jumper22

DH would be working on Fairfax avenue, so we already know where he would be going. Hence the reason I think he mentioned the Vienna area. My father mentioned Fredericksburg to me last night as well, so I will check that out.

You're all right - I am overanalyzing this to death and just need to take one day at a time. Since this would likely be a long-term move I want to be sure I'm in a place/home I love.

I saw an area called Laytonsville on realtor.com that looks my style, but apparently that's not too close to the metro. DH seems to think the MARC trains are not very convenient.

Thanks so much for your input!

Lori

repete

E:
Your post calls to mind that old saw, often attributed to JFK that Washington has northern hospitality and southern efficiency. I'm sure someone can get it direct.

Lori:
A closer in option than Laytonville might be the Olney area or up Layhill Road from the Glenmont station. Neither is walking distance, but the area there goes from tight suburbia to spacious rather quickly. And it's a quick drive from the end of the Red Line. Check Sandy Spring too -- as long as walking to the Metro isn't a deal killer.

MikeT

I think this is the challenge of moving to big cities from even medium-size cities. The advantages of living in a wonderful place like DC require a few sacrifices, and one of those is the kind of housing you want or need. Either husband compromises or you do, since you probably aren't going to get what you want unless you lower your expectations.

Ann41

I'm curious--where is Fairfax Avenue? In DC or actually in Fairfax?

jnn1964

There's a Fairfax Drive in Arlington. That's the street that the VA Square and Ballston Metro stops are on.

jumper22

Yes, it's North Fairfax Drive in Arlingotn, VA.

MikeT

Taking MARC or VRE to a job in Arlington would be a gigantic hassle since you would have to go to a train station and then transfer to Metro. You could take VRE (Virginia Railrway Express) to Springfield, Alexandria or Crystal City, but you still have to transfer to Metro and add an additional 15-20 minutes with an additional possible transfer.

MARC would get him to Union Station, then another 20 minutes to Arlington. For someone who wanted to be on Metro, I am betting this is going to be a gigantic hassle.

There are lovely neighborhoods in Arlington and $900,000 could get you something reasonable with a lawn.

Ann41

Mike is right-I was suggesting Fredericksburg if your husband was working in the city.

North Arlington is a great place to live if you can afford it, and if you do have at least $600k to spend, you can. You can get a very nice house for $700+. North Arlington has a nice mix of urban/suburban, with houses with yards, yet you're close to restaurants and shops and metro.

hope_t

I love DC and places around. But you have to be VERY careful when you choose a neighborhood in DC area and around. In radius of 5-10 minutes driving you can get into a trouble. The good public school can be a sing of the nice neighborhood. And if you have a school kids, good school is MUST. Prices for houses around DC are creasy. Here you are trading the size of the house (and land, which often is more expensive than actual houses in the North Arlington) for the traffic and driving. Nice condo in DC or new townhouse near metro can have same price as your house (and more!).
Good source of the local info is Washingtonian magazine www.washingtonian.com (check schools & community)
The job is in North Arlington! And it is vise to stay in VA. North Arlington may have houses that you will enjoy (and they are pricy), but walking to the metro is not an option. He may consider to use the bus to get to the job – metro from Vienna to DC is very crowded during the rush hour. From the North Arlington it is very easy to drive around and to get to DC and MD since it is a lot of road options and back roads. In other areas you can stuck in traffic since everybody have to use the same road. When you get here you can use a good realtor to show you your options. You may look into Falls Church City, where you can find a privacy and garden (between West and East Falls Church metro). Actual city numbers have 3 digits – a lot of houses listed as Falls Church are not in the city and do not share the good schools. Falls Church has a city houses, but the prices for the houses going up because of location, independent good school system and nice community.

hope_t

Falls Church has a city TAXES. And also there is a project to build a metro from West Falls Church to Dallas.

swimmr

The previous poster meant that there is a proposal to extend the Metro to Dulles International Airport (in stages, with stops in Tysons Corner and along the Dulles Toll Road/Greenway).

There are plenty of Metro accessible neighborhoods off the Orange Line in Arlington and further out in Fairfax. If you want a place with a yard, you could also look in the ever-expanding sprawl of Ashburn.

Don't overlook easy access to DC via the GW Parkway. With the increasing fares of Metro, it might be just as expensive to drive (if you have guaranteed parking).

bardo1

Lori,
I suggest looking at the Clarendon neighborhood in North Arlington. You can get a nice historic bungalow w/ yard and walk to the Metro/restaurnants/etc. on Wilson Blvd. but still be in a quiet neighborhood with nice parks, old trees, etc. A 3br bungalow there w/ old-fashoioned porch and a (small) yard can be had for $600-$750K. Call a realtor for more help.