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Philothea
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| Posted: July 25 2007 at 9:14am | IP Logged
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After years of digging in our heels and screaming that we would NEVER live in "Stepford," i.e. a planned community, we have come to realize that the convenience (for me) and affordability (for DH) of the far-out suburbs might be too much to pass up. In particular, we are looking at South Riding and Brambleton. We have completely ruled out Kirkpatrick Farm, we just do not like what we've seen in our price range over there and the traffic on Gum Springs Road is insane.
Anway, I know at least a couple of you live out that way ... what are the pros and cons? We're looking to spend under $600K, we'd like at least 4 bedrooms and a yard -- not necessarily a huge yard, but enough to throw a ball around and put up a swingset. We do not need new construction -- resale is just fine with us, so long as it's in good shape.
So I have a few questions:
1. How bad would the commute be to Tysons Corner and what would be the best route to take? The reason we are even considering this now is that DH's company has a telecommuting program, so we're talking probably just 3X a week he'd have to go into the office ... but if it's a 2.5 hour drive each way or something, we won't do it (we already ruled out Fredericksburg for this reason).
2. Are the people friendly? Part of what attracts me to SR in particular is the seemingly large number of SAHMs ... but that's not helpful if they won't talk to me anyway. In our townhouse community, we know many of our neighbors and socialize often -- would we be able to continue that lifestyle in SR or Brambleton?
3. Are there many families with SMALL kids? My oldest is three. I know SR is more established than Brambleton, are most of the kids older?
4. What parish is that? I'm a St. Veronica parishioner currently and I know we have some SR people around church, but is that where they're SUPPOSED to go? How about Brambleton? Finding this information online is really not easy.
5. Finally, does anyone know anything about Gainesville or Haymarket? I know that wasn't my original question, but it's a lot more affordable there ... I know the commute is worse, though. Anything else I should know?
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: July 25 2007 at 10:16am | IP Logged
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How'd you like to live across the street, between me and Mary Chris? Call me; I don't really want do much more so publicly...
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Cindy Mac
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| Posted: July 25 2007 at 11:24am | IP Logged
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I was going to offer my house if we weren't going to settlement soon. 
As far as the neighborhood, I have found many friendly people on my block - we have block parties, and people came and welcomed us as we moved in.
We are really going to miss the community aspect of this neighborhood. There is so much to do here. I hope you end up here - I think you will love it. We certainly have.
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Maryan
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| Posted: July 25 2007 at 11:40am | IP Logged
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Philothea,
Re: Gainesville...
I don't know anything about the commute time (although they did just widen 66 quite a bit) or the housing prices. But I do know that Holy Trinity Catholic Church is opening a brand new BEAUTIFUL church right on Linton Hall Rd. in Gainesville THIS December. Fr. Pefley, the pastor, is a great priest.
As far as a parish, there are a ton of active young families, a very active homeschool group, and a thriving Legion of Mary. There are TONS of young Catholic families that live along the Linton Hall cooridor and off Devlin Road.
The only downside to Holy Trinity is that the conditions for Mass right now are difficult because it's held in an auditorium.
HTH in weighing all your options.
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
A Lee in the Woudes
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: July 25 2007 at 11:41am | IP Logged
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Elizabeth wrote:
| How'd you like to live across the street, between me and Mary Chris? Call me; I don't really want do much more so publicly... |
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Oh! No fair!
I have always loved South Riding. Way back when, when we were buying our first house, we would drive around South Riding and dream. Even the townhouses were out of our reach then. We could do it now, but Court is hooked on this land thing. Oh well! I am quite content here. But living up by Elizabeth and Mary Chris, that's tempting! 
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: July 25 2007 at 12:23pm | IP Logged
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Seriously, there are several houses that are like Cindy's for sale right around our immediate area. If you are friendly, you'll have friends. The parish is the Corpus Christi mission of St. Stephen parish. But there are lots of us who go to St. Veronica.
There are plenty of small kids. When we first moved here eleven years ago, there were no big kids, but now there's a mix. It is more established but there's still new construction and frequently, we find that pregnancy tests and swim diapers are sold out in the local supermarket. Gotta be a good sign. It's a big neighborhood; there's something for everyone. BTW, I have two who qualify as small .
My husband commutes to DC and he has funky hours so I'm no help there.
Here's an online link to a brief article about Corpus Christi
Here is a South Riding website
And here's another
and another
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Philothea
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| Posted: July 26 2007 at 1:57pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, everyone! You have all been so helpful, at least I know if we end up in SR, we'll have wonderful neighbors! I looked at some of the choices online last night and there are a few that piqued our interest ... we will see where God leads us. Pray for us as we discern where He is guiding us to be!
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Philothea
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| Posted: July 26 2007 at 1:58pm | IP Logged
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And Maryan, thanks so much for the info on Gainesville. I spoke to someone who told me the commute from Tysons at rush hour had taken over two hours, so I think we're going to have to rule that out for now. It does seem like a wonderful community, though.
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: VA ladies -- South Riding/Brambleton?
