Moving to Woodbridge. working in Arlington (Springfield, Lake Ridge: renters, daycare, how much)

[Blueskylvr1983]

Ok, so my bf has gotten a job at Marymount university. We have family in Stafford. So far it looks like Woodbridge is the best area for us to move to as far as distance to family and work. I am currently looking for positions but haven't decided yet where I will work. We have a 3 year old daughter. I have a few questions about the commute from Woodbridge to Arlington/dc. We are looking into homes along the I95 corridor and i'm looking more north woodbridge. Like the lake ridge area as I've heard that's one of the better area of Woodbridge.
Can you guys tell me what time serious commuting traffic starts? What's the best public transportation to marymount and DC (more specifically georgetown univ hospital because I applied there)? Have we totally lost our minds? We are moving from Tampa, Fl.
I also need to know about how much daycare runs up there? In home and centers? But my main concern is the commute at this time, as we have family close to the area that can care for our daughter until we figure out daycare! Thanks again and feel free to ask me any questions to help you answer my question!

[Cardiff Kook]

Good luck with that...unless you leave at 4am and return at 2pm that commute will be a nightmare

[johnsonkk]

There are many commuter options from lake ridge. Commuter buses (prtc), slug lines to carpool, the vre and driving solo. Marymount will probably be easiest if he drives, picks up slugs, takes hov and drops them off at Pentagon. Then drives back a couple miles to marymount.

Most travel options will be an hour door to door. I carpool from the driveway to Crystal city and it often takes less than 40 min because of not having to pickup slugs and can jump right into hov lanes. Depending on your travel method, times may not make that much of a difference.

Daycare is 50% cheaper in Woodbridge and lake ridge compared to Arlington. Depends on the ages but ranges from $1,500 to $2,000 per month in Arlington.

If your planning on renting, your in a renters market right now for SFH's.

[Blueskylvr1983]

So having a job that starts at 7 in DC still won't really help with commute? And getting off at 330?

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by Blueskylvr1983

So having a job that starts at 7 in DC still won't really help with commute? And getting off at 330?

Certainly it will help it those hours. Mornings will be more challenging than ride home because hov/hot lanes but overall it depends on where you plan on working. For him, the only realistic option is to drive since Marymount isnt near any transportation routes except local buses. If you end up driving too, then picking up slugs (if that is acceptable) is the most efficient plan for driving into city during those hours or anything on first shift.

[gomason]

There is a bus from Woodbridge to Ballston: OmniRide Rosslyn/Ballston AM Schedule. I don't know if that's really any quicker than driving though as it goes a scenic route.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by gomason

There is a bus from Woodbridge to Ballston: OmniRide Rosslyn/Ballston AM Schedule. I don't know if that's really any quicker than driving though as it goes a scenic route.

It looks like Maymount university is north of both drop off points on that route. Enough distance where walking might not be considered an option. Map shows the university on north Glebe and north of I66.

[gomason]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

It looks like Maymount university is north of both drop off points on that route. Enough distance where walking might not be considered an option. Map shows the university on north Glebe and north of I66.

I didn't realize Marymount was up there. I know they have at least one building in Ballston, so I assumed all of them were there.

[ChristineVA]

Just one warning about Lake Ridge. Try to get as close to I95 as you can if you are going to move there. Old Bridge Road is a BEAR and doesn't look to be improving. If you are an earlier commuter, it's okay but otherwise, it's awful. I always wished I had bought my home there but I am now glad I did not because of Old Bridge. My parents live off of it and they can't stand it. They are happy they both recently retired.

Woodbridge is a tough commute if you work "regular" hours and cannot use public transportation. 7-3:30 is doable but it's certainly not "early" enough by some standards. I work 6-2:30 and have a good commute but still hit backups here and there.

If you can afford it, you should look in the Springfield area. Even Lorton will help you.

[johnsonkk]

I agree. The closer to tackets mill, the better commute. Being out by Hoadley and Prince William pwky probably adds 20 min to just get to tackets mill at the 7:30 timeframe.