TOO many options! Information overload! What to do! (Alexandria, Burke: rental, homes)

[rtkavm]

My husband and I have 4 children. I think I am going crazy looking at all the different options as to where to live! I have one in ES, one in MS, one in HS and one starting community college. I am having a hard time finding a good ES, MS and HS in the same house! We want to rent and spend no more than $3000 a month on rent. We want a commute time of no more than 30 minutes to the Pentagon. There are six in the family so we need at least a 4 bedroom house. HELP!!!! I am on information overload and feeling extremely overwhelmed.

Thanks,
Frustrated

[blu_monk]

Alexandria

[movingtodcfromseattle]

Try the Kings Park West neighborhood near George Mason University (22032). Great schools and there is a bus from the neighborhood to the Pentagon. The rundown would be: Oak View or Laurel Ridge for ES, Robinson for MS and HS and the community college is up the street off of Little River Turnpike (15-20 min).

[movingtodcfromseattle]

Like this:
Pommeroy Dr., VA (http://www.militarybyowner.com/listings/tourplus.asp?F_BASE_ID=263&F_STATE=VA&LISTING_ID=1 20517 - broken link)

[mississippimagnolia]

Burke.

[nwc07]

Both Kings Park and Burke will take longer than 30 minutes to get to the Pentagon.

[movingtodcfromseattle]

Not on the bus from Kings Park West. It takes 30-35 from our house....husband does it and then transfers to the Metro from there.

[FindingZen]

Falls Church might be an option to consider as well as Stratford Landing/Mount Vernon (in the "South Alexandria" section of Fairfax County). The only thing I cannot guarantee would be that it would be within your preferred rental range.

One more: Annandale, particularly outside the Beltway. Homes here are more likely to fall within your range due to the distance from the Metrorail.

Keep in mind that 30 minutes away really means 15 miles (or less) during rush hour. So unless your husband's hours are flexible - a strong possibility at the Pentagon - then you might be working from a smaller radius to guarantee a half hour commute.

[claremarie]

The 30 minute commute is going to be the most difficult to find, unless you can nail down an express bus deal or live within walking distance of a close-in Metro station. You just can't count on a 30 minute trip if you have to drive -- there are just too many weather/accident/construction variables. It can take considerably longer than 30 minutes to go 15 miles during rush hour.

[Denton56]

Vienna, then take the subway right to the Pentagon.