Neighborhood recommendation (Burke, Petersburg, Franconia: renting, big house, buying)

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Job security and advancement is an important reason why many people come to the DC metro.

very true....and some people like to see the seasons change, too.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by spencgr

very true....and some people like to see the seasons change, too.

Well yeah, there's that.

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by bavariantransplant

It just seems like I am getting so little house for so much money, its hard to accept this. I also know my family life would tank if I am working 8-9 hours then a 3-4 hour commute.

That's definitely something to consider. We had bought a new home in Prince William County 11 years ago and commuted to Fairfax County. It was in a brand new HOA community with clubhouse and pool. It was at least a 40 minute drive for each of us daily. We then moved to a home in Springfield MUCH closer to our workplaces. The house is 43 years old. We joined the closest swim club, which is just a few houses away. Our quality of life is much better now that I'm not spending 80 minutes a day on the road.

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by Tone509

It is a conundrum that many households face when moving here. To paraphrase another member, when it comes to housing cost, housing size/quality and work commute, one often must pick two. A compromise of some sort will be necessary. The supply of housing is lower than the demand from the relatively steady and well-compensated job market.

A $500K housing budget will certainly go much further in the Tampa Bay area; one important question may be how will your career be able to advance after accepting a position there. Job security and advancement is an important reason why many people come to the DC metro.

Another thing I often wonder is if the pay would be comparable. Sure. I could move somewhere else where the housing costs are 50% less, but if my salary is cut by the same amount, then what good is moving? Now, if someone can move and have a net gain between their housing cost and salary differences, well then it may be a no brainier.

[FindingZen]

In your situation, it might be best to find a home with as short a commute to the Leesburg employer as possible. In the case that there is a school emergency, one of you will be able to pick up the kid(s) in a relatively short time. It will mean a longer commute for you but there are Loudoun County commuter buses that will take you pretty close to your DC employer. It would still be a bit of a slog for you, but at least you will have the option of sleeping/working instead of "white-knuckling" it through traffic.

Eastern Loudoun County in general (from about Leesburg due east) is more likely to have the newer construction you seek at your preferred price point. I'll let others with more direct knowledge about Loudoun County Public Schools to expound on that subject...but the forum consensus seems to be that while they are collectively not quite the same caliber as Fairfax County Public School, they are still above-average for Northern Virginia and the country in general. Overcrowding and shifting school boundaries could be an issue as growth in Loudoun is exploding.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

Another thing I often wonder is if the pay would be comparable. Sure. I could move somewhere else where the housing costs are 50% less, but if my salary is cut by the same amount, then what good is moving? Now, if someone can move and have a net gain between their housing cost and salary differences, well then it may be a no brainier.

Good points. I suppose that I'm assuming that their NOVA housing budget would be the same as their St. Petersburg housing budget...but I could be wrong.

[scottfs]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

Now, if someone can move and have a net gain between their housing cost and salary differences, well then it may be a no brainier.

Even so, I am not so sure I would make the trade off if I had a better salary/COL ratio elsewhere. If I have a family to support, what happens when I lose my job, which might have been the only of its kind in town? Could be forced to uproot my family and come back here anyway. I drive past tens of companies on my way into the office that I could potentially work for. Many other metropolitan areas don't have anywhere near as many openings in my field as we do here. It's nice to know that if I get to the point where I'm really sick of my company for some reason, or they get sick of me, I could get another job.

[bavariantransplant]

Thank you all for your comments they have been very similar to the ones my wife and I have been kicking around.

The pluses to DC are huge for us, unlimited advancement potential, much higher pay, close to all of our family (2-8hrs drive) and the SEASONS!

Tampa would be with the same employer and job security would be equal but advancement would be limited and we know no one, as a household I estimate 50k less yearly and was looking at homes in the 400's whereas in DC I was looking in 500's. I could probably afford more but I have a payment in my mind that is comfortable and want to stay within it.

I also would be remaining in the trenches so to say as far as work if I go to Tampa but if I go to DC I would move into BIG picture stuff and be able to develop professionally. I cringe at the thought of remaining in my technical position when I return, I have been doing it for long enough.

[CaliTerp07]

With three kiddos at home, I would think that a short commute would be valuable. More of a chance to watch their soccer games, volunteer in their classrooms, or pick them up if they get sick. More time to help with homework after school, more energy to make dinner in the evening, etc. If you're willing to compromise on the size/age of your house, I think you can find the rest of your desires in Fairfax, Burke, Springfield, etc.

Yeah, you'll cringe when you watch HGTV shows in Texas or Tampa (I get so angry that people expect granite countertops on a $200k budget!), but you'll be in good company.

[cdmurphy]

If the Inova job was definitely in Leesburg, you could make Ashburn/eastern Loudoun work for you if you are only going in to the city twice a week. The Loudoun commuter bus is very popular.