Where to live NoVA/ Maryland? (Fort Washington, Accokeek: best neighborhood, rental, homes)

[Africamom]

We are possibly moving to the DC area in the summer. My husband has a job offer in National Harbor, Maryland. We have 3 children, ages 10,6,4 and will need great schools, although private is an option. The children are currently in private school.
I am not sure where would be the best neighborhood to live.
We prefer a neighborhood that is safe and has children. We're not looking for a crazy commute, but realize that a commute in the DC area is inevitable. We would prefer an area where some backyard is possible.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[psusra112]

Originally Posted by Africamom

We are possibly moving to the DC area in the summer. My husband has a job offer in National Harbor, Maryland. We have 3 children, ages 10,6,4 and will need great schools, although private is an option. The children are currently in private school.
I am not sure where would be the best neighborhood to live.
We prefer a neighborhood that is safe and has children. We're not looking for a crazy commute, but realize that a commute in the DC area is inevitable. We would prefer an area where some backyard is possible.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Your budget is going to greatly determine recommendations.

[Africamom]

At first we will probably rent as we have a home in Williamsburg. Our rental budget will be between $2000-$3000 per month. Eventually we will probably look for homes around the $600 000- $800 000 range. We have lived in TN, RI and now in Southern VA and the housing prices keep going up. Seems we're headed on a steady incline

[bowian]

If private school is an option, check out Fort Washington or Accokeek. I personally like the feel of those areas. Renting will give you a chance to seek how you like either of them. There's also the Alexandria area as well.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by Africamom

We are possibly moving to the DC area in the summer. My husband has a job offer in National Harbor, Maryland. We have 3 children, ages 10,6,4 and will need great schools, although private is an option. The children are currently in private school.
I am not sure where would be the best neighborhood to live.
We prefer a neighborhood that is safe and has children. We're not looking for a crazy commute, but realize that a commute in the DC area is inevitable. We would prefer an area where some backyard is possible.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I agree with Bowian for private schools. Those are good options for that area. Williamsburg is quite a laid back place. Do you like to have everything close by or would you rather be further away from shopping centers, malls and what not?

[Africamom]

Williamsburg is laid back and family centered. We've only been here 2 years, but love it. Making this potential move a tough one to make.
We don't want to be in the middle of hustle and bustle, but not too far from decent grocery stores etc. Visiting DC is one thing but deciding on an area to live another. Thanks for your input.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by Africamom

Williamsburg is laid back and family centered. We've only been here 2 years, but love it. Making this potential move a tough one to make.
We don't want to be in the middle of hustle and bustle, but not too far from decent grocery stores etc. Visiting DC is one thing but deciding on an area to live another. Thanks for your input.

I will be honest in Fort Washington and Accokeek, your choices for close grocery shopping is Giant, Safeway and Food Lion. Some like that, some don't. If you like upscale grocery shopping and organic food, that's probably not going to be your cup of tea and you would probably enjoy NoVA more. If you like good but lesser costing food, then you will okay here in this part of PG. It's very quiet down here too. We don't have a lot of shopping in Fort Washington or Accokeek. The shopping will be in Oxon Hill including the National Harbor which will soon have an outlet mall, and Walmart nearby.

[Cruzincat]

You will pay more for the property in NOVA, but you will pay more in taxes in MD. Which one do you suppose you might get more back with when you sell and move away? You'll never see those taxes back. As long as you can afford NOVA, go there.