Help me find reasonable places to live?

[Carlingtonian]

Can your wife work?

Otherwise, you're going to have to give on at least one criterion. I'd suggest you take the hit on the commute and look at apartments in Herndon or Fair Oaks.

The problem with affordable areas inside the Beltway is that because of the land value, anything decent will be pricey. If they're not super-expensive, they're usually older apartment complexes occupied mostly by immigrant families--e.g., Baileys Crossroads and parts of South Arlington. Pimmit Hills was this way and may still be to some degree.

[22003yo]

If you can up your budget a little you won't have too many issues finding a decent place.

409 Hampton Ct, Falls Church, VA 22046 | Zillow

That's a really good one.

Excellent schools, close to McLean, and pet friendly.

If you want to stay closer to your budget I would look at Fairfax City.

Gainsborough Court Apartments - Fairfax, VA | Zillow

and yes your utilities/grocery costs will be around the same.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by LynchburgLover

Wow -- mid to upper 70s at 21 years old. Congratulations. May I ask what type of work?

I am guessing consulting, most likely IT.

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

Can your wife work?

I thought the OP is the wife. Either way, good question.

Can the spouse work or will he/she be working?

[Ffxdata]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

I thought the OP is the wife. Either way, good question.

Can the spouse work or will he/she be working?

Except then they have infant or toddler daycare costs which would be insane in McLean or anywhere nearby.

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by Ffxdata

Except then they have infant or toddler daycare costs which would be insane in McLean or anywhere nearby.

I did briefly think about that too, but then thought if it was a similar high salary it might still offset the costs?

I was talking to a teacher this past weekend who is getting ready to go back to work. She was working a few years ago but stopped because she said it was more expensive to have the kids in daycare. Maybe that's true.