Neighborhood advice (Fairfax) - houses NO MORE than $450K, good schools, FULL-day K (living, area)

[JulzRulez]

Originally Posted by hilsmom

OK, sorry - didn't mean to jump on you. If your intent was to just tell me something you thought I maybe was not aware of, thank you for that

I'm just not sure why people can't just leave the issue alone and give me suggestions based on my criteria. We all have our reasons for what we want out of a neighborhood, right? If I really CAN'T find everything I want in a full-day K school neighborhood, fine - I will deal with that. I feel we have enough lead time to find all the things we want, though.

Yeah, but your criteria are what's causing your frustration, and the reason people post on message boards as such is to pose varied points of view, and varied helpful advice. I think you've come across as defensive whenever some have tried to offer some options that aren't in your tight criteria.

The whole reason you posted this topic is because you were looking for advice/help because you were frustrated...

[hilsmom]

Yes, I have tight criteria. I'm allowed to have whatever criteria I want in my house search (which may or may not even be necessary, I'm just trying to keep options open), as are other people. If there are NO neighborhood options to fit my criteria, I can accept that. It does not seem that way, however.

And for the record, I am not home full-time with my daughter currently. I am working 25 hours/week right now and about to go up to 30 (being forced on me a little early by our daycare, but that is a different post). I worked full-time until she was 2, and then cut back to part-time. She goes to a center while I work. We are quite happy with this arrangement. It works for us.

K is still 8 months away - I have time to evaluate all options.

[hilsmom]

Have you even READ the rest of what I wrote? You are so wrong, it's actually funny. I care nothing about prestige. Loudoun and PWC are just a little further than I want to be from our current commutes and the city. I didn't ask for where I can buy many acres of land for that price or a 5000sf home for that price - THAT would be unreasonable. If my criteria is too picky, how come I have at least 5 or 6 areas to look at based on suggestions I got here?

Moderator Cut

[JD984]

Originally Posted by hilsmom

Have you even READ the rest of what I wrote? You are so wrong, it's actually funny. I care nothing about prestige. Loudoun and PWC are just a little further than I want to be from our current commutes and the city. I didn't ask for where I can buy many acres of land for that price or a 5000sf home for that price - THAT would be unreasonable. If my criteria is too picky, how come I have at least 5 or 6 areas to look at based on suggestions I got here?

Moderator Cut

Apparently, your transgression was failing to agree that everyone in Fairfax is rude and that "South Manassas" is the East Coast version of Green Bay, to which anyone with a choice should flock.

It may take a while, but I think you'll definitely find something that meets most, if not all, of your criteria. Don't forget that spring isn't too far away.

[JulzRulez]

Where are all of these areas that you have to chose from for what you're looking for that you HAVEN'T argued about?
You have found something wrong with almost everything people have suggested.

Transparency at it's finest.

[JulzRulez]

Originally Posted by JEB77

Apparently, your transgression was failing to agree that everyone in Fairfax is rude and that "South Manassas" is the East Coast version of Green Bay, to which anyone with a choice should flock.

It may take a while, but I think you'll definitely find something that meets most, if not all, of your criteria. Don't forget that spring isn't too far away.

Right.

[FindingZen]

I think this would be a good time to end the "snarkiness" on all sides. Let's all be thankful to not be stuck under two feet of snow or several sheets of ice.

[hilsmom]

Originally Posted by Tone509

I think this would be a good time to end the "snarkiness" on all sides. Let's all be thankful to not be stuck under two feet of snow or several sheets of ice.

Now here is something to be really thankful for

[mdcrim]

I respect the OP for having specific criteria but I'm going to throw something out there. It seems like the full day kindergarten is the primary amenity they are looking for in their new home. I find that so interesting for so many reasons. First and foremost, kindergarten is one school year. Most people stay in their homes for more than one year. Second, and I know nothing of FCPS, but isn't full day kindergarten one of those budget items that has to be renegotiated every year? And are they ever subject to rezoning or to pulling the program from some schools? Just like I would never purchase a home based on the current school zoning (I live in Loudoun and they change boundaries yearly), I personally would not make the school situation a huge criteria on choosing where I plan to live for the next however many years. Just a thought.

[hilsmom]

My daughter starts K next fall. The decisions are being made currently on next year's boundaries and what is going to happen with the half-day K schools. Right now, the current full-day K programs are not in jeopardy.

Again, I started this thread because we have no idea where we may be next year. I was just looking for some neighborhoods that might fit this criteria if we're going to stay in this area for a while longer (5+ years) and can make a decision to purchase. We might be in Austin for all I know by the time school starts next year, as that was the original plan. We also may decide to rent a house somewhere nearby if my husband says he only wants to stay a couple more years. All I really know is we are DONE living in a townhouse.