Moving to DC Area and Looking For Advice

[Troy Wells]

Greetings All,

My expectant wife and I are moving to the DC Area this summer and would like to purchase a 2 bedroom to live-in using a VA Loan. After about a year or two, we intend to upgrade to a larger place and rent out the 2 bedroom. Because we will be new to the DC Area we are very open to your advice and opinions. We have looked at Fairfax, Arlington, DC proper and Reston, but are very open to looking elsewhere. We would love any advice you could give us regarding an area that meets the following criteria:

1. Turnkey homes

2. Metro accessible

3. In an area where housing prices are expected to rise

4. Looking to spend no more that 300K 

5. Low crime rate

6. Within commuting distance of DC proper. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!  

[Jesse T.]

I think the combination of 2, 4 and 6 is going to be hard to meet.  In general Maryland will probably get you closer to DC for the same price.  One thing to watch for with condos is the price might look good, but the condo fee is essential the same as financing 100K(or even more).