Relocating with Large Family - all school levels - someone give me a Top 5 PLEASE (Burke: relocation)

[caranado]

Greetings,

Relocating with 5 children grade 3 thru College Freshman (community college bound). I need a TOP 5 - 10 list. Husband's Job will be in DC.
Govt. salary 125k(ish) before everything.

Priorities in order (aren't these everybodies?):

1. Price (sadly under 350k)
2. Schools (as decent as possible)
3. Commute (hour?)

Have been looking at Sterling, Reston.
ALSO open to the Maryland side - Riva, Crofton, Edgewater, New Market.

ANY FEEDBACK APPRECIATED - I am VERY nervous about happily relocating these many children of mine into happy new lives. First relocation ever. My expectations are not high, just fair. We are fixer-upper people so the worst house in the best neighborhood would work for us.

Thanks, Cara

[VEIK]

Look at Herndon.
Dont think you are going to find anything for 350K in Reston.

[grape nut]

have you thought about a trailer, like a double wide ?

[caranado]

Yeah, couldn't find any with a clothes line and a washtub in our price range.

[VEIK]

you do realize that 125K for a family of 7 is like living on cup noodles?

this is DC metro.

[Yankeesfan]

Welcome! The dropping real estate market works in your favor. As I mentioned on another thread, I was astounded to look on realtor.com and discover a multitude of four-bedroom single-family homes on the market for under $350,000 in zip code 22310 in Fairfax County. You'll have to check carefully but some of these are in nice family-friendly neighborhoods that would be convenient for your husband to commute to DC on the Blue or Orange lines. He could probably get part of his Metro fare reimbursed through his employer, so have him check into this as it could really help your budget. Also the federal government offers excellent health benefits.)

I'm sure there are other neighborhoods where you could find something in your range as well. For example, I just checked zip code 22192 in and saw some nice-looking houses in your range as well.

When considering a house in Fairfax County, find out which schools your children would go to and then check FCPS Home Page Redirect Page. Look up the profile of each school -- there is all sorts of info if you click on the tabs. For the high schools check the special programs such as IB and AP. There will be plenty of activities, extracurriculars, and sports.

Most neighborhoods have access to a pool. In some of them membership is automatically included in your HOA dues. In others (more commonly in the older neighborhoods) you have to pay a one-time entry fee of several hundred dollars and then dues each summer afterwards. So if your family is interested in the neighborhood pool you should ask about that.

Good luck, and feel free to check back as you narrow down your search.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by caranado

Yeah, couldn't find any with a clothes line and a washtub in our price range.

You have a nice sense of humor.

I'm not an "expert" but from other common responses, I'd suggest Burke, West Springfield or maybe even Franconia in Fairfax County. I've been through the last two and they appear to be pleasant if not shiny communities. New homes might be beyond your price range but a fixer-upper may work out. Herndon may be okay as well although some people on this forum prefer the north side to the south.

Would I be correct assume you're looking for a 4BR/2BA? Any more bedrooms and you'd have a lot of fixing up to do... or your husband may have to swallow a longer commute.

[caranado]

We will also have rental income of about 2k net after output per month from our "well over a million dollar home in Coronado, Ca." to help support our frugally raised 'Walton Clan'.
We can't dip into that for new housing - we need it to support our kid's lavish lifestyles... you know... Scouts, sports, Youth group, community service, a movie, bite to eat, and a visit to the Abercrombie clearance shelves every once in a while. We actually have a 6th child but he is already out on his own and well off on his career. I guess we'll be flying him out to visit at christmas!
One launched, 5 to go! YAY!


Cara

[Yankeesfan]

Cara, I like your spirit! You and your family are going to be an asset to our community!

[onevthoki]

Cara - People will probably shoot me for saying this, but check out Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties. If your husband takes the VRE (and yes, there is a governemnt subsidy) he could do it in about an hour and a half. Good luck!