expat coming to Chantilly (Reston, McLean: apartments, rentals, condo)

[srobinot]

Hello everyone,

I have an opportunity to come and work in Chantilly, VA.

We are a french family with a 10 yo kid who will get to junior highschool.
Thing is that as it we be a 2+2 years assignment before going back to France, it seems that Lycée Rochambeau will be the only alternative. Hence, working in Chantilly but having to leave not to far from Bethesda, what would be a nice place to leave in in order to commute easily.
I read that there seems to be a french corner in some cities but first this is not what we are looking and second we won't make enough money to live over there.

Do you think that it is better to rent from places like apartments community as woodmont park in Rockville or renting a place to a regular person ?

Thanks for any tips or piece of advice.

Stephane

[spencgr]

What is your budget for housing; and what type of housing do you want?

[car54]

There is no easy commute from Bethesda to Chantilly.

[Ffxdata]

Perhaps check with the school. Often there are groups that carpool or more formalized buses from various areas. That way you may only have to drive to the drop off point, not all the way to Bethesda.

[rmm0484]

Originally Posted by srobinot

Hello everyone,

I have an opportunity to come and work in Chantilly, VA.

We are a french family with a 10 yo kid who will get to junior highschool.
Thing is that as it we be a 2+2 years assignment before going back to France, it seems that Lycée Rochambeau will be the only alternative. Hence, working in Chantilly but having to leave not to far from Bethesda, what would be a nice place to leave in in order to commute easily.
I read that there seems to be a french corner in some cities but first this is not what we are looking and second we won't make enough money to live over there.

Do you think that it is better to rent from places like apartments community as woodmont park in Rockville or renting a place to a regular person ?

Thanks for any tips or piece of advice.

Stephane

What about Reston? (I am stealing JFromRestons's thunder here) it is a planned community that has a lot to offer. JFromReston can answer specific questions about it.

Rental Listings in Reston VA - 189 Rentals | Zillow

https://hotpads.com/reston-va/apartments-for-rent

Here are some images of Reston

https://www.google.com/search?q&tbm=...cQ9C8ICQ&dpr=1

P.S. Not too many French Corners in the U.S. If you get a chance, Montreal, Canada is a must visit, it will cure any homesickness....https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-...Vacations.html

Bon Chance!

[michgc]

Hi,

Another possible option for you might be to live in the Kent Gardens Elementary School area in McLean, Virginia. Kent Gardens is a free, public elementary school the Fairfax County School District. Kent Gardens has a partial immersion program in French. The program starts in first grade, and they typically like half of the students in the program to be native French speakers and half non-French speakers. It is a lottery to get in for the younger grades, but they might be more flexible for native French speakers. It might be worth giving them a call and asking them about the program and if your child would be eligible. Herndon Elementary in Herndon, VA also in Fairfax County also has (or had?) a French immersion program. They may be phasing it out, but I believe it's still around for the upper grades, so it might be worth calling them, too. After elementary school, kids in French immersion in Kent Gardens go to Longfellow Middle School (junior high) and kids in Herndon Elementary go to Herndon Middle School. Bonne chance!

Kent Gardens Elementary

http://www2.fcps.edu/HerndonES/acade...sion_info.html

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/world...rsion-programs

[JfromReston]

Originally Posted by rmm0484

What about Reston? (I am stealing JFromRestons's thunder here) it is a planned community that has a lot to offer. JFromReston can answer specific questions about it.

Reston would be a good option to split the difference between Chantilly and Bethesda. Let me know your price range and I'll suggest a few options. Also, let me know if you have any specific questions about Reston.

You may also want to consider the Washington International School's french program. I have a co-worker who is a native french speaker who sends his daughter to this school.
http://www.wis.edu/

[Old Guard]

Originally Posted by car54

There is no easy commute from Bethesda to Chantilly.

I agree, this is not a commute I would wish on my enemies. You should rethink this.

[srobinot]

wow,

thanks a lot for all those good advices.
Good (or bad) to read that bethesda - Chantilly isn't easy.

So far my budget would be around 2000$ (really don't know how life will be so I'll for 1/3 of my salary).
Do you think it is too few for house or apartment with three bedrooms ?

@ JfromReston : thanks for the tip, I'll go and have a look at those places. Might be a little too far from Lycée Rochambeau. Looks like a nice city anyway. Could you ask your collegue the age of his kid. Mine will be 11 and should start junior high school (never easy indeed).

Thanks to all.

[JfromReston]

Here are a few options in Reston for you to consider.

11052 GRANBY CT, RESTON, VA 20191 | MLS FX9763326 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
11013 BARTON HILL CT, RESTON, VA 20191 | MLS FX9745550 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
2076 WHISPERWOOD GLEN LN, RESTON, VA 20191 | MLS FX9777123 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
2004 GOLF COURSE DR N, RESTON, VA 20191 | MLS FX9659558 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
11600 WINDBLUFF CT #8A2, RESTON, VA 20191 | MLS FX9765359 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com
11562 IVY BUSH CT, RESTON, VA 20191 | MLS FX9784418 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com

My colleagues daughter is 9 years old and has been at WIS since kindergarten. They are committed to the program and she will attend through high school.