brick TH in Manassas for 150K (20110) and walk to the VRE. A working man's neighborhood (originally doctors and lawyers), but you will be at work so much, you will hardly notice. You might like the 1700 per month savings, too. I see the people standing at the VRE at 7:25 to get to DC by 9:00. Spend 350 in Springfield or Burke and you will live in a community you can be proud of...Fairfax is pure and simple higher class (and better schools, too 22152).

[DavidS827]

Those are on the north side of 29 (not too far from where I live). The great thing about that location is that you can actually get off on the route 29 north exit and save yourself some commuting time as most of the Gainesville traffic is headed south down route 29 or Linton Hall Rd. Also, make sure you note that the condo fee there is $191/month....often times the builder rep will "forget" to tell you about that

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by DavidS827

Those are on the north side of 29 (not too far from where I live). The great thing about that location is that you can actually get off on the route 29 north exit and save yourself some commuting time as most of the Gainesville traffic is headed south down route 29 or Linton Hall Rd. Also, make sure you note that the condo fee there is $191/month....often times the builder rep will "forget" to tell you about that

If you like the stacked townhome look and pricetag, you'd do well to check out the new Chatsworth Village off Sudley Manor, built by Lennar. This is technically Manassas, but is literally right over the border from Bristow/Gainesville. It's a very nice part of town, and the prices are reasonable. More importantly, you'll have shaved off 4-5 miles each way off your commute, with no additional cost.

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by knopfler

If you like the stacked townhome look and pricetag, you'd do well to check out the new Chatsworth Village off Sudley Manor, built by Lennar. This is technically Manassas, but is literally right over the border from Bristow/Gainesville. It's a very nice part of town, and the prices are reasonable. More importantly, you'll have shaved off 4-5 miles each way off your commute, with no additional cost.

I would agree with Knopfler, very nice townhouses and a lot of shopping in the area.

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by mark2544

Absolute commuter Hell. They do look nice, though. You can get a 43 year old brick TH in Manassas for 150K (20110) and walk to the VRE. A working man's neighborhood (originally doctors and lawyers), but you will be at work so much, you will hardly notice. You might like the 1700 per month savings, too. I see the people standing at the VRE at 7:25 to get to DC by 9:00. Spend 350 in Springfield or Burke and you will live in a community you can be proud of...Fairfax is pure and simple higher class (and better schools, too 22152).

I woudn't suggest this area. Your personal safety far outweighs the commute or price. There is a reason this area has homes for 150 and other areas just miles away are for 300 plus. Go to an area when the schools let out and check out the bus stops. Also go on a nice weathered Friday/Saturday night and see who is walking around. I believe the area this gentlemen is talking about is Georgetown South. It is well known in the region for being the worst place to live in the County.

[mark2544]

The 50 kids at Calypso and Hood, coming out of the 300K THs, look just like the ones at GTS. It's still nicer than most of Woodbridge. You can pay 20 times annual rent at a "nicer" community (1500 * 12*20=360,000) or you could buy at GTS for 10 times annual rent (1200 *12*10=144,000)--simple rules for investing. If you want vanilla, you are going to have a long commute from Harrisonburg.