Another relocating thread.... (Alexandria, Burke, Springfield: lease, condo, mortgage)

[JGTD1]

My wife and I are relocating to NoVA soon. I will likely be moving up in February and she will be following in June. I will be a director at the MGM National Harbor Property, and my wife is an elementary school teacher with a Masters Degree. She will likely want to work in Fairfax county, and there is high demand for teachers there right now
I want to live within 45 minutes commute time to National Harbor, and would prefer to pay in the 2K range to lease a condo or town home. We are looking for a quiet, safe, neighborhood with good schools. We plan to adopt when we get settled in. We have 2 dogs, one is a giant breed. Are there any recommendations on where to live? Springfield seems like a good option, as well as Burke, and maybe Falls Church. I am not sure if those are in our price range, and don't have a clue about commute times. Can someone please help? Also, I have a Harley and like to ride on the weekends. Is it easy to get to a low traffic rural area where I can relax and not worry about mega traffic? Any help would be appreciated. You

[AnalyzeThis]

You should also consider Alexandria (in Fairfax County or city) it is closer to National Harbor though some here snub the schools. Getting anywhere in this area is tough most times, so you just have to prepare yourself especially if you are looking to ride out of the city.

[NOVA_guy]

In regards to riding your Harley in a low traffic/rural area, the only place left in Fairfax County that is somewhat rural with not too much traffic (with the exception of M-F rush hour) is Clifton. But budget-wise I don't know if you would be able to find anything.

Agree with the poster above, being in this area you want to be as close to your job as possible so I'd look into Alexandria the part in Fairfax County or Alexandria City, although I do think the part in FFX has better schools but I could be wrong.

[gomason]

Generally speaking, you would be going against the vast majority of traffic on 495 coming in from Maryland towards Tysons Corner. Personally, I would recommend around the Burke/Springfield/Kingstowne areas for a pretty easy commute.

[JGTD1]

Thanks for the replies so far. I have been looking I. Springfield/Burke and other close areas. I am still amazed at the differences in housing costs. I have a 2K sq ft house and pay 60% on my mortgage of what a 1600sf apt costs there....

[ersatz]

I also recommend the Springfield/Kingstowne area for a more reasonably priced NoVA location with good schools and a decent commute across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. But, this region is heavily developed and you won't quickly find the rural roads you want. An hour's getaway South or West can be easy on the weekend or messy with holiday traffic, weather, or accidents.

My advice is that you shouldn't be so quick to write off Maryland. There are several communities in Charles County that may suit you. Check out Ft Washington, Accokeek, or Brandywine. Living in that area will be cheaper and more relaxed than NoVA, though the taxes will be higher. There are some more rural road stretches to explore close by.

I can't speak to teacher hiring in Southern MD - it would be best to start a separate thread in the Maryland forum or Washington suburb subforum asking directly about teacher employment opportunities. When I lived there, the public schools didn't have the greatest rep. A lot of the parents I knew opted to send their kids to Catholic School (many of them were Protestant, Buddhist, or Jewish). That was years ago. If your wife is a practicing Catholic, there are employment opportunities at the Catholic schools as well as the public schools.

[JGTD1]

Originally Posted by ersatz

I also recommend the Springfield/Kingstowne area for a more reasonably priced NoVA location with good schools and a decent commute across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. But, this region is heavily developed and you won't quickly find the rural roads you want. An hour's getaway South or West can be easy on the weekend or messy with holiday traffic, weather, or accidents.

My advice is that you shouldn't be so quick to write off Maryland. There are several communities in Charles County that may suit you. Check out Ft Washington, Accokeek, or Brandywine. Living in that area will be cheaper and more relaxed than NoVA, though the taxes will be higher. There are some more rural road stretches to explore close by.

I can't speak to teacher hiring in Southern MD - it would be best to start a separate thread in the Maryland forum or Washington suburb subforum asking directly about teacher employment opportunities. When I lived there, the public schools didn't have the greatest rep. A lot of the parents I knew opted to send their kids to Catholic School (many of them were Protestant, Buddhist, or Jewish). That was years ago. If your wife is a practicing Catholic, there are employment opportunities at the Catholic schools as well as the public schools.

Much appreciated. Taxation is definitely a concern, as I have investigated the differences and discovered the income tax etc in Maryland is higher. Also, I have philosophical issues with the stringent gun control laws in MD. I am not a gun waving cowboy, but I do possess an enhanced concealed carry permit and have training .....I n light of many of the things I have seen on the news in past weeks, I just dont wanna be that guy.... I will look At the areas your mentioned and see what I can find. Thanks a bunch.

[Ffxdata]

Originally Posted by JGTD1

Much appreciated. Taxation is definitely a concern, as I have investigated the differences and discovered the income tax etc in Maryland is higher. Also, I have philosophical issues with the stringent gun control laws in MD. I am not a gun waving cowboy, but I do possess an enhanced concealed carry permit and have training .....I n light of many of the things I have seen on the news in past weeks, I just dont wanna be that guy.... I will look At the areas your mentioned and see what I can find. Thanks a bunch.

Yeah you don't want to live in Maryland if you want any sort of tactical firearms or CHL.

[MedvedActual]

Originally Posted by Ffxdata

Yeah you don't want to live in Maryland if you want any sort of tactical firearms or CHL.

Exactly my line of thought; not a fan of MD if anything but for that 'one' thing.

[JGTD1]

Bump