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Old 04-16-2010, 09:46 AM
 
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anyone know of any good small towns OUTSIDE of the metro area? Needs to be good for a new family but close enough to DC where you can get in and out in with a day trip. all of our family lives in fairfax so we would like to be able to visit them during the day. I just dont want to pay $1600 for a small house in NoVA when we could probably get land for that outside of the craziness
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Old 04-16-2010, 09:50 AM
 
Location: Northern Virginia
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How long are you willing to spend in the car to get to DC or Fairfax?
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Old 04-16-2010, 09:59 AM
 
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we can do about an hour maybe an hour and a half or so. MAYBE two
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Old 04-16-2010, 12:41 PM
 
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How small are you looking? Northern Virginia sprawls out pretty far.

The Haymarket/Gainesville/Bristow area is a popular affordable option for families.

There may be several communities outside Fredericksburg that would appeal to you.

Winchester has been said to have a Main Street feel to it.

Other areas that might appeal would include Purcellville, Lovettsville as well as Middleburg and Warrenton. You may have to up your budget higher than $1600, however.
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Old 04-16-2010, 12:46 PM
 
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Also, you didn't mention if/where you might be working but while all of these areas are doable for a day trip to Fairfax County and DC, they are mostly not recommended for commuting to the preponderance of job centers in those areas. (Haymarket et al as well as Fredericksburg might be doable via the Virginia Railway Express.) There would be little time to enjoy home and family during the week.
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Old 04-16-2010, 12:47 PM
 
Location: Ashburn, VA
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It took me 1.5 hours to get home from DC yesterday (to Ashburn-37 miles), leaving at 1:30pm in the afternoon.

1.5 to 2 hours does not get you as far as you think...
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Old 04-16-2010, 12:52 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdcrim View Post
It took me 1.5 hours to get home from DC yesterday (to Ashburn-37 miles), leaving at 1:30pm in the afternoon.

1.5 to 2 hours does not get you as far as you think...
That says something right there since Ashburn, while very family-friendly, may not have the small-town atmosphere that I suspect the OP is looking for.
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Old 04-16-2010, 06:51 PM
 
Location: Northwestern VA
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You can find decent townhouses priced much better than NoVA in Warrenton or Bealeton....shouldn't be more than $1300 per month for a three level.

Quote:
Originally Posted by blove0404 View Post
anyone know of any good small towns OUTSIDE of the metro area? Needs to be good for a new family but close enough to DC where you can get in and out in with a day trip. all of our family lives in fairfax so we would like to be able to visit them during the day. I just dont want to pay $1600 for a small house in NoVA when we could probably get land for that outside of the craziness
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Old 04-17-2010, 03:48 PM
 
Location: VA
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Yes, where you'll be commuting to is important. You may think you want to be in the Gainesville/Haymarket area, but the commute to DC is a bear on 66. Towns further north, such as Lovettsville have the MARC train to DC...you may even consider crossing the state line into Maryland.

But, maybe the commute is to Dulles/Reston Area...where as Round Hill/Purcellville/Hamilton/Lucketts aren't too bad for that. Be careful of Lucketts, as 15 can get jammed. But with any of those towns, 7 is bad, but there are some back route alternatives. I often go back roads--I'd personally rather deal with a slower, windier road, than a highway packed with irrate drivers and stop and go traffic.
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Old 04-18-2010, 11:35 AM
 
Location: Northwestern VA
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I live in Bristow which is about a 40 minute ride to DC. For $1600, you will not get a small house nor will you get land. You'll get a townhouse, maybe with three levels and a garage. This definitely isn't NC when it comes to pricing. The cost of living is very different here....but then so is the level of income.

Quote:
Originally Posted by blove0404 View Post
anyone know of any good small towns OUTSIDE of the metro area? Needs to be good for a new family but close enough to DC where you can get in and out in with a day trip. all of our family lives in fairfax so we would like to be able to visit them during the day. I just dont want to pay $1600 for a small house in NoVA when we could probably get land for that outside of the craziness
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