Anyone moved from Sacramento to NOVA? "Anyone, Anyone?" (Arlington: transplants, rent)

[cvilleliz]

If you know the Sacramento neighborhoods and public schools (elementary level) and now live in NOVA - I would love to get some advice.

I am at a complete loss as to to where we could live (SFH 3-4 bdrms, good school, sense of community, husband can take metro/bus/train to the Wash Monument end of the mall). Would love a little town (with a vibrant downtown...i.e. wine bar! but that's really pushing it). We would rent at first (up to $2500/month). McLean? Falls Church city? parts of Alexandria? Trying to keep commute down to 30 min.

I would be at home with 5 yr old and newborn so getting out and about would be great. Currently I can put baby in stroller and walk down tree-lined streets on sidewalks. It's a slower paced life here BUT California budget cuts will break us if we stay! Not to mention that the days of plus 100 degree heat do get to you. I grew up in VA so I know the weather. I also know the traffic around DC so I'm trying to find a way to avoid my husband having to drive to work.

Thank you!

cvilleliz

[South Jersey Styx]

There are alot of posts here from transplants, including California. Click on the "Search" button and put in your key words. These posts should help you out with suggestions to live, schools, costs, etc. Good luck!

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by cvilleliz

If you know the Sacramento neighborhoods and public schools (elementary level) and now live in NOVA - I would love to get some advice.

I am at a complete loss as to to where we could live (SFH 3-4 bdrms, good school, sense of community, husband can take metro/bus/train to the Wash Monument end of the mall). Would love a little town (with a vibrant downtown...i.e. wine bar! but that's really pushing it). We would rent at first (up to $2500/month). McLean? Falls Church city? parts of Alexandria? Trying to keep commute down to 30 min.

I would be at home with 5 yr old and newborn so getting out and about would be great. Currently I can put baby in stroller and walk down tree-lined streets on sidewalks. It's a slower paced life here BUT California budget cuts will break us if we stay! Not to mention that the days of plus 100 degree heat do get to you. I grew up in VA so I know the weather. I also know the traffic around DC so I'm trying to find a way to avoid my husband having to drive to work.

Thank you!

cvilleliz

I should preface this by saying that my one visit to "Old Sac" downtown probably doesn't qualify me as an expert on Sacramento.

At your preferred price point and distance, you may find more townhomes than single family homes although it's not impossible to find the latter. If a quick search on a realtor site is any indication, there are newer and bigger homes available at $3000 than at $2500 in places like Falls Church, Arlington and Alexandria. McLean would be a stretch as that is a particularly upscale area that includes Tysons Corner, a major job center.

I think Falls Church does fit a lot of what you're looking for, sans perhaps the wine bar. Your husband could catch the Metro from there as well. Another option, albeit further out, would be Reston. If you like tree-lined streets, it's practically a forest in there. The trade-off would be a longer commute for your husband, which would include a bus to the Metro.

Convenience vs. commute is a conundrum here that is discussed regularly on the forum. Many households discover that they have to realign their priorities.