Relocating with Large Family - all school levels - someone give me a Top 5 PLEASE

[Yankeesfan]

Just realized that in my previous post on the Franconia area (22310) I said it was accessible by the Blue and Orange lines but meant to say Blue and Yellow Lines. Here's a Metro map:

Metro - Metrorail System Map

[caranado]

Originally Posted by Yankeesfan

Just realized that in my previous post on the Franconia area (22310) I said it was accessible by the Blue and Orange lines but meant to say Blue and Yellow Lines. Here's a Metro map:

Metro - Metrorail System Map

Thanks - I have more to go on now! Well, gotta get back to my chittlin's

Cara

[conmorave]

Cara, we live in Fredericksburg, Va. This is the furthest south on I-95 (exit 136) that you'd want to live. We have 4 kids and rented here in our neighborhood for 1 1/2 years and then bought just down the street. Our subdivision is called Leeland Station and it is right next to the VRE station called "Leeland Station". It is also next to Conway Elem. I have 3 girls in school, 2 go to Conway and the oldest goes to Drew Middle School. So, far so good with all the school issues for the past 3 years here. I have heard good things about Stafford High and Colonial Forge too. Our neighborhood has lots of amenities. All our neighbors love it here. There are lots of people from all over that have moved into this area. My husband and I are true southerners so we are trying to get back to the south. My husband rides the VRE soemtimes but, he mostly carpools. The VRE can be great. In the summer the trains run late sometimes because of the heat on the tracks. It can be a little an hour to Union station from Leealnd Station and carpooling takes about 1 hour and 15 mins. with light traffic to Arlington. In our neighborhood lots of people walk, ride bikes or drive to the train lot. It is a big subdivison. If you want more information I can give it to you. Fredericksburg has lots of history and things for the kids to do. There are lots of stores and you can easily drive anywhere in one day and be back home the same. I hope this helps! When we moved here in june 2005 this was our 1st time to relocate also. We had no idea about any area here and had no information. We a have always said that we lucked up when we picked this area because it is so much better than alot of the other areas we could have lived in.

[Suzibell]

Loudoun County, VA has excellent schools and MANY folks commute into DC. There is a commuter bus that many use as a less stress option. Western Loudoun could be a possibility.

Check
Hamilton (20158)
Purcellville (20132)
Round Hill (20141)

You should be able to find a few things in your price range.

Single Family Home - 612 ELLIOT DRIVE, PURCELLVILLE, VA, 20132 - Realtor.com

Single Family Home - LEESBURG, VA, 20176 - Realtor.com

Single Family Home - 1001 TUSCARORA DRIVE SOUTHWEST, LEESBURG, VA, 20175 - Realtor.com

[cardinal2007]

There are a few fixer-uppers in 22153 and 22152 in your price range, 22152 has some 1960s built houses that are larger, but I guess more outdated.

I'm guessing the local schools are West Springfield Elementary, or Cardinal Forest Elementary, and Newington Forest Elementary for 22153.

Washington Irving Middle School, or South County Secondary.
West Springfield HS, or South County Secondary, or Lee.

Avoid Lee HS, is advice I've heard, but I've never been there, so I don't know for certain, parts of the 'Saratoga' section of 22153 are in Lee territory.

I don't know if Hayfield still services part of 22153, I know when my parent's bought their house it was in Hayfield territory, but we didn't care because my older brothers were in college, or gradschool, my brother and I were in TJ, and my younger brother was attending private school. Now it is South County area.

My mom commutes to DC, but she takes the HOV, I think it takes less than 45 minutes, most of the time, sometimes the HOV does get backed up. She has said that the number of violators and legal SOVs(hybrids and other such vehicles) has increased a lot in the last few years.

[caranado]

Greetings, You have all, well most of you, been so gracious and helpful. I have so much more information to go one now. Please keep it coming. Any information on New Market, Maryland?

Sincerely with thanks,

Cara (yep, with lots of kids).

[regandare1217]

Cara,
Just wanted to say Thank you for posting this!! I'm in the exactly same boat as you... my husband is being transferred this summer and I'm pregnant with baby #5 (due in August). Our kids are younger than yours (8, 6, 4,2). You def have to have a sense of humor and thick skin when you have a large family! This forum has been very helpful to us as this is our first move as well from upstate NY.
Thanks again!
Jenna
(another mom to a lot of kids!)