Wife is looking for a home in northern virginia with good high schools (Norfolk: school districts, gated)

[stpickrell]

we'd want to know your desire for housing (size, age, and lot size) and your budget too.

[midlifeman]

I am looking for your opinion here not a generalization saying that all the schools are good. Feel free to speak you mind. Tell me why you like your particular school district the best. Why did you choose it over any other. I realize that some people pick a house 1st, but we are trying to pick the school and then get the house that falls into that school district. Good point about redistricting but we might take our chances We are ruling out falls church and mclean schools for now only because of the price of real estate is a bit steep for us. I'd say our price range is $650,000 MAX on housing. Our current house is about 1600 square feet and were looking closer to 2,600 square feet for the next one. We are flexible on the house

Here's the priority when hunting:
1) Good High school system
2) House
3) Community (is there as sense of place, neighborhood HOA, Sidewalks, other kids, etc.)

[globalburgh]

Your price range and house wants (i.e. square footage) will get you the best Loudoun County has to offer. If you want even better schools, then look in Fairfax County. The best school your money can buy? Focus on Fairfax. I think there is a diminishing return on the school investment. I looked for good enough schools because I don't think there is a significant difference beyond that.

[CAVA1990]

If your only options or Loudoun or Fairfax you've already taken care of the first item on your list. Now focus on where you want to live and the type of house you want. You can buy a house that size around where I live near the Parkway in Mount Vernon for that amount.

[mdcrim]

I agree you have a healthy budget for Loudoun County. I will warn you in advance that you should very, very careful choosing a house based on school zoning because, at least in Ashburn, school boundaries are still fluid, even for the established neighborhoods. That being said, I personally feel that all of the Ashburn high schools are very god.

[mikebnllnb]

Also take into account that most of the schools in Loudoun are much, much newer than those in Fairfax. The exceptions being Broad Run, Park View and Loudoun County. More modern facilities do make a difference in a student's over all schooling. Personally I would look for a home in Broadlands (Briar Woods High).

[mdcrim]

Broadlands is currently zoned for Briar Woods but once the high school opens in Loudoun Valley estates it's anyone's guess what will happen. Sections of Broadlands and/ or Brambleton could be moved. It's a crazy game...

[JD984]

Originally Posted by mikebnllnb

Also take into account that most of the schools in Loudoun are much, much newer than those in Fairfax. The exceptions being Broad Run, Park View and Loudoun County. More modern facilities do make a difference in a student's over all schooling. Personally I would look for a home in Broadlands (Briar Woods High).

They might, but so too might an experienced group of teachers and administrators who have worked together for years.

I think there are probably a handful of aging schools in Fairfax where the deterioration of the physical plant affects how people feel about the school or the educational opportunities available to the students. But, to take a contrary example, West Springfield HS was built in the 1960s and needs to be renovated, yet people remain very positive about that school, and it compares favorably to newer high schools in Loudoun.

[newnewsmama]

The only places in FFX that have better schools than Loudoun are Langley, McLean, Oakton, Woodson, Madison school districts. If you cannot get a property in your price range and desired square footage in these districts, Loudoun will be a better choice in terms of house size and school combination, assuming commute is not a concern for you. With your budget, Langley and McLean are probably out of question. You may be able to find a smaller and older home in the other three school districts.

[michgc]

Originally Posted by newnewsmama

The only places in FFX that have better schools than Loudoun are Langley, McLean, Oakton, Woodson, Madison school districts.

What statistics are you basing that comment on?