Just moved to Northern Virginia. . .

[Blondie]

Welcome to Virginia and the land of gridlock!

I'm a little further south in Spotsylvania County. I like it, but we've seen so many changes in the 15 years that we've been here.

Oh, and as previously posted, don't get used to this nice cool dry weather we've been having, it's so unlike VA for this time of year! We actually had a nice spring for a change, instead of going from winter to summer like we usually do.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

First Hi T&B (we've met before)

Hi! How's it going?

 

[goofyforlife]

Hi! How's it going?

Well I'm glad to be rid of school (my DD's) for two months. Nevermind the kids- us parents need a break.

We went to DW last month and it was hot and crowded but it was fun. (We did one day at SW and did the feed the dolphin thing which was cool.DD rode Kraken and the rest of us rode JTA. I wasn't all that impressed by the new shamu show though.) At the Animal Kingdom, we got to ride EE and that was exciting. Think BTMR on steroids and in the dark.

I can't believe how cool it's been here either... I know I've only been here 4 yrs now but isn't it closer to 95 degrees by now.

(Not that I mind; my electric bill is happy)

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Well I'm glad to be rid of school (my DD's) for two months. Nevermind the kids- us parents need a break.

We went to DW last month and it was hot and crowded but it was fun.

My 6yo and I also went to WDW last month. When did you go? We went the very beginning of May and had HOT weather.

We're enjoying the cool weather, too, except the pools are going to be too cold to swim in for awhile. I think I'll still bring the kids tomorrow if the air is warm enough, but I'm not getting near the water!

Our last day of school is tomorrow. I'll be up in your area on Thursday...at Costco, of course. And then down in VA on Friday at Kings Dominion.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Thanks for the welcome! It's nice to see other DISers from the same area!

I live in Prince William County, but to tell you the truth, I'm not sure if I live in Lakeridge or Woodbridge. We are right on the border of both, and some people in our neighborhood put Lakeridge on the mailing address and some put Woodbridge. They say it doesn't matter, as long as we use the correct zip code. I'm confused. I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later the name of my town!

DH takes the metro into Alexandria for work each day, so he doesn't really deal with all the traffic. Now me, I just got here on Saturday and haven't gotten a job yet (I'm a teacher) so who knows if I'll have to deal with it. Who knows if I'll even be able to get a job? (Fingers Crossed!)

The girls and I took the metro into Washington, D.C. on Sunday and went to the Smithsonian Natural History museum. That was fun. They have never been before and they loved taking the metro and loved the museum. So neat that they have those opportunities now.

I agree--the price of houses is outrageous. We have not purchased one yet, we aren't sure where exactly we will be living. Probably down more south where it is more affordable. We need to get acclimated and figure things out first. But for now we are renting a beautiful townhouse and we have a little lake and tons of trees behind it. I love it.


The only bad thing is that DH, who is driving the moving truck cross country, is stuck in Tennessee with all our stuff! The Budget rental truck broke down and they have no idea when it will get fixed. It broke down yesterday. He is really mad, and I don't blame him! They should have brought a replacement truck and had some guys move the stuff into the new truck or something, instead of keeping him stranded there!

But other than that, life is good.
Bonnie

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Oops, forgot to answer the ages of my DDs. They are 12 (going into 7th grade), 9 (going into 4th grade) and almost 5 (going into Kindergarten).

 

[Christine]

Yes Bonnie, the "Lakeridge" thing is confusing. Basically Woodbridge consists of zip codes 22193, 22192, and 22191. Dale City (planned community) is the 22193 zip code. I believe Lakeride (another planned community) encompasses most of the 22192 zip code, and "old" Woodbridge is 22191. But it is all Woodbridge. A lot of communities have tried to put a spin on it as "Woodbridge" has some negative (redneck) connotations.

Anyway, my parents live in Lakeridge (right off Springwoods) and they also can see the lake from their house. Lakeridge is a very nice community.

If you can afford it, stay in this area. If your husband is commuting (even by rail) you REALLY don't want to go further south.

You really should have no problem finding a job in the Prince William County School System. It seems that they are always looking.

If you want something a bit more "affordable" than Lakeridge, go look in the Montclair neighborhood. It is a little bit south of you, still in Prince William County, right on the "lower" edge of Woodbridge, and is a wonderful planned community with its own golf course, lake, and pool. I find that since it is a bit south, the prices are a little bit lower. It is also zoned for very good public schools.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We have a lot of the name change/doctoring stuff in Maryland, too. We lived in Gaithersburg and a lot of people didn't like that. Montgomery Village, a planned community actually got it's own zip code and split off so they wouldn't have to be Gaithersburg. God forbid they go by GBurg. The funny thing is that the suburbs of Damascus, which is further north (away from DC) tries to claim Gaithersburg because that sounds closer in and better than Damascus, so they will have a Gaithersburg address, but will be close to Damascus. Makes no sense!

Very confusing when you are moving to the area!

 

[llij]

Bonnie,

Welcome to Northern Virginia!! I've lived in the area for about 24 years (off and on) and we really love it. The traffic is crazy and the cost of living has skyrocketed, but other than that we enjoy the area.

