Cascades/Potomac Falls

[momtotwoboys]

Thanks, Margery and Caladium! That is good to know. The lot did seem pretty small for that size of house. Thanks to you all, I have learned a lot about what we want and don't want!

[Ozindc]

Hello all

I've just come across this thread and was hoping to get some advice. My wife and I are moving with our two year old son to the DC area in October. We are currently living in Paris. I will be working in DC (H street and 13th) and my wife will be a SAHM for at least the next few years (we have another child on the way). I'm really attracted to the greenery of the areas between the cascades shopping sector and the potomac river. For the first year or so we will look to rent a SFH and then buy once we are sure we like the area. However, I'm a little concerned about the commute. If I were to leave say the intersection of the Algonkian Parkway and Potomac View Road at 7am, how long would you expect it to take to get into DC on the average day? Also, do you think we would be able to find a nice house with a good sized yard for between $3000 and $4000 a month? And are there friendly mothers groups and activities for young kids in the area?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Riley09swb]

Originally Posted by Ozindc

Hello all

I've just come across this thread and was hoping to get some advice. My wife and I are moving with our two year old son to the DC area in October. We are currently living in Paris. I will be working in DC (H street and 13th) and my wife will be a SAHM for at least the next few years (we have another child on the way). I'm really attracted to the greenery of the areas between the cascades shopping sector and the potomac river. For the first year or so we will look to rent a SFH and then buy once we are sure we like the area. However, I'm a little concerned about the commute. If I were to leave say the intersection of the Algonkian Parkway and Potomac View Road at 7am, how long would you expect it to take to get into DC on the average day? Also, do you think we would be able to find a nice house with a good sized yard for between $3000 and $4000 a month? And are there friendly mothers groups and activities for young kids in the area?

Thanks in advance for your help.

For the moms group have your wife check out NoVaMommies.com -- A Mommies Network Community. I would imagine that would be one heck of a commute to get into DC. The farthest I ever had to go when I lived near there was McLean/Tyson's area and that was bad enough.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Ozindc

If I were to leave say the intersection of the Algonkian Parkway and Potomac View Road at 7am, how long would you expect it to take to get into DC on the average day?

Yikes, are you thinking of driving this? It would be very hard on you.

That's a bit too far to drive, especially in an area with traffic congestion. I don't know how long it takes, but trust me it's too long. They do have a bus that takes you to WFC metro station. If you need to drive, look for a community much closer to DC.

[Ozindc]

That's a shame. So you don't think it is doable in an hour? Would Great Falls be more feasible? Or are we better off looking in the Vienna/McLean/Falls Church/North Arlington areas? I'm quite attracted to the space and greenery that is available further out and I don't mind driving an hour each way.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Ozindc

That's a shame. So you don't think it is doable in an hour? Would Great Falls be more feasible? Or are we better off looking in the Vienna/McLean/Falls Church/North Arlington areas? I'm quite attracted to the space and greenery that is available further out and I don't mind driving an hour each way.

I'd look anywhere east of Tysons Corner. I'm not sure how Great Falls would be, but the other choices would work.

[Margery]

There are homes in the Cascades/Lowes Island area with rentals starting at slightly under $3000 per month. There is a commuter bus stop at Great Falls Plaza, across Algonkian Parkway from Lowes Island, that will take you to the West Falls Church Metro in about half an hour. From there the trip to Metro Center in downtown D.C. is also about half an hour. I used Metro Center as an illustration. You can find schedules on the Metro website. If you are going to drive, I cannot comment on the time for that. Most of my neighbors take the commuter bus, it is less stressful than driving.

As far as activities and mom's groups, there are plenty of stay at home moms and many children's activities. The Cascades Library has activities for all age groups and Claude Moore Park has year round activities.

Herndon and Reston would also be good choices for you and there are some neighborhoods in those areas close to parks.

Great Falls also has a few rentals in your price range and certainly has wooded areas near the Potomac. You can take Georgetown Pike to Chain Bridge road on into D.C., and pick up Mac Arthur Blvd to go downtown. Allow an hour depending on traffic and the time of day.

[stpickrell]

Originally Posted by Ozindc

Hello all

I've just come across this thread and was hoping to get some advice. My wife and I are moving with our two year old son to the DC area in October. We are currently living in Paris. I will be working in DC (H street and 13th) and my wife will be a SAHM for at least the next few years (we have another child on the way). I'm really attracted to the greenery of the areas between the cascades shopping sector and the potomac river. For the first year or so we will look to rent a SFH and then buy once we are sure we like the area. However, I'm a little concerned about the commute. If I were to leave say the intersection of the Algonkian Parkway and Potomac View Road at 7am, how long would you expect it to take to get into DC on the average day? Also, do you think we would be able to find a nice house with a good sized yard for between $3000 and $4000 a month? And are there friendly mothers groups and activities for young kids in the area?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Algonkian/Potomac View would be quite a haul. I'd expect 75-90 minutes.

What size of a yard are you looking for? $3k-$4k will get you a fairly decent place on a 1/4-1/2 acre lot, in Vienna/Oakton, where you can Metro in, or even drive in (taking maybe 45-60 minutes).

Dunno how many places are available in North Arlington/McLean/Falls Church on even 1/4 acre.

Great Falls might work out for you but I don't know if $4k would get you in the door there (or how many rentals there are.)

If you want an acre or more:
I don't know how much is available for rent in northwestern Loudoun County/Brunswick. You could take the MARC train into DC from Brunswick.

Alternately, you can take VRE from Manassas or Fredericksburg, living on a larger lot in those environs.

Good luck!

[Ozindc]

Thanks for the advice. A half an acre block would be great, but we'd accept a quarter acre in a nice area. Sounds like Great Falls would be the limit for a bearable commute and that Vienna might be a good compromise location.