Working in Manassas, need to live within 45 minute drive (Dumfries: for sale, real estate)

[movingsomewhere2014]

So my wife just accepted an offer in Manassas at the Prince William hospital. While we've driven though Virginia, we just don’t know the area well enough to decide where to move. Our budget is pointing us to Stafford or Loudoun public school districts. It seems like housing is a little more reasonable in these areas.

Is there anywhere else within 45-60 minute commute of the Manassas hospital we should considering? Any opinions on Loudoun or Stafford? If we decide on Stafford, we’d probably be looking in the Colonial high school zone, how bad would the noise be from quantico?

I rarely see people talking about commuting from South/East of DC, how is the drive from Clinton/Dunkirk MD, or Poolesville MD? I see people talking about Harper's Ferry WV too, how bad is that drive? Sorry for all the questions, I'd dug through the forum but few people commute into Manassas, and even though I watch the rush hour traffic on Google maps, it's just so much better to get input from real people.

Summary: ~350k house budget, no townhome, 1/2+ acre, need good school district for 3 kids, suburbia/rural, commute to Manassas with 45-60 minutes during rush hour

Thank you!

[dmv101010]

where will you be working?

[FCNova]

I agree, where you work is important. Do you work in MD? Why are you considering MD to Manassas? You should look in VA, and with that budget probably west of Manassas. Since you're ok with 45-1 hr commute your options are aplenty.

[kww]

Your wife will likely eat up 30 minutes or so just on the surface streets, assuming she gets onto 234 in Dumfries to make her way out to Manassas.. If that leaves 15-30 minutes of highway time, during rush hour, than Stafford might be a stretch.

[Ben 'n Jen]

20136 or 20155 zip codes.

[HokieFan]

Do you know what your wife's hours will be at the hospital?

If she's traveling to work during the morning rush, and home during the afternoon rush - I would eliminate Stafford from the list. The commute would not be pleasant.

I think I would focus on Loudoun County, western Prince William County, and eastern Fauquier County before areas southeast like Stafford County.

I don't know if this home is still available, but this is something like you're looking for:
9604 Silas Dr, Nokesville, VA 20181 - Home For Sale and Real Estate Listing - realtor.com®

[South Jersey Styx]

If you're looking for 45 min from Manassas I do not understand why you've mentioned Stafford or parts of Maryland. In reading posts related to Manassas, I am sure you've read about the traffic issue in our area?

Looking for a SFH under $350,000 within a 45-1 hour commute -- look West of Manassas. I don't think you can get a SFH in Gainesville or Haymarket for that price but someone who lives in those areas could comment on that.

[kww]

Originally Posted by Ben 'n Jen

20136 or 20155 zip codes.

half acre lots in bristow are pretty much impossible to find, even moreso under $350,000..

[movingsomewhere2014]

Crap, sounds like Stafford is too far....google maps was showing ~30 minutes, depending on the part of Stafford

My wife is probably working 8-5 ish, but it may turn into 10 hour day shifts, which would probably make her commute better. I'll be working from home (for the next few years, hopefully), so we're just trying to focus on her drive.

I guessed at Maryland because the maps show the drive at around an hour, but that seemed optimistic

I guess West of Manassas it is! if we have to, we can bump up our budget a bit, and it sounds like we might have to! Loudoun county seems to have better schools than Prince William County and eastern Fauquier County

[dmv101010]

i would say front royal with that price range and the land want. that would only work if you are the work at home type.