Under 1 hour commute possible? (Fairfax, Fort Hunt: school, to live, parking)

[claremarie]

VRE can be a good commuting option from parts of Burke if you have a fairly predictable schedule and can either get a ride or bus to the station or get there early enough to snag a parking space. VRE Schedules

It doesn't run on weekends or federal holidays, for example, and the trains don't run as often (or as late) as Metro.

Under an hour might be a stretch, depending upon how long it takes to get to the station and onto the platform and how fast you walk on the other end. But the school pyramids are good, and you can definitely get a SFH for under $650K. Check out the Burke Station Square neighborhood, which is right across the street from the Rolling Road Station on the VRE Manassas line. [

[FCNova]

I don't know if Vienna would get you there in under an hour. I haven't commuted into the city in a long time but I'm guessing door to door would be about an hour average, under on a good day and over on a bad day. 650k is on the fringe of what it takes to get a move-in ready SFH in Vienna. A lot of the houses in that price range need work but we did see some that were in ok shape. You might do better in other areas people mentioned like Annandale, Springfield, etc, both in commuting time and getting more house.

[srhuskey]

Thank you for all of your advice and information. My husband and I would both be at the RR building which is why I don't want us more than an hour away, especially with small children.

[JfromReston]

Originally Posted by srhuskey

Thank you for all of your advice and information. My husband and I would both be at the RR building which is why I don't want us more than an hour away, especially with small children.

If your kids are really little you may want to consider Triangle Tots in RRB. I've had a couple of co-workers who though this was a fantastic place for their two young children.

https://child-care-preschool.brighth.../triangletots/

[Pub-911]

Reagan Building is at the Federal Triangle Metro station.

[Carlingtonian]

Yes, you can do it--in North Arlington, in fact. That's 15-20 minutes by car, via I-66 to the Reagan Building. That is, IF you're willing to buy a small house and/or a fixer-upper. To wit:

5420 9th Road North, 22205.


913 N Kensington St 22205

5444 19th Street North, 22205.

All three houses are in an outstanding school district and near I-66 as well as Route 50 and two Metro stations (EFC and Ballston). And two major bike paths (both of which lead to both Metro stations).

Yeah, so they're a hair over your budget by 25-50K, but in terms of your mortgage payment, that's negligible. One house is a fixer-upper, one is just dated inside, and one (19th St) seems to be in most need of just landscaping and maybe some exterior charm enhancements. Prices in that area have gone up about 10-15 percent in the last five years.

In 15 minutes or less, you could drive to the Kennedy Center (JFK CPA), where you can park (early) for about $10/day and then walk to the Reagan Building. I used to walk from the JFK CPA to 16th and K every day (about the same distance as to the RR Building), and it was not unpleasant. Maybe 30 minutes if you walk briskly.

Or you could do Metro: A 10-minute bike or bus ride to either station (or a 20-minute walk on the bike path) and then about 15 minutes to Federal Triangle.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

Yes, you can do it--in North Arlington, in fact. That's 15-20 minutes by car, via I-66 to the Reagan Building. That is, IF you're willing to buy a small house and/or a fixer-upper. To wit:

5420 9th Road North, 22205.


913 N Kensington St 22205

5444 19th Street North, 22205.

All three houses are in an outstanding school district and near I-66 as well as Route 50 and two Metro stations (EFC and Ballston). And two major bike paths (both of which lead to both Metro stations).

Yeah, so they're a hair over your budget by 25-50K, but in terms of your mortgage payment, that's negligible. One house is a fixer-upper, one is just dated inside, and one (19th St) seems to be in most need of just landscaping and maybe some exterior charm enhancements. Prices in that area have gone up about 10-15 percent in the last five years.

In 15 minutes or less, you could drive to the Kennedy Center (JFK CPA), where you can park (early) for about $10/day and then walk to the Reagan Building. I used to walk from the JFK CPA to 16th and K every day (about the same distance as to the RR Building), and it was not unpleasant. Maybe 30 minutes if you walk briskly.

Or you could do Metro: A 10-minute bike or bus ride to either station (or a 20-minute walk on the bike path) and then about 15 minutes to Federal Triangle.

Isn't 66 restricted to HOV in the mornings?

[Pub-911]

I-66 is currently HOV-2 restricted inside the Beltway inbound from 6:30 to 9:00 am and outbound from 4:00 to 6:30 pm.

While it's only a little more than a mile and a half, I would estimate that walking from the Kennedy Center to the Reagan Building would be an enjoyable experience on rare occasions only, none of which would occur in August.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by spencgr

Isn't 66 restricted to HOV in the mornings?

Very good point; I'd forgotten that. Still, if the OP's spouse works nearby, it may be an option. Also, I believe 66 will soon be toll only, so that you can drive alone those directions and hours if you pay the toll.

Also, the OP could take route 50 instead.

Originally Posted by Pub-911

I-66 is currently HOV-2 restricted inside the Beltway inbound from 6:30 to 9:00 am and outbound from 4:00 to 6:30 pm.

While it's only a little more than a mile and a half, I would estimate that walking from the Kennedy Center to the Reagan Building would be an enjoyable experience on rare occasions only, none of which would occur in August.

Yeah, it would be a pretty sweaty walk on the hottest summer days, but for someone who must drive and doesn't get parking, it's an option. (This is all subjective, but as I recall, that walk in the early summer mornings was not bad.) He/she could also take a bus from JFKCPA.

[kirkus1964]

Depends. How will you be commuting? By car? Train?