Possible relocation from NJ...

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by dfab1986

I know I'm not going to get perfection and I'm willing to compromise. The commute itself I'm willing to increase the time if need be. The schools though, I can't really budge on that. I think we are spoiled for living in a town with one of the best school systems in the state and I really don't want to sacrifice anything in that area if I don't have to.

I'd be ok with looking into another townhouse since I do live in one now. My wife has family in the Sterling area that does commuting to DC everyday so at least we wouldn't be alone for a while. I'm just in the research phase at this point. I applied for the job and I'll go from there. If I got hired, I'd likely just move by myself and give it some time before putting my NJ up for sale and moving the rest of the family down. If for some reason I couldn't continue the job, I wouldn't want to be stuck.

So just to dig down a bit on this on the schools: when you are looking for the best school, what is your criteria?

For instance, let's say that Fairfax County Schools all have the same curriculum. Scores vary between all of their county schools because at, say, Langley High School in McLean, VA, 90% of the students families there are wealthy. Based on all their advantageous and private tutoring and life enrichment experiences, that school's scores and reputation is off the charts high. In West Springfield schools, scores are noticeably lower but the school teaches the same curriculum. But this school has a small percentage of kids who maybe have economic struggles, or they are from normal, upper middle class working families that aren't able to provide some of the stuff the parents at Langley can. But essentially, the same school. Does this sort of thing factor into your decision?

I ask it that way because *most* of the curriculum in *most* of the schools is the same in Northern VA but the variances you'll see come down to economic diversity.

[sixtus]

South Arlington could be an option. Not sure the ages of your kids, but Patrick Henry Elementary is great. Gunston Middle is a hidden gem. You could find a small livable and decent fixer upper for 500K range. Location wise you would be in a rather quick commute to DC.