Looking for a city to move to (Leesburg, Winchester: houses, schools)

[zeus025]

My husband and I are looking for a place to live outside DC. We won't be working in DC so we don't need to commute, but would like to be close enough the visit for the day or go to events. Looking for a small to midsize town, something with charm, but has things to do. Also looking for somewhere fairly safe, as we will be having kids soon. We are planning a visit soon. Can anyone recommend some towns to visit while we are there?

[mf12283]

I'd suggest Frederick or Hagerstown in Maryland. Those cities are within about 50 miles of DC, and the mountains are really gorgeous. I'd also suggest maybe Martinsburg, WV or Winchester VA, or Front Royal, VA. Those are all west of DC. If you want south or east I'd suggest Annapolis or perhaps Fredericksburg, VA. All of those are smaller cities within pretty easy driving distance of DC. Don't forget you would also be able to get to Baltimore pretty easily too. I hope that helps you!

[Faughorn]

Berryville out near Winchester is pretty and still relatively small, the schools are excellent! Strasburg in VA is also nice, I'd stay away from Front Royal, the schools aren't very good and there are no jobs. Winchester is good if you want more city-ish. Martinsburg has a housing boom on since they just got the Marc Train so their houses are getting rather steep.

[missebaby27]

Maryland. Depends on how deep your pockets are....

Bethesda is really nice, and REALLY ($600,000 to 1.5 mil for a single family home) expensive. I live in Damascus. Our town is approx 9 1/2 square miles, and we don't serve booze, so we don't have big corporate restaurants and box stores like much of the state. We are approx. 30 miles from Frederick and D.C., and 45 miles from Baltimore (all highway though). We may be on the map soon because of this event though:

http://www.edgeintl.org/bandtogether.htm

I've lived in Mo. Co. for all of my 27 years, and 24 in Damascus. All we have to do in town is Jimmie Cone, bonfires, cookouts and football games, but my husband and I go to O's games every couple of weeks, and we travel into the cities at least once a week. Frederick is quaint, more midsize to large, and has a growing live band scene. Check out these places online...

Frederick, Bethesda, Damascus/ Clarksburg

[lstevenson]

Definately Leesburg Va!

[sue tanner]

Hi,

Can anyone say how long it takes to commute from stephens city, va area to leesburg area in rush hour? or to sterling va area from stephens city?

is there much to do for kids in stephens city/winchester, area?

thanks for any info!

[viper581]

What about Sterling,Va or Herndon Va,

[Kellyree]

Stafford? about 45 mins to an hour away...