Question for VA residents

[BuffalOhio]

Thanks for the info, keep it coming!

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Most important question - where are you going to work? If you know that, tell us. We'll tell you where to live and where to avoid. Avoid the long commute. It will kill you.

[Ralonzo]

3 things right off the bat, regarding the form of governments available to you:

 

1. Virginia is a Commonwealth

2. Maryland is a Soviet Socialist Republic

3. The District is Planet Zongo

 

Manassas is dependent on 66 and 28, so it's a total nightmare. Dunno too much about the Deep Deep South, including Stafford, Spotsylvania and Frednecksburg, other than there are some very nice golf courses down F'burg way.

 

If I was trying to get into the area I'd try to get into the real estate game and get a condo in an area that likely won't drop in demand. Falls Church is one of those places. A small unit can still be had in the $200s, but the key is that those are the fastest appreciating properties in the area. Interest rates still currently favor buying over renting, and once you are in the game you can leverage your appreciation over a few years into a townie (if you like the vertical life) or a house a little farther out. It'll be tough for a while to make payments and commute and so forth, but 5 years later my only regret is not buying in sooner.

 

If you're worried it's a bubble, join the club, but I've been hearing that for 4 years now and there's still no sign of slowing down - let alone collapsing - housing costs. At this point, even if it did, it wouldn't matter to me after x-years of free equity. And a scenario like exploding interest rates would just make that low fixed-rate mortgage that much sweeter.

[Steven in MD]

Okay, I'm a graduating school counselor and am in the process of choosing a place to live and work.  So far on my list with mutual interest from both ends are as follows: City of Fredericksburg, Manassass Park City, Spotsylvania, Stafford maybe alexandria, maybe falls church.  Spots in MD i'm interested in are Charles County, and Baltimore County.  Any advice would be appreciated in regards to any aspect of any area.  I would say Baltimore County, Charles county, manassas and stafford all pay similar.  Fredericksburg, and spotsylvania are a notch below.

 

Wanted to add, I'm married to a nurse who will have a nursing income.

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You are comparing areas in the Metro DC area with varyied real estate values, and from a job perspective varied socio-economic conditions. Charles County has reasonable housing, and fairly respectable socio-economics. Baltimore City gives you access to some affordable housing in Howard and Harford counties, but depending on the school, could leave you with some very troubled kids.

 

My advice would be to look at which school you would enjoy most, and you can always find housing though not reasonable by Buffalo standards, is commutable.

[VRWC]

Look into Loudoun County my young man. Tons of new schools are being built all over, new hospitals and health care facilities are also being built. Housing prices are very steep but you can still find affordable housing in the out lying areas west of Leesburg. If you are working in Loudoun you really don’t have to worry about the commute living even as far West Virginia. I live in the Broadlands in Ashburn and there are tons of kids and plenty of activities for a young family to do. Loudoun is one of the fastest growing counties in the country and is home to AOL, MCI (Verison/Quest), and the Redskins (big deal)

 

Good luck, the whole area is all very good but stick to Northern Virginia if you can. Maryland is way to Liberal.

[Dave in VA]

I've been in this area since 1976 and in Northern VA since 1978. Virginia is a beautiful state, it really is, but the metro area sucks in terms of congestion. Oh sure there's lots to do, but it takes forever to do anything. At my advanced age I can't wait to get out and move to a place with a much slower pace. It can't happen soon enough.

 

When I moved to Manassas I did so because it was "way out." Not any more. The metro DC area just keeps expanding, with no end in sight. The area seems to be "bullet proof" in terms of recessions or economic slowdowns because of the large govt (and related industries) presence. KNow that your little slice of heaven today will be smack dab in the middle of all the bustle tomorrow. Or, your little slice of heaven will remain a little slice of heaven, but it'll be 200 miles from DC. Pick your poison if you must.

 

Good luck.

[Stussy109]

Most important question - where are you going to work?  If you know that, tell us.  We'll tell you where to live and where to avoid.  Avoid the long commute.  It will kill you.

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I will keep you all updated. So far, the three that were most interested were Manassas Park, Spotsylvania, and Fredericksburg city schools. I had my eyes set on falls church and alexandria because of their noticeably higher pay scales. I had heard that Spotsylvania was a nice upscale suburb area.

[VABills]

I will keep you all updated.  So far, the three that were most interested were Manassas Park, Spotsylvania, and Fredericksburg city schools.  I had my eyes set on falls church and alexandria because of their noticeably higher pay scales.  I had heard that Spotsylvania was a nice upscale suburb area.

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Of those three Spotsy is the best. No offense to my good friend in Fredericksburg and M Park, but those are not real nice areas as far as school go. In fact M Park may rival DC for crimes per square inch.

 

Fredericksburg doesn't have the crime, but a very, very high drop out and pregnancy rate among kids. Very sad actually.

[Dr. Fong]

Welcome to VA, they are right anywhere in VA right price of homes is crazy.  In Hampton Roads area avg price of home is 200K plus.  So good luck,.

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AVERAGE? More like the starting price for homes. It's gone insane the past few years. I wonder how people can afford it anymore since salaries in Hampton Roads aren't anything to write home about.