Dominion Valley vs. Annandale (Arlington, Alexandria: apartments, HOA fees, condos)

[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.

[VRE332]

it's a nice community, but you have HOA fees that increase annually, and natural gas, car fuel prices will spike again, your "luxury life" will be impacted. IMO If I had a job in Falls Church, I would stay out of PWC. There are so many houses in Falls Church that have a swimming pool in the backyard that are in nice neighborhoods. If you dont like the schools, put your kids in private school.

[DC Oldtimer]

I would not buy in that part of Annandale. Prices are falling rapidly there, so it would be an iffy investment.

How about looking in a part of Annandale that is both close to Falls Church but in a good school pyramid? Neighborhoods outside of the Beltway can be in the Woodson school pyramid. Some that are in the Annandale HS cluster are in Wakefield Forest for elementary, so you'd be fine until Jr High.

I would stay away from most places inside the Beltway. Sure it's ok inside the Beltway in McLean, but I wouldn't live inside the beltway in Annandale when much nicer places are available elsewhere.

[claremarie]

Your husband works in Falls Church, not DC. You don't need to live inside the Beltway. He also has, at least for now, work hours that enable him to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic. So take advantage of those factors. Go further out. With a $400K budget, you'll have to make tradeoffs in house size/neighborhood amenities and commute, but surely there is a compromise between Really Nice House Very Far Away and Townhouse in Iffy Location Really Close to Work.

[JEB77]

Originally Posted by claremarie

Your husband works in Falls Church, not DC. You don't need to live inside the Beltway. He also has, at least for now, work hours that enable him to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic. So take advantage of those factors. Go further out. With a $400K budget, you'll have to make tradeoffs in house size/neighborhood amenities and commute, but surely there is a compromise between Really Nice House Very Far Away and Townhouse in Iffy Location Really Close to Work.

This is excellent advice with which I fully concur. There are plenty of nice places in Annandale - including neighborhoods that feed into both Woodson and Annandale - and elsewhere further out, but the Heritage Drive area isn't necessary where a newcomer stay-at-home mom wants to be.

[OrangeFish]

I live about 2.5 miles from the area that you are describing and I would recommend that you look elsewhere. (Your budget is high enough that you can afford to be a little more particular.)

[JEB77]

Originally Posted by DC Oldtimer

I would not buy in that part of Annandale. Prices are falling rapidly there, so it would be an iffy investment.

How about looking in a part of Annandale that is both close to Falls Church but in a good school pyramid? Neighborhoods outside of the Beltway can be in the Woodson school pyramid. Some that are in the Annandale HS cluster are in Wakefield Forest for elementary, so you'd be fine until Jr High.

I would stay away from most places inside the Beltway. Sure it's ok inside the Beltway in McLean, but I wouldn't live inside the beltway in Annandale when much nicer places are available elsewhere.

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.

[asselya]

The thing is that I like newer properties with walk-in closets, double sinks, separate tub and shower. I looked at many older townhomes and I didn't like them at all. They feel so small and crumped inside even when they've been remodeled. I absolutely don't want to live in an older home due to expensive maintenance, repairs, low ceilings, small bathrooms etc. That eliminates many ramblers, splits out of the picture. So where do you think I should look for what I want. Is it unrealistic? What about Pembrooke community in Bristow? Any other suggestions?

[claremarie]

You won't find what you are looking for in Fairfax County. You'll have to go considerably further out to find a newer home with the features you seek for under $400K.

[asselya]

Originally Posted by claremarie

You won't find what you are looking for in Fairfax County. You'll have to go considerably further out to find a newer home with the features you seek for under $400K.

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