Search for a family-friendly area in NOVA (Burke, Reston: relocating, real estate)

[jessica12]

We are considering relocating from San Diego to NOVA to be closer to family; however, I know very little about the area (our families are in Ohio and New York, and we just want to be within driving distance). We are in our 30's with a new baby and want to have more kids. I stay at home and my husband can work from any location, so commute is not an issue.

We want a house (at least 3br) in a nice community suburb with excellent schools for the kids. Our price range is $500k to $700k. My husband is a huge golfer (hence the move to San Diego) and would love to live on or near a golf course. Any recommendations? We want a place where we can raise our kids through high school in a family-oriented community.

[MKing]

I don't have any recommendations of the neighborhood you are looking for, but there are many helpful people here that can help you with that, I just wanted to say make sure your husband plays Cannon Ridge, (near Fredericksburg), it is a great golf course and not too easy!

[jessica12]

Thanks - I'm sure my husband would love Cannon Ridge. He used to live on Long Island and played Bethpage Black all the time, and now he's a big fan of Torrey Pines.

I should also mention that I've been looking at Reston and Herndon but I can't tell by the posts if they are what I'm looking for. I don't want something way far out, but I'm not concerned with commute so it doesn't have to be right near DC. I don't necessarily want to live in a brand new home either. I want something with some charm, but not too much upkeep and with central air.

[janie01]

Try Little Rocky Run in Clifton which is near Centreville. The three schools are within walking distance, you would be very close to all amenities, it is extremely family oriented and best of all it is located between two golf courses. Twin Lakes is the premier Fairfax County Parks Authority golf course and Westfields ( in the Balmoral subdivision) I believe is public also , yet expensive. We moved here from a much closer in subdivision, but this area is much more convenient for us. We couldn't be happier with the schools: Union Mill, Liberty and Centreville High. We go to DC all the time on weekends and it takes us about 30-40 minutes without traffic and my husbands driving. I know you have a baby so you have no idea yet how much easier your life will be with all three schools so close! I am always running to one school or another and it takes me less than two minutes. This has been a lifesaver for me as my kids are always forgetting something. Plus, I love the fact that my Dad can visit and golf so close if he likes. Also the prices have gone down. I would say the range is now about 500-900. with houses being built anywhere from 1986-2001. Good Luck!

[kaj215]

My brother lives in a community called Kingston Chase. It's in/near Herndon (its not technically Herndon but that's his mailing address, I have no idea why) anyways, it is a very kid friendly neighborhood, and the elementary school is within the neighborhood. You should be able to get a 3br in that price range, judging from what they spent on their place, and especially with the market down. Most of the communities in that area are kid friendly.
Families there will also make you dinner just after you have a child to help ease some of your worries. There are a lot of great people there.
There is also a golf course near by. And it's real close to the W&OD trail.

[springfieldva]

I haven't done that much golfing. But I do know some golfers.

Burke Lake Park has a wonderful golf course. The surrounding communities are conveniant to it, but I don't think they are actually *on* it.

Springfield Golf and Country club is also very nice. There are some very nice homes that overlook it.

Both areas have fantastic schools.

[saganista]

Burke Lake Park is very pretty and a lot of fun to play, but it's a Par-3 course. There's also the 9-hole Executive Course at Jefferson District Park near Merrifield which is also very nice. Twin Lakes in Clifton is okay...I prefer the old course. Reston National was a fine course 30 years ago, but it hasn't matured as well as it might have. Herndon Centennial is a very nice and challenging public course, particularly the back nine once you cross the road. If the course is in good shape, Algonkian in Sterling is a pleasure as well. Lots of landing room out there. There are also some excellent public courses in nearby Montgomery County, MD. Needwood is a very nice course, with Northwest and Falls Road not all that far behind...

[jessica12]

Thanks for the golf info. I think he's interested in the good public courses, but I also think he'd consider joining a private club, especially if there is a neighborhood connected. My parents live in Ohio and there are tons of "golf course communities" that grow up around the country clubs. I've been looking at new homes, but that's what we have now and I'm starting to really appreciate and desire something with more character and some grown-up trees instead of a newly plowed neighborhood -- seems like there are a lot of nice houses in Reston and the schools are good, but I need to do more research on the area, especially on the neighborhoods, and I really need to visit the area and drive around so I can see it for myself. I haven't looked into Burke or Centreville yet but I'll certainly do that.

[MovefromFla]

Originally Posted by jessica12

We are considering relocating from San Diego to NOVA to be closer to family; however, I know very little about the area (our families are in Ohio and New York, and we just want to be within driving distance). We are in our 30's with a new baby and want to have more kids. I stay at home and my husband can work from any location, so commute is not an issue.

We want a house (at least 3br) in a nice community suburb with excellent schools for the kids. Our price range is $500k to $700k. My husband is a huge golfer (hence the move to San Diego) and would love to live on or near a golf course. Any recommendations? We want a place where we can raise our kids through high school in a family-oriented community.

A great family-oriented community is River Falls in Woodbridge. The homes range from 550K to approx. $900K. It is also in a premier golf course community (River Falls and Old Hickory Golf Course) zip code 22192. A great website to see these homes and the great Lake Ridge schools they are zoned to is Real Estate Including Residential and Commercial Real Estate | RE/MAX. Good luck with your search

[5stones]

I agree with Clifton. GOOD solid schools, close enough in but far enough away. Very family friendly etc...