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2009-06-17 7:54 AM

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Broadlands
Subject: Moving to Virginia

Hi All,

I posted on the main forum, but was advised this would be a better place to stop by, I should be moving to Virginia in the next couple of months, relocation within my company from UK to Herndon, we are looking at places to live, Ashburn, Fairfax, Leesburg, Reston.  I am looking for advice on a few things, schools in the areas, I have a 6 year old son and a 2 year old daughter, also areas to live, where's good, tri clubs in the areas, accomodation, where's good to rent a family home, we are looking to rent for a while before buying obviously.

This has kind of been a quick request from the company, I have been taken a little by suprise, but it's a great chance and a promotion so I am looking for as much advice as possible and feedback good or bad on the areas.  I know the region reasonably well, I have spent time there at least 3 times a year for the last 5 years.

Hope you guys can help with a little information and I look forward to training and racing with some of you guys over the next few seasons at least.

Cheers all

Dean

 



2009-06-17 8:13 AM
in reply to: #2223503

Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia

I'm single and don't own a home, so no suggestions about housing or schools. Tri clubs, there are many. TriRATs (Reston Area Triathletes) is probably the closest to Herndon. I don't know much about them, except that there are several people on BT who do stuff with them. I'm on Team Z, as was mentioned in the thread over in Tri Talk. We have members who live all over, though most of our weekday workouts are in the Arlington area. Long stuff on weekends are all over the place in the farther reaches of Maryland and Virginia, or occasional runs in DC proper.

They're both very different teams - and they're not the only ones out there, of course. DC Tri Club is in DC for the most part, and there are other smaller teams around as well. 

2009-06-17 9:02 AM
in reply to: #2223503

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Burke, VA
Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia
As far as houses, going into it blind, I wouldn't recommend living in Herndon if you are buying a house. There are some really nice areas and some pretty bad areas in the area. I live down towards the Springfield area, which is about 15 miles and a 30 minute drive with traffic to Herndon. For a family, one of the best areas around is Ashburn. Driving in from Leesburg takes probably 20-30 mins with traffic, and Ashburn is probably about 5 mins less, depending. Those areas have some of the best schools around and they are all fairly new.

I have heard good things about all the tri clubs/groups around. Also a strong showing here on BT.
2009-06-18 1:01 PM
in reply to: #2223734

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Fairfax, VA
Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia
I own a house in the Herndon/Chantilly area ("Oak Hill"=20171 zip code) and love it.  It's a very short commute to Herndon/Reston, has great schools and is reasonably close to the W&OD trail (an invaluable resource in this area for triathletes and bikers). 

Re: schools - I can't compare with Ashburn/Leesburg, but most of the schools near us are all top notch.  Many have full-time GT programs and some have language immersion programs as well (my kids are both in a Japanese immersion program at a nearby elementary school).

One thing I can say about Ashburn/Leesburg is that the traffic over there can be a serious bear coming into Herndon/Reston (via 28, rt 7 or Waxpool Rd).   In my area traffic can be tough as well, but there are side roads that you can use as alternatives if need be.  I use side roads to get to work (avoiding the Fairfax County Parkway during rush hour) and usually don't have a problem.

One piece of advice when looking for neighborhoods - find one that has a neighborhood pool.  I'm sure you are aware that it's pretty much beastly hot around here in the summers and having a neighborhood pool to take your kids to is pretty key to keeping kids happy around here, and not all neighborhoods have a community pool.  Neighborhoods that have pools most often have organized swim teams for kids as well, and there's a big social scene built up around that.

A few neighborhoods to check out - Franklin Farm, Franklin Glen, Armfield Farms, Chantilly Highlands and Fox Mill Estates.

Best of luck -


2009-06-19 6:09 AM
in reply to: #2223503

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Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia

JeffDay

that's great info, thanks so much, my office is in the 20171 area :-) so I know some of it pretty well from running around there when on office visits.

I have heard of traffic issues from Ashburn or Leesburg.  I will have a look at the areas you suggest as well. 

I should be over early next month to have a look at a few areas. 

thanks again.

Dean

2009-06-19 7:55 AM
in reply to: #2228322

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Fairfax, VA
Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia
Happy to help -

If you have further questions later feel free to send me a PM

- jeffdav


2009-06-19 8:09 AM
in reply to: #2228322

Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia

dewybuck - 2009-06-19 7:09 AM

JeffDay

that's great info, thanks so much, my office is in the 20171 area :-) so I know some of it pretty well from running around there when on office visits.

I have heard of traffic issues from Ashburn or Leesburg.  I will have a look at the areas you suggest as well. 

I should be over early next month to have a look at a few areas. 

thanks again.

Dean

Traffic issues exist basically everywhere around here. In the rare instances that you don't work far from where you live, or are always going in the opposite direction of traffic flow - however, in some areas, traffic is equally bad in both directions. DC is notorious for long commute times. Sometimes it requires looking into alternate back routes, or leaving within certain timeframes, etc.

