Moving to DC area, looking for best NoVa city recommendation: Great Falls? (Arlington: house, buy)

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by gomason

Great Falls is a nice area but that's the last place I would go if you're looking for down to earth people who aren't overly materialistic. It's actually one of the only areas in Fairfax County that votes Republican but it's not a wildly conservative area -- more like tax the other guy but not me.

Where do you come up with some of your info or answers?

[LynchburgLover]

You'll find materialistic people all over the Metro area but you sound like a perfect fit for Bethesda/parts of Potomac -- out to Travilah if you want more land. Check Bannockburn/Carderock/River Falls neighborhoods. Houses might need some updating but they're solid houses.

Much more liberal, easy commute into DC (driving or Metro), good schools, lots of green space.

(Don't judge by my user name -- grew up and lived over in that area for many years)

[lothcreb]

Originally Posted by LynchburgLover

You'll find materialistic people all over the Metro area but you sound like a perfect fit for Bethesda/parts of Potomac -- out to Travilah if you want more land. Check Bannockburn/Carderock/River Falls neighborhoods. Houses might need some updating but they're solid houses.

Much more liberal, easy commute into DC (driving or Metro), good schools, lots of green space.

This is incredibly helpful - thank you so much! (During our Zillow/Redfin searches, my husband kept mentioning Travilah as seeming to fit the bill.)

[NOVA_guy]

Uh Great Falls? I feel like Vienna or Oakton would be a much better choice.

[lothcreb]

Originally Posted by NOVA_guy

Uh Great Falls? I feel like Vienna or Oakton would be a much better choice.

I'm researching both Vienna and Oakton now, and they seem great so far - definitely seems like what we're looking for. Is there anything we should know about either?

Thanks!

[NOVA_guy]

Originally Posted by lothcreb

I'm researching both Vienna and Oakton now, and they seem great so far - definitely seems like what we're looking for. Is there anything we should know about either?

Thanks!

Vienna and Oakton is kind of central to everything in Northern Virginia. Not too far from 95. Close to 495, 66, 50, 29. Easy to get to Reston, DC, Tysons, Mosaic District (Merrifield), etc.

[LynchburgLover]

Glad to help -- I don't accept pm because I had a nasty person for a while but feel free to ask questions about specific neighborhoods. I know that whole corridor very well. Mine went to private schools but I know the public ones a bit.

[Ffxdata]

I love living in Oakton. Great schools. Good people who are generally very down to earth. You can find some good large lots still. Housing range from new builds to 1920s (which are being torn down for new builds. There are many many families and many places and events that cater to them.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by lothcreb

Good question. My husband used to live in DC and loves the area, both of our best friends/their families live there, we love the museums and cultural aspects, and we like politics.

Equally importantly, we can get nearly twice the house for the money in the suburbs as we could anywhere in Los Angeles. For my husband, the culture and the city itself are draws; for me, our home will be the most important thing.

We've both spent years paying through the nose in cities like New York, LA, and London, and so we're looking for a large house with a backyard, instead of a tiny apartment or cramped townhouse that costs more than $4000 a month for 1350 square feet.

You are likely the only person in the history of this forum to post that their housing dollar will go farther in the DC area.

[ACWhite]

Welcome!

I agree that Great Falls is not a good fit. Most of the houses are more than $900K (unless they require a lot of work) and the political fit for you could be much better. Also, acre lots will mean that you are fairly far from your neighbors and their kids, so you may want to think about the conflict there. Acre lots also are extraordinarily expensive here unless you are willing to move rather far away from DC.

One possibility not yet mentioned is north Arlington. It is safe, with good schools, and is VERY family friendly, with lots of people who are like-minded to you politically--but there are people of other persuasions there too, especially in certain neighborhoods. But 4 BR in good shape will be challenging in the $800-$900K range (please note that many houses with 4 BRs have one in the basement), because you pay a premium for the proximity to DC and the attributes noted above. If the size of lot is much more important than the house, you might find a ~.33 acre lot with a house large enough for your family, but needs a lot of work, in your range. Or if you could live with a smaller lot, you will have more choices. A .25 acre lot may sound small but compared to a zero lot line house, I think you'll find it gives you reasonable space.

I agree that Vienna or Reston or Falls Church City (or parts of Falls Church in Fairfax Co.) might be your best option, as you will pay less for land than in N. Arl. It all depends on how you want to trade things off.