Maryland or Northern Virginia? (Arlington, Fairfax: house, neighborhoods, to buy)

[cmow]

My family is relocating to the DC area from SF Bay area. My husband will be working right in DC - near the Foggybottom stop. We have 2 young girls -
8 yrs old and 3 yrs old. We are trying to decide whether to live in Maryland or Virginia. Is the commute worse from Va or MD?

Also, we are looking for a neighborhood with single family homes where we will feel a sense of community. Where we live now, your neighbors say hi and are polite, but that is about it. Sad to say people here tend to stick with their own ethnic group.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

[Caladium]

As far as the commute goes, it might be easier to move to MD. At least you'll be on the same side of the river.

[JD984]

Flip side is that Foggy Bottom is just across the river from Virginia, and the subway line that serves Foggy Bottom (Orange/Blue) also goes to Virginia, whereas some Maryland neighborhoods are only served by the Red Line.

[JfromReston]

We really need to know what your budget for housing is (rent or buy) and how long of a commute your husband is willing to consider.

[Natthapol]

If you use the metro, coming from VA will be better as you won't have to connect (using either the blue line or the orange line) From MD, you will have to take the red line and connect at Metro Center or Chinatown.

For family-friendly area I would highly recommend Vienna if you have the budget. (Median house value is close to $1M versus $650K of Fairfax County) but coming from SF Bay, that should be slightly cheaper that places like Cupertino, Mountain View and etc..

[armywifeforlife]

I am in the same boat... relocating from Sacramento. Can't decide which and it is so hard sight unseen!! Good luck to you!

[Natthapol]

Originally Posted by Caladium

As far as the commute goes, it might be easier to move to MD. At least you'll be on the same side of the river.

I think the statement above is not necessary true. It's all depend on which location are you at. From MD, you don't have to cross the river but if you drive, it will be a lot of local roads (coming down Wisconsin Ave or Connecticut Ave perhaps?) and it will take a while to get to Foggy Bottom. If you use Metro, it's no argument that VA wins.

Not to mention that you pay more income tax in Montgomery county than in Fairfax county and also if you plan to buy a house, good luck paying double the closing cost in MD!

[Carlingtonian]

Definitely VA. There are plenty of very nice areas of MD, but the commute to Foggy Bottom (which I have done many times, recently) is much easier from Arlington. If you have two or more people in the car, you can take I-66 to the E Street exit and park in the Kennedy Center for $9/day if you're in by 8, out by 6 (I think). From 22207, it takes literally 7 minutes.

If it's just you in the car, you can take Spout Run to GW Parkway south and exit onto the TR Bridge--pretty quick. Or you can take route 50, which is a lot more traffic, but it's not much distance to cover if you're in N. Arl.

So commute-wise, VA, no question. Not even debatable.

On the other aspects, well, it's less clear cut. Some will say MD is more liberal and VA more conservative, but I think that's all bunk. Every street I've lived on in VA has a mix of both. Also a mix of ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations. (Far, far North Arlington above Lee Highway will be more consistently conservative.)

Hope this helps.

[dkf747]

Foggy bottom is easier to reach from Virginia, and it's closer. It's not hard from Maryland, it just takes more time.

[elias9193]

I would pick Va over Md, the commute to Foggy bottom is definitely better, I grew up in MD and I now live in Va. I moved here over twenty years ago and it was the best move I could've made for my children growing up. Sometimes its not all about dollars and cents. You have to look at the whole picture and see whats best for your family even if it might costs you and extra 20 minutes of commute!