Taking a job in Oakton- houses and schools. (Chantilly, Fairfax: apartment complex, to rent)

[Kissum]

My fiance just accepted a job in Oakton, and we're looking at buying a house. Our budget is about 400k, although we can go a touch above that for a great neighborhood if need be. We have a 3 year old daughter, so we're looking for an areas with lots of young families, good schools (although that doesn't look like a huge issue from my research so far) and nice preschools fairly close. We want a yard ideally, and prefer a house but are fine with townhouses.

His job starts September first, so we're going to out for a few days next week to try to scope out the housing market, but I'd love it if someone can help narrow it down for me before we go.

It looks like Countryside in Sterling is a nice neighborhood at a reasonable price, but it's hard to tell for sure from online only.

Anything else I should know about moving here? We're coming from Vail, CO, but my fiance went to college at GMU, so we're fairly familiar with the area.

Thanks for any help!

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by Kissum

My fiance just accepted a job in Oakton, and we're looking at buying a house. Our budget is about 400k, although we can go a touch above that for a great neighborhood if need be. We have a 3 year old daughter, so we're looking for an areas with lots of young families, good schools (although that doesn't look like a huge issue from my research so far) and nice preschools fairly close. We want a yard ideally, and prefer a house but are fine with townhouses.

His job starts September first, so we're going to out for a few days next week to try to scope out the housing market, but I'd love it if someone can help narrow it down for me before we go.

It looks like Countryside in Sterling is a nice neighborhood at a reasonable price, but it's hard to tell for sure from online only.

Thanks for any help!

Welcome! I live in Oakton and I really like it. I live in a condo so can't speak too much for houses. For houses, Oakton and Vienna will be out of your price range but you could get a nice townhouse in Oakton though and some have tiny yards. Yeah Loudon county might give you more house for the money though. I hear good things about Ashburn and it's a little newer than either Oakton or Sterling.

I personally recommend renting for six months versus rushing to buy something that costs nearly half a million bucks. That way you can take your time and see what neighborhoods you like and how much of a commute your husband is willing to tolerate.

Oh yeah I'm going to guess your husband is working in that big office building on 123 if I'm wrong who cares but if he is there are some town houses that are practically walking distance and an apartment complex right behind it too they have Fairfax addresses. But if a house is a must have then yeah head further out.

[Margery]

Countryside is a very nice community and you can do well in your price range there. It is very family oriented with pools, tot lots, tennis courts, and walk/jog paths throughout the community. There is a small shopping center with grocery, restaurants, medical offices, and a movie theater. Occasional entertainment at O'Faolin's, an Irish bar/restaurant. Very close to a large shopping mall, Dulles Town Center, with upscale stores such as Nordstroms and Macys. There are many back ways into Oakton, so you are not stuck with route 7 as your only way. Any questions, please DM me, no obligation. P.S.: Schools are excellent.

[FrannyBear]

I agree with the recommendation to rent first if at all possible. The good thing about Oakton and Vienna is that the area holds its value -- it is highly desirable and it has easy access to metro -- which is a huge plus for resale. Vienna is extremely family friendly and has great youth sports. Also schools are excellent -- Oakton HS and James Madison HS are very good. Also Oakton is close to a great Catholic HS -- Paul VI -- and several good Catholic elementary schools. All those things make it appealing even if you are using public schools. I think you would do better to buy a lesser house in a great area. JMHO.

[JEB77]

In that price range, whether you buy or rent, I would also look at the Chantilly/South Riding area west of Oakton.

Oakton and Vienna are very nice, and it's always good to keep the commuting time down, particularly for newcomers to the area, but properties in the $400K price range in Oakton and Vienna generally just aren't that attractive compared to what you can find further west. Oakton and Madison High are both highly regarded, as the prior poster noted, but the feeder elementary schools in the Oakton/Vienna area where the lower-priced properties are located really don't have a clear advantage over the schools further west.