NOVA Relocation

[Azmordean]

Yeah. I didn't mention gas prices, because that is an entirely controllable thing for someone just now moving here. The answer is simple - live close to work. You'll have more room in your budget, and more time with your children. A win-win. I understand for people who are already here that decided to sign up for the long commute that gas prices are a big issue because you can't just up and move. But for someone just now moving to the area, there is no reason they can't move to an area such that they have a short commute.

[SweetAsRain]

Originally Posted by SmerkyGrl

Offensive on the first message, eh? This Nova Snob at least has been taught manners.

There's nothing wrong with wal-mart but wouldn't you admit it'd be nice if a family is able to indulge at Tyson's Mall every once in a while? Wouldn't it be nice to not have to be limited to just Wal-Mart?

That was my point. Perhaps my definition of living comfortably is different from your's.

I know that Northern Virginia is full of affluent families, but not everyone has an income of 100K or more. I have 3 young kids and we will be under the 100K mark. Its all about bugeting and putting certain "luxuries" aside. I don't need pricey names to feel important, and if Wal-Mart works for me, then so be it. I do have manners, but I just replied to how you came of on your original post.
We just got a townhouse in Burke, and i'm excited. I have an 8, 4, and 16 month old. My son will go to Terra Centre Elementary, it will be a change for all of us!

[SweetAsRain]

Originally Posted by jahutch

Yeah. I didn't mention gas prices, because that is an entirely controllable thing for someone just now moving here. The answer is simple - live close to work. You'll have more room in your budget, and more time with your children. A win-win. I understand for people who are already here that decided to sign up for the long commute that gas prices are a big issue because you can't just up and move. But for someone just now moving to the area, there is no reason they can't move to an area such that they have a short commute.

My husband's 0ffice is right on Arlington Blvd. right off the loop, and his commute time is 25min. We live in Burke (he's there, i'm not yet), and we saw what the traffic was like and were lucky to have found a nice place with a reasonable commute. He takes the back roads and it seems to be working so far. We are blessed indeed!

[5stones]

you will really like Burke.
Great for families (Burke Lake park is wonderful)
I wish more people would see that getting a TH closer to works makes so much more sense than getting a SFH another 20 miles out. (wish we had)

I really think people from other areas think that there is a stigma that comes from living in a TH or something. TH in NOVA sometimes are just a big as SFH and have nice yards etc....
In areas where housing is so high many people in NOVA first venture into ownership with a condo then move to a TH and into a SFH. Where in other areas the first purchase is a small SFH home. (only in this area that small SFH with a decent commute is over 500K)

[springfieldva]

Over the years, we've made above and below 100K and we've done just fine. We've got 2 kids and I'm a stay at home mom and, yes, we do a fair amount of shopping at Walmart and Costco. (I love bargains).

I keep the kids busy during the day going to nature centers, museums, parks, libraries, playgrounds and even shopping malls. You do not need to spend a lot of money to have fun around here. We've learned to budget our money for occasional trips to the movies and even the beach. We've joined our neighborhood pool.

We live in a smaller, older, single family home and love it. We enjoy having a nice sized yard for the kids and our golden retriever to play in.

Welcome to the Burke area I'm sure you'll love it, too!