Millenials Choosing Older Homes Closer In? (Arlington, Alexandria: mortgage, neighborhood, buying)

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by spleuchan

I'm a millennial and we live in the outer suburbs (Haymarket). We looked at some places closer in and some closer out. We chose further out since we much preferred newer homes. I telework 2 days a week, travel some, and don't mind waking up early, so the commute isn't bad. I'm not so sure there is any rule of thumb that says millennial will pick closer in. Some live closer in and some live farther out. Millennials probably are more likely to want to telework than others, so its hard to justify the much more expensive house closer in than a cheaper one farther out if you don't have to come in but a few days a week.

Haymarket's a great place to live. You do raise a good point that the meaning of "close in" has changed quite a bit from when I moved here with the growth of the Dulles tech corridor and telework.

[ACWhite]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

People in Arlington feel a need to use private schools to stay in the County? I am surprised.

I wonder whether his/her friends live in 22204 or 22206, where houses are somewhat cheaper and there is more diversity in test scores, etc., and sometimes concerns over public schools. $1 mill. does not buy a large home in most parts of Arlington, unless you consider 1800 feet or so above grade to be "large."

[cdmurphy]

Originally Posted by stpickrell

As I like to say elsewhere, I'll make sure to keep a spot open in Ashburn for all the Gen Y types now in DC/Arlington.

Shhh! Our schools are overcrowded as it is.

[jillybean720]

If I worked in DC, I would want to live as close in as possible. But I apparently don't fit the mold - I'm 30, and we just bought in Sterling earlier this year. It's neither close in nor new, as the home was built in the 70s. Around here, I think it's all about commute. Work in DC, live as close to DC as possible, even if it means compromising on house age or condition. My husband and I both happen to work further out (Reston and Sterling), so no need to be closer in.

[JD984]

Originally Posted by hilsmom

cupcakes? or is that over, too?

Annandale has some very nice Korean bakeries - I've got to believe there's a cupcake or two to be found there.

[FC Merrifield]

Originally Posted by ACWhite

I wonder whether his/her friends live in 22204 or 22206, where houses are somewhat cheaper and there is more diversity in test scores, etc., and sometimes concerns over public schools. $1 mill. does not buy a large home in most parts of Arlington, unless you consider 1800 feet or so above grade to be "large."

I have no idea what the zip codes are, but yeah, the houses are not large in the sense of what you find in the exurbs. They're about the same size as my townhouse, but obviously cost more. It's big enough to raise a family. And again, it's not that they feel like the public schools are something out of Dangerous Minds, they just feel like it's worth it to them to go the private school route.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by JEB77

Annandale has some very nice Korean bakeries - I've got to believe there's a cupcake or two to be found there.

not the whole variety of creative types of flavors though - I would say my impression is that Breeze leans a bit more toward trendy stuff than Shilla's but even so its mostly the very distinctive types of offerings (loosely inspired by French pastries I guess, but with fillings and combos I've never seen outside a Korean establishment) typical of Korean bakeries.

Certainly from my POV Breeze, with its espresso, WiFi, etc adds a tad to the Annandale hipness rating -that a good sized parking lot seperates it from the sidewalk is as much of a clue that you aren't in Del Ray anymore, as the style of the baked goods. Matin de Paris has a slightly better lay out from the "urbanist" POV but I don't recall as hip a feel inside as Breeze.

[springfieldva]

Originally Posted by FC Merrifield

I have no idea what the zip codes are, but yeah, the houses are not large in the sense of what you find in the exurbs. They're about the same size as my townhouse, but obviously cost more. It's big enough to raise a family. And again, it's not that they feel like the public schools are something out of Dangerous Minds, they just feel like it's worth it to them to go the private school route.

Private schools are expensive. I'm not saying that they aren't a good solution for some families, but not many can easily afford to go the private school route.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by stpickrell

As I like to say elsewhere, I'll make sure to keep a spot open in Ashburn for all the Gen Y types now in DC/Arlington.

Assuming they still work in DC or Arlington, thats good news for Silver Line ridership/DTR toll revenue. Heckuva commute though. Maybe they will all telecommute 4 days a week then. Though if I had only had to go in one day a week, to a job in downtown DC, I think I could find some nice alternatives to living in LoCo (at least to my tastes)

[FC Merrifield]

Originally Posted by springfieldva

Private schools are expensive. I'm not saying that they aren't a good solution for some families, but not many can easily afford to go the private school route.

You're telling me. My original posts were saying that this is the exact reason why so many people move to Fairfax and even beyond - they feel that the public schools are better here and they can't afford private schools.