Is it unreasonable to commute from md to the Pentagon? (Olney: lease, houses)

[Smittys8]

We are moving on military orders to The Pentagon and have already given consideration to VA ...however I've noticed many houses that meet our criteria in MD. Upper Marlboro for example. Is this an unrealistic commute? (more than 45minutes) Are there any SFH for rent (3000.00/month) in safe neighborhoods with excellent schools that may be a good option for the commute to the Pentagon?

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by Smittys8

We are moving on military orders to The Pentagon and have already given consideration to VA ...however I've noticed many houses that meet our criteria in MD. Upper Marlboro for example. Is this an unrealistic commute? (more than 45minutes) Are there any SFH for rent (3000.00/month) in safe neighborhoods with excellent schools that may be a good option for the commute to the Pentagon?

You could easily do that rent price in almost any part of PG County. As far as the commute, the recommendation I would make is to take the metro. You could stay in Upper Marlboro, drive to Suitland to catch the train to Pentagon (only a 24 minute train ride during rush hour). You are definitely looking at about an hour commute but the good news is you wouldn't have to do a lot of driving.

[Smittys8]

Originally Posted by pgtitans

You could easily do that rent price in almost any part of PG County. As far as the commute, the recommendation I would make is to take the metro. You could stay in Upper Marlboro, drive to Suitland to catch the train to Pentagon (only a 24 minute train ride during rush hour). You are definitely looking at about an hour commute but the good news is you wouldn't have to do a lot of driving.

Thanks for the input. What can you say about the schools in that area? Is that an hour commute one way or round trip?

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by Smittys8

Thanks for the input. What can you say about the schools in that area? Is that an hour commute one way or round trip?

I remember seeing your post on the nova forum, you have 6 kids correct? Let me put it like this if schools are the most important thing you can do better. Upper Marlboro has some OK schools but honestly given that you would work in Va, in my opinion it's not worth moving to PG. PG has some great qualities but given your family situation and job situation I would say Nova is your best bet. If you are looking to get more house for your money try Lake Ridge in Prince William County. It has great schools , cheaper than Fairfax and they have commuter buses that go directly to the Pentagon.

[dkf747]

I know someone who commuted from Olney to the Pentagon everyday. If they could do that, then Upper Marlboro would be fine. However, it's a long commute. You should look at some closer spots before deciding.

[Smittys8]

[quote=pgtitans;26386734]I remember seeing your post on the nova forum, you have 6 kids correct? Let me put it like this if schools are the most important thing you can do better. Upper Marlboro has some OK schools but honestly given that you would work in Va, in my opinion it's not worth moving to PG. PG has some great qualities but given your family situation and job situation I would say Nova is your best bet. If you are looking to get more house for your money try Lake Ridge in Prince William County. It has great schools , cheaper than Fairfax and they have commuter buses that go directly to the Pentagon.[/

Yes that's me. I've decided the Burke, WestSpringlfield are obvious choices from all the feedback. When I found a realtor the lisitings included Maryland. Schools are the number one priority but with a family my size after a long day at work and considering teenagers in the mix we definitely need room to spreadout. Lake Ridge wasn't even on my radar so I'll look into it. Thanks

[justtitans]

[quote=Smittys8;26387142]

Originally Posted by pgtitans

I remember seeing your post on the nova forum, you have 6 kids correct? Let me put it like this if schools are the most important thing you can do better. Upper Marlboro has some OK schools but honestly given that you would work in Va, in my opinion it's not worth moving to PG. PG has some great qualities but given your family situation and job situation I would say Nova is your best bet. If you are looking to get more house for your money try Lake Ridge in Prince William County. It has great schools , cheaper than Fairfax and they have commuter buses that go directly to the Pentagon.[/

Yes that's me. I've decided the Burke, WestSpringlfield are obvious choices from all the feedback. When I found a realtor the lisitings included Maryland. Schools are the number one priority but with a family my size after a long day at work and considering teenagers in the mix we definitely need room to spreadout. Lake Ridge wasn't even on my radar so I'll look into it. Thanks

I definitely understand. I would also say the thing that makes Lake Ridge a better option over Upper Marlboro is that it is more family oriented. There are a lot more activities for your kids to do. Upper Marlboro is in some parts very rural and spread out and doesn't have as many activities around.

When looking down there the best elementary schools are Westridge and Springwoods Elementary. They are among the top elementary schools in Virginia (Springwoods: 243/1060, Westridge:115/1060). Depending on the neighborhood, you would be in, if you have any kids in middle school they would either go to Lake Ridge Middle, which is a good school or Woodbridge Middle which I've heard isn't as good Lake Ridge but is still good. As far as high school, I believe it depends on what type of programs your children are in. If they get into it, they could go to a number of schools down there, so that answer would vary. Here goes some information you may want to check out that will help you decide if Lake Ridge is a good fit for you or not.

Commute:
OmniRide Lake Ridge-Pentagon & Crystal City AM Schedule

Schools:
Virginia Schools - Find a Public or Private Virginia School - SchoolDigger.com

Activities:
Things to Do in Lake Ridge, VA with Kids - Children Activities in Lake Ridge for Kids & Family - Uptake.com

[Smittys8]

[quote=pgtitans;26390409]

Originally Posted by Smittys8

I definitely understand. I would also say the thing that makes Lake Ridge a better option over Upper Marlboro is that it is more family oriented. There are a lot more activities for your kids to do. Upper Marlboro is in some parts very rural and spread out and doesn't have as many activities around.

When looking down there the best elementary schools are Westridge and Springwoods Elementary. They are among the top elementary schools in Virginia (Springwoods: 243/1060, Westridge:115/1060). Depending on the neighborhood, you would be in, if you have any kids in middle school they would either go to Lake Ridge Middle, which is a good school or Woodbridge Middle which I've heard isn't as good Lake Ridge but is still good. As far as high school, I believe it depends on what type of programs your children are in. If they get into it, they could go to a number of schools down there, so that answer would vary. Here goes some information you may want to check out that will help you decide if Lake Ridge is a good fit for you or not.

Commute:
OmniRide Lake Ridge-Pentagon & Crystal City AM Schedule

Schools:
Virginia Schools - Find a Public or Private Virginia School - SchoolDigger.com

Activities:
Things to Do in Lake Ridge, VA with Kids - Children Activities in Lake Ridge for Kids & Family - Uptake.com

Thank you for the links. So much information to digest. I have about 10weeks which isn't much time. But this gives me enough information to have a list of homes to look at when I hit the ground there in a few weeks to sign a lease. Thank again

[North Beach Person]

I know quite a few people who commute to the Pentagon from here in SoMD (@ 20 miles south of Upper Marlboro). Some drive the whole way, others drive to a Park and Ride and catch whatever form of public transportation there is, while others take the MTA commuter bus to Downtown and catch public transportation from there.

All agree it's a pain. BUT, Calvert County has one of the top rated school systems in the State.

[selhars]

I'm no fan of VA necessarily, but in your case I'd definitely say if you're going to work there live there. It never hurts to live as close to work as your criteria allow.

Being single with no kids, ease of commute is my number one priority. BUT I do know that for friends who have kids, it's so much easier in general being relatively close to their schools - for sick days, having to get home quick to go to PTA nights, etc.

But let me caution you living in VA won't necessarily make your commute easy. I have Co-workers who live in parts of Fairfax who say in rush hour (and sometime snot even) it still takes them an hour to go less than 20 miles.