Commute and homebuying location questions (Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Aldie) to Centreville (Manassas: apartments, condos) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

DCU2209 · 03-07-2015, 07:15 PM

Hello,

My fiancee and I are looking into buying our first home. We are currently in our mid/late 20's. We currently live in the Potomac Falls area of Sterling. She works in Ashburn near route 7 and I work in Centreville. Currently my commute is around 25 minutes each way and hers is around 5-7 minutes. I have a few questions I was wondering if you all could help me answer.

First of all, if at all possible we would like to get a home with some kind of backyard (i.e. not a condo) but our budget is around 300k, any more would likely be pushing it but could be doable. We would like our commutes to still be doable and I understand that my commute will be longer since i work in Centreville and Loudoun is cheaper than Fairfax County. Does anyone have any suggestions on locations to search that would both be affordable, and be somewhat doable commutes for both of us? We were thinking somewhere in Ashburn, but would Leesburg be a doable commute for me in Centreville without taking the greenway? Anyone have any idea how long that would take in rush hour? I start work around 8 am and leave at 4. Any particular neighborhoods to look at?

Deluusions · 03-08-2015, 12:28 PM

You have a very low budget. This is NoVa...... Think again.

DCU2209 · 03-08-2015, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashley Sears

I think it will be a bit challenging to find a home/townhome in that price range (with a backyard) but not impossible. Why would you like to have a backyard? Do you have a pet? Would you be happy with just some kind of private outdoor space, such as a deck? Another area to look is the Gainesville and Haymarket area. Your fiancee's commute would go up to 30-40 minutes and your commute would be about 20-30 minutes. Not too bad. There are a lot of condo communities that have a townhouse-like feel... they won't have a personal backyard, but they have lots of communities amenities. Not sure if that would work for you...? Hope that helps! Feel free to direct message me if there is any other way I can help you guys out.

Hi thanks for the response. A small back yard would be ideal because we will probably be getting a pet once we leave our apartment, but it certainly isn't a dealbreaker. We would like to avoid 1 floor condos/apartments but could settle for TH style condos somewhere. I used to commute from Manassas to Centreville for my job and it would take me 30-40 minutes in bumper to bumper traffic most days so not sure I want to deal with 66 again if possible.

TheWatchmen · 03-08-2015, 07:08 PM

The only SFHs that you are going to find for 300k will need significant work. A lot next to me with an abandoned, uninhabitable house on it sold recently for about $265,000, and I don't even live in one of the most desirable areas of FFX county. Whichever flipper bought the house will have to likely tear the whole thing down.

You can get a nice condo in many areas for 300k, though. Maybe even a townhouse.

DCU2209 · 03-08-2015, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWatchmen

The only SFHs that you are going to find for 300k will need significant work. An lot next to me with an abandoned, uninhabitable house on it sold recently for about $265,000, and I don't even live in one of the most desirable areas of FFX county. Whichever flipper bought the house will have to likely tear the whole thing down.

You can get a nice condo in many areas for 300k, though. Maybe even a townhouse.

Thanks for the response. Just to clarify, we are not really looking for a SFH at this time as we obviously can't afford that in this area now and don't really need one with no kids or anything yet and we will be first time buyers. She mainly wants a backyard for a dog and to do a small garden. Ideally a townhouse with a small back yard, but I suppose a multi-level condo with a deck could do and we could just take the dog in a public area outside.