Communities with less then an hour (rush hour) commute time to Falls Church (Fairfax: living, title)

[Middlin]

Sounds like you have already talked yourself out of this area. I think you can get what you're looking for, but need to compromise on the rural aspect. Frankly if my spouse worked 12 hours days, I would want a 15 minute commute. Why make his day 14 hours? If in fact, you really want a small town and be rural in the truest sense of the word, then no, absolutely stop looking in NoVA now.

I was curious and the air quality is actually much better Northern Virginia that is in Houston.

[eyeye]

Is it? I know dc metro area is ranked right behind houston.

I want a 5 minute commute for him. But that isnt reasonable for most places. I'm hoping the new job wouldn't cause him t9 have to work as much.

[JfromReston]

You can get the kind of house you want and the kind of commute you want in Reston. Check out these:

11407 FIELDSTONE LN, RESTON, VA 20191 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
1591 REGATTA LN, RESTON, VA 20194 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
11187 LONGWOOD GROVE DR, RESTON, VA 20194 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
1303 SAWBRIDGE WAY, RESTON, VA 20194 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
1419 ALDENHAM LN, RESTON, VA 20190 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com

[bluetruckguy]

you can go near ashburn.. you can find newer/upgraded homes, 3000+ sqft, 2 cars, etc.. but privacy with neighbors, am not sure because most houses there are near and next to each other..

around fallschurch/annadale with the easiest commute, you can find some houses near hummer ln.. in that neighborhood i've seen some secluded and nice houses..


found this: MLS# FX8406693
looks like this has most of what u asked:

[Fredesch]

Look in Annendale, Vienna of Falls Church. You might like the Lake Barcroft area.

[VAGeek]

Originally Posted by eyeye

Is it? I know dc metro area is ranked right behind houston.

I want a 5 minute commute for him. But that isnt reasonable for most places. I'm hoping the new job wouldn't cause him t9 have to work as much.

Yes. More people in MD, VA, and DC use public transportation (metro, buses, shuttles, etc.), and these areas have more stringent vehicle emissions standards and/or testing than Texas.

Originally Posted by eyeye

And we don't know how much his job is going to pay. If we wanted to stretch out current budget (the kids would have to go to public school, right now they are in private), we could do 800k. So I'm trying to think what is the magic number that would give us the quality of life we want.

The public schools in Northern Virginia are among the best in the country. Many public schools are better, even much better, than most private schools found elsewhere. Of course, some Northern Virginia schools are better than others. A significant percentage of Northern Virginia residents are highly educated, and they set high expectations for their schools. CNN Money ranked Arlington County as the most educated city in the country in 2006, with 35.7% of residents having held graduate degrees.

Originally Posted by eyeye

Oh and privacy from neighbors...not absolute but where we live we are so close, and one side is a racist a-hole (we have an multiracial family). I am sooooooo done with having neighbors close enough to hear each-other talk all the time.

You are less likely to have such neighbors in Northern Virginia. The area is diverse, and multiracial families are relatively common. In fact, Virginia ranks #1 in the country in the number of black-white marriages, and most of those marriages are in Northern Virginia. The racial breakdown of the population of Northern Virginia (as defined by Wikipedia) is as follows:

55.41% White
16.30% Hispanic
11.28% Black
10.46% Asian
3.54% Other

There are very few areas of the country where you will find such a diverse mix of highly educated, upper income families. More than 50% of households have an annual income in excess of $50K, and approximately 35% of households have an annual income in excess of $75K. The closer you are to DC, the higher the percentage of households with incomes in excess of $75K. In many areas discussed on this forum, even in relatively diverse areas, median household income is $100,000 to $150,000. Six counties in Northern Virginia ranked among the twenty American counties with the highest median household income in 2006.

[eyeye]

Originally Posted by VAGeek

The public schools in Northern Virginia are among the best in the country. Many public schools are better, even much better, than most private schools found elsewhere. Of course, some Northern Virginia schools are better than others. A significant percentage of Northern Virginia residents are highly educated, and they set high expectations for their schools. CNN Money ranked Arlington County as the most educated city in the country in 2006, with 35.7% of residents having held graduate degrees.

Both of our kids have learning disabilities, but are very bright even though not "typical". We found that public school was not willing or able to help our kids thrive, and all they were able to do was complain at me and punish them. We actually tried 3 different public elementary schools trying to find a fit. So, what makes a "good school" to me isn't high achieving, or good test scores or a competitive environment. Its forward thinking about all children's abilities, willingness to make accommodations and a whole child philosophy. I'm sure there are public schools out there like that, but I don't know any.

[eyeye]

Originally Posted by JfromReston

You can get the kind of house you want and the kind of commute you want in Reston. Check out these:

Thanks for the links. Do you know the commute time from reston to falls church? There was lots about the community I read and liked.

[JfromReston]

Originally Posted by eyeye

Thanks for the links. Do you know the commute time from reston to falls church? There was lots about the community I read and liked.

With no traffic about 30 minutes - with traffic about 45.

I live in the South Lakes area of Reston, please let me know if you have any specific questions.

[NC211]

Um, LOUDOUN County, hello!

Search these zips. 20148, 20147. Google earth Dulles toll road. I'm in 20148. I work in Tyson's corner. At those hours that you mention, I'd say 90% of the time your husband's commute would be 95% cruise control. Takes me 30 minutes door door.

Biggest adjustment would be sticker shock on toll fees, because he'll want to use the greenway. Go into the budget with the expectation of $5,000 a year on tolls, and you'll be a-ok.

I wouldn't worry about racism here like in Texas. DC is a very diverse city.