Would like to buy a house in NoVa but don't know if we'll be able to find what we're looking for (Arlington: apartment, big house)

[Novamom06]

As a transplant myself, I agree it can be very hard to make new, deep friendships in this area. You have to spend a lot of time with people before it really blossoms into something beyond an aquaintance and in my experience, i have found these friends as neighbors, coworkers, through volunteering activies, and from a book club I was in. Once I became a mom I found it was MUCH easier to meet people through local moms clubs, etc, as there are so many of us in the same boat, home with young kids.

But if you are in your early thirties and looking in McLean I wonder if you are really targeting the right neighborhood, that is if you are still even considering settling down here and establishing some roots. The demographic in McLean definately leans toward an older set. If I was going to buy a house inside the beltway and was looking to meet some people my age, I'd be looking in Arlington, or possibly Alexandria. If you can go a little further out I'd try Reston. Otherwise, parts of Maryland might be a good fit, like Bethesda or Silver Spring.

I think I can guess the line of work that your husband is in, and if it is what I think it is, then the hours are not negotiable. They are what you have to do to pay your dues, and it makes the organizations very profitable for every hour they can keep the staff working, that is the way these businesses operate. The pay and benefits may be worth it if he likes that kind of work. But the hours won't change, as you know, so it will be really important for you to be happy with where you are, and what you do and to create a really satisfying way to fill your life so you don't feel like you are always waiting for your husband to come home.

Good luck to you, you sound very sweet and sincere.

[Fern435]

Yes, the word 'crapshack' always tugs at my heartstrings too...

[Yankeesfan]

Exactly ...

[doglover29]

Originally Posted by walkingnoelle

Yes, the word 'crapshack' always tugs at my heartstrings too...

Hey, come on--how else am I supposed to describe the rambler with two bedrooms, that has a kitchen and bathroom that need major updating, has linoleum floors throughout, nasty wallpaper that needs to be torn down, a carport and an unfinished basement? I'm not even saying that this house is bad, but for $650 K?

[doglover29]

Originally Posted by 5stones

Let me guess you grew up in a smaller town and this was the first BIG move you ever did.

Nope, not even close. Did a cross country move for college, then moved again after graduating, did another cross country move for grad school, then moved again to another state to join my hubby, then moved here.

[BillLuc1982]

Originally Posted by doglover29

Nope, not even close. Did a cross country move for college, then moved again after graduating, did another cross country move for grad school, then moved again to another state to join my hubby, then moved here.

Are you still considering leaving NoVa? So glad I'm back in the Midwest. Cleveland is an exciting city that's making a comeback. So easy to make friends... and I'm a Steelers fan.

[Fern435]

Originally Posted by doglover29

Hey, come on--how else am I supposed to describe the rambler with two bedrooms, that has a kitchen and bathroom that need major updating, has linoleum floors throughout, nasty wallpaper that needs to be torn down, a carport and an unfinished basement? I'm not even saying that this house is bad, but for $650 K?

That sounds a lot like the former rental my family lived in!

I understand some of your disbelief. But it is the nature of this area. As someone stated earlier, the land becomes very valuable as you get closer to DC. My teenager has a friend whose parents paid nearly $1 million for a lot in McLean--NO house. Then they built the house! Incredible. (They are really nice people, too.)

[Yankeesfan]

John Edwards' daughter just bought a crapshack (from today's Washington Post):

"Price: $1.3 million

Details: Nearly two years after John Edwards sold his six-bedroom Georgetown mansion for $5.2 million, the erstwhile presidential contender was back in the same neighborhood this weekend helping 26-year-old daughter Cate, who settled Friday on a small brick fixer-upper -- two bedrooms, two baths, four fireplaces, garden (purchased with money from her trust and an inheritance). The whole Edwards clan spent three days getting the place ready for her return to D.C. next summer -- she's in her final year at Harvard Law; her longtime boyfriend is a resident at Georgetown University Hospital."

But I guess she won't be paying a mortgage. And when she gets tired of the crappiness she can go home to this:

http://www.moonbattery.com/john-edwards-mansion.jpg

[Fern435]

Originally Posted by Yankeesfan

John Edwards' daughter just bought a crapshack (from today's Washington Post):

"Price: $1.3 million

Details: Nearly two years after John Edwards sold his six-bedroom Georgetown mansion for $5.2 million, the erstwhile presidential contender was back in the same neighborhood this weekend helping 26-year-old daughter Cate, who settled Friday on a small brick fixer-upper -- two bedrooms, two baths, four fireplaces, garden (purchased with money from her trust and an inheritance). The whole Edwards clan spent three days getting the place ready for her return to D.C. next summer -- she's in her final year at Harvard Law; her longtime boyfriend is a resident at Georgetown University Hospital."

But I guess she won't be paying a mortgage. And when she gets tired of the crappiness she can go home to this:

http://www.moonbattery.com/john-edwards-mansion.jpg

Wow. Definitely a different world they live in.

[mdcrim]

I agree with the other poster who said that, if you are looking to make a few friends and looking for some social interaction with people your own age, you are DEFINITELY looking in the wrong area (McLean). The majority of the younger people, which you may have more in common with, tend to be a little further out, as the more affordable housing is out there and, stereotypically, most younger people trade off the commute for the better housing choices. I know, it won't put you in the most exclusive area so gone are your bragging rights, and your husband, with his 70 hour work week, may have to add some time to his commute, but you may find yourself around more people like yourself. There are still "exclusive" areas in the outer burbs-try the gated communities of River Creek and Belmont Country Club in Loudoun.

I have been following this thread for awhile and it seems as though, from an outsiders perspective, you aren't too happy in this area altogether and you don't know of any way, aside from your husbands under-30 minute commute living in the most expensive area of Virginia, to be happy here. So good luck in the midwest...