To the OP:

Move to Maryland. It'll be better for you, Maryland and Virginia if you do.

Thanks in advance,

Native Fairfaxian

PG county Maryland. Similar commute and cheaper section 8 housing. Crime, Niggers and shitty assed schools you'll feel right at home just like you were back in Jersey.

Stephen Wrote:
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> Try down Rt#4 in Maryland. Less traffic and lower rents.

NOTE: Stephen has never driven Route-4 inbound in the morning.

Much of NoVa is actually a lot like North Jersey. Not quite so manic, however. More emphasis on thinking things through, less on let's get this done by leaping before we look. The points above about transiency are correct. There are lots of political, military, and diplomatic families here and they get shipped in and out a lot. There are fewer Italians and Eastern Europeans here, more East and South Asians. (Oh, and not nearly as many freakish assholes as what this site will make it seem like.)

Quite unlike North Jersey however, what are now the inner and middle suburbs (inside and just outside the Beltway) have not been here very long. They were mostly built out during and especially after WWII. Some of the inner suburbs are aging well, some are not. It's kind of hit-or-miss. Before the 60's or so, the prominent areas just outside the Beltway were mostly mills or taverns or quarries or crossroads dotting a relentlessly rural landscape. The area was typified by miles and miles of absolutely nothing. Today, those middle suburbs have been transformed and are the place to be. The outer suburbs (roughly places west of Fairfax City) began to be built up for real during the 80's and 90's. Many of them today are just plain too far out to have a viable connection to DC. Metro is reaching out to Dulles Airport and a bit beyond, which will help some places, but only a little bit. They are a better fit as suburbs of the emerging edge-city at Tysons.

Traffic here is bad (as everyone will be glad to tell you), but it's no worse than in any other major metropolitan area. Weather is better than in the NYC area -- similar summers, but shorter, milder winters. Lovely in the Spring
and Fall, as the climate supports a longer growing season. Food here is fine. There are lots and lots of very good places to eat and you can actually get reservations for them without knowing somebody in the mayor's office. In fact, we don't have very many mayors in NoVa, since there are few actual towns and cities. Most places are just names that have no legal identity at all.

East of DC the landscape isn't all that much until you get down to the Bay, but to the west, it's lots of trees and creeks and lovely rolling countryside all the way out to the Blue Ridge which is about 75 miles away -- kind of like Montclair to the Delaware Water Gap. Along the Potomac, the Shenandoah, and even in spots along the Occoquan, the area can be a little like driving over the Watchungs or out through Warren County.

As for where to look, check along the arc of Route-123 as it winds out from Chain Bridge on the Potomac over and down to around Fairfax Station. Most of what's within 3 or 4 miles on either side of that arc will be in the sweet spot. Nice schools, nice homes, nice people, lots and lots of amenities. There are other nice areas around as well of course, but probably not many that can go toe-to-toe with what's along the arc of 123.

We love Great Falls. Outstanding schools, parks and great wonderful things to do near by. It is right outside the shopping area of Tyson's Corner shopping Center. We NEVER take Metro but you could if you like risking love and limb.

Good Luck.

BTW: It is nothing like Jersey here. It is not even close. In a good way.

Cheers.

I love Great Falls Wrote:
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> We love Great Falls. Outstanding schools, parks
> and great wonderful things to do near by.

Careful. Bill N, is hacking your financials as we speak. He'll be revealing massive inherent weaknesses in your lifestyle any minute now.

> BTW: It is nothing like Jersey here. It is not
> even close. In a good way. Cheers.

What areas of NJ are you familiar with? Turnpike rest areas?

Newark NJ is an absolute shithole

Guido Wrote:
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> Newark NJ is an absolute shithole

You should know. You've never been anywhere but the airport.

Rustbound Wrote:
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> Guido Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Newark NJ is an absolute shithole
>
> You should know. You've never been anywhere but
> the airport.

There's an airport in Newark?

3 Brewster Road
Newark, NJ 07114

Figures you wouldn't know that. The facility is large of course and the property spills over into Elizabeth, but I doubt you've actually been there either. Just another worthless internet blabbermouth.

If you like weed move to Maryland or DC if you like guns move to VA. Of coarse you just not follow the gay laws in the first place.

Note: To Dunkirker, Yes Stephen has drove down RT#4 many times in the Morning, it's still faster than rt 395 and rt 495. rt#4 is only slow for bumper riders.

Stephen Wrote:
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> Note: To Dunkirker, Yes Stephen has drove down RT#4 many
> times in the Morning.

