Questions about Oakton

[kev2]

Originally Posted by camer

Can you explain awful commute? I'm assuming he's driving? What hours are considered rush hour in the DC area? Is it pretty much all day like in LA or in the SF Bay Area?

What constitutes an awful commute around here depends on perspective...many of us spend between 45 and 60 minutes commuting each way. I personally don't mind driving, as long as the traffic moves; an accident can throw off the commuting by anything from 30 minutes to several hours (although this is relatively rare; once every several months if you use the major highways). There are also environmental consequences to the traffic around here, but I the metro works best for those who live and work in DC or live in the suburbs and work in DC (working in one state and commuting to another isn't great...it can take up to 1.5 hours for me on a good day if I metro). I would definitely be apt to try the commute from Oakton to DC before I purchased a home there...it will probably take anywhere from one to one and a half hours during rush hour (which, in this area, is about 7:00-10:00, and 3:00-7:00).

[normie]

Originally Posted by kev2

I would definitely be apt to try the commute from Oakton to DC before I purchased a home there...it will probably take anywhere from one to one and a half hours during rush hour (which, in this area, is about 7:00-10:00, and 3:00-7:00).

Good advice. Also, good job defining the rush hour. I used to live in CA and I know what the OP means. So many people stagger their working hours that rush hour is all day. But in NOVA, like Kev said, traffic dies down between 10-3. If you have to make a long commute, try to alter your hours so you can drive then.

[saganista]

You never know how long driving into DC from Oakton might take. It would cost 10-15 blood pressure points (minimum), at least a gallon of gas each way, extra dollars on your car insurance because of the extra miles driven each year, inevitable fender benders at unpredictable intervals, and then something between $10 and $20 per day to park. If you have to leave your key, you run the risk of your car being either used or looted while you work.

Or for a measly $4.50 per day to park-and-lock at the Vienna Metro, many (if not most) people can ride to work for free. Wow! From most of Oakton, you could drive to the Vienna Metro in 15 minutes. Add 7 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the platform. 30 minutes to ride into downtown DC while you read the paper or a good book or fiddle with the blasted Blackberry. 8 minutes to leave the station downtown and walk to the office. That's an hour...an easy, relaxing hour.