Retailers must not think Sterling so bad.

[hunterseat]

Yep. I have a sneaking suspicion I might get offers in both areas. I just want to gather as much info as possible in case that happens, which it may not, of course. My guy is from CT and his kids are there. It's about a 5hr drive. Plus he's an amazing builder and we're hoping to land in a place where he can be successful.

The budget was just approved for the rest of the FY. I'm seeing some movement and I just want to make the best decision. Usually we just look at the area where the job is located and decide if that would be an area we think we'd like to be. Sometimes (Crater Lake OR) we're glad we didn't get selected (I say we, it's my job but, you know).

Thank you so much for the information. I feel it would be a challenge and it might not be the location we'd like to spend the rest of our lives... though people on this thread seem to like it!

[BOS2IAD]

You're welcome!

I wish you the best of luck what ever you choose to do!

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by hunterseat

My guy is from CT and his kids are there. It's about a 5hr drive.

I've often times drove from Sterling to CT. It's only a five hour drive if you drive in the middle of the night, and they live no farther west that Danbury. If you attempt this drive anytime during normal hours, you will not make it under 7 hours.

[Hesky]

Originally Posted by Old Guard

I have lived in this area for 30 years and never heard anyone say anything bad about Sterling.

I have lived in Sterling since 2012, but I have been living in NoVA since 2007 and I have definitely heard people say bad things about Sterling (and in particular about 20164), both in and outside this forum. In my opinion a lot of the criticism is unfair, some is hyperbole, and some is justified.

• There are areas of Sterling that look more run down than other more affluent areas of NoVA: Sterling Park and parts of Sugarland Run for instance. This is a fact.
• I personally think even the more run down areas in Sterling Park are quite safe. I've been to the infamous Sterling Park Shopping Center and the Sterling Park DMV many times, and have never felt unsafe.
• You can definitely make an argument that schools in some areas of Sterling, for example 20164, are below average compared to other areas of NoVA,

Sterling's bad reputation is greatly exaggerated I think, which benefits people looking for affordable housing in the area. Sterling is one of the few places in NoVA where you can still find affordable single family homes and reasonable commutes to important job centers in the DC metro (such as Tysons Corner).

[jillybean720]

When we first put an offer on a house in Sterling, I remember my dear coworker's initial reaction. Her exact words to me were, "Girl, you're gonna get shot!" That's the reputation Sterling has to many who don't know it well. That said, we still bought the house and lived there for about 2.5 years and never had a problem. We had two babies there, and never felt unsafe while walking to the playground or relaxing in the backyard. I loved the convenience of having everything I needed as far as retail, restaurants, and services close by without even having to venture to Tyson's, DC, etc., as we were more than pleased with the selection available in just Sterling, Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, and Leesburg. Everything was within about 20 minutes (assuming you're not trying to go during rush hour). I found it convenient, more affordable (we lived in a 5-bedroom SFH in Sugarland Run that one could still buy today for significantly less than $400k, a bargain in the area for sure), and family-friendly. We would have been perfectly happy staying there, but we relocated to be closer to family. All my doubt and concerns about Sterling were quickly cleared up once I actually lived there.