Within 30 minutes of White House for $450k-$500k (Washington: for sale, appliances)

[Kassad]

Hey everyone...
My wife and our daughter will be moving to the D.C. area this summer. I don't have a preference as to where we live, but would prefer to not have a commute > 30 minutes to the area where the White House is. To be more specific, 23rd and C street. It's the State Department building. Anyway like I said I'm not partial to Northern VA, MD, or even D.C. however I do not want to live in an area where it isn't safe to be out after dark.
What I want to know is at what point on the map am I greater than a 30 minute commute? Is Silver Spring, MD or Takoma area too far?

One area that I like is the Shirlington area in NoVA off of 395. I know that basically all roads into D.C will be bumper to bumper in the morning; I've accepted that. I just don't want 45 minutes of it every morning..

So how far out can I go from 23rd and C st and be 30 minutes or less? Again, my price range is between $450k and $500k. and I will be looking for at least a 3 bedroom.

[DC Bossman]

I think you'd have plenty of options for that price range and I'm sure others would agree. Silver Spring / Takoma area would be fine. You'd just ride Georgia Ave. all the way down till you hit K street, I think that would probably take about 30 minutes in bumper to bumper, but I've got to ask are you against taking the Metro rail to the Foggy Bottom station and walking?

You could live somewhere in Arlington then ride the orange/blue line to Foggy bottom and have a < 10 minute walk to work

[BajanYankee]

Finding a 3 bedroom place in that price range, within 30 mins of State, is going to be tough.

[terrence81]

I live in the Shirlington area. Its a mixed bag as far as aesthetics are concerned so there are a few corners that are little enh. However, I'm a night owl so I'm coming and going at all hours and even in the summer never had a problem. I love all the restaurants in Shirlington Village and have eaten at just about all of them. So can vouch for Shirlington.

What I'm not so sure about is having a 30 minute commute to downtown. I've never worked downtown and have never driven downtown in rush hour traffic. But I'm going to guess that your commute from south Arlington would be in the 35-45 minute range if you're driving. If you take the bus and the blue line it'll be right at 45.

Yes, you could live in north Arlington on the orange line, but I would be surprised if you found a 3 bedroom for under $500K walking distance to the orange line.

Silver Spring I know less about but that might not be a bad idea. I of course favor Arlington but in general Maryland houses are cheaper than VA. Honestly if you raise that allowable commute to 45 then you'll come up with more options. Although I do understand I have a reverse commute that is 45 minutes in the evenings and I'm thinking about moving a little closer to suburbia myself. Either way good luck!

[(-)]

Originally Posted by BajanYankee

Finding a 3 bedroom place in that price range, within 30 mins of State, is going to be tough.

heck you can be more than 30 mins away from State while only a few blocks away. it all depends on the time of day and the direction you go. there are some options out here in the city, although i'd shoot for the burbs if i had a child personally. why pay an extra 15-25k a year in private school when you can put that towards a nicer home in the burbs with great public schools? maybe it's just me...

[KStreetQB]

I live right downtown, 27 blocks from the State Dept. It could definitely take me 30 minutes during rush hour to get across town. I'm probably in the cheapest neighborhood in that 30 minute driving range and shells go for 500k, and it isn't safe.

I'd focus on metro stops in the suburbs and expand your commute threshhold to 45 minutes for 500k/3bedroom + safe.

[(-)]

you can find some decent listings in that range within 30 mins...really depends on what you want to call home.

3Bdr/2bath Arlington, VA

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3bd/2bath 450k

[BajanYankee]

^^I would never live on North Capitol. Way too much traffic and too many ambulances.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by BajanYankee

^^I would never live on North Capitol. Way too much traffic and too many ambulances.

I'd say the same about George Mason. I pass by that house everyday I'm sure though.

[(-)]

Originally Posted by BajanYankee

^^I would never live on North Capitol. Way too much traffic and too many ambulances.

yeah it's all on what you want to call home i guess...some people like it, some don't.