Moving to Herndon area, and I need some advice/help. (Reston: apartment, condo)

[whc2160]

Hello all,
So I recently got a job offer that is located in Herndon, VA.
I am originally from California, so I know nothing about how's the weather, culture, life, and so on up there.
I heard that the weather is very different in VA compare with CA.
I actually heard that how there is not that much snow during the winter.
Is it true? Does it rain a lot instead?
So I personally do not like rain, and I am bit worried about the weather in there.
How much does it rain during the summer? Does it rain 50% of summer season? A lot of thunderstorm?
(Man...I am scared of thunder )

So I want to hear more about the weather in Herndon, VA or somewhere around that area?
Especially, since the weather is the big difference, I want to know more about that.

Also where would it be a good and safe place to live?

Thank you so much!

[breakingbad]

You are lucky to have gotten a job there. Of course it rains but it is beautiful! I'm in Arizona and I would love to move back to the NoVA. I'm sure others on this thread will tell you more about the weather.

[jillybean720]

I can tell you that I don't think we've had a day without at least a quick rain shower or thunderstorm in the past two weeks. Thunderstorms are pretty common in the summer, but they're not usually severe or scary or anything (last year's derecho was a bit of an exception!). I live in Sterling, which is a stone's throw from Herndon, and even in the "severe" storms, we've not had any issues with flooding, blown away patio furniture, or anything like that, but it really depends on your particular home and property, of course.

As for a "good and safe place to live," if you're working in Herndon, you have quite a few options since you're not making the trek inside the Beltway like most. But to offer suggestions, we need more information from you. Are you looking to buy or rent? Apartment, condo, townhouse, single family home? What is your housing budget? Do you have pets (would you need a yard or park nearby)? Kids (are public schools a factor)? Would you rather be in a walkable, city-like area or more suburban? Any other specifics (must have a garage, number of bedrooms, etc.)?

Also, lots of folks around here from CA, but what part of CA are you coming from? It's a big state with lots of different types of living! Other ex-Californians might be able to offer better comparisons if they know what part of CA you're coming from.

[hilsmom]

the weather varies. We have hot, dry summers some years and more temperate, wet summers other years. This year, we've had more rain than normal - the whole east coast has, really.

As for snow, we've had plenty of winters with practically zero snow. We also had a winter a couple years back where we got 100 inches in a season. You really just never know.

There is no set weather pattern. I can say we generally don't get hit head on by hurricanes or severe tornadoes. We have had a recent earthquake, but we don't really fear "the big one." There are some parts of town that have flooding problems, but we don't really fear entire towns underwater. For all of this, I am thankful.

[whc2160]

Originally Posted by jillybean720

I can tell you that I don't think we've had a day without at least a quick rain shower or thunderstorm in the past two weeks. Thunderstorms are pretty common in the summer, but they're not usually severe or scary or anything (last year's derecho was a bit of an exception!). I live in Sterling, which is a stone's throw from Herndon, and even in the "severe" storms, we've not had any issues with flooding, blown away patio furniture, or anything like that, but it really depends on your particular home and property, of course.

As for a "good and safe place to live," if you're working in Herndon, you have quite a few options since you're not making the trek inside the Beltway like most. But to offer suggestions, we need more information from you. Are you looking to buy or rent? Apartment, condo, townhouse, single family home? What is your housing budget? Do you have pets (would you need a yard or park nearby)? Kids (are public schools a factor)? Would you rather be in a walkable, city-like area or more suburban? Any other specifics (must have a garage, number of bedrooms, etc.)?

Also, lots of folks around here from CA, but what part of CA are you coming from? It's a big state with lots of different types of living! Other ex-Californians might be able to offer better comparisons if they know what part of CA you're coming from.

Thank you so much for your reply, jillybean720.
I am looking for an apartment rent, since I will be the only one living there. Two cities I was looking at were Herndon, or Reston, but I am not sure how safe these cities are, and also culture, and etc. Maybe there is/are better cities than those?

I live in the big city, LA, right now but I also lived in medium size city in CA before so I guess VA will be the similar?

It is a little weird to say, but my somewhat the big worrisome is how much there will be a thunder. I am scared of thunder (haha), and would it happen occasionally, like a rain?

[whc2160]

Originally Posted by hilsmom

the weather varies. We have hot, dry summers some years and more temperate, wet summers other years. This year, we've had more rain than normal - the whole east coast has, really.

As for snow, we've had plenty of winters with practically zero snow. We also had a winter a couple years back where we got 100 inches in a season. You really just never know.

There is no set weather pattern. I can say we generally don't get hit head on by hurricanes or severe tornadoes. We have had a recent earthquake, but we don't really fear "the big one." There are some parts of town that have flooding problems, but we don't really fear entire towns underwater. For all of this, I am thankful.

Thanks, hilsmom!
Just for curious, when you say zero snow, does it mean there will be a rain instead of snow? Does it rain a lot during winter as well then?
Thanks again!

[claremarie]

Unlike California, the DC area doesn't have a "rainy" season. Precipitation is fairly constant throughout the year, and there is plenty of rain during the winter when it isn't cold enough to snow. Thunderstorms are very common in the summer, especially during the late afternoon and evening. You will have to figure out a way to deal with that if you will be living in the area, because it is impossible to avoid them. Maybe by listening to recordings of thunderstorms to desensitize yourself?