2009-06-19 8:50 AM
in reply to: #2228322

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Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia
dewybuck - 2009-06-19 7:09 AM

JeffDay

that's great info, thanks so much, my office is in the 20171 area :-) so I know some of it pretty well from running around there when on office visits.

I have heard of traffic issues from Ashburn or Leesburg.  I will have a look at the areas you suggest as well. 

I should be over early next month to have a look at a few areas. 

thanks again.

Dean



Haha.

You move to the DC area, you encounter traffic issues.  Loudoun County, Fairfax County, MD, DC, Alexandria, Arlington, whereever.  It doesn't matter.  

2009-06-19 8:58 AM
in reply to: #2228605

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Champion
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Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia
The trick is to live right next to where you work, I live in Arlington and work in Arlington, my commute is about 10 minutes

2009-06-19 9:00 AM
in reply to: #2228621

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Sneaky Slow
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Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia
dalessit - 2009-06-19 9:58 AM The trick is to live right next to where you work, I live in Arlington and work in Arlington, my commute is about 10 minutes



yup.  I live on the border of Sterling and Herndon, and work in Herndon... 5 minutes if I hit the lights right.
2009-06-19 9:17 AM
in reply to: #2228625

Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia

newleaf - 2009-06-19 10:00 AM
dalessit - 2009-06-19 9:58 AM The trick is to live right next to where you work, I live in Arlington and work in Arlington, my commute is about 10 minutes



yup.  I live on the border of Sterling and Herndon, and work in Herndon... 5 minutes if I hit the lights right.

x3. I work about a mile from my house, previously 2 miles



2009-06-19 9:31 AM
in reply to: #2223503

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Virginia
Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia
^^^traffic is a bear pretty much is all parts of the area but as you said, its not just the commute, its the lifestyle and family life as well.

I really enjoyed living out in Ashburn but my commute to Tysons was about an hour to 1:15.  So it could be about 30-40min to Herndon.  However, I felt like the houses/ apartments/ townhouse were a little more spread out and I didn't feel like I was living on top of other people.  Don't quote me on this but I also think your $ goes a little further in Ashburn/ Sterling/ South Riding, etc. because it is Loudoun County.

The furtherest West you can get and still be in Fairfax County is Herndon/ Chantily.  I live in Herndon now and its nice and def. will cut down on your commute.  I do agree to look for places with pools in the summertime for the kids.   There are many many pools in Fairfax County, most of which are part of NVSL (Northern Virginia Swim League).

Good Luck!!
2009-06-19 9:36 AM
in reply to: #2228715

Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia

vApoLY04 - 2009-06-19 10:31 AM ^^^traffic is a bear pretty much is all parts of the area but as you said, its not just the commute, its the lifestyle and family life as well.

I really enjoyed living out in Ashburn but my commute to Tysons was about an hour to 1:15.  So it could be about 30-40min to Herndon.  However, I felt like the houses/ apartments/ townhouse were a little more spread out and I didn't feel like I was living on top of other people.  Don't quote me on this but I also think your $ goes a little further in Ashburn/ Sterling/ South Riding, etc. because it is Loudoun County.

The furtherest West you can get and still be in Fairfax County is Herndon/ Chantily.  I live in Herndon now and its nice and def. will cut down on your commute.  I do agree to look for places with pools in the summertime for the kids.   There are many many pools in Fairfax County, most of which are part of NVSL (Northern Virginia Swim League).

Good Luck!!

True, I have a few friends who have townhomes in Ashburn, and the prices aren't TOTALLY insane...and they're nice houses.

2009-06-24 3:48 PM
in reply to: #2223503

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Leesburg, Va
Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia
I live in Leesburg, and there are new houses and if your a historical buff there are all kinds of houses that are older on acreage that can accommodate horse or livestock. The public school system is very good, but also has private academies too if you choose and have the $$. Tri training wise the W&OD trail runs right through Leesburg and is a paved trail that goes from Purcellville to Alexandria 45 miles. Many people bike to work.
2009-06-24 8:29 PM
in reply to: #2223503

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Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia
I live in Ashburn and love it.  It is a fantastic place to raise children.  My husband works in Reston and depending on when he leaves, it takes him 15 minutes on a good day, up to 45 minutes on a bad day.   So to Herndon it would be even less.  Schools are fantastic here.   Be prepared for large houses on tiny lots in Ashburn, however.   If you would like a little more space, a larger yard, you'll have to move farther west.  It is GORGEOUS out there, but will add to your commute, of course.  

We have a club here (Team TPR) and most of us live in Broadlands, a few in South Riding, a few in Leesburg, a few in Ashburn Farm.   
2009-06-26 4:00 AM
in reply to: #2223503

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Broadlands
Subject: RE: Moving to Virginia

Thanks everyone, we're looking more and more at Herndon itself at the moment I think, couple of schools seem to get very good reviews, Oak Hill and Fox Mill. so we're looking at houses in the catchment for those. 

I'll be over in July to check out some of the area.  thanks for all the information, hopefully catch some of you at events through the end of the season if I get out in time.

cheers

Dean



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