Should I move back to the area? (Manassas, Woodbridge: rental, appliances)

[oneasterisk]

Hello everyone. I use to post more frequently here but life happens. I got married, moved to Fredericksburg and had two young children.

I have an opportunity to move back to the NOVA area and maybe you can share some viewpoints.

Which house to live in?

I'm not sure what the rules of cross posting, but figured I'd try to get the NOVA crowd's thoughts on my situation since you're familiar with the locale.

House 1 is in Fredericksburg, Va area and house 2 is in Woodbridge, Va area for reference.

[ChristineVA]

Okay so I read the other thread.

I'm leaning toward House #2 although you don't say where it is in Woodbridge and that's an important consideration.

You're homeschooling so schools aren't an issue.

As a commuter myself, I can tell you that nothing is more precious that time spent at home versus on the road. I don't know if you are working in DC or not, but it so, you are correct...your commute is about to get worse with the 2019 opening of the toll lanes all the way up to DC. The toll lanes down south worsened my commute by about 10-15 minutes in each direction. I expect that they will do the same inside the beltway. I live in Woodbridge now and consider myself too far south.

[michgc]

I'd go with house #2 also. 21 miles per day (each way?) is a lot! I know you think it is a pain to move, but that is short term pain. And in reality, once you do the move, you'll be happy that you got rid of a bunch of junk and pared down. Sitting in traffic on I-95 between Fredericksburg will be painful almost every day, but packing and moving will only be painful once!

[oneasterisk]

House 2 is near route 1 and Cardinal drive for reference. I don't always have to go to DC, but I'd probably take the vre from Rippon or maybe Potomac shores of they ever get that built.

Yes it's 21 miles one way from house 2, unless I have to go into the city and I'd take vre. I agree about the temporary annoyance of moving. We actually don't have much stuff so it shouldn't be too bad just venting in how I have moving lol.

Thank you for responding!

[HokieFan]

Is your primary method of commuting driving? If so, I'd go with the Woodbridge house.

[oneasterisk]

Originally Posted by HokieFan

Is your primary method of commuting driving? If so, I'd go with the Woodbridge house.

Yes I mostly drive and put around 20k a year on my vehicle.

I'll show these threads to my wife but it sounds like most people think moving to the Woodbridge house is a better choice.

Feel free to keep commenting. We won't be making the move till summer 2019 when the lease of the rental expires. We'll probably let the PM know early next year so they can let the tenants know we won't be renewing any leases.

[oneasterisk]

In the other thread someone brought up the cost of an extension. Anyone have an idea what the price per square foot of an extension would be in the area?

[oneasterisk]

Just bumping this thread to see if anyone has done an extension for a house in the area, and can comment on what price per square foot I can expect to pay?

[Bigfoot424]

We added on in Manassas but I do not recall what price we paid per sq foot. Might be different variables to take into account before one can be given. You might need to call a few contractors.

[ACWhite]

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

Just bumping this thread to see if anyone has done an extension for a house in the area, and can comment on what price per square foot I can expect to pay?

We did, but there was not a price per square foot given; sorry I can't give you an easy number. Additions vary a lot, depending on what is in them and the decisions you make; for example, are you adding a big kitchen with custom cabinets and high end appliances, or a small family room with just the basics? Using brick or vinyl siding on the exterior? It is more expensive to add on than to start from scratch because there are complexities in connecting it to the old house (ours is a 1940 house). I would encourage you to find a house with the square footage you expect to want in the future rather than add on to an existing house. It is generally easier and less expensive to update existing space than to add on.