I've been wanting to move to Northern Virginia for about 7 years. Now all the stars seem to be aligning. I don't feel that the Seattle suburbs are the best place to raise my family. I've visited NoVA/DC about 15 times now, I have a brother in South Riding.

We've been looking at the South Riding/Aldie/Haymarket area for houses. My job, if I take it, will be in Herndon, but I could see in the future working in Arlington/DC.

Any tips on where to look? We have 3 boys 5 and under and good schools, parks and stuff are very important to us.

Also concerned if this is even a good time to buy, I don't really understand the real estate market out there.

What do you all think?

Traffic, bad traffic and worse traffic! Doesn't matter the time of day, day of week, and when the weather is bad traffic is at a stand still....... As far as real estate, VERY EXPENSIVE! Many people live outside of NOVA and commute to NOVA for work, but than you deal with overwhelming traffic!

I have a brother and sister-in-law in that area and visit 1-2 times per year. It's a nice area. I think you will like it. Having said that, NoVA isn't what it was like when he moved there from Maryland 20+ years ago. It's success has attracted the Wash. DC regressives who are infecting the place. But if you're coming from the Seattle area I'm sure you know all about that.

I'd consider a few hundred miles south of there too.
Much lower real estate prices, taxes, cost of living and less likely to be a Democrat controlled state.
The economic opportunities in those states are possibly greater for those reasons too. Just be careful to avoid the areas other blue state refugees are now flocking to as they are trying to screw up those areas too.
Slow learners, that bunch.

If you love heavy traffic 24/7 and droves of leftist swamp-dwelling assholes, you'll love NoVA. Prepare for multiple orgasms...

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
If you love heavy traffic 24/7 and droves of leftist swamp-dwelling assholes, you'll love NoVA. Prepare for multiple orgasms...

From where I currently am, it'd be 1/3 the commute and a conservative dream.

I did 13 years there, lived in DC, then Arlington, then Alexandria, then Fairfax, worked in DC, Annandale, Herndon, then DC again. I suppose you're used to insane real estate prices where you are now. NoVA is like Los Angeles - soul-crushing traffic, astronomical real estate prices - but it snows too. In fact, just the prediction of snow makes people raid the supermarkets like it's the Cuban Missile Crisis. And it happens every single year.

The DC suburbs now extend about 50 miles out from the city. I don't think there are any hidden spots left. I left in 2008 and hope I never have to go back for one second. Last business trip there was five years ago. And prepare to always, always have to wait in line to get a table a restaurant, especially on weekends. Man, I forgot how much that sucked, but Phoenix is starting to get like that.

You are going from one leftist-infected area to another. Why?

I just asked my SIL who happens to have children the same age as yours. Ashburn is a nice area (great schools) but expensive.... like $500,000 for a townhouse. Look at Bristow (where they live) which isn't far from exit 44 on I-66.

quote:

Originally posted by TigerDore:
You are going from one leftist-infected area to another. Why?

It's at least less liberal than where I'm at, gun laws are way better. My vote may actually count for something.

You can email if you want.. I live in FFX County.

I spent from 82-85 in that exact area. It wasn't too bad at that point. Have visited since and there is NO WAY I'd move across country to relocate there. Traffic in particular is a mess.

I lived and own a home in Prince William Co. for 36 plus years and worked for the county south of Prince William for over 30 years and my advise is don't go south into the Stafford, Fredericksburg, or Spotsylvania area because of traffic, the drive to and from will not be pleasant. Stay to the west as far out as you would like to drive toward the Haymarket area or even further. My over all advise is to stay out of the DC metro area but you got to do what is best for your employment income. Good Luck!

I escaped to Northern Virginia from the People's Republic of Maryland ten years ago. Taxes and 2nd amendment restrictions finally drove me out of Maryland.

Another huge plus for Virginia is the quality of the state colleges and universities.

Look closely at the "pyramid" of elementary - junior high - high school for the house you are looking at. Schools can range from top in the US to marginal.

Traffic, real estate costs and trend from Red State to Blue State are real concerns.

On the other hand, great recreational opportunities in the Shenandoah National Forest, Skyline Drive, etc. Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean not that far away. Strong economy - government, tech and related industries.

When I retire, I'll leave the area. Too expensive and too much traffic if you don't have a job that can fund the costs and justify dealing with the hassles.

The area you're looking at is definitely growing. Lots of stuff to do and not too far from some great outdoor area. Go the other way and you have everything DC has to offer. Museums, monuments and all kinds of other stuff.

I don't know those areas well enough to give any specific recommendations.

If you end up working in Arlington or DC your commute will suck from the area your looking at.

One good thing about moving to NoVA is it will make you think Seattle area traffic is "not the worst".

I'm a couple of miles from Herndon. DO NOT move to zip code 20164, my area is Central America 2.0, 80% of the kids are ESL students and the schools are shit. The local HS canceled their football team due to lack of interest, guess Hispanics rather play Futbol.

I assume you'll be looking for a 4-5 BR house, expect to pay $500-700k, haymarket may have some slightly cheaper options, but even way out there the prices are high. Aldie or South Riding are nice if you're working in Herndon, for Arlington it will suck. Also FYI for Arlington the 66 toll road can be up-to $40 each way (daily) so budget for that.

Don't!

In the 80's my dad was sentenced to the Pentagon and I did my last 2 years of high school in Chantilly. We absolutely hated it. Ungodly traffic, metro system is expensive if you commute on it. weather sucks, humidity, high taxes, everyone is from somewhere else and thinks they're important, attitude that the world revolves around DC and I can honestly say I learned nothing my last 2 years of high school.

I live in Loudoun County and would be happy to discuss your pending move.

My eddress is in my profile. Email me your number and a time to call.

Don't forget having to go to the VABC store for booze.

Welcome to the CommonWealth, I think they dock you 5% yearly in addition to outrageous property and vehicle taxes.