How many times did Stephen show up for English class?

> it's still faster than rt 395 and rt 495. rt#4 is only
> slow for bumper riders.

So, it's great if you jog or hog. Otherwise, don't expect to be in the city for lunch.

Note: To Dunkkirker, I don't jog or hog, or try to put people Down. I just know how to drive to get places on time without a ticket. If traffic sucks I know to leave early and stop for breakfast once I get there.
I've got 126k on my car and 3/4 of the original brakes left. The money I save on brake jobs helps pay for Breakfast, plus Getting to work early helps get me raises to pay for my OC fishing trips.

PS: I skipped English Class to join the army at 17.

So your earlier advice was conditioned on any newcomer being up and at 'em by 4:00 AM. Nice.

OP--
Fairfax County public schools are competitive with any in the country. Your oldest child is 8 so you don't have to think about middle schools for a few years. We have a phenomenon here of middle schools that have reputations for being feeder schools for Thomas Jefferson, the county science and technology high school. Parents who are into that kind of thing pay premium prices for housing in the feeder schools' areas. Again, nothing you need to be concerned with right away, but be aware middle school is part of the real estate DNA around here. You don't say where in the McLean area you'll be employed, but the schools near McLean, primary, middle, and high school, are all fine. Falls Church City runs its own school system, and some people are partial to that district. Again, you can pay a premium for real estate in Falls Church City because of the schools, and your tax rate will be higher as well. You may hear negative things about a few Fairfax County public high schools. The number is small, but there are people who cast aspersions, whether deserved or not is another matter. Talk to people with students in those schools, if possible. Zillow or Trulia can help with your search. Put in some parameters and let the computer do the work. The more time you put in now, the higher the probability you'll be happy with your choice. Be prepared for sticker shock. Housing in Fairfax County is tight and there isn't a lot of vacant land on which to build more. The neighborhood with which I'm most familiar did not experience deflation in housing prices in 2007-2008. Prices stabilized for a year or so, but once the economy righted itself in March 2009, prices started going up again. Much of the country is still not back to pre-crisis prices, while Fairfax County real estate is beating the S&P month after month. Not bragging, it's just the reality. The good news is, if you can get in the game, your investment in real estate will probably beat the stock market, particularly if you are in the McLean, Langley, or another of the sought-after districts. The bad news is demand is such, whether you buy or rent, the value keeps rising. Getting the down payment can be daunting, and renters have to expect landlords will want to cover rising taxes by hiking the rent.

That's right baby .. That's if the pic is true and your black. Kunta Kinte was a African that arrived in America at Annapolis Md then was bought as a slave and lived in Spotsylvania Co Va. 10 miles south of Fredericksburg. Im white, but I will tell you Southerners have more respect and love for blacks then do Liberals in the north.. We have a long history together. And a special respect for one another despite what "liberal" Racists will say..as they Smile In Your Face and stab you in the back..You know what Im saying.. Come on Home now..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunta_Kinte

DAJAX

My Advice was based on Common sense. Newcomer or Not.

The thread is about someone relocating from New Jersey, and it is not common sense to put yourself into a situation where you are forced to get up every day at 4:00 in the morning. Hellish commutes (such as the one up and down Route-4) are a significant destroyer of lifestyles, homes, and happiness.

Dr. Memory Wrote:
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> We have a phenomenon here of middle schools that have reputations
> for being feeder schools for Thomas Jefferson, the county science
> and technology high school. Parents who are into that kind of
> thing pay premium prices for housing in the feeder schools' areas.

FCPS has nearly 200 schools and about 185,000 students. FCPS operates TJHSST, but TJ is a regional magnet high school for math and science majors that accepts fewer than 500 new students per year. Applications are accepted from residents of Fairfax County (including the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church), and from Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties. Rumors of some sort of area-wide mass-mania over securing admission to TJ are complete nonsense. Rumors that TJ is some magic hall-pass into elite universities are belied by the fact that the top five post-TJ destinations are all Virginia schools -- William & Mary, UVA, Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth, and George Mason. More TJ graduates head off to the Georgia Institute of Technology than to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

> Falls Church City runs its own school system, and some
> people are partial to that district. Again, you can pay
> a premium for real estate in Falls Church City because of
> the schools, and your tax rate will be higher as well.

This is babble. Taxes are higher in the Town of Vienna (county schools) than in the City of Falls Church (city schools).

> Be prepared for sticker shock.

NoVa is high-income, high cost-of-living territory. So is North Jersey.

> Housing in Fairfax County is tight and there isn't a lot of
> vacant land on which to build more.

