Newbies need some input!! (school, live in, commute to)

[JDance81]

Ashburn is in our price range, but we could get more for our money in Gainesville. I wasn't sure about how 7 is coming to and from Leesburg. We have found ourselves out in that area a lot for bars and restaurants so it would be a good house location. The move is hard when you don't really have ties to any place!

[NovaOne]

Originally Posted by Eagle4Life

The simple answer is...live in Ashburn.

Absolutely! If you work in Ashburn and like the area - which you would if you are looking at Aldie and Gainsville, you should look in Ashburn.

[NovaOne]

Originally Posted by JDance81

Ashburn is in our price range, but we could get more for our money in Gainesville. I wasn't sure about how 7 is coming to and from Leesburg. We have found ourselves out in that area a lot for bars and restaurants so it would be a good house location. The move is hard when you don't really have ties to any place!

The reason Gainesville is cheaper than Ashburn is because it's not as desirable a location. You should pick a location where you enjoy living in, and then buy the best house you can afford there. Thinking that you can get "more for your money" elsewhere is just cheating yourself.

I'll always view Leesburg as "that place that I go spend money at but never live there". Because it's way out there and 7 is always busy. Maybe if I worked in Leesburg, I would consider living out there.

[JDance81]

Thanks again! We can narrow our search down now

[Middlin]

There are a myriad of reasons people choose not to live just down from their jobs, but, I, and others on the forum generally discourage newbies from doing this until they acclimate themselves to the area.

[Novamom06]

I live in the Aldie area and really like it a lot. A great sense of community. Schools are also fabulous too. It think it would be an easy commute for you. Good luck!

[mikebnllnb]

Do not!! I repeat DO NOT live further south of Ashburn than Stone Ridge or South Riding. I also wouldn't go further west than Hamilton.

Other places to avoid: Most of Sterling (some areas north of 7 are okay) Herndon.

Other area to explore: Reston, Chantilly and Centreville. (these places have some drawbacks like $$$ or distance)

If your looking to buy there are lots of great new places being built. Keep in mind even the cheaper places in this area are really pricey.

[billscamaros]

Rt 7 from Leesburg down to Rt 28 at 5:30 am isn't a bad drive; I'm thru there every morning at approx that time. There is definitely traffic on the road, but it's moving at around 60-65 mph. My perception is that Rt 7 from Dulles to Leesburg at the 3:30 pm time frame is horrible, so I take the Greenway from Rt 28 out to Leesburg at the end of the day. Admittedly, that's just my perception and I don't drive Rt 7 on the way home .... so I could be totally off base. Someone else can comment on Rt 7 as an afternoon route.

You could rent for the first year and explore the various communities to check out where exactly you would like to live.

[mikebnllnb]

Also, the schools in Loudoun are much better than those in Prince William.

[dmv101010]

Originally Posted by billscamaros

Rt 7 from Leesburg down to Rt 28 at 5:30 am isn't a bad drive; I'm thru there every morning at approx that time. There is definitely traffic on the road, but it's moving at around 60-65 mph. My perception is that Rt 7 from Dulles to Leesburg at the 3:30 pm time frame is horrible, so I take the Greenway from Rt 28 out to Leesburg at the end of the day. Admittedly, that's just my perception and I don't drive Rt 7 on the way home .... so I could be totally off base. Someone else can comment on Rt 7 as an afternoon route.

You could rent for the first year and explore the various communities to check out where exactly you would like to live.

3:30 really isn't that bad, save you $$$ and take Rt. 7.