Possible relocation from NJ... (Burke, Woodbridge: for sale, loans, how much)

[dfab1986]

My wife is a nurse, she can get a job anywhere. I may take a job as a Capitol Police officer. Ideally, I'd want to stay in NJ but getting into law enforcement up here is extremely difficult because of how competitive it is. So, I've decided to look elsewhere and looked into becoming a Capitol Police officer. Anyway, I don't know the DC suburb areas very well (both VA and MD, willing to consider both). I've heard the DC commute with traffic a nightmare so I wouldn't want to be TOO far. The absolute most important thing would be to live in a town with top schools for my 3 kids. We would be looking for a 4+ bedroom house.

I've done a little bit of research and looked at houses in towns on multiple "best DC suburb towns" lists. The problem is that EVERY one of those towns is ridiculously expensive and the taxes in some are almost as high as NJ. I just couldn't pay $750k+ for a house. I would be looking more in the sub $500k range since my wife and I would collectively be around $150k/year or so. But everywhere I've looked was around $750k or so for anything decent. Maybe there is are nicer towns a little further away from DC either in MD or VA that I could consider? I'm not willing to sacrifice the quality of schools and we need at least 4 bedrooms. At this point I'm not even sure where to look. Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by dfab1986

My wife is a nurse, she can get a job anywhere. I may take a job as a Capitol Police officer. Ideally, I'd want to stay in NJ but getting into law enforcement up here is extremely difficult because of how competitive it is. So, I've decided to look elsewhere and looked into becoming a Capitol Police officer. Anyway, I don't know the DC suburb areas very well (both VA and MD, willing to consider both). I've heard the DC commute with traffic a nightmare so I wouldn't want to be TOO far. The absolute most important thing would be to live in a town with top schools for my 3 kids. We would be looking for a 4+ bedroom house.

I've done a little bit of research and looked at houses in towns on multiple "best DC suburb towns" lists. The problem is that EVERY one of those towns is ridiculously expensive and the taxes in some are almost as high as NJ. I just couldn't pay $750k+ for a house. I would be looking more in the sub $500k range since my wife and I would collectively be around $150k/year or so. But everywhere I've looked was around $750k or so for anything decent. Maybe there is are nicer towns a little further away from DC either in MD or VA that I could consider? I'm not willing to sacrifice the quality of schools and we need at least 4 bedrooms. At this point I'm not even sure where to look. Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

How far in drive time would you consider to be "too far"?

[dfab1986]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

How far in drive time would you consider to be "too far"?

I'd like to keep it 45 min or less if possible.

[NOVAmtneer82]

I am not sure where exactly you are looking but are you sure on those tax numbers? Home prices in Northern Virginia aren't cheap but I know a number of people who have moved here from New Jersey/ New York/ Connecticut and they always talk about how much lower property taxes are in this area. That being said, a 4+ bedroom house within 45 minutes commute to DC for under $500k is going to be a very tall order. If you could up your budget to around $575- 650k then there are some houses that fit that criteria in the Burke/ W. Springfield area of Fairfax County.

[ChristineVA]

For $500K for a 4 bedroom house with top-notch schools, I don't think it exists. There's a reason the prices are so high.

Your price range puts you in a townhouse type situation in Springfield (great schools, good commute).

For a single family home you will need to look south to the Woodbridge area (school quality dips a little but that is mainly due to be around the less-wealthy and not that the school system is doing anything wrong). You also sacrifice commuting ease.

There are suburbs you can go out to the west in Prince William such as Bristow or Nokesville that may get you a tad better of a school population, but the commute gets even worse.

I think it might be a good opportunity for you to come here but you are going to have to give up perfection.

Many of us have raised our families in these suburbs and the kids do well if they want to do well and have a good support structure.

[Old Guard]

Are you or your wife veterans? That could help wit the loan.

[dfab1986]

Originally Posted by NOVAmtneer82

I am not sure where exactly you are looking but are you sure on those tax numbers? Home prices in Northern Virginia aren't cheap but I know a number of people who have moved here from New Jersey/ New York/ Connecticut and they always talk about how much lower property taxes are in this area. That being said, a 4+ bedroom house within 45 minutes commute to DC for under $500k is going to be a very tall order. If you could up your budget to around $575- 650k then there are some houses that fit that criteria in the Burke/ W. Springfield area of Fairfax County.

Well it depends on what part of NJ you are coming from. I'm paying $7200 in taxes currently which is very cheap for NJ. I was looking at some houses that were around $6000 in taxes. Cheaper, yes. Just not by much. Now if you live in NJ where you are paying $12k+ in taxes, then yea it could make a huge difference.

[dfab1986]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

For $500K for a 4 bedroom house with top-notch schools, I don't think it exists. There's a reason the prices are so high.

Your price range puts you in a townhouse type situation in Springfield (great schools, good commute).

For a single family home you will need to look south to the Woodbridge area (school quality dips a little but that is mainly due to be around the less-wealthy and not that the school system is doing anything wrong). You also sacrifice commuting ease.

There are suburbs you can go out to the west in Prince William such as Bristow or Nokesville that may get you a tad better of a school population, but the commute gets even worse.

I think it might be a good opportunity for you to come here but you are going to have to give up perfection.

Many of us have raised our families in these suburbs and the kids do well if they want to do well and have a good support structure.

I know I'm not going to get perfection and I'm willing to compromise. The commute itself I'm willing to increase the time if need be. The schools though, I can't really budge on that. I think we are spoiled for living in a town with one of the best school systems in the state and I really don't want to sacrifice anything in that area if I don't have to.

I'd be ok with looking into another townhouse since I do live in one now. My wife has family in the Sterling area that does commuting to DC everyday so at least we wouldn't be alone for a while. I'm just in the research phase at this point. I applied for the job and I'll go from there. If I got hired, I'd likely just move by myself and give it some time before putting my NJ up for sale and moving the rest of the family down. If for some reason I couldn't continue the job, I wouldn't want to be stuck.

[dfab1986]

Originally Posted by Old Guard

Are you or your wife veterans? That could help wit the loan.

yes, Marine Corps here. The VA loans are fantastic.

[Hal Roach]

Taxes are much worse in NJ. Quite a bit worse in Ohio and Pennsylvania, too. But, yeah, hard to believe you could spend 500k and have people from "Joisey" next door. Most of the Capitol Police look like Governor Christie.