Relocation from France to DC suburbs (Arlington, Alexandria: apartment, how much, townhouse)

[franceis4lovers]

Hello, my name is Felicity, I am of Marseille, France, and I am looking to relocation in the Washington DC metro, I was regarding Centreville and I found it interesting, but are there other choices are there? I have two children, aged 8 and 5 years old, and how are the schools? I love playing tennis and football (soccer I mean, not American football), which are good sports clubs I can check? Also, are there any other French immigrants living in the region? And is there anything else I should know about?

Thank You,
Felicity

Note: Please excuse if my English is bad. I am still learning.

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by franceis4lovers

Hello, my name is Felicity, I am of Marseille, France, and I am looking to relocation in the Washington DC metro, I was regarding Centreville and I found it interesting, but are there other choices are there? I have two children, aged 8 and 5 years old, and how are the schools? I love playing tennis and football (soccer I mean, not American football), which are good sports clubs I can check? Also, are there any other French immigrants living in the region? And is there anything else I should know about?

Thank You,
Felicity

Note: Please excuse if my English is bad. I am still learning.

Felicity,

Washington DC traffic approaches the severity of Paris' traffic. There are plenty of very, very nice areas to live in Northern Virginia - but your families' commute to work should be the primary determinant of where you begin to look. Will you or another family member be commuting/travelling somewhere for work in the morning? That information would greatly help our ability to recommend towns to look in.

Also, Washington can be quite pricey. Do you know what kind of property you'll be looking to buy (or rent)? Single family house, townhouse, or apartment/flat? That also makes a huge difference on what areas to look in, as there is a great variance in how much different areas cost here.

As the DC area is one of the most diverse, cosmopolitan areas in the entire country, we have a large football/soccer playing group of people, particularly from Latin American countries. You won't find any problem locating football/soccer groups to participate in.

Welcome to America, and the Washington DC area!

[franceis4lovers]

Originally Posted by knopfler

Felicity,

Washington DC traffic approaches the severity of Paris' traffic. There are plenty of very, very nice areas to live in Northern Virginia - but your families' commute to work should be the primary determinant of where you begin to look. Will you or another family member be commuting/travelling somewhere for work in the morning? That information would greatly help our ability to recommend towns to look in.

Also, Washington can be quite pricey. Do you know what kind of property you'll be looking to buy (or rent)? Single family house, townhouse, or apartment/flat? That also makes a huge difference on what areas to look in, as there is a great variance in how much different areas cost here.

As the DC area is one of the most diverse, cosmopolitan areas in the entire country, we have a large football/soccer playing group of people, particularly from Latin American countries. You won't find any problem locating football/soccer groups to participate in.

Welcome to America, and the Washington DC area!

Well, many have told me that Washington is a bit similar to Paris so the traffic doesn't surprise me too much. Yes, my husband is working in the center of DC, however, I will be working at the house.

Note: I will finish this post later, I have to go back to work.

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by franceis4lovers

Well, many have told me that Washington is a bit similar to Paris so the traffic doesn't surprise me too much. Yes, my husband is working in the center of DC, however, I will be working at the house.

Note: I will finish this post later, I have to go back to work.

OK, I can answer some things now. With your husband working in city centre, it's important for you to live near a commuting hub. Metro - Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority - is our subway system. The Northern Virginia endpoint of Metro is currently at Vienna/Fairfax.

If you live in Centreville, your husband will have to drive from Centreville to the Vienna/Fairfax Metro station (or take the bus), which is about 10 miles. Centreville to DC centre, depending on when he leaves, will take anywhere between 60-100 minutes each way to get there. If you live "closer in," in towns like Fairfax, Annandale, Alexandria, Springfield, Vienna, Arlington, or McLean, his commute will be quicker, but you might have to spend more in order to do it.

When you're able to finish your post I'll see what other advice I can offer!

[goldenmom7500]

Hi,

I'm running out the door, but I have a friend in Bethesda (Maryland) who sent her children to the French International School there. I don't know if that's the exact name of the school, but I believe it is close. I don't know if this means you should look over in that area; she is actually French-Canadian.