Where to live...Fairfax Co. or Calvert Co.? (Dunkirk, Owings: townhouse, schools)

[cathyfromfairfax]

We currently live in Fairfax County in a townhouse but my husband works in Prince Georges Co. MD. His commute to go to work is 45 minutes because he leaves at 5am. To come home can take 1-2 hours. We have 3 small children under the age of 4.5. I am tired of always waiting for him to come home and I want a yard for the kids to go out and play. Someone suggested Calvert County (Dunkirk or Owings). They said it has great schools, safe, lots of beautiful homes on a good sized lot and a better commute for my husband. In FFX county we cannot afford a really nice home in an area that would help my husbands commute. The closer to the beltway the older and pricier the homes are. The homes in Dunkirk are gorgeous but I am a northern Virginia gal. I am wondering if I could learn to love that area. Can someone sell me on Calvert County??

[pcity]

It might be an adjustment because Calvert County is a bit more rural than Fairfax, but the commute would be so much easier (no bridges! no Western half of the Beltway!).

Which you like better depends on your priorities. What are your main concerns with Calvert? In general, I can say that Fairfax = more shopping, more diversity, more bars/restaurants, but also more traffic and more expensive. Calvert = more space for the money, less traffic, more spread out, better access to water activities, but also less in the way of shopping and nightlife.

[North Beach Person]

Calvert is still mostly rural. Don't expect "shopping" or a whole lot of "culture". Expect to see farm equipment, hunters and watermen (depends on where you go).