Where is a safe place for a family w/a commute under 45 min to DC (Washington: for sale, real estate)

[jets6]

I live in Lake Ridge, VA right now and cant stand the traffic congestion from Lorton to Woodbridge on 95. I moved here for work and have been here less than a year. I am looking to move myself, my wife, my 2 Goldens and the bun in the oven into a nice, safe neighborhood. We have been pre-approved at $300k and are having a hard time finding something.

A few of my coworkers have given me their opinions, all have said Maryland.

The first is a lifelong Annapolis resident and tries to sell me on it everyday. He also warned me to stay away from the numbered and presidential streets for high crime. He had a negative outlook on the Crownsville area north through Odenton.

My next coworker harps on Crofton. I've driven through there and everything is plopped on top of one another. Plus, only the new communities look nice, so will they look like the rest when they are older?

The last coworker lives in Columbia and loves it. I have the same issue with this place. For my price range, everything is squished together. It also seems like traffic can be a real problem since it is so populated.

I am not partial to MD or VA. Again, I am just looking for a nice, safe area to raise a family and maybe a little yard space for the pups to run around in.

Thanks!

[CaliTerp07]

Where in DC do you work? That might narrow down areas.

There are a few townhouses in that budget in the Springfield area around Lake Accotink. That would shave a major portion off your commute.

[terrence81]

Are you looking for a single family house? You keep mentioning being "squished". I hate to say it but you just aren't going to find a single family house with a yard for $300K closer in than the areas mentioned or your current spot in Prince William county. Really and truly you're already in the best area for your price range.

You can however find a townhouse in aforementioned West Springfield. Burke is a nice area as well. I absolutely love it for families. Kingstowne is a really cute and diverse area with newer townhouses some of them have small yards.

I like Columbia as well but I'm not sure if it would be a 45 minute commute to downtown DC.

[jets6]

I work at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. As for being "squished", certain communities really make their yards and common areas as comfortable as possible, while others just jam 'em all in there to make more $$$.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by jets6

I work at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. As for being "squished", certain communities really make their yards and common areas as comfortable as possible, while others just jam 'em all in there to make more $$$.

I see...kinda. By squished you mean townhouse communities that have no yard and no common areas. I see what you mean there are plenty of townhouse communities like that all over the area especially closer-in. I'm sure those areas mentioned have condo and townhouse communities with the open feel you're talking about. You just have to keep looking.

If you dont' mind older I'll still recommend my own area of south Arlington or Park Fairfax in Alexandria. Park Fairfax has older townhouses but it has so many trees and you'll at least have a little patio. In my own neighborhood there are lots of duplexes but you'll get much newer outside the beltway.

Also another great suburb is Oakton. I used to live there and they have townhouses that start out in the $300K range. It is incredibly safe. However I think your commute to Anacostia would probably be an hour versus 45 minutes. I just had to put it out that Oakton is a really nice place that you don't hear too many people talk about. The ONLY reason I don't live in Oakton now is that its well...boring. Great for families but not for singles.

You might also consider a condo in that area as well. Lots of folks in my old condo complex had big dogs. There were common areas and lots of trees. So despite being a townhouse and condo area I wouldn't call it over run because of the trees and the cute little park. Also the drive home was gorgous in the spring because of blooming cherry blossoms. But yeah love Oakton for young families.

Kingstowne also has townhouses and condos with plenty of trees and common areas.

[Smoke_Jaguar4]

I know a lot of people at Bolling and Andrews who live in MD around north Charles County or south Prince Georges County: Accokeek, Waldorf, Bryans Road....
From there you can take Branch Ave or the Indian Head Highway to work.
There was a lot of construction in this area during the housing bubble, now there's a lot of value here. Looking at realtor.com, there appears to be a lot of homes here in your size and price range.
Something like this: 1620 Chester Ave Bryans Road MD - Home For Sale and Real Estate Listing - MLS #CH7586459 - Realtor.com®

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by Smoke_Jaguar4

I know a lot of people at Bolling and Andrews who live in MD around north Charles County or south Prince Georges County: Accokeek, Waldorf, Bryans Road....
From there you can take Branch Ave or the Indian Head Highway to work.
There was a lot of construction in this area during the housing bubble, now there's a lot of value here. Looking at realtor.com, there appears to be a lot of homes here in your size and price range.
Something like this: 1620 Chester Ave Bryans Road MD - Home For Sale and Real Estate Listing - MLS #CH7586459 - Realtor.com®

Good point! I didn't even think about Accokeek. PG county isn't known for its school district but Accokeek would def give one some breathing room with pretty affordable housing. Also Calvert county is an option as well just not sure about the commute.

[TCR25]

You might want to give the city of Hyattsville a look, too: Lots of SFHs with decent yards, and very family-friendly neighborhoods. Plus we have Franklin's for locally brewed beer. :-)

[Smoke_Jaguar4]

Originally Posted by terrence81

Good point! I didn't even think about Accokeek. PG county isn't known for its school district but Accokeek would def give one some breathing room with pretty affordable housing. Also Calvert county is an option as well just not sure about the commute.

PG County has a split personality; there are some very wealthy areas and then there's the 'stuff' near the DC border. The schools around Waldorf are decent, however sticking to Charles County is probably the safer option.

Calvert County is nice but the commute may be a drag. It's an hour to Chesapeake Beach without traffic. Furthermore your only option is MD-4; if it gets backed up or shut down you have no good alternate paths.

[slowlane3]

Accokeek, Maryland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Washington,_Maryland

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater...boro,_Maryland