Moving to Reston or surrounding...FRANTIC (for rent, homes, price)

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Wow! 293 people show up for here in Charter Oak! I don't even think we have nearly that many units! I suppose I feel like an angel in comparison!

Phew! Upon further inspection it appears that 90% of the offenses are minor traffic-related ones! I picked a good area!

[indie05]

McLean is an upscale part of town..... I think Dick cheney has a house in Mcclean?? or was it Fallschurch? Houses are super-duper expensive there. Not sure about the rents,hopefully someone here will be able to help. Mclean,VA was no. 1 on the list of the richest place in USA this year(yahoo website), so that shows something doesn't it
But like everyone else said, most of the places you have already mentioned, nothing is really "bad" You will most def enjoy yourself when you get here

[normie]

One confusing thing about NOVA is the various towns don't really have well-defined borders, in fact most of them aren't official towns. As a result, you'll find ads that describe a place being in McLean or Vienna or Reston but they may be just "in the general vicinity" of what most people consider to be those towns.

You are smart to look at the addresses instead of caring too much about what town an ad claims a place is in. The intersection of Old Dominion and Dolley Madison is getting closer to Tysons. Not a bad neighborhood crime wise, but you might have road construction problems.

[statecollege]

I am curious about your fiancee's reasons for wanting to live in VA with a job in Bethesda. While I have a VA bias, too, Montgomery County, MD is virtually identical in most ways to NoVA. I can't imagine what factors outweigh the horrible commute he is in for. Also, you don't mention where your job is. That would be a factor in the advice we give you. Perhaps you will be job hunting once settled, in which case only his job is a factor. Regarding Trader Joe's and Whole Foods locations, they're everywhere in the DC area, including in and around Bethesda. Given your bent for organic foods, concern for the environment (my presumption), and college town attitudes (left of middle), you might find that you would be comfortable in Montgomery County, including enclaves like Takoma Park (a self-proclaimed nuclear-free zone!).

[jfields]

Originally Posted by statecollege

I am curious about your fiancee's reasons for wanting to live in VA with a job in Bethesda. While I have a VA bias, too, Montgomery County, MD is virtually identical in most ways to NoVA. I can't imagine what factors outweigh the horrible commute he is in for. Also, you don't mention where your job is. That would be a factor in the advice we give you. Perhaps you will be job hunting once settled, in which case only his job is a factor. Regarding Trader Joe's and Whole Foods locations, they're everywhere in the DC area, including in and around Bethesda. Given your bent for organic foods, concern for the environment (my presumption), and college town attitudes (left of middle), you might find that you would be comfortable in Montgomery County, including enclaves like Takoma Park (a self-proclaimed nuclear-free zone!).

Funny, I was thinking the same thing. Keep in mind that DC has the second worst traffic in the US next to LA. I have lived in both areas and they aren't all that different traffic wise. Montgomery county and NVA are very similar: generally safe, affluent, suburban areas. You said that you are really concerned about safety as well; While Reston and Herndon aren't exactly high crime areas, Bethesda is definetely safer. Also, if you are an environmentaly conscious person, keep in mind that you'll be using alot less gas if you live close to where you work.

[Uhaul Is My Friend]

In answer to the "why" of Nova over Bethesda, he told me taxes will be less in VA. After looking at it, it really looks like it will not add up entirely toooo much difference so I am not opening my search to include areas around Bethesda. Every location I called about today was already rented or in the process of being rented. I am also open to a single family rental but am not having as much luck there, understandably. We are trying to stay under $1700 a month. I KNOW it is a lot to ask for so don't yell at me, please. haha. We are pretty aware that we will need to sacrifice somewhere to get the price down. (grad school debt hurts)

So, I may need to post to the MD forum next.

I work from home so location does not matter to me.

[jfields]

Originally Posted by Uhaul Is My Friend

In answer to the "why" of Nova over Bethesda, he told me taxes will be less in VA. After looking at it, it really looks like it will not add up entirely toooo much difference so I am not opening my search to include areas around Bethesda. Every location I called about today was already rented or in the process of being rented. I am also open to a single family rental but am not having as much luck there, understandably. We are trying to stay under $1700 a month. I KNOW it is a lot to ask for so don't yell at me, please. haha. We are pretty aware that we will need to sacrifice somewhere to get the price down. (grad school debt hurts)

So, I may need to post to the MD forum next.

I work from home so location does not matter to me.

He's probably right that taxes would be higher in Maryland. Make sure you put gas money into the equation though because if your husband drives from Reston/Herndon to Bethesda and back everyday, he's looking at like 50 miles of bumper to bumper traffic, which will end up costing alot of money. As for trying to stay under $1700 a month, Wow! I remember in 1999-2000 I rented a 3 bedroom in Reston with a few other people for less that $1,000 a month. Apartment prices in that area have really gotten out of control. One more thing, as bad as crime is in DC, the area to the west of Rock Creek Park is safe and close to Bethesda; you may want to look into that area as well although it will for sure have its disadvantages . It's actually probabaly even safer than Reston/Herndon. In case you don't believe me take a look at this link. http://burgersub.org/murders2k9.htm Not even one murder has occured west of Rock Creek Park this year. Whatever place you consider, you should walk around the area at night and talk to your would be neighbors before signing a lease to really get a feel for safety in the area. Also, rent west of Rock Creek park will probably be ridiculously expensive, even more so than Reston, Herndon or Bethesda. I think DC taxes are even higher than Maryland and you won't get any representation in Congress for your tax money. Anyway, good luck finding a place.

[normie]

Originally Posted by Uhaul Is My Friend

In answer to the "why" of Nova over Bethesda, he told me taxes will be less in VA. After looking at it, it really looks like it will not add up entirely toooo much difference so I am not opening my search to include areas around Bethesda. Every location I called about today was already rented or in the process of being rented. I am also open to a single family rental but am not having as much luck there, understandably. We are trying to stay under $1700 a month. I KNOW it is a lot to ask for so don't yell at me, please. haha. We are pretty aware that we will need to sacrifice somewhere to get the price down. (grad school debt hurts)

So, I may need to post to the MD forum next.

I work from home so location does not matter to me.

Taxes are higher in MD (yet another reason MD doesn't want us to build a bridge). But since you're just renting, it won't be such a big deal. I'd recommend living close to the job at least until you want to buy a house and you also know the area better. Gotta admit I understand the desire to live near Reston--this is a beautiful part of the DC metro area. But Bethesda is nice too.

[Uhaul Is My Friend]

Do the higher taxes in MD only apply to home ownership, or does it also apply to income? (meaning lower gross income)

[michgc]

Their real estate taxes are higher. Not sure about the income taxes even though I have lived both places. It's been awhile since I've lived in Maryland. I don't think the difference would warrant living in Virginia unless you were in love with a particular town or city. And since you're not, I would recommend living in Maryland since that's where the job is. Bethesda is an EXCELLENT place to live - hopping nightlife, tons of restaurants, Trader Joe's, parks, walkable city, etc. The downside is that it's very expensive. I have lived in downtown Bethesda where everything is walkable. Farther north is North Bethesda and Rockville which is still nice but not a walkable city. But the commute would be easy.