Gainesville/Haymarket to Pentagon commute (Arlington, Manassas: real estate, renting, condo)

[NJdude52]

I am possibly relocating to the NOVA area to take a job at the Pentagon. We really like the Gainesville and Haymarket area, as we can actually afford a nice house there. What can I realistically expect my commuting time to be, assuming I get there by VRE and Metro. I'm worried with the drive to the station, the ride, changing to metro and walk to the office I'm looking at almost 2 hrs each way. Are there any non-stop express options from out that way to the Pentagon? Anyone have a similar commute? Also, later on this job could move to Bolling AFB. What public transit options are there to get there?

I have to say the tradeoff between a decent house and a terrible commute seriously has me second guessing my desire to take this job. Any insights?

[robbobobbo]

Ouch. I know someone living in Gainesvillle who works very near the Pentagon. He drives, and normally gets to work late (after 10am) and works late, to avoid the worst traffic. Today he came in regular hours and it took him just over 1 1/2 hours.

From what I could find about public transit to Bolling, you could take VRE to Union Station, take Metro to Gallery Place, transfer to Green Line, go to Anacostia Station and catch a bus to Bolling.

All for the sake of living in a pastoral area that quickly is becoming less pastoral and more jam-packed with cars and strip malls? 3 to 4 hours a day spent in transit?

Edit: Correction - coworker owns a house in Gainesville, but lives in Herndon. That 1.5 hour commute time was Herndon to Pentagon. Another coworker commutes from Leesburg, that takes her 2 hours.

[Nebat]

And don't forget about just trying to get on I-66, I sat on Rt. 29 in traffic for 45mins with the interstate in view just waiting to get on. I don't live there, but that has happened twice on two seperate occasions at completely different times of the day. I-66 is really fun once you finally get on. Another day it was gridlock at 6:45 AM around Manassas.

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by NJdude52

I am possibly relocating to the NOVA area to take a job at the Pentagon. We really like the Gainesville and Haymarket area, as we can actually afford a nice house there. What can I realistically expect my commuting time to be, assuming I get there by VRE and Metro. I'm worried with the drive to the station, the ride, changing to metro and walk to the office I'm looking at almost 2 hrs each way. Are there any non-stop express options from out that way to the Pentagon? Anyone have a similar commute? Also, later on this job could move to Bolling AFB. What public transit options are there to get there?

I have to say the tradeoff between a decent house and a terrible commute seriously has me second guessing my desire to take this job. Any insights?

If your job will possibly move to Bolling AFB or Navy Research Lab , the commute from Gainesville will be horrible unless you leave at 5am.

[knopfler]

PRTC Omniride runs buses direct from Prince William County to the Pentagon. It's your best bet.

OmniRide Manassas AM Schedule runs from Manassas direct to the Pentagon at multiple times. Or, you could catch a bus from Gainesville (Linton Hall Metro Direct AM Schedule) to West Falls Church, and Metro in from there.

Hope this helps!

[nwc07]

I'd pass on the job unless you will move closer in. That commute is not worth it..the long hours and stress at the Pentagon along with the commute will severely effect your quality of life...

[South Jersey Styx]

I had a friend stationed at the Pentagon and bought a house in Haymarket. I tried to warn him about the commute but he didn't listen. And then complained how long it took. Said even driving from his house in Haymarket to the VRE in Manassas took 30 minutes.

Also, if you're possibly getting transferred to Bolling AFB then do NOT buy in the Haymarket/Gainesville area. Unless you're willing to spend half a day commuting to work. Just isn't worth the headache. Have you considered renting until you figure out the area?

In the DC area, you sacrifice space and size for the easy commute. Anything close(er) to the Pentagon will cost more, be smaller, and be older. It's just something you get used to.

[terrence81]

I have a coworker that lives out in Haymarket/Gainesville area and she seems pretty happy. Almost everyone at my office in Arlington drives. I wouldn't want to do it though. What a lot of people who live out there do is they work early hours. That means getting up at 5 or 4:30 in order to be at the Pentagon no later than 6:30 if not 6:00 am. That's probably the only way to make a commute like that work. Slugging is an option if you can't come in that early.

Personally I'd get a condo or townhouse that was a little closer in until I could afford a house.

[seiketsu]

Consider living in Maryland, especially if you might end up at Bolling. Lots of people working in the Pentagon live in Oxon Hill and other parts of PGC near the Wilson Bridge because housing is more affordable than in VA. Traffic permitting, it is a relatively quick drive to the Pentagon (as in under half an hour instead of two hours). Or you could park and ride.

[NJdude52]

Thanks for the responses everyone. It definitely seems like a catch-22. I think I am going to dry-run the Broad Run VRE to Pentagon commute when I am down there next to see how it actually is. The metro trip planner puts it at 1 hr 10 mins, which, if I end up living in Bristow close to the VRE station, is a commute I can live with. I guess I am eager to buy now while prices are depressed, as I doubt a goverment salary will keep pace with any eventual real estate rebound and allow me to buy closer in without sacrificing space, newness, etc. I'm open to working an early schedule but dont know if I will be allowed to, even if my agency advertises flex scheduling. I guess the potential commute to Bolling is what really has me second guessing it all. At the very least I will have to go there in the beginning for some training. Unfortunately (well, maybe not UNfortunately) my wife landed a job in Bristow, so Maryland is probably out of the question, and the nicer places like Crofton are still out of our price range. maybe renting for a little while isn't a bad idea.

Anyone else out there with a similar commute want to chime in? Is 1.5 hrs each way that bad if you aren't the one driving? Is public transportation pretty reliable or is it filled with delays and other hassles? Commuting in a metro area is new to me, so I guess I am asking so many questions because I don't want to end up miserable. Thanks.