What area(s) of D.C. should we looking to moving to? moving from New Orleans La?

My family is looking into moving to the D.C. area in the coming year. Possible work transfer. What areas should we start looking into? We are not looking to live "downtown" we like our space and are willing to have a commute to/from work to get it. We don't know where my husband will be working, in construction and will depend on the job. Just looking to get an overview. What areas to advoid, to target, things like that. We don't know anything about the area, so any input would be greatly appreciated.

What area(s) of D.C. should we looking to moving to? moving from New Orleans La?
If you were to put a clock face on the map of the DC region, you would find that the areas from 6 to 12 (west of the city) are more expensive and more fashionable than the areas from 12 to 6 (east of the city).





That's your first consideration. The western suburbs (all the Virginia suburbs and Montgomery, Howard, and Frederick counties in Maryland) are, on average, more in demand than Prince Georges, St, Mary's, and Calvert Counties in Maryland. Now, I should be quick to add that there are eastern suburbs that are highly desirable, including parts of Prince Georges, as well as Anne Arundel county. But as a rule of thumb, there are more desirable suburbs to the west.





Your second consideration ought to include your job location. If you are working in construction, the fastest growing part of the metropolitan area is Loudon County in Virginia. And there are plenty of affordable houses out there as well, so that might be a target point for you. But lately, the lower real estate prices in Prince Georges, Calvert and St. Mary's has triggered a relative construction boom out there, and so that's another possibility. All of the close-in suburbs (Arlington, Fairfax, and Alexandria, Virginia, and most of Montgomery County, MD, are well developed, so the primary construction jobs there are in office and multi-family residential.





Finally, there is the great Virginia versus Maryland debate (very popular among DC-area residents). Virginia tends to be a more conservative state politically, with lower taxes and a general, small-government attitude. At the same time, Virginians are especially proud of their presigious colleges. Maryland is more liberal politically, with a greater sense that government should intervene to protect people. Only you know which would make you feel more comfortable. As the saying goes, different strokes for different folks.





Good luck!!
Reply:here's a really good tip- annapolis. there are many closer in suburbs but they are more expensive and crime is outrageous.annapolis is about 25 miles from downtown, but its a shorter commute than alexandria which is like 5 miles because of the local traffic patterns. also the areas surrounding annapolis are affordable, good schools very little crime and tons of natural beauty (chesapeake bay) check it out. good luck.
Reply:Well I live in the Dc metro area and in DC aviod South east and north east Best place in DC is North west. Outside of Dc there some places in VA im not to familiar with like alexandria and arlington but in MD montgomery county is a nice place especially montgomery county it pretty expensive but its nice( I use to live there), also theres prince georges county. Im currently living there now and its pretty nice depending on the area, Bowie, greenbelt, laurel, lanham and good places to live very close to the beltway easy access to Dc and Baltimore.

gladiolus