Traffic in NoVA *not* going to DC (Leesburg, Jefferson: transfer, neighborhoods)

[BlsdMama]

DH is entertaining the idea of a transfer with his company to Northern Virginia, specifically Sterling.

However, we would want to live around Purcellville or something even more rural. (We're originally from Iowa, currently in Oregon, think very rural.)

We've been reading about how dreadful traffic is in the Metro area and we assume that means to Sterling as well. But we wonder how bad is it when you're commuting in the opposite direction? Meaning into Sterling in the AM and out of it in the PM instead of most folks who are headed from Sterling to DC, I would assume?

Thanks for any information. Virginia looks like a lovely state, but what we read about the traffic is really overwhelming. (I won't mention your housing prices. )

[Bigfoot424]

You are not going against traffic from Purcellville to Sterling in the AM and back in the evening. By stopping at Sterling you of course get out of the heavy traffic well before many other people but there will still be traffic both ways. You'll likely use the toll road which can add up but it's quicker than coming in on other roads.

[TyBrGr]

I recommend Leesburg, parts of it are rural, parts of it are suburban, and it has much better schools. Also everyone who lives in Purcellville has to come to Leesburg to go shopping and for dinner because there are almost no stores in Purcellville.

[jillybean720]

Originally Posted by BlsdMama

But we wonder how bad is it when you're commuting in the opposite direction?

As mentioned, you're not going in the opposite direction. Yes, many people from Sterling are heading to DC, but tons of people from Leesburg, Purcelville, across the bridge in Maryland, even West Virginia, etc., are all heading in the same direction as you will be, whether they're going to DC, Tysons, Dulles corridor...the vast majority of commuters are all heading east in the morning and west in the evening.

I can't speak for the Greenway/toll road, but I do know rt. 7 can get quite slow between Leesburg and Sterling. There are lots of lights to begin with and then tons of traffic as you're heading through Ashburn and Leesburg. If at all possible, I would highly recommend you guys come stay in the area and try the commute for a couple of day to see if you could handle it longer term.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by TyBrGr

because there are almost no stores in Purcellville.

I'm guessing you haven't been to Purcellville in a while. There are plenty of stores and restaurants; good ones, too.

[gomason]

You're commuting with traffic, but the Dulles Toll Road is the least congested highway in the DC area, so the commute shouldn't be horrendus.

[PK12]

This is the DC metro area.

Do prepare yourself for dealing with big city issues, traffic being a chief concern here. It’s what you get for living in a thriving, bustling metro area.

[stpickrell]

Purcellville to Sterling would be fine. If you find you're priced out of Loudoun County, Clarke (VA), Jefferson (WV), or even Frederick (MD) Counties offer you some amount of rural idyllic fun.

[slaintejean]

There are some really nice and relatively affordable neighborhoods in Sterling that are quite bucolic. What's your budget?

[geekocaster]

look at broad run farms in sterling before you buy in p-ville, you might be surprised and get the best of both (good commute and acreage)