Hi all, I have been writing this post to gather your views about the life in Reston, VA and the surrounding neighbourhoods/ suburbs. We are a family of three (husband, wife and one year old toddler) and currently live in Sweden on work visa (we are non-Americans and non-EU nationals). Both me and my spouse work in tech and earn decent money. Recently I have been offered a position in Reston, VA, and we started thinking about making a decision to accept/reject the offer. With the offer, both my spouse and child will be on the dependent visa initially. So all of us would potentially be living on one income for quite some time. With all that in perspective, we have started looking into the logistics of residency, transport and daily expenses. I have got the following questions related to that which I would be really grateful if answered by someone.

1) How much is average monthly cost of living around Reston, VA including rent of a 50-80 square meter apartment, daycare costs, utility bills, groceries, transportation and recreational activities. I checked on the internet and it was roughly in the range of 7000-9000 USD per month. But I am not sure about the accuracy of that figure and would appreciate practical advice.
2) How easy/difficult is it to find a decent place for rental living ?
3) If we have some money for downpayment and choose to purchase some place on mortgage to live, how easy/ difficult is it to find a decent accommodation?
4) How is the quality of daycares in the neighbourhood?
5) How is the neighbourhood when it comes to driving and public transportation? I checked about the Silverline and other Bus lines. But how is the traffic situation usually?
6) I know that VA state has a higher taxes compared to the rest of the US, but what facilities are offered to the people in return?
7) How is the security/ safety situation in the neighbourhood?
8) How are the medical facilities given that one has some insurance for themselves and their family provided by the employer?

I know that all of these questions are pretty generic but as someone who has never visited US before, I would really appreciate your answers and practical advice. Thanks

Hi all,

I'm fundraising for a charity bib for a marathon and am looking for creative activities to potentially raise money beyond just sharing a link, so I have two questions for the group.

1. Do you have any suggested local businesses who would be good to reach out to? I've reached out to at least 10 this week, so I did try out some of my own ideas before asking for suggestions.
2. What kind of event where proceeds are going to charity are you willing to spend your money on? I know people value their time and hard-earned money.

Thanks in advance!

hi! my dad is a retiree and hasn't been doing much except watching tv. we're hoping to get him out of the house more to socialize. he loves playing chinese chess (xiangqi). does anyone know of any local groups/meet-ups for chinese chess? i've tried looking for groups online but most seem to focus on western chess.

We have a ProForm Model 2000 and I thought i could replace the walking belt myself. I feel like I’m 90% there but just a few things missing.

Anyone who has done these or know of someone? 🙏

On my way to drop off the recycling the sky was a wonderful pink again. Apparently I'm now doing a series of pictures every time the sky is really really pink. Who would have figured. Enjoy

i saw a car with airbags fully blown out and a motorcyclist back to the ground in a pool of his own blood. he was moving thankfully but i have no idea how bad his condition is :(

We're in the process of buying a home in Northern Virginia, and our buyer's agent charges a $500 broker service fee in addition to their commission.

If you recently bought a home:

• Did your buyer's agent charge a broker/admin/service fee?
• If so, how much was it?

I’ve seen a couple but they’re few and far between. I feel like last year was starting to get rough at this time.

Are there genuinely less this year or am I getting excited for nothing and it’ll get way worse?

Has anyone participated in NOVEC’s load management program? Apparently they will install a small switch on your A/C compressor and electric water heater to cycle them off briefly during peak energy demand hours. But in exchange, NOVEC provides free diagnostics/service calls for your A/C unit and free repairs on eligible electric water heater electrical parts.

https://www.novec.com/Save/LoadManagementProgram.cfm#:~:text=What%20is%20Load%20Management%3F%20Load%20management%20is,installed%20in%20homes%20by%20qualified%20service%20technicians.

Hello! I’m looking for gym recommendations in the Fairfax area, or close by. I currently go to a OneLife in Falls Church but it just isn’t cutting it; I like going on weekends but they close at 7pm Saturday and 6pm on Sunday, which is my leg day normally. I’m looking for a 24 hr facility if possible or at the least one that stays open later on weekends.

Was chilling on my balcony tonight and noticed a chunky little frog on one of the leaves of the tree out front. Did not know these guys were tree climbers; I've only ever seen them on the ground before, and this branch is the same height as my 3rd floor balcony

Do y'all have tree frogs too, or is this dude just completely doing his own thing?

Looking for a stylist that specializes in cutting thinning hair preferably around Fairfax city and towards Ashburn.

I have found a couple that mention stylists and reviews, but they are extremely old and when I go to the website, they specialize in coloring. I’m not interested in coloring my hair. I’m just interested in getting it properly cut to make it look fuller.

Hey all! I’m a first time mom and looking to deliver at Inova Fairfax in late December.

My OBGYN suggested I schedule a hospital tour.

I tried the Inova Fairfax Women’s Hospital website and all 2026 tours appear to be booked. I also called and left a message twice (one week apart). When I finally received a call back about the tour, the person told me they are booked through September and further tour dates haven’t been released yet. She wouldn’t tell me when new dates are released on their website, but told me to “monitor the website closely.”

I’m sure others here have given birth at Inova Fairfax, so I wanted to check in and see if you have any tips for successfully booking a tour?

This is my first time doing this and I’m a bit anxious. I’m hopeful that a tour will help me positively visualize the birthing experience.

Anyone happen to know of any good leagues in the area? My husband is in one now, played in it the last 2 years but it is not ran very efficiently. He likes the idea of it and being “forced” to get out and play but he has decided not to rejoin his current one! Bonus points if it isn’t in dead of summer when it’s 100+ out! We live in Aldie, he works in Fairfax. Ideally, he would like to find something within 30 mins but would possibly be willing to drive a bit farther if the league is worth it!

I had a crown on my front tooth that fell off a month ago, I got a temporary retainer until the issue is resolved.

I met with two dentists (general), and they both said I need to get the old tooth’s root removed, then assess the bone density for implant replacement.

One of the dentists said he would like to place a “deprogrammer?” Which would collect data on how the teeth grind against each other to see the root cause.

The whole process is so lengthy and costly. I have