Working in DC from Fairfax or Woodbridge?

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by NOEL123

Thanks everyone for all the input but looking at my budget limitation where would be the location that you could suggest to us beside Fairfax and Woodbridge that has a good public school.

Is renting an option? How long do you think you'll be working at that location (gov job, 3 years and out?)?

I agree with comments of budget of $300k max. Depending on your hours and willingness to travel, you could live farther south even near Stafford and VRE (train) into DC then quick metro hop. You could find a decent neighborhood with a 3 bdm/2bath with a basement. The travel subsidy for government went UP this year so out of pocket for a monthly VRE pass is affordable.

To give an example of crazy DC housing, a fixer upper in a desirable neighborhood recently made news for going $35k over appraisal in a bidding war just to buy that space. A distant buyer who may want to mull over house selections is sometimes at a disadvantage. Not all neighborhood are of course wild shopping speculators.

[snowdenscold]

Only two 3 BR homes on the market for under $300K in the entire 22015 (Burke) zip code, FWIW.

[HomesForAllVA]

There are options out there for your budget - mostly townhouses, but I see them every day. You could consider parts of Lake Ridge, Centreville, Herndon, Springfield and Burke. (And I actually think townhouses give you a pretty good bang for your buck.) However commuting to DC can be challenge from most locations outside of the beltway but between slug lines, VRE, Metro and buses there are ways to get around. There are a lot of nice family friendly communities around. I'd be happy to chat with you about them if you wish.

[kww]

Originally Posted by snowdenscold

Only two 3 BR homes on the market for under $300K in the entire 22015 (Burke) zip code, FWIW.

this. one of which has a healthy condo fee that brings the monthly payment up to the equiv of a $335K property.

[kww]

Originally Posted by gomason

You need to reset your expectations. You're not going to be able to walk to a Metro station with that budget.


Your best bet would be to probably find something in the Woodbridge area and take a bus downtown. There are tons of buses between Metro Center and Woodbridge and include free parking at the park & ride lot: OmniRide and Metro Direct Schedules/06.


Don't worry about the safety of the bus. It's very safe and there are a lot of professionals on them.

tend to agree. or atleast try and time commute to springfield and metro in

[erock139]

In the $300k range, you're assuredly looking at a townhouse. Stay in Springfield (22153). Use zillow and perform a search, a few options will show up. From this area, you'll have access to Franconia Metro (about 12 mins away), plus 45 mins to DC on metro. About an hour door-to-door. You can also look at slug lines from here. You can pickup a few slugs and drive, about ~30 mins to DC. Great (if not best) schools in the area. Perhaps you can rent for a few months before pulling the trigger on a purchase. Burke is nice with the VRE close by, but it runs on schedule and if you need to stay late in DC, you'll have to find alternate travel back. Most other areas that you listed will need a car. Woodbridge forgetit. My understanding is public trans is somewhat limited and traffic going south is a nightmare.
Good luck and ask more questions if necessary.
e

[Vectorhead]

Originally Posted by erock139

In the $300k range, you're assuredly looking at a townhouse. Stay in Springfield (22153). Use zillow and perform a search, a few options will show up. From this area, you'll have access to Franconia Metro (about 12 mins away), plus 45 mins to DC on metro. About an hour door-to-door. You can also look at slug lines from here. You can pickup a few slugs and drive, about ~30 mins to DC. Great (if not best) schools in the area. Perhaps you can rent for a few months before pulling the trigger on a purchase. Burke is nice with the VRE close by, but it runs on schedule and if you need to stay late in DC, you'll have to find alternate travel back. Most other areas that you listed will need a car. Woodbridge forgetit. My understanding is public trans is somewhat limited and traffic going south is a nightmare.
Good luck and ask more questions if necessary.
e

Agree with this, but also include zip code 22152.

[kww]

springfield townhomes are going to be $325,000+ for 3 bed

[Bob_George]

Originally Posted by NOEL123

Thanks Gomason but taking Omniride is gonna be a long ride at least an hour on road.

Thanks again HomesForALLVA, Burke and Springfield are being considered as well.

Hello - I take the PRT bus from Horner Rd in Woodbridge to within a block of the White House. I work from 6:00am to 3:30pm so I miss some traffic..but the bus ride is about 30 mins in the morning and about 35 or so in the afternoon.

From Horner Rd you can also slug or vanpool.

Not a bad commute at all.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by erock139

Woodbridge forgetit. My understanding is public trans is somewhat limited and traffic going south is a nightmare.

e

In this poster's price range, he/she can't forgetit. Some people just can't afford Fairfax County. Woodbridge is quite doable with earlier hours and ride sharing. My commute is about 35-40 minutes each way (of course, not as a solo driver).