Moving for job in Rockville MD (Leesburg, Purcellville: to rent, low crime, how much)

[questionsfromme]

Hello everyone,

I have been reading posts here as I contemplate a move and now that I have decided to make the move I was hoping I could get the benefit of some specific opinions on my planned move. Any opinions/thoughts are appreciated, here is the scenario:

I will be moving from MA to take a new job in Rockville MD in the next few months. I plan to move ahead of my family but we will all be settled by the end of August at the latest so our three children can start the school year on time.

I plan to rent a house in the area that we will eventually buy in but I can’t buy until my MA house sells. When we buy we are looking for some privacy, a minimum of 1 acre of land, and a minimum of three bedrooms in a low crime area that has access to parochial schools K-8. I would like spend below $400K so I expect to have to live in WV or maybe the Purcellville, VA area and commute to Rockville MD in order to find a home that meets our requirements and budget.

I currently commute 1 ½ hours each way per day so if the commute from say Charles Town, WV or Purcellville, VA to Rockville, MD can be done in 1 ½ each way per day I think that would work. If that is an unrealistic expectation please let me know. The commute is Boston is pretty busy and at times nasty but I cope pretty well.

We lived in Northern VA about seven years ago so I know the Loudoun County area and how much it has grow as we have been back there many times since we moved.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks.

FYI - Pie and cake.

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by questionsfromme

Hello everyone,

I have been reading posts here as I contemplate a move and now that I have decided to make the move I was hoping I could get the benefit of some specific opinions on my planned move. Any opinions/thoughts are appreciated, here is the scenario:

I will be moving from MA to take a new job in Rockville MD in the next few months. I plan to move ahead of my family but we will all be settled by the end of August at the latest so our three children can start the school year on time.

I plan to rent a house in the area that we will eventually buy in but I can’t buy until my MA house sells. When we buy we are looking for some privacy, a minimum of 1 acre of land, and a minimum of three bedrooms in a low crime area that has access to parochial schools K-8. I would like spend below $400K so I expect to have to live in WV or maybe the Purcellville, VA area and commute to Rockville MD in order to find a home that meets our requirements and budget.

I currently commute 1 ½ hours each way per day so if the commute from say Charles Town, WV or Purcellville, VA to Rockville, MD can be done in 1 ½ each way per day I think that would work. If that is an unrealistic expectation please let me know. The commute is Boston is pretty busy and at times nasty but I cope pretty well.

We lived in Northern VA about seven years ago so I know the Loudoun County area and how much it has grow as we have been back there many times since we moved.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks.

FYI - Pie and cake.

i dont think 400k is going to get you even 1/10th of an acre of land

[5stones]

I think you do better commute and $$$ wise to look in MD north of Frederick.

But for 400k I agree you will be hard pressed to find an Acre of land and house in Loudoun County...probably in WV...but that drive could kill ya.

Then you have to think about schools...if you are in a more rural area Im not sure how many parochial schools are out there.

you can NOW indeed get a 3 bedroom house for 400k in Leesburg or Purceville or even Rockville, Gaitherburg etc... but you won't find it on an acre... a .25acre lot in NOVA is considered big!

a commute from Leesburg to Rockville is pretty close to an hour without any hic-ups.
I'd say Charlestown WV would be close to 2 hours. That's ALOT of gas money!!

You say your commute in Boston is 1-1/2 hours, is that using mass transit or do you drive it?

[tamitrail]

You will not get an acre of land under $400K in Loudoun County. I don't know about WV..but why would you want your kids to go to school in WV? Since you are asking for thoughts, I would move into whatever school district in Maryland is good and close to where you will be working and can afford so you can spend more time with your children. Don't sacrafice any of that for an acre of land.

[Grasonville]

Look up in Frederick - there are still property with land up that way for a bit over $400,000 - but in this market - you can certainly dicker.

[Katie1]

You can get home & land in Berkely Co WV [Martinsburg] & take the MARC train to Rockville MD M-F Martinsburg Schools are good schools!

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by Katie1

You can get home & land in Berkely Co WV [Martinsburg] & take the MARC train to Rockville MD M-F Martinsburg Schools are good schools!

but the monthly train ride is going to cost upwards in the 2-400 dollar range, and you have to be married to your cousin

[tamitrail]

Originally Posted by VRE332

but the monthly train ride is going to cost upwards in the 2-400 dollar range, and you have to be married to your cousin

And Martinsburg schools are NOT that great.

[questionsfromme]

Thanks for the replies. My commute in Boston was by car not by public transit. The system up here is not nearly as useful and robust as you have in the mid Atlantic.

$400 a month for the train would be cheaper than gas, or close. How long would the commute be by MARC to Rockville, MD from Berkely Co WV Martinsburg?

I should have been clearer regarding commute, I don’t care if it is by public transportation or car if I can keep it under 1 ½ hours each way. As for schools we would be looking for a parochial school.

[5stones]

Looks like it's about 1-1/2 hour from Martinsburg WV to Rockville MD. if the train runs on time.
But you only have 2 east bound trains in the morning 5:30am and 6:30am and 3 return trains. so limited schedule from out there.

http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/...em_%20Maps.cfm
Here's the site you can purouse and see times etc.. for your self.

GOOGle is your friend...
for schools in the area...here's what I found
Shepherdstown, WV Education and Instruction Private and Parochial Schools Yahoo! Yellow Pages

Saint Joseph Parish School Redirect


For Frederick county... Where I would look if I was you...MUCH shorter commute etc...
Catholic Schools in Frederick County, Maryland

Good luck..