$500K budget, decent schools, 30 min commute to DC (Arlington, Reston: condos, townhouses)

[davidnyc]

$500K budget (single fam or townhome, 3bed, at least 1 car garage), decent schools, 30-45min commute to DC (say fed triangle metro stop). No jobs yet, just researching, but if my wife did a transfer, that would be her metro stop.

Possible? If so, what cities? Zip codes and school names would be great

[rmm0484]

As everyone will say, get the job first, then we will be better to advise you. Good luck!

[JfromReston]

That is a pretty BIG wish list! You will need to change your criteria if you want to move here -- you may be able to find a townhouse (with no garage) that is 30-45 minutes or might be able to have a garage and a MUCH longer commute. But more likely you can find no garage and about a 60 minute commute. Is upping your budget a possibility?

I commute to Federal Triangle from Reston. These days it takes me about 70-75 minutes using the Silver Line (actually only about 45 of that on the train - the rest getting to the train, waiting for the train and getting to the office from the train). Even all the way out here in Reston there is very little that would meet your specifications.

[boyd888]

In Springfield, zips 22150-22153, you will find homes in the 400s and low 500s that meet your criteria. Mostly homes built in the 60s so the price depends on how updated they are....1500-2000+ sq ft. Garages will be tough to find, especially on a townhouse.

Some of Springfield is more than 45 minutes away so you'd have to be within a couple miles of the beltway. The fastest way into DC would be to take an express bus to the Pentagon and Metro in from there if you find a place close to a bus stop.

[ACWhite]

You may be able to find condos or townhouses in 22204 that would meet most of your criteria. A lot depends on what "decent schools" means. Largely because of a large number of ESL students and socioeconomic diversity, school scores are not as high in that zip as in other parts of Arlington.

[jeff22152]

Originally Posted by davidnyc

$500K budget (single fam or townhome, 3bed, at least 1 car garage), decent schools, 30-45min commute to DC (say fed triangle metro stop). No jobs yet, just researching, but if my wife did a transfer, that would be her metro stop.

Possible? If so, what cities? Zip codes and school names would be great

Hello. I also recommend looking at the Springfield area -- especially the 22152 and 22153 zip codes in West Springfield. At your price point, you should be able to find a SFH with at least a carport or a one-car garage, which is typical for the area. West Springfield has a number of family-friendly neighborhoods with homes built in the 60s. They are well-constructed, mostly owner-occupied, and generally updated/well-maintained. Area schools are generally high-performing, and the commute into DC would be around 45-50 minutes. As others have said, express buses run to the Pentagon, where you can pick up Metro. You also have the option of "slugging" -- a safe and accepted form of ad hoc carpooling which has been around for decades.

Slug-Lines.com - Slugging and Slug Lines Information For Washington DC

Best of luck.

[Vectorhead]

I agree with others that West Springfield is a good bet. Houses are older, as stated earlier, but mostly very well maintained. There are some really attractive neighborhoods with huge trees and the schools are excellent. A garage isn't guaranteed but it is possible. Most of the houses at least have carports. It's a really nice area for families.

[davidnyc]

Thanks !!! Perfect responses. I just needed a ballpark because this is all prelim as I am comparing multiple metro cities across the nation.