We live in Loudoun County right near Dulles Airport and love it. I don't think you will have a problem getting a job teaching either. I know that in Loudoun Cty., they hire at least 500 new teachers a year. It is growing like gangbusters here and they are always opening new schools. I'm sure other counties are experiencing the same thing.

Enjoy all that the Washington D.C. area has to offer!!

 

[Certifiable WDW Nut]

Another Loudoun County person here. We've been in the DC area since 1982. I love the area between March 15 and December 1st, but hate the cold weather during those months. Thankfully I only work about 5 miles from my house so my commute isn't too bad, but the commute certainly has stopped me from looking for a new job. I'm spoiled!

Welcome to the "neighborhood" and don't get too used to the cool weather. It won't last.

 

[LadyyRedd]

We have a lot of the name change/doctoring stuff in Maryland, too. We lived in Gaithersburg and a lot of people didn't like that. Montgomery Village, a planned community actually got it's own zip code and split off so they wouldn't have to be Gaithersburg. God forbid they go by GBurg. The funny thing is that the suburbs of Damascus, which is further north (away from DC) tries to claim Gaithersburg because that sounds closer in and better than Damascus, so they will have a Gaithersburg address, but will be close to Damascus. Makes no sense!

Very confusing when you are moving to the area!

That's just like the nutty people who put "North Potomac" instead of Gaithersburg.

I'm also in MD - Frederick to be exact.

Kimya

 

[Tigger&Belle]

That's just like the nutty people who put "North Potomac" instead of Gaithersburg.


Kimya

Yep, that's the other example of people not wanting the Gaithersburg address. We're now a Montgomery Village snob, though.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Thanks for the clarification about the whole Woodbridge/Lakeridge thing. That makes sense. I guess Woodbridge must be considered a little unsavory. Our friends call it "Hoodbridge".

Christine: your parents must live close to us, because we live right off Springwoods too!

 

[caitycaity]

another montgomery county, marylander checking in (though we are moving to pg soon).

i live in "north bethesda" which is really more like "south rockville"

i'm glad someone likes the area. i am ready to leave! (been here for 10 years and will be here at least another 4-5 due to school).

 

[Poohy]

Another Loudoun County person here. I have lived here for almost 20 years.

 

[clutter]

Another Fairfax person checking in. Love it here, been here for 26 years (this month!). Started in Montgomery county then crossed the river a while back. Gotta say it's a great area to live in, once you get past the cost of housing.

 

[Christine]

Thanks for the clarification about the whole Woodbridge/Lakeridge thing. That makes sense. I guess Woodbridge must be considered a little unsavory. Our friends call it "Hoodbridge".

Christine: your parents must live close to us, because we live right off Springwoods too!

I kind of figured you lived there when you said "townhouse" and "lake." My parents live off of Bracknell and then a left on Tonbridge. Sound familiar?

They have one of the townhouses with the 2-car garage. Unbelievable what they sell for. She bought it in 1997 for $170,000 and I think the last one sold for about $460,000.

 

[goofyforlife]

My 6yo and I also went to WDW last month. When did you go? We went the very beginning of May and had HOT weather.

Our last day of school is tomorrow. I'll be up in your area on Thursday...at Costco, of course. And then down in VA on Friday at Kings Dominion.

We went the 24th-29th of May. It was Hot,Hot,Hot. The temp guage in the SUV we were driving said the exterior temp was 103 one of the days. (It seemed pretty accurate.) We stayed in shaded areas or anything air conditioned mostly. The last day we spent at TL. (I felt it was our best day.)

and then we came home to the hot spell that first week of June.

Monday was my DD's last day. She'll be working at the farm (CIT for horse camp later this summer)

Good news is that I may be working closer to home soon. Our company is planning on opening a Frederick office so lots of us here who commute in will go there. But I have an interview with Frederick County too.....

Can't decide which thing I want right now..... Decisions... (we need a coin toss smilie)

 

[Bbgrizzle]

I kind of figured you lived there when you said "townhouse" and "lake." My parents live off of Bracknell and then a left on Tonbridge. Sound familiar?

They have one of the townhouses with the 2-car garage. Unbelievable what they sell for. She bought it in 1997 for $170,000 and I think the last one sold for about $460,000.

This morning when I read your post, I had no idea where Bracknell was, since I am totally LOST here! However, a little while ago when I drove to McDonald's (after someone gave me directions!) I passed Bracknell. It's 2 streets up (when heading toward Old Bridge) from the street I turn in on. It's called Blysdale, then take Blysdale left and turn right on Hartlake.

I know, these townhouses are mega-expensive. I really like the one we are renting, however, I can't see spending that much money when it isn't even a single-family home. It sure is a beautiful neighborhood though. I can see why some people spend that much to live here. I wish I would have moved here 10 years ago, when it was a whole lot less expensive!

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

We're in Annapolis, MD! Welcome!

We've been wearing sweatshirts, too! It's funny as Vegas is on our list of places we'd like to live!