Dominion Valley vs. Annandale (Reston, Centreville: short sales, renting, HOA)

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by asselya

Actually, you can find a newer townhouse under 400k in Fairfax county but it's really hard.

I suggest finding a place that is close to your husband's work. Maybe you get a house with good bones and renovate it? There are some smaller houses (capes) in Arlington/Falls Church that are in good schools and have the potential to be spiffed up.

[LogSS]

Originally Posted by JEB77

Actually, most of the Beltway in McLean, Falls Church, Annandale, Arlington, Alexandria and Springfield is pretty nice. And some folks think Mantua, Wakefield Forest and other outside-the-Beltway neighborhoods in Annandale or Fairfax aren't necessarily all that.

Sorry - but having now read about the 100th post in which you've warned people against the perils of living inside-the-Beltway or in the Annandale HS district, I thought another perspective was in order.

I second that JEBB77. Most areas inside the Beltway are very nice and very expensive. Yes, there are few places inside, i.e Heritage drive that are not desirable but it is not more dangerous as living in many parts of DC or Maryland. I would rather live near Heritage drive then I would in some parts of DC or Maryland. As a matter of fact, Annandale is pretty expensive to live in. You can drive a block or two behind those apt and you'll find million dollar homes. Just dont take my word. Go drive around and look yourselve. As for day laborers, you'll find them in almost all locations through out the metro area. Even Centreville and Herndon have them and those areas are pretty nice and expensive. I'd rather live near laborers then living around a bunch of ghetto crooks (no offense to ghetto people but yall need to get a life and career). You cant go wrong living anywhere in Northern VA. It's one of the safest and also the richest region in the country. I dont think people make all these money just so they can live next to crime. Also, crime is pretty much unheard of in NOVA, not to say there arent any but just to give you a glimp, Arlington County last year had 2 murders, this coming rom a county of 200000 residence. Both cases were solved.

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by LogSS

You can drive a block or two behind those apt and you'll find million dollar homes.

Here's one around the corner from me -- they have an open house this weekend.

FX6829286 on FranklyMLS.com 5116 KENWOOD DR, ANNANDALE VA for $1,399,000 in BROOK HILLS ESTATE Home For Sale

[zenetanar]

Sorry, I don't get the "inside the beltway" drama. I've lived in Centreville in a "new" townhouse and now live in Merrifield in a renovated townhouse built in the 60s -- more expensive but I wouldn't trade my 12 minute commute or easy metro access for anything. I am a mother and a teacher and feel that most schools in FCPS are excellent. I really don't think that Annandale Terrace or High are "rough" schools. I do understand the desire to have a "newer" townhouse, but if good schools are your issue, I don't think buying in PWCS is going to solve your problems -- my husband is also teacher and has taught in both counties. FCPS is worlds ahead, IMHO.

[asselya]

Originally Posted by zenetanar

Sorry, I don't get the "inside the beltway" drama. I've lived in Centreville in a "new" townhouse and now live in Merrifield in a renovated townhouse built in the 60s -- more expensive but I wouldn't trade my 12 minute commute or easy metro access for anything. I am a mother and a teacher and feel that most schools in FCPS are excellent. I really don't think that Annandale Terrace or High are "rough" schools. I do understand the desire to have a "newer" townhouse, but if good schools are your issue, I don't think buying in PWCS is going to solve your problems -- my husband is also teacher and has taught in both counties. FCPS is worlds ahead, IMHO.

But why the greatschools website gives 9 star rating to Aldie and Mountain View elementary and only 3 star to Annandale Terrace. I assumed the first 2 should be much better. Am I wrong?

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by asselya

But why the greatschools website gives 9 star rating to Aldie and Mountain View elementary and only 3 star to Annandale Terrace. I assumed the first 2 should be much better. Am I wrong?

Test scores are higher where household income is higher. greatschools star rating is tied to test scores:

GreatSchools Frequently Asked Questions

GreatSchools' Overall Ratings are calculated by averaging the ratings for each grade and subject. A Test Score Rating is not given if fewer than 50 schools have data for a particular group. The different student groups (category, ethnicity and gender) are identified by the state Department of Education; if there is a small number of students in a particular group in a school, data is not reported for that group.

