Washington D.C. Area

I moved here to NOVA just over 2 years ago and it's a lot different from So Cal, lol. It is very hot and humid here. Even today, it was sooo hot (95) and I went into the store and when I came out it was there was a severe thunderstorm warning and it was raining and then about 30 minutes later it was hot and S. again. I have also had lunch with Cheryl many times and she has even babysat my kids for me once, lol! Cheryl is amazing and knows SO much about the area. She has helped me out a lot. I actually live about 20 minutes from her in Chantilly. But, traffic and housing costs are insane here. Besides that, the schools are great and there are some really pretty places here.

S.:

Springfield is south west of the Pentagon. there is a HUGE metro station in Springfield with a HUGE parking garage.

If you want to be near a metro stop so your husband can commute back and forth to work? I would suggest living just north of Springfield in Burke - off Fairfax County Parkway and Burke Center Parkway.

Expect to spend about $500 to $750K for a single family home. And in some places, more.

Summers are warm and humid - not like the dry air that C-Springs experiences.

There is a LOT to do in the NOVA (Northern Virginia) area. I would find out WHERE your husband is working before I bought a home. We almost bought a home in Bethesda, MD (really expensive) before we found our jobs would be here in Reston.

I don't homeschool, so I have no information for you on that.

If you would like to send me a PM - I can hook you up with a real estate agent and help you get acquainted with the area.

WELCOME TO NOVA!!!

I also agree with Wild Woman. She can help you with NOVA and, if you need it, we're about 50 miles south in Fredericksburg. Some things are less expensive our way, including housing, but the commute is different up 95. They're working on it .... But it can still be bad. I commuted into downtown DC for 5 years, my husband did it for awhile too, and my friend and BIL still commute to Arlington, both via the train. Carpool or train is the best way to commute into DC from this area. If you decide to look down this way, let me know ... My stepmother is a real estate agent around these parts and will be happy to help.

Why not live in Springfield, West Springfield, Lorton where we used to live is across VRE(train) to DC, short drive to Springfield Metro. If you need gelp finding rentals ir to buy militarybyowner.com( not just for military LoL), Nellis Realty Group. If you shoot me an e-mail @ ____@____.com I can send you a "new mom" to the area in Fairfax County Link & link to the homeschool support group I'm in GRACE Group. This will be our 3rd year homeschooling & there are a ton of support groups, places to take kids for extracurriculars & field trips etc. if nothing else make sure to joun HEAV.org & get a library card :)
pammy

Congrats! I second wild womans comment to make sure you know where exactly he will be working before you start looking. DC does have a lot of great stuff to offer, but on the not so great side we are like #2 in the entire country for horrible traffic (second only to LA I believe). Commuting in and out of DC is nightmarish. You will need an experienced local realtor to help you find a good spot, and definately keep metro in mind unless you want to spend 3 hours a day on the beltway!

We live about an hout and a half south of DC. I've actually had lunch several times with Cheryl (aka Wild Woman) and been to her home. She is in VA and it's gorgeous out there! My family is in Maryland, so we stay put here.

I would absolutely take her advice if you want to move to that area. Lots of people commute in this area, many drive 2-3 hours or more one way, because of traffic. Yuck. Get an EZPASS if your husband will be driving the beltway at all, it saves so much time!

My friend lived for many years in Reston, VA and loved it. Nice homes, convenient access to public transportation and DC, excellent schools (though that won't matter if you're home schooling).

I live west of DC -- way west in the boonies.
We love it!
We don't home school, but a lot of people around here do. There are lots of groups you can connect with for classes and enrichment. Although, if you decide to live in Fairfax, they are known for having some of the best schools in the nation. Personally, our local schools prepared our children quite well for college.
There is a lot to do, a lot to see, and if you are into wine, a lot of wines to taste.

I lived in DC for 5 years - Loved it! It was 20 years ago - I was young, single, and not even thinking of children at that point, so I don't have a ton to offer you, but just wanted to say congrats - I think you'll like it.

Absolutely do not buy until you KNOW where his office is and have stayed in the area long enough for all of you to experiment with traffic patterns. You do not want to end up living where you have a long and/or heavy commute; it will eat your soul and you will not see much of him. This area has the worst traffic in the country, according to AAA, and though we locals are used to it and know the tricks and timing -- you really have to spend some time here, and talk with locals when you move here, to get a home in an area that is going to work best for his commute and for your own needs (grocery stores, etc.). If you homeschool, the school district is less of an issue for you, but if you think you might send your kids to public schools, Fairfax County does have very good schools.

This is a wonderful area for museums, theatre (for kids as well as adults), all the arts, outdoor things to do....There are a ton of things to supplement homeschooling; I see homeschooler groups all the time at the Smithsonian museums (which have programs specifically geared for homeschooler groups) and other places. Not a homeschooler myself, but I know this area has a lot of resources you can use.