I'll be working in Bethesda and my wife in Chantilly. Thoughts on where to live are appreciated. (Reston: rentals, how much)

[Xandersun]

We're moving from California and have no idea what the areas are like.

We're looking for:
- a place to rent for at least a year
- somewhere safe (we have a one year old)
- i'm okay with favoring a shorter commute for my wife that doesn't involve the freeway
- cost isn't a huge issue

Thanks in advance!

[Ffxdata]

Originally Posted by Xandersun

We're moving from California and have no idea what the areas are like.

We're looking for:
- a place to rent for at least a year
- somewhere safe (we have a one year old)
- i'm okay with favoring a shorter commute for my wife that doesn't involve the freeway
- cost isn't a huge issue

Thanks in advance!

Cost may not be a huge issue but we need to know if you want to spend $900 or $9000 a month on a place.

[Xandersun]

Below $4000 a month and 2-3 bedrooms would be ideal.

[boyd888]

I assume you're both driving, so I'd go outside the beltway since the housing is cheaper and you don't need to rely need on buses/metro.

Vienna would be kind of in the middle and is a really nice area. A little further west is Oakton which would make your wife's commute shorter. Reston is good too, but that might be too far for your commute (and the toll road is there). Vienna is probably the most expensive, but you won't have any issues finding 3br there given your budget, so that would be my first choice.

Driving back from Bethesda is gonna be rough no matter what so it's a question of how much do you want to sit on the beltway to shorten your wife's drive.

[JT-3]

I agree about Reston and Oakton. If you can find a rental home in Oakton that would be a nice balance.

[JfromReston]

Here are three options in Reston with very easy access to the toll road.

11401 PURPLE BEECH DR, RESTON, VA 20191 | MLS FX9525277 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
2043 BEACON PL, RESTON, VA 20191 | MLS FX9524036 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
1817 POST OAK TRL, RESTON, VA 20191 | MLS FX8754249 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com

[FCNova]

So one of you is screwed with your commute and will be crossing the river since she works in VA and you work in MD. I would live in VA which will make your commute longer, but living in VA and working in MD is less painful than the opposite(living in MD and working in VA). In the case of the latter your wife's commute would be hellacious.

If price is not a factor honestly I'd look at the Tysons/Vienna area like someone mentioned previously. I live there right off Gallows road very close to the beltway(495) and my commute to MD for 6 years wasn't bad at all. You could probably do Bethesda driving in about an 45 min- 1 hr on average. There's metros closeby too if you wanted to go that route. And your wife's commute to Chantilly would be ok since she's going against rush hour traffic.

The guy before me mentioned Reston. That's fine too, but it's further west making your commute to MD longer. And you'd have to use the tollroad, which you wouldn't have to do in the Vienna/Tysons area if you're close to 495. Reston is generally cheaper than Vienna, but since you mentioned price isn't an issue...

Another option could be the Merrifield area, which is a little south of Vienna/Tysons. There's been a lot of development there and it's a pretty nice area and you're still close to the beltway, and your wife's commute wouldn't be bad. Good luck w whatever you decide

[Xandersun]

Thanks for the replies. That is very helpful. I think we'll start looking at Oakton first.

[smarterguy]

I'd look closer to the VA/MD border, since the traffic going over the Potomac, both ways, is usually awful. Every day. Even on weekends (I've been living in the Tysons area for over two years now).

And since both of you are driving, I would try to avoid living someplace where both of you have to take the toll road everyday. Over a year, that would be like an extra month's rent. Not a deal breaker, I'm sure, but an added expense that can easily be avoided.

[Ffxdata]

Oakton to Chantilly commute would be a breeze. There are several different options and you would be going against traffic. You could find a very nice rental home in Oakton or Vienna for that price.