Can you live on $80,000 a year in Northern VA (Reston: apartment, credit)

[bjohn209]

Thank you so much for the encouraging words and very good advice. I feel better now about the opportunity. We're a very frugal bunch (we do a lot of free things together), and have a budget that seems to indicate that we can make it. But I wanted some feedback from those who have gone before. You've all graciously provided that. Thanks.

[ajzjmsmom]

Originally Posted by bjohn209

Thank you so much for the encouraging words and very good advice. I feel better now about the opportunity. We're a very frugal bunch (we do a lot of free things together), and have a budget that seems to indicate that we can make it. But I wanted some feedback from those who have gone before. You've all graciously provided that. Thanks.

DC offers so much free stuff, we are here on our second temporary assignment this one being longer than the last one and it seemed like for the most part everything in DC is free. You are only out gas or commuting fees and if you chose to eat lunch out. After doing that once we either just carried snacks or waited until we got back to where we were staying to eat. I think the only thing we paid for all the weekends we explored DC was the IMAX at the Natural History Museum and some little rinky dink aquariam that was a total rip off.

[athousandlogins]

Oh yes, count me as another one who wishes she had gone the townhouse route. We are still renting for now and probably will be for a while (saving the 20% down has been a problem...my husband has his Ph.D., which meant he was in school until he was 30...and as a student, he was earning next to nothing. Therefore, we have had much less time at "adult wages," and much less time to save, than most people our age.) But even as renters, a townhouse would have been a better deal. All this yard space is nothing but an expense and a hassle - all my child wants to do is go to the park anyway. And SFHs are generally older, in my neighborhood anyway, which can mean more maintainance issues. When we finally have enough saved up to buy, we probably won't even consider SFHs.

We do fine with one car, too. Most places here have public transportation options. That helps with the budget, no doubt!

[Trae713]

Originally Posted by bjohn209

Thank you so much for the encouraging words and very good advice. I feel better now about the opportunity. We're a very frugal bunch (we do a lot of free things together), and have a budget that seems to indicate that we can make it. But I wanted some feedback from those who have gone before. You've all graciously provided that. Thanks.

Then you'll love DC. A lot of the museums and things are free. Plus, you can all take a cheap ride on METRO to get there. Fun day.

[live_strong28]

Originally Posted by VRE332

That's not true. The schools in all areas are 100x better than anywhere we've lived.

That's why I said "generally speaking.

Originally Posted by VRE332

That's not true. There's a lot of retail out in PWC, more jobs are springing up here and we also have the VRE and busses too.

That's why I included "closer to DC and closer to jobs and better schools."

Originally Posted by VRE332

Again, that's not true. Have you tried spending more time with your kid on their homework?

Look at the test scores. Then comment.

Originally Posted by VRE332

That's not true. 14,000 people ride the VRE into the city daily on the VRE and don't hate life.

Yeah, and that's why the 200k people who don't ride VRE are stuck on I95 every morning and evening.

And how do the people who live out in Manassas and Gainesville (also PWC) like riding the VRE? They wouldn't know, b/c there is no VRE and they are stuck on I66.

[live_strong28]

Originally Posted by Alanboy395

Maryland's suburbs are a lot cheaper but there are serious trade-offs.

Prince George's County- cheap housing but auto insurance rates are high, crime level is very high, and PG County schools are the second worst system in the DC area.

Montgomery County- Has widespread problem with illegal aliens, school system is very overrated, not much cheaper than NoVA and traffic can be a problem

Howard County- Has argubably the best school system in Maryland, pretty safe, problem is commuting to DC even worse to Northern VA

Charles County- school system is so-so, Commuting to DC is not easy, crime has been rising following a exodus from PG County

Maryland schools are top notch around the Potomac, Bethesda, and lower Rockville area.

Also, if your kid can get into Montgomery Blair's magnet program, it's top notch also. I'd venture to say if Montgomery Blair was all magnet, it'd give TJ a run for its money.

[Denton56]

True, some of Montgomery county schools are good but I doubt that the OP can afford to live in Potomac or Bethesda.

Even our wonderful National Zoo is free. DC is a great place for families to go for a day and spend almost nothing. Living in the DC suburbs is a great place to raise a family, good schools, lots of history, and lots of free stuff.

With long commutes, we need to remember that it's not only the time, but the expense. It's expensive to commute long distances, gas, insurance, and wear and tear on a car. The subways and trains are expensive too. The federal government does subsidize public transportation, that can be a huge help.

[Trae713]

Originally Posted by live_strong28

And how do the people who live out in Manassas and Gainesville (also PWC) like riding the VRE? They wouldn't know, b/c there is no VRE and they are stuck on I66.

Could they not drive to the western terminus of the Orange Line and then take that in? That is what my uncle out that way does now.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by live_strong28

And how do the people who live out in Manassas and Gainesville (also PWC) like riding the VRE? They wouldn't know, b/c there is no VRE and they are stuck on I66.

My coworker lives in Manassas and takes the VRE everyday.

I do agree though that Manassas and Gainesville are some of the worst commuting options. While Manassas does have the VRE and probably some bus service, it does not have nearly the options of the eastern end of PWC. Gainesville is worse. I think, one day, though, Gainesville will get there.

[live_strong28]

Originally Posted by Denton56

True, some of Montgomery county schools are good but I doubt that the OP can afford to live in Potomac or Bethesda.

Even our wonderful National Zoo is free. DC is a great place for families to go for a day and spend almost nothing. Living in the DC suburbs is a great place to raise a family, good schools, lots of history, and lots of free stuff.

With long commutes, we need to remember that it's not only the time, but the expense. It's expensive to commute long distances, gas, insurance, and wear and tear on a car. The subways and trains are expensive too. The federal government does subsidize public transportation, that can be a huge help.

Actually a lot are good, and as I said, there are some really good HS in lower Rockville (Wootton and Richard Montgomery).