Where in NoVA is the best place to buy a townhouse for my situations? (Burke: townhouses)

[ssmssm]

The home has to be in VA. If I want to consider three big factors:

1. Only around 400k budget (this is for listing price only, I have set aside for other costs, such as closing cost)

2. School district (at least elementary school)

3. Commute (work at Pentagon City metro station).

Thanks.

[mdcrim]

Ashburn. You can get a decent townhouse for $400k with good schools. There is a commuter bus that goes to the Pentagon City area or, if your hours are flexible and you can go early and come home early, the commute can be about 45 minutes.

[Mnseca]

Burke or Fairfax would have townhomes in that price range as well, but I'm not sure about the commute.

[airjay75]

I would personally be looking at areas within a short drive to the Franconia-Springfield Metro. Metro ride is about 20-25 minutes, so add whatever time it takes you to get to the Metro - easily under an hour door to door commute time. I can't speak to specific schools, but there are plenty of townhouses to be had around $400k. They won't be brand new and they probably won't have garages but, but there are a lot of options. Before I decided I wanted a SFH, I was personally very interested in THs in Kingstowne, and there are THs for less than $400k in Kingstowne, although plenty of other TH communities in the area.

[stpickrell]

West Springfield ought to work for you. If you'll be in the area less than 5 years, I wouldn't buy.