Couples in thier 40s with teenage kids moving to NoVa (Arlington: apartment, to rent) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

yemiray · 06-26-2010, 08:54 AM

We intend to relocate to Northern Virginia this summer and we need advice on good areas to choose ...we plan to rent an apartment or house for the first year and then buy a home afterwards.. My work place will be at either NW DC or Pentagon City offices of my organization...and my wife intends to get a job locally as Nurse.. Our priorities are: decent commute to DC/Pentagon city by car or train and very good schools for the kids: 16yrs old in High School, 13yrs old in Middle School and 6yrs old in Elementary. Our kids are currently in best-rated county schools in Texas and we are hoping they can maintain same quality of education when we relocate....We are also to hoping to find areas with families at our age-range.....We are middle class and will be looking for apt in the range of 2-3.5k/month for the first year and eventually settling for a home nearby in the range of $500K -$600k later...Thank you..

mississippimagnolia · 06-26-2010, 11:30 AM

Burke, Virginia (Fairfax County) has excellent schools! Lake Braddock Secondary School and Robinson Secondary School are both fantastic! I'm partial to Braddock, but that's just because my kids were there. I think all the elementary schools in Burke are good as well. My youngest was at King's Park/King's Glen. (I think they are technically in Springfield.) We were very happy with the schools and with the neighborhoods!

yemiray · 06-26-2010, 12:02 PM

Thanks Mississippimagnolia .....A colleague at work also said that Burke is a good area with good schools..

CAVA1990 · 06-26-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yemiray

Thanks Mississippimagnolia .....A colleague at work also said that Burke is a good area with good schools..

Actually all the Fairfax County schools are good, they just have different mixes of students of varying aptitudes. Given that, you should probably drive around and see what neighborhoods strike your fancy as far as home style and age, lot size, proximity to amenities, and natural beauty. You can generally find SFHs in your price range about 15 or more miles from DC.

claremarie · 06-26-2010, 01:43 PM

You can easily find good schools and family-friendly communities in that price range. Your decision will be commute length v. house size/age/amenities. Coming from Texas, you might be surprised at the rather unimpressive (objectively speaking) homes that are available for $600K in some of the more close-in communities such as North Arlington, Falls Church, or McLean -- for that price, you get essentially a "starter" 40-50 year old home with 3, perhaps 4 BR, a one-car garage if you are lucky, a small-ish kitchen, and a modest-sized yard.
If you want newer construction, or are thinking of a 4-5 BR home with a 2-car garage, eat-in kitchen, and larger yard, check out Burke or Springfield. Or, if you are willing to accept a 1+ hour commute, you could look in Ashburn.

yemiray · 06-26-2010, 03:13 PM

CAVA1990, when you say 15 or more miles from DC, what specific areas In Fairfax are you referring to? am planning to drive around the neighborhoods tomorrow as you suggested..Thanks so much..

yemiray · 06-26-2010, 03:19 PM

Clarsmarie, I will be checking out those Burke areas with newer construction this evening...as you rightly said, we will definitely have to sacrifice home size for shorter work commute in this process..Thanks for all your suggestions..

marie5v · 06-26-2010, 04:59 PM

The best high schools are considered to be in Mclean and Great Falls (Langley), but that's a bit west for you. Woodson is also good, and Robinson as well. Falls Church City schools also have a good reputation. For your price range, Woodson and Robinson school districts will probably work the best. Arlington also has excellent schools and would be a good location for you, but only certain areas of Arlington, and I'm not sure you can get them in your price range. You can find out more about the individual schools on the fcps.edu website - they have a lot of test and demographic information for every school.

CAVA1990 · 06-26-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yemiray

CAVA1990, when you say 15 or more miles from DC, what specific areas In Fairfax are you referring to? am planning to drive around the neighborhoods tomorrow as you suggested..Thanks so much..

I picked that distance to get you beyond Alexandria and Arlington and the beltway (although 10 miles is probably more accurate). I'd suggest Mount Vernon and Burke as well as the portion of Annandale outside the beltway. I'm most familiar with Mount Vernon so if you're driving from Alexandria just come down the GW Parkway to the Mount Vernon Estate and then go either straight or left on 235. Both will take you to some nice neighborhoods. Everything along there South of Old Town is good but you'll probably get a bigger house for your dollars the further down you go. I think MississipiMagnolia can tell you more about Burke.

claremarie · 06-26-2010, 06:26 PM

For what it's worth, Mount Vernon High School has some of the lowest test scores in Fairfax County. As someone will be quick to point out, those test scores most likely reflect the demographics of the student population (low-income and immigrant) rather than the quality of the school, but it's definitely not one of the most "sought-after" school pyramids for that reason. And it's kind of a hike to the northwest DC workplace location, if that's where the OP ends up.