ashburn/rockville commutes (Fairfax, Vienna, Dunn Loring: for sale, real estate, renters)

[nikisma]

my family may be relocating to the area soon. my husband will be working in ashburn, va. i will most likely be working in rockville, md. my husband will most likely work off-commute hours whereas i will be 9-5 and would like to take mass transit if possible. we have 2 small children, so space (at least 2500 sq.ft, prefer SFH), diversity (our children are bi-racial) and good public schools are a huge concern. would like an established neighborhood with a sense of community, not renters who move every 2-3 years. our budget will be in the $500-550K range. where should we live? thanks in advance for your help.

[DC Oldtimer]

Live in Maryland if you like paying taxes. The top income tax rate there is 9% once you factor in the piggyback tax for Montgomery County. The top rate in Virginia is 5.75%.

I would be surprised if your children are an issue in Fairfax County. It is very diverse, but of course some places are more diverse than others. However the most diverse areas tend not to have the best schools so I would not make that a big issue. This is not a backward area.

I am guessing that if you lived in Vienna you would both have about a 30 mile commute. You can go over to Trulia - Real Estate, Homes For Sale, Sold Properties, Real Estate Maps and get an idea of what you can get in your price range there.

[JD984]

Mass transit from Virginia to Rockville won't be quick, but it's doable if you want to save on the taxes. If you were to consider Vienna, the Dunn Loring Woods neighborhood (close to the Dunn Loring station on the Orange line) would be a good candidate. You can get a SFH in the $500-550K range (although it's may be closer to 2000 SF than 2500 SF); the school pyramid (Stenwood-Thoreau-Marshall) is very good; and it's a diverse community.

Good luck!

[Newk]

I would look a little closer in from Ashburn. That commute would be a bear.

[JD984]

I thought the OP suggested that she wanted to take mass transit to Rockville and that her husband would drive to Ashburn. If they live in Dunn Loring, which is close to the intersection of Routes 66 and 495, she'd have about an hour to Rockville each way on the metro, and her husband will have about a 30-35 minute drive to Ashburn.

If the couple is looking at Virginia, what is a better alternative? If they live closer to DC, but near a Metro station, they'll get a smaller house and the husband's commute will be longer. If they live further out toward the end of the Orange line in Vienna, both their commutes will be longer, and the house prices are about the same as in Dunn Loring.