Moving from Dallas, TX to McLean area

[CapJoe]

What about living within the beltway (like Falls Church or something)? Is that substantially more expensive both rent and house/townhouse wise?

[tysonsengineer]

Originally Posted by stax

If you're going working in Tysons, and be outside of the Beltway, then you need to be in the corridor with the most direct route, so that you can avoid taking the Beltway itself. I'd look at the towns along the 267 corridor, mostly because of the Metro coming online in a couple of years. That would be pretty much: Reston, Herndon, Sterling (close enough), and Ashburn, and that's in descending order of price and proximity to Tysons Corner itself. If the commute time is your concern, I would avoid moving out to anything in Prince William County, South Riding, or Leesburg, unless you want to get a bigger house for cheaper than what you'd get on the 267 corridor.

One note, rental in Ashburn is not necessarily less than Herndon/Reston. Its an issue of supply demand, not as many rental properties in Ashburn, less choices for renters, therefore rental prices are actually strangely more expensive than living in Herndon where there are hundreds of townhomes and houses for rent.

[claremarie]

"I'd put you in Vienna which is a quick 5 minutes to your office (if its in Tysons)"

Maybe at midnight, depending upon the exact Tyson's and Vienna locations. But not anytime else. During peak traffic periods, it can take 20 minutes just to get from one part of Tyson's to another.

[CapJoe]

I'm actually looking at Falls Church as a real possibility. There are some really nice Townhomes to be had for around $500k, and even some SFH as well. The commute to Tysons seems to be pretty reasonable as well... googlemaps has it at about 10 min, I figure double that with traffic seems right. Any insights to the area in terms of things to do and schools?

[tysonsengineer]

Originally Posted by claremarie

"I'd put you in Vienna which is a quick 5 minutes to your office (if its in Tysons)"

Maybe at midnight, depending upon the exact Tyson's and Vienna locations. But not anytime else. During peak traffic periods, it can take 20 minutes just to get from one part of Tyson's to another.

I live in the region, I leave for work at 7:25, 3 miles from my place, and I get there at 7:30. The key is that you aren't on the road at 7:45 in Tysons, which is when all the commuters start swarming. Leave your place at 7:30 and you'll be known as the guy who gets into work before everyone else and it will take you 5 minutes, and you can leave at 4:30 also (again before the massive slew of people at 4:55 leave the offices).

In tysons, its all about exactly when you come and go down to each 5 minute interval.

Falls Church has good schools (George Mason Highschool, George Marshall Highschool are both high on many lists), things to do are pretty good compared to other areas of Fairfax as well. State theater is a hub for music acts, its close to both Tysons and Arlington which have lots of theater and restaurant options, Falls Church itself has some great restaurants and nightlife options like Dog Fish Head.

My girlfriend commutes Tysons/Falls Church and again if you leave before the onslaught of non-Tysons/Falls Church people you are pretty well off. Get on the road at or before 7:30 and you will be well in advance of the rush. If you do get stuck in the rush, it's fairly bad. 1 mile through Tysons at rush can take 10 minutes depending on exactly where.