Vienna or Springfield

[sabistarr]

Thanks so much for all your helpful comments - the search goes on...

[springfieldva]

Originally Posted by claremarie

Vienna is generally more expensive for a reason -- many people would rather live there than in Springfield. I've never lived in either, but have spent a fair amount of time schlepping swimmers all over Fairfax, and visiting my sister in Burke. I'd choose Vienna over Springfield, if for no other reason than to avoid the whole Springfield mixing bowl -- it's MUCH better than it used to be, but I think the roads around Vienna are generally easier to manage.

You can easily live in Springfield and avoid the mixing bowl entirely, if that's a priority for you. West Springfield (and much of North Springfield) is about 10 minutes away from that area.

If you want to be very close to the metro and have very quick access to the mixing bowl interchange, Franconia would be a good place to look.

[Skapov]

Originally Posted by claremarie

JEB77 is correct -- there is no shortage of families with young children in Vienna. And if you don't absolutely have to buy now, I'd seriously consider renting for a few years until the market stabilizes.

Okay, I stand corrected and I've actually never been to Vienna. My co-worker, whom I am very close to, lives in Vienna and I kinda got the impression that it was mostly upper-income older established professionals who live there, but maybe these folks also have kids.

Basically my point is, that if you are looking for a starter home, Vienna is not the place. The OP stated she just had a baby and wanted something around $300,000, and so they seem to be in need of a starter home, whereas Vienna is mostly for the "upscale, law-firm-partner" types who are already more established.

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by Skapov

Okay, I stand corrected and I've actually never been to Vienna. My co-worker, whom I am very close to, lives in Vienna and I kinda got the impression that it was mostly upper-income older established professionals who live there, but maybe these folks also have kids.

Basically my point is, that if you are looking for a starter home, Vienna is not the place. The OP stated she just had a baby and wanted something around $300,000, and so they seem to be in need of a starter home, whereas Vienna is mostly for the "upscale, law-firm-partner" types who are already more established.

Wrong, there are many homes in Vienna around the 600k range, especially in town Vienna Woods. But, these are older homes that aren't necessarily updated.

Again, homes are expensive in certain areas compared to others FOR A REASON. Schools and proximity to shopping, jobs, etc are the primary reasons.

[Denton56]

Yes, it's all about location, location, location. And schools.