Have you ever been to New Jersey? Population density in Fairfax County is less than 2,800 people per square mile. That's less dense than in the quiet suburban community of Cedar Grove, NJ.

In the real world Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> > Falls Church City runs its own school system,
> and some
> > people are partial to that district. Again, you
> can pay
> > a premium for real estate in Falls Church City
> because of
> > the schools, and your tax rate will be higher as
> well.
>
> This is babble. Taxes are higher in the Town of
> Vienna (county schools) than in the City of Falls
> Church (city schools).


Tax rates are higher in Vienna by a single cent compared to Falls Church. When you factor in the fact that the median value of owner-occupied housing units is roughly 10% higher in the city of Falls Church, that single cent difference quickly disappears when you consider the total amount of taxes paid.

In any event your claim is irrelevant. Your Vienna claim is a red herring. The discussion is about all of Fairfax County which is more than a million people. Vienna residents total around what? 16000 or so? Vienna accounts for less than .02% of The population of Fairfax.

If you have the wealth, Falls Church City is the best place to live. The schools are fantabulous, the location is excellent, and there are sooo many things to do.

If you aren't wealthy enough to live in the City of Falls Church, Vienna or Oakton aren't bad options.

6$ Wrote:
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> Tax rates are higher in Vienna by a single cent compared
> to Falls Church.

LOL! So that would be HIGHER then. Just as I said.

> When you factor in the fact that the median value of
> owner-occupied housing units is roughly 10% higher in
> the city of Falls Church...

Bummer, considering that Falls Church City is said by Census Quick Facts to lag behind all of Ashburn, Brambleton, Cascades, Dranesville, Dunn Loring, Fairfax Station, Floris, Fort Hunt, Franklin Farms, Gainesville, Great Falls, Kings Park West, Kingstowne, Lake Barcroft, Linton Hall, Lowes Island, Mantua, McLean, Montclair, Mount Vernon, Newington, Oakton, Purcellville, South Riding, Vienna, and Wolf Trap in the matter of Median Household Income, 2009-2013.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/terence-p-jeffrey/census-dc-suburbs-dominate-wealthiest-list-falls-church-va-where-31

City of Falls Church is for the wealthy

....County..................................Median Household Income

1. Falls Church City, Va....................................... $121,250

2. Loudoun County, Va..........................................$118,934

3. Los Alamos County, N.M.................................$112,115

4. Howard County, Md........................................$108,234

5. Fairfax County, Va...........................................$106,690

6. Hunterdon County, N.J....................................$103,301

7. Arlington County, Va..........................................$99,255

8. Douglas County, Colo........................................$98,426

9. Stafford County, Va...........................................$95,927

10. Somerset County, N.J.....................................$95,57

falls church city Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If you have the wealth, Falls Church City is the best place to live.
> The schools are fantabulous, the location is excellent, and there are
> sooo many things to do.

Nobody of any wealth seeks out Falls Church. It's a cramped decaying relic of a former glory that was never very impressive to begin with. Money moves to the west -- where first the pastures and then the horses are.

And all these "things to do" actually involve leaving Falls Church City and going someplace else. Once you get past the delights of "Meat In A Box" and "Elevation Burger", there is little that's actually worth a crap in FCC proper. Luckily, it's a quick Metro ride east to Ballston and Clarendon or west to Tysons, and it's an easy drive out to either Merrifield (aka The Mosaic District) or Vienna, which are two other places where there are actual things to see and do and eat. Those are the places for instance where the big tippers go to dine. And live.

The real wealth lives close to the city. The less affluent go to the exurbs which have seen little appreciation over the past couple years. Unlike the hot spots like the City of Falls church and Arlington which have seen non stop appreciation.

falls church city Wrote:
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> City of Falls Church is for the wealthy

LOL!!! Confronted by the Falls Church destroying power of locality data from Census Quick Facts, the same ridiculous asshole who complained about using tiny little Vienna as an example is now stacking far tinier little Falls Church City (it's half the size of Vienna) up against huge area and out-of-state counties. Face the c=facts here -- Falls Church is a mess. It's cramped and overcrowded and slowly being absorbed by Arlington. It's days as a pleasant and family-oriented suburb were left in the dust of 50 years ago. In the more recent light of Metro expansion, people with financial clout are saying "Praise the Lord, and PASS on Falls Church!"

falls church city Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The real wealth lives close to the city. The less
> affluent go to the exurbs which have seen little
> appreciation over the past couple years. Unlike
> the hot spots like the City of Falls church and
> Arlington which have seen non stop appreciation.

