Nice place to live between our jobs in Fredericksburg and Arlington? (Woodbridge: real estate, renting)

[kimmawr]

My job is near Ballston metro in Arlington, and my spouse is considering a job in Fredericksburg. Where should we live to minimize commutes? Willing to take any form of transportation - car, VRE, metro, etc., just want to minimize time spent. Looking to purchase a single family home in a nice neighborhood, and we have two young kids. Open to public or private school, but schools nearby will be an important consideration. For reference, we really like living on Capitol Hill, where we are renting for now, but would like to have more space (and parking!). Thank you for any wisdom and ideas, and yes, I know the commutes will never be awesome and fun.

[EmiSky]

Originally Posted by kimmawr

My job is near Ballston metro in Arlington, and my spouse is considering a job in Fredericksburg. Where should we live to minimize commutes? Willing to take any form of transportation - car, VRE, metro, etc., just want to minimize time spent. Looking to purchase a single family home in a nice neighborhood, and we have two young kids. Open to public or private school, but schools nearby will be an important consideration. For reference, we really like living on Capitol Hill, where we are renting for now, but would like to have more space (and parking!). Thank you for any wisdom and ideas, and yes, I know the commutes will never be awesome and fun.

If you like Fredericksburg then you may want to live there, that way your spouse will be close to home and children. My friend lives in Fredericksburg and she commutes to Ballston. She's part of a vanpool and it takes her about an hr. to get to work because they go on the HOV. She does get to work early, so that would be a drawback, and I'm sure it takes longer in the afternoon. Where ever you move further south, VRE will not be a good option for you as you would have to switch trains/metro. I was just speaking with my co-workers about that recently, as our employer has just moved to Ballston and my co-workers who live in Lorton, Stafford and Woodbridge areas are not happy. For now, most opted for driving as they indicated it would take them about 2 hrs. (one way) if they took the VRE. Good luck!

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by kimmawr

My job is near Ballston metro in Arlington, and my spouse is considering a job in Fredericksburg. Where should we live to minimize commutes? Willing to take any form of transportation - car, VRE, metro, etc., just want to minimize time spent. Looking to purchase a single family home in a nice neighborhood, and we have two young kids. Open to public or private school, but schools nearby will be an important consideration. For reference, we really like living on Capitol Hill, where we are renting for now, but would like to have more space (and parking!). Thank you for any wisdom and ideas, and yes, I know the commutes will never be awesome and fun.

I know someone doing this. They live in Woodbridge. The person working in Fredericksburg has a reverse commute, the person working in Arlington has the tougher commute. Personally, I'd go a little farther north such as Lorton.

[Bungalove]

Originally Posted by kimmawr

My job is near Ballston metro in Arlington, and my spouse is considering a job in Fredericksburg. Where should we live to minimize commutes? Willing to take any form of transportation - car, VRE, metro, etc., just want to minimize time spent. Looking to purchase a single family home in a nice neighborhood, and we have two young kids. Open to public or private school, but schools nearby will be an important consideration. For reference, we really like living on Capitol Hill, where we are renting for now, but would like to have more space (and parking!). Thank you for any wisdom and ideas, and yes, I know the commutes will never be awesome and fun.

You'll get a lot more real estate for the money if you live near Fredericksburg. You could always look at the North Stafford neighborhoods: good schools, new hospital, and easy access to the VRE and I-95 and van pools as well.