Possibly moving to the Broadlands - questions for current residents

So it sounds like you're more upset about how other people characterize Ashburn, rather than actually living here.
Like you point out, who are the ones calling it this? Can't be Fairfax or Arlington since their areas are more expensive. Can't be western Loudoun since those houses, on average, are more expensive than Ashburn.
Maybe it's those West Virginians??????

 

The commute issue is relative. I think the Northern Virginia commute is better than getting in from Maryland or from the south along I-95.

 

I think Broadlands is great! We moved here 5 years ago from Reston, and prior to that we were in Old Town Alexandria. If I had to go back and change one thing, it would be buying a house with a larger lot. The lots here are so small for the most part, and while we thought it was great at the time (low maintenance!) now I wish we had a big yard for our boys.

Bladerunner, there you go again! You know, I think there are other reasons to be here besides not having enough money to be closer to the city. For one, homes here are being built for the way people live now (open floor plans, large closets, etc.). There is very little new construction closer in. Second, there's something to be said for brand-new schools, brand-new stores, etc.

I think you need to consider a move out of Broadlands...but only if you can afford it, of course!

 

Oh, and Bladerunner? I've heard the term "Cashburn" 3 times in my life, and two were from your posts.

 

I heard Ashburnians calling themselves "Cashburn", yup, over-heard it waiting in line at Starbucks once. The conversation sort of went like this: "Hey Clifton, did you hear what people call our area? They call us Cashburn, my God, I would think so considering the price of housing in our area, hahaha..". So to answer your question, it's not the West-Virginians using term.

 

Am I the only person here who's heard of the term "Cashburn"??? Come on now folks, let's not kid ourselves.

 

blade-
I guess I'm missng the point........so people call Ashburn "cashburn." What does that have to do with whether someone likes living here or not?

 

waiting in line at Starbucks once.

"Once," dude! It's time to move on.

 

VACliff, sorry to sound like just a downer, but I do enjoy living in the area, it's just not my first choice, I'd rather be closer to work, ect ect.. I wish I had Vacliff money, then I'd move closer to the beltway asap.

 

I think the commute here to closer in the city is the better.

Traffic wise. I'd rather drive through the greenway and toll road than 395, 495, and 66.

 

Oh and not everyone really wants to live closer to DC or even work downtown.

As far as suburban areas. Broadlands is one of the better ones.

 

So you think I have lots of money, huh? I live here because 10 years ago when I moved to Virginia I couldn't afford Reston. I had to move out here to "no man's land" of Ashburn.
I'm a Federal employee who is getting pay cuts, not raises. I couldn't afford to move closer in if I wanted to.
Want to compare pay checks now?
No offense, but it sounds like you got quite a chip on your shoulder for some reason.

 

small world...

I grew up in West Springfield (graduated from WS High School in 2000) and now own a house in Broadlands.

the area out here is night and day compared to the Springfield/Burke line. Everything is so much newer/nicer. I think you'll enjoy it. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

 

Hi, folks,

Thank you for the great responses. We appreciate hearing about the great things about the area, as well as the negatives.

Since several folks brought up the commute, I had a quick follow-up question -- if I want to get to the Ballston area by 10am (weekdays, of course), is I-66 viable traffic-wise around that time? If not, is there some other non-tollroad route that I could take into that area? Since my commute is at the tail-end of rush hour, I was thinking that I might be able to avoid the expense of the Greenway. It's not like we can't afford to pay the tolls, and it is a nice road, but, well, you know...

Also, what route do most folks take into the Reston/Herndon area for their daily commute?

Other than HOA fees, what are the differences (if any) between North and South Broadlands? It seems like the lots/yards are a bit larger in the North (possibly because the houses/properties are slightly older?).

Thank you again for the information, everyone. It is much appreciated. Please keep it coming.

And if anyone has a four bedroom, three-plus bathroom house with a nice backyard that they'd like to sell to us at a low, low price, feel free to let us know.

p.s.-Thanks for the offer to chat with us, Cliff. We might take you up on that.

 

Reston/Herndon is easy to get to from our area. I work in Chantilly (about a 15-17 mile drive) and it never takes me more than 25 minutes going either direction. Most traffic seems to flow the opposite direction (up 28 in the morning and down in the afternoon). Traffic is starting to pick up each year... but it's nothing compared to the 395 commute I used to have from Springfield to Tysons.

 

Vacliff, I'm just joking, don't take it too seriously

 

Generally there's still traffic during that time. It's not bad though. It moves.
Also it seems like most of the traffic get off on those exits (N fairfax drive area) because as soon as I pass through there the traffic disappears.

 

I've been in Ashburn since 1988.......my son went to Arcola Elementary because there were no schools, except for Broad Run High School, in the area. That was the first time I heard Ashburn being called "Cashburn" and it was from the people in the Arcola area.....so that "nickname" has been around a while, it's nothing new. Ashburn is a wonderful place to live, obviously since we've lived here from just about the beginning and have seen lots of positive changes. We'll be here until we retire and may just end up staying anyway.

 

I only call it Cashburn when I go to get an estimate from a contractor and it comes in 30-50% higher than it should. I think the perception is that we're all rich and can afford to pay a premium for everyday stuff.

 

The only addition I have to the above: private School education in the public Schools. We just graduated one and have another in middle school. The teachers & principals are the best.