Family Friendly Affordable Housing in Northern Virginia? (Arlington, Lynchburg: 2015, how much)

[lauraurschel]

Husband considering a job in DC. Trying to figure out if we can afford the move? Any advise would be appreciated.

-Where you are working

Husband would work near the capitol.

-How much you are willing to spend on housing

Need to find a home with 4 bedrooms or more for 350,000 - 400,000

-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate

Husband is willing to tolerate a one hour commute each way.

-If you have kids: Private school or public school?

We have three children who need to attend public schools. I am a public school teacher who would be working in the school system.

-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: small town feeling? small city excitement? suburbia delight?

We have two large dogs (75 pounds each) therefore we need a neighborhood that has open spaces. We are fine with a suburban to rural environment. We do not care for high density living.

-Community amenities important to you

Easy access to shopping and schools is important. Also, we enjoy outdoor recreational activities.

Thank you very much!

[LynchburgLover]

You say you'll be working in the school system. Do you already have an offer? If so, what system? Fairfax? Loudoun? Arlington?

Your budget makes it very difficult close in. Four bedrooms in that price range, depending on where you work, is pretty far out.

Consider Western Loudoun. You can get that house and your husband could commute by the MARC train to DC.

Western Loudoun has small towns with that "Mayberry feel". Life revolves around kids, sports, pta, churches, small town activities if that interests you. Santa rides trhough Purcellville with a fire truck and people line the streets with flags to bring a fallen soldier home.

Best of luck.

[FindingZen]

This thread was moved from the general Virginia forum to the Northern Virginia sub-forum to increase response.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by LynchburgLover

You say you'll be working in the school system. Do you already have an offer? If so, what system? Fairfax? Loudoun? Arlington?

Your budget makes it very difficult close in. Four bedrooms in that price range, depending on where you work, is pretty far out.

Consider Western Loudoun. You can get that house and your husband could commute by the MARC train to DC.

Western Loudoun has small towns with that "Mayberry feel". Life revolves around kids, sports, pta, churches, small town activities if that interests you. Santa rides trhough Purcellville with a fire truck and people line the streets with flags to bring a fallen soldier home.

Best of luck.

Are you certain about the affordability of western Loudoun? I was under the impression that "smart growth" policies of minimum acreage in that area reduced the supply enough that $350-400K seems low for a 4BR house.

To the Original Poster: I would hope that your teaching position is in Loudoun County. Otherwise, you would be in for a difficult commute. Even commuting from, say, Purcellville to Leesburg (the county seat in eastern Loudoun) could be problematic when you have kids at home.

As LynchburgLover suggested, if you could share in which county - and which town, out of respect for your privacy - the teaching position would be in, we would be able to offer more focused suggestions. The good news is that Northern Virginia is overwhelmingly family-friendly.

[Deluusions]

Do you realize you're moving to one of the most expensive regions in the entire country? That budget is impossible for a single family home and what you're asking for. Maybe get a townhome in woodbridge, dale city or lakeridge? Even with your budget that is tough as well.

[JfromReston]

I disagree with those that are suggesting Loudoun (and even western Loudoun). Unless you change some of your criteria you are not going to make it in this area.

Loudoun will be at least 90 minutes to Capital Hill and Western Loudoun a little more. Reston meets some of your criteria lots of open spaces and a great place for kids. It would be about 75 minute commute and there are lots of 3 bedroom townhouses in your price range - but very few 4 bedroom.

here are a couple of 4 bedroom options
11183 SAFFOLD WAY, RESTON, VA 20190 | MLS FX8492191 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
1524 PARK GLEN CT, RESTON, VA 20190 | MLS FX8441163 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
1519 FARSTA CT, RESTON, VA 20190 | MLS FX8471692 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com

Here are a couple 3 bedroom options
11016 GRANBY CT, RESTON, VA 20191 | MLS FX8454447 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
2015 GOLF COURSE DR, RESTON, VA 20191 | MLS FX8496115 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com

[kww]

One hour commute will put you out of PWC imo (where you could get a detached home with .25+ acreage), unless under optimal commuting circumstances.

$350,000-400,000 would be townhome range in Lorton/Springfield/Fairfax, helping in commute but not so much with dog space (or four bedroom requirement).

[LynchburgLover]

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...3-44126?row=10

Tone 509, Here's one example in Pucellville.

[NOVA_guy]

Affordable and tolerable commute don't really go hand-in-hand in this area.

For that price you could get something, probably along the lines of 3 BR townhouse... but it definitely wouldn't be a SFH with a huge yard.

[HereinVA]

I'm sorry but I think you will need to either
1) increase your housing budget
2) increase your commute tolerance
3) decrease your housing expectation

I live "way out" in Bristow (which would be much longer than 1 hr commute, door to door, to the capitol) and I'm seeing very few in that price range for 4 bedrooms.