Please keep in mind that it's important to factor in information other than Test Score Ratings, including the quality of each school's teachers, the school culture and special programs, when evaluating a school.

[OrangeFish]

One of the teachers at Annandale Terrace has her own blog -- you might find her posts interesting:

Organized Chaos

[imisscarlsbadcalifornia]

Originally Posted by asselya

My husband and I are first-time homebuyers. Our budget is $400,000 but prefer to stay lower. I am faced with a dilemma of where to buy. My husband works in Falls Church and leaves home around 10-10:30 am and comes home around 8-8:30pm. I am a stay-at-home mom. He wants to be close to work and I want to live in a newer larger home with many amenities nearby (pool, walking trails, tot lots etc.) Safety and schools is also important. Our daughter is not even a year and my husband thinks it's too early to think about schools.
We found a newer 2-car garage townhouse in Annandale close to Heritage drive and Little River Turnpike . It's pretty nice inside but it's surrounded by many apartments and older garden style condos. I noticed many day laborers on the road. I didn't like the area and schools are not great (Annandale terrace elementary,Annandale High). But it's inside the beltway and so close to everything. Ideal for my husband but so-so for me. I have to compromise on size plus to deal with unsafe neighborhood, bad schools, no amenities.
On the other hand, I fall in love with Dominion valley. It's my dream neighborhood. But the commute and addede gas expenses are big drawbacks.
My question is where it is better to buy from my perspective and also from investor's point of view. Where we can get a bigger return when it's time to sell.
I also thought about Centreville as a compromise. What are your thoughts on that? Any input is appreciated.

We are newcomers to NOVA who ended up buying a house in Dominion Valley. My husband works in Sterling so we made the trade off you're contemplating. I think that trade off is relative to one's feelings about commuting. If your husband hates to drive living out here will wear on him. But everyone's tolerance for commuting is different. I have neighbors who work in DC proper who live out here and are happy to do so for their own reasons, whether that be amenities or square footage or what have you. There are others who have fashioned their jobs so that they can work from home one or two days a week and commute the other days. My husband drives in to work a little later in the morning (9 am or so) and comes home later in the evenings and travels some back roads into town and doesn't mind it, but that is specific to his tolerance and preferences.

I think either investment you make, whether out here or closer into the city, will pan out well for you. Fairfax county seems to have maintained its value better than PWC, but there are some who say the upside in PWC is potentially very good. I'm no expert in real estate so I can't be sure about any of that; what I do know is that in the end the choice is a personal one. It's your "home" in addition to being a business investment. If you can find a home and location that balance those two elements then you've found a good place to live.

If you want a new comer's take on DV pm me and I'll help you how ever I can. In the mean time, good luck with your search. There are a lot of nice homes to be had right now; if you're pateint and persistent you are bound to find a home that will be perfect for you and your family.

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by imisscarlsbadcalifornia

If you want a new comer's take on DV pm me and I'll help you how ever I can. In the mean time, good luck with your search. There are a lot of nice homes to be had right now; if you're pateint and persistent you are bound to find a home that will be perfect for you and your family.

How much are your HOA fees, including the $50 golf ??

[Claire2900]

You would be surprised what you could find in a already renovated split or rambler located by NOVA off Little River Turnpike. Mantua is probably out of your price range. Trust me when I say that the older your child gets , having Daddy home at a reasonable time will be key and if he's cranky from the long commute, no amount of amenities will alleviate that. The Sleepy Hollow area is filled with beautiful neighborhoods. I live in PW (Bristow) and love it, but one thing about this area is small lots, not many trees, houses closer together. It's all about what comprises you're willing to make. I would also look along Braddock Road. A website you should check out is greatschools.net. I agree with your husband, elementary school is just around the corner and not too early to start thinking about it. You wouldn't want to move to just find that the schools won't meet your needs in 4 years.