Is this even remotely realistic?

[Rufus Clay Banger]

Originally Posted by gjosephunf

I would highly recommend living inside the beltway whether it is renting in DC, MoCo, or living near a metro station. If you look in VA I would suggest the Fair Oaks, Centreville/Manassas, or Woodbridge areas. Just understand that housing in DC, MoCo, and Fairfax/Arlington counties are typically higher on average. There are affordable areas such as Largo, New Carrollton, Greenbelt, and Branch Ave that are more manageable to access employment/entertainment in the district. I would not recommend living far out e.g., exurbs due to traffic congestion and diminished quality of life.

Hardly any of the places you mention are "inside the beltway" and many of those places qualify as "exurbs." Are you confused? Don't know the area? What gives?

[Rufus Clay Banger]

Originally Posted by js2013

Thanks in advance for all of the sage advice, this forum has been a great resource over the years

We are looking at taking a promotion in DC and we're trying to figure out if we can make it work. We understand the extreme housing demand in the region and have a rough idea of the economics involved.

Our question is regarding housing in the area for a single income family with two children, soon to be three.

Here are our particulars:

The job will start out at $83,000 for the first year and the increase to $99,000 for the next year. After Uncle Sam, et al. take their share and other expenses, we're guessing $4,500 per month income for the first year is in the ballpark, and about $5,500 thereafter.

The job will be located near George Washington University. With small children safety is our priority #1. We understand a lengthy commute may be necessary.

Doe anyone have any recommendations for areas to look in? Is this even remotely possible?

Thanks for all of your help!

I think what you should also consider, as you think about location, are schools and your future earnings potential. You should be able to find a house/location that suits your budget, but schools will be a major factor in the near future (if not already). It's hard to predict the future, but do you anticipate moving up the payscale and a decent pace? Will your wife also work at some point? If the answer is "yes" to those questions, then I think you could figure this out with perhaps a few sacrifices in the beginning (commute/house size, etc), and then move when school choice demands it and perhaps with more income to boot.

The "DC Conundrum" is always "cost vs. commute." You will pay less for a house further out, but you will commute more. You will pay more for less house closer in, but your commute will be better. Hitting the bullseye is the hard part, especially with a single income. But, I think it can be done, I just don't know where exactly to point you. My first inclination is to look further out and suck up the commute. Columbia MD might be the perfect fit, so start there.

[js2013]

Thank you all for your responses. We greatly appreciate it! In every place we've lived there is always a compromise between location (commute, safety, schools) and home size. The trick is to find an area that is a good balance. If you all have any more recommendations we're taking notes! Thanks again.