Transfered to Fairfax Office and am looking for town to commute from

[hicksticks2001]

ChristineVA, thank you very much as I was very interested in hearing about the commute to fairfax from woodbridge as well as what communities to avoid in woodbridge. I would love to live in Faifax because it would be closer to work, but my wife really don't like shared walls. It's not as much as being snotty as it is having kids that cry and not having to worry about if we are bothering our neighbors on the other side of the wall or not. Thank you everyone!

[athousandlogins]

As the mom of a two year old (and another on the way), living in a tiny apartment, I *really* understand your wife's concern. I feel a litle sick inside every time my toddler throws a temper tantrum and I think about my neighbors.

However, housing prices out here are such that you really should be considering townhomes. Families all over this area live in townhomes; it's what you have to do to afford property here, especially as a first-time buyer, unless you are very wealthy. Restricting your search to SFHs in that price range will severely limit your options.

ICF is within walking distance of the Vienna/Fairfax Metro station on the Orange Line, so getting public transportation there should be a breeze, if you want to go that route. The DC Metro webpage can help you plan a route from any house you might be considering. Otherwise, the drive really shouldn't be too bad either from Centreville, Burke, or Woodbridge. Burke has great schools and is a very attractive, safe and family-friendly place, but most of the stuff on the market in that area is...townhomes.

[athousandlogins]

I wanted to add that I also agree with the comment about renting. It's very hard to get a REAL feel for the area and where the "good" places to live are without being here for a while first. This forum is great, but it's nothing like being here!

You could rent a SFH in Fairfax City and have about a 10 minute commute to work for under $2000/month. And it is a very nice place to live. You could do a townhouse for even less, but if you can't get your wife to budge on that point, renting a SFH might be a good compromise. The parameters you set up in your question (buying for max 225, having an easy commute, no townhomes, no Manassas) are a little unrealistic. Not totally impossible but you'll need a hell of a lot of luck. But if your familiy is willing to bend on any one of those points, then you'll do well for yourselves. And since there are other reasons to rent rather than buy (giving you time to scope out the area), it might be the best place to compromise.

[hicksticks2001]

Thank you athousandlogins.... i appreciate hearing from your perspective. I'm going to have to ask my wife to read this thread. :-) And who knows, she may be more willing on a townhome that only has one shared wall. Thanks again