Moving to Virginia from Naperville,IL (Centreville, McLean: apartment complexes, rental market, condominium)

[seekingadvise333]

Hello Everyone,


We are moving to Virginia and seeking advise. We have two kids and my husbands job is in Downtown DC. Our main criteria is a good elementary school and also less than one hour commute(Door to door) from Downtown DC. Our Budget is 2000 to 2500 for a 2bed 2 Bath.

1. Is Mclean, VA a good idea? If so, what r the good elementary schools in Mclean? Also, please do suggest kid friendly apartments or condos. Google search showed up Rotonda condominium and Park crest ... Are they both kid friendly and do they have lots of kids going to elementary from there?

2.How can we compare Vienna, VA and Fairfax, VA to Mclean, VA and how much would the commute differ?
Please do give suggestions on good communities and apartment complexes in Vienna and Fairfax as well. (Comparison criteria being schools and Kid friendly communities).


Thanks a ton for all the help in advance......

[gomason]

Those areas all have very good schools and are commutable to Downtown DC within an hour door-to-door (both driving and Metro).

[OutOfPlaceInDC]

The only place in the McLean pyramid that you'll be able to get for those prices will be older condos or apartments closer to Tysons. I used to live in those places and always felt really sorry for the children. You can likely find townhomes or actual houses within an hour for that budget in MD or outside of the beltway VA. Keep in mind that the schools in MD aren't quite as good (ignore PG, they're as bad as DC).

[Ffxdata]

Originally Posted by OutOfPlaceInDC

The only place in the McLean pyramid that you'll be able to get for those prices will be older condos or apartments closer to Tysons. I used to live in those places and always felt really sorry for the children. You can likely find townhomes or actual houses within an hour for that budget in MD or outside of the beltway VA. Keep in mind that the schools in MD aren't quite as good (ignore PG, they're as bad as DC).

That's pretty darn strong to say you feel sorry for their children.

There are many options within the OPs price range that do not require a laborious commute. Vienna, Fairfax City, Merrifield, or Oakton would all offer townhouse options with access to the Orange line (not walking distance but close).

[HomesRAH]

Hello Seeking...,

The best way to find what's available and where, is on mrishomes.com, rather than Zillow, trulia, etc. Those big "aggregator-sites" rely upon people (Realtors, mostly) to keep the information updated. Mrishomes.com, which is directly linked to the Mid-Atlantic's multiple listing service, MRIS, is updated automatically every 15 minutes. Only Realtors like me have access to MRIS, and we are required to keep the info there accurate and updated, or we get fined. Mrishomes.com is the public access to the same database.

By the way, in my opinion what you're seeking could be challenging. The rental market here remains as it has been for a couple of years here--red hot! Prices are high, as is demand, and in certain areas inventory is low. Simple economics. I hope that helps!
Richard H.

[seekingadvise333]

I was thinking more like Apartments for a short term lease...meanwhile we can get a feel of the place and then move to a proper place...

[leavingwash]

I have family in Fairfax. They chose Fairfax for similar reasons - reasonable commute to DC and schools. You can drive or there are good commuter options as well.

[seekingadvise333]

Thank you HomesRAH..MRISHomes was really useful....

[leighland]

Naperville is just like Centreville but bad on the commute is not as close as ffx or falls church

[url]https://www.city-data.com/city/Centreville-Virginia.html[/url]

[seekingadvise333]

HAs anyone lived or known someone who lived in Westwood Village subdivision close to Springhill station in Vienna? How is it there and is it a good option?