Commute Comparison: Bristow to Chantilly vs. Purcellville to Chantilly (Leesburg: houses, purchase)

[samori]

My husband and I are currently looking to purchase our first home. We have done a lot of research and looking already and have found two areas that fit out budget and other parameters: Bristow (specifically Braemar) in Prince William County and Purcellville in Loudoun County. Of the two we like Purcellville better, but feel we would be happy in either area. The final factor we need to assess before choosing which area to settle in is commute. My husband works in Chantilly very close to Dulles Airport. Bristow is much closer to his office in terms of mileage, but we are unsure about the traffic difference from Bristow versus Purcellville. My husband has pretty standard work hours of 8-5 and does not have the ability to work from home, so he will be commuting 5 days a week. He will also not be ride sharing, so will be unable to use HOV lanes. Can anyone tell us approximately how long the commute would be from each area? If they are relatively similar (within 20 minutes of each other) because of traffic patterns we would prefer to move to Purcellville, but if Purcellville is 20 minutes or more over Bristow then Bristow is probably a better bet for us. Ohh and I forgot to add that he would not be taking the Greenway from Purcellville, because we don't have the budget for the tolls. Thank you!

[dmv101010]

purcellville just because I like purcellville better is there anyway you would consider Leesburg? It would be a better commute.

[Middlin]

We live in Braemar and my husband worked off 28 (Frying Pan) for a couple of years and drives a hybrid. My advice - don't do it. 28 wasn't bad in the am once you got past the first light, but PM on 28 was a nightmare. My husband did various side streets, different routes, etc and it was awful. Considering that he drove a hybrid and his average was 1 hr... you would be looking at 1+ as an average, then add in a rainy day, an accident.....

[Roldanfam]

28 South at 5PM is the definition of a Parking lot.

[slaintejean]

What is your housing budget? There are lots of nice areas much closer to his office. I think both commutes sound terrible.

[samori]

We know that both commutes will be long, but we have done a ton of research and know that those are the only areas in our price range that have everything we want and that we like. Our max budget is $450,000. We are looking for a single family home with 4 bedrooms, basement, and a decent sized yard. I am also a stay at home mom, so I am looking for a community with other stay at home moms for me to spend time with. Thanks!

[newnewsmama]

If you live in Purcellville, you can take route 7, route 15, then Evergreen Mills rd to go to Chantilly. I've only done this route during non peak hours so I can't say how bad it is during rush hours. Maybe others can chime in.

I lived in both Gainesville (right on the borderline of Bristow) and Purcellville. I like purcellville a lot better. But again, Gainesville and Bristow have had lots of improvement since I moved out.

Leesburg has better commute than Purcellville. Did you check whether it has single family houses within your budget? I am under the impression Purcellville isn't cheaper than Leesburg. Purcellville has better schools than both Leesburg and Bristow if this matters.

[Middlin]

Purcellville has better schools than both Leesburg and Bristow if this matters


Really? Based on what?

[newnewsmama]

Originally Posted by Middlin

Purcellville has better schools than both Leesburg and Bristow if this matters


Really? Based on what?

Based on standard test scores. Of course, some people don't believe in test scores. If you are one of them, there's no need for us to debate.

[Middlin]

OK, very curious how they compare. Can you share the data?