Advice on Moving to McLean Area (Arlington, Annandale: real estate, renters, appliances)

[Bwach]

Hello -

I've read a couple threads on moving near McLean and they're very helpful - but also very specific to the given situation the thread starter had. So I was hoping I could get some of that specific advice

I'm considering an offer to work in McLean and moving from Cleveland, OH. My wife and I have two children, 3 years and 6 months. So we'd be looking for an area within a 1/2 hour commute to McLean that also has a strong school system, housing within our price range, and good parks/restaurants/family friendly social scene.

Our 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath house in Cleveland is only $330k - and we certainly don't expect to find that around McLean. So we're currently thinking that the best way to get that for our money is to purchase a multi-unit property and live in part while renting the other unit(s).

Any suggestions as to where we should look and why?

[mdcrim]

What is your price range (how much are you willing to spend)? Just an FYI-1/2 hour commute to Mclean is probably a ten mile radius, in some of the most expensive real estate in the area.

[v2009]

If your price range is up to $330,000, it would be hard to find a multi-unit property that close to McLean.
I would not recommend being a landlord of a multi-unit property unless you have a lot of experience at it. Renters very often don't pay rent, break appliances, etc., and it's very hard to evict them in VA. It takes a long time to evict them. They know that, and they'll live there for free for as long as they can. Also, maintenance of the building is expensive.

[claremarie]

There are not many multi-housing units in family-friendly areas near McLean. If you really want to pursue that option, you'll have to be more flexible in your requirements, since duplexes are found mostly in older, more densely populated neighborhoods closer to DC.

If you want to live 30 minutes from McLean (which can be less than 10 miles during rush hour), you will need to plan to spend at least $600K for a single-family house, or else consider a townhouse. You will get more house for your money if you are willing to consider a slightly longer commute.

[Tish Thompson]

The area you should purchase in will depend on what you're willing to spend, how much work do you want to do, the type of financing you're using, the type of area you want to live in, etc. Falls Church, Annandale, Arlington, Vienna, and Oakton are in close proximity to McLean, but parts of all of these cities except Oakton have more of an urban feel to them because of crowding....but if you go a few streets over, it's completely different...more of a suburban feel. Vienna/Oakton/Arlington meet all of the other criteria you mentioned.

Originally Posted by Bwach

Hello -

I've read a couple threads on moving near McLean and they're very helpful - but also very specific to the given situation the thread starter had. So I was hoping I could get some of that specific advice

I'm considering an offer to work in McLean and moving from Cleveland, OH. My wife and I have two children, 3 years and 6 months. So we'd be looking for an area within a 1/2 hour commute to McLean that also has a strong school system, housing within our price range, and good parks/restaurants/family friendly social scene.

Our 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath house in Cleveland is only $330k - and we certainly don't expect to find that around McLean. So we're currently thinking that the best way to get that for our money is to purchase a multi-unit property and live in part while renting the other unit(s).

Any suggestions as to where we should look and why?

[heatherm941]

Are you going to be working in Mclean or Tysons corners? Parts of Tyson have Mclean address, but it will make a difference in commute options