Not at all, you colossal dumbfuck. The "close to the city" inner suburbs are for two-to-a room yuppies and college students who may one day become wealthy, but are a long, long way from that at the moment. Packed in with them of course are tons of low-wage service-working immigrants also trying to get a foothold here. The exurbs meanwhile are for future-less washouts and those who were blown into town like tumbleweed and never really had a chance to succeed here to begin with. The sweet spot for folks with actual capital behind them is the middle suburbs -- west of the Beltway and east of Fairfax County Parkway. Here are all the things that make NoVa such an attractive and exciting place to live and play. Shopping, dining, low crime, low taxes, large yards, great schools, great jobs, public transit, top-notch medical care, creeks and parks and lush green beautiful landscapes filled with wildlife. Out here, you may not be able to see your neighbor's house. In Falls Church, all you can see is his trash cans.

In the real world Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> falls church city Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The real wealth lives close to the city. The
> less
> > affluent go to the exurbs which have seen
> little
> > appreciation over the past couple years. Unlike
> > the hot spots like the City of Falls church and
> > Arlington which have seen non stop
> appreciation.
>
> Not at all, you colossal dumbfuck. The "close to
> the city" inner suburbs are for two-to-a room
> yuppies and college students who may one day
> become wealthy, but are a long, long way from that
> at the moment. Packed in with them of course are
> tons of low-wage service-working immigrants also
> trying to get a foothold here. The exurbs
> meanwhile are for future-less washouts and those
> who were blown into town like tumbleweed and never
> really had a chance to succeed here to begin with.
> The sweet spot for folks with actual capital
> behind them is the middle suburbs -- west of the
> Beltway and east of Fairfax County Parkway. Here
> are all the things that make NoVa such an
> attractive and exciting place to live and play.
> Shopping, dining, low crime, low taxes, large
> yards, great schools, great jobs, public transit,
> top-notch medical care, creeks and parks and lush
> green beautiful landscapes filled with wildlife.
> Out here, you may not be able to see your
> neighbor's house. In Falls Church, all you can
> see is his trash cans.


Oaktonite,you mad bro?


22124 home values have declined -1.3% over the past year and Zillow predicts they will fall -0.1% within the next year


22046 home values have gone up 0.7% over the past year and Zillow predicts they will rise 0.9% within the next year.

Fall Church City Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oakton is the number one town in all of Virginia! Follow my on
> City-data, add me as a friend my name is Oaktonite. I will show
> you my not so humble home.

LOL! Are you aware that the most recent City-Data post by "Oaktonite" was in August of 2013? That's 27 months ago! The beating that guy gave you must have been a real dilly for the butthurt to have lasted this long. Suggests though that you must post the same dumb shit over there that you do here. What a dumb idea!

fall church city Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In the real world Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > falls church city Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
> Reynard32, you mad bro?
>

Fixed.


Maybe one day you can afford to live in the City of Falls Church. Think on the bright side, you can save money on gas, because you won't have to drive everywhere.

In the real world Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> falls church city Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The real wealth lives close to the city. The
> less
> > affluent go to the exurbs which have seen
> little
> > appreciation over the past couple years. Unlike
> > the hot spots like the City of Falls church and
> > Arlington which have seen non stop
> appreciation.
>
> Not at all, you colossal dumbfuck. The "close to
> the city" inner suburbs are for two-to-a room
> yuppies and college students who may one day
> become wealthy, but are a long, long way from that
> at the moment. Packed in with them of course are
> tons of low-wage service-working immigrants also
> trying to get a foothold here. The exurbs
> meanwhile are for future-less washouts and those
> who were blown into town like tumbleweed and never
> really had a chance to succeed here to begin with.
> The sweet spot for folks with actual capital
> behind them is the middle suburbs -- west of the
> Beltway and east of Fairfax County Parkway. Here
> are all the things that make NoVa such an
> attractive and exciting place to live and play.
> Shopping, dining, low crime, low taxes, large
> yards, great schools, great jobs, public transit,
> top-notch medical care, creeks and parks and lush
> green beautiful landscapes filled with wildlife.
> Out here, you may not be able to see your
> neighbor's house. In Falls Church, all you can
> see is his trash cans.


The median price of a house or a condo that sold in Falls Church in September was $810,000, up 9.3 percent from a year ago and more than double the median price across the region.

But, by all means, keep on posting. Your butthurt envy is obviously entertaining to more than a few people.

falls church city Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > Reynard32, you mad bro?
> Fixed.

LOL -- the list grows longer! So how many people is it actually that have put the boot up your butt at city-data? Is it DOZENS?? Is it HUNDREDS??? Can you tell us more about the legendary beat-down that "Vendordud" gave you? What a loser!

> Maybe one day you can afford to live in the City
> of Falls Church.

Well, I was too smart for that 45 years ago. These days, only short-termers and speculators look to buy Falls Church slop. The latter hope eventually to turn a profit just by bulldozing the place. Lord knows none of this overcrowded decay is otherwise going to be worth a shit anymore.

Population densities (ppl/sqml):

Reston -- 3400
Oakton -- 3500
Vienna -- 3600
Falls Church City -- 6200

> Think on the bright side, you can save money on gas,
> because you won't have to drive everywhere.

Huh? Falls Church is nowhere and has nothing. It repels things -- like some tiny anti-blackhole. It was passed by long ago by all that stuff to the east, and now it's being further wiped off the map by all that glitzy new stuff to the west. FCC has become the land that time forgot. It's an origin-spot now, not a destination-spot. Eventually of course it will all be knocked down and rebuilt as a high-rise, high-density extension of Arlington. But it will be no place for proper people to live in the meantime.

Overpriced, Overrated and Not worth it Baby..Now the Belle Haven Area has a LOT of charm, Yellow line Metro, Close to Old Town Alex and all the places to dine..or just hang and walk. . Geo Washington Parkway going into DC, plus the entire Potomac River is one big park, Bike ,Jogging ,Walking paved path for Miles down To Mt Vernon! Up To Key Bridge! Big newly renovated Safeway, Shopping Center with many food places...And Just across the Potomac River.. Yes, you can walk across the W .Wilson Bridge to National Harbor. Fine dining, Upscale as it can be. Many Black Professionals to talk to at Nat Harbor. Boat Taxis leave Old town Alex to there too but $$ 14 dollars one way.. Huge New MGM Grand ..1 billion dollar Real Las Vegas Casino coming next year.. You got it all there at Belle Haven and no long ride to Fredericksburg. Did I mention the Fairfax County Rec center there with indoor pool, hot tub, exercise and a big Indoor Ice Rink for the young ones... and theres Rentals Galore as many of the places there are owned and rented by investors like "The Vienna Guy" The Cut Throat Cheapskate owner.. Democrat.. That's Why....And Me!! The Nice Guy!!GOP Guy! Sorry mine are all rented out by Happy Folk! Waiting to Explode in price as deals are cut and the place BOOMS..to Prices Sky High...! Upscale is the word.. Remember Anything near Waterfront is a on a REAL ESTATE ESCALATOR! Vienna Guy and I Learned that along time ago!! My #2 Choice..for You! Look round 1100-1700 a month rental for the Condos. More for the Lousy Upscale New Apts.. You Will DIG the Area.. Lively, Vibrant! Fun. Go For It!

Your FXU Friend.. DAJAX

I lived close by the Belle Haven area years ago and always thought it was lovely. The bike path/walking trail from Old Town to Mount Vernon is really nice, and it's also a convenient area for Fort Belvoir. The homes are older, but the area is kept up nicely. Definitely worth giving it a look. To get into DC, driving through Old Town is a bit of a nightmare -- but other than that it's a straight shot.

Falls Church, look in Broadmont and see if anything is available.

forgot to mention one negative, the local cops are fucking douchebags.

One problem with Belle Haven is that it feeds into West Potomac High School. West Potomac's SAT scores have for years been towards the bottom of Northern Virginia high schools. At times the school has been accredited with warning. About 40% of students are on free or reduced lunches.

You can live in the Westerlies in McLean which is condo private ownership but the have very large units and it's right across from Safeway, walking distance to metro and in McLean High school district (kids walk to school or you drive them). My unit is a 3 BR, 2 BA for $1895. There are 2 level townhouse style units for around the same. It's very safe and community oriented. There is a playground and many of the units face landscaped courtyards. Lived here for a year and I love it.

The Westerlies are like living in Pimmit Hills, but minus the yard and plus all the nifty modern upgrades.

[Location and amenities are obviously GREAT!]

The Westerlies and similar places nearby could be a good solution. They're close to McLean, Rt 7, Tysons. Worth a look. There are also plenty of extended stay situations in the area. Clients don't have to commit to a one year lease. The suites are fully furnished. Take a few months, if needed, to familiarize yourself with the area and find a house and location you really want.

22101

I'm 3 traffic lights to MD, 4 to Tysons or Reson, 6 to DC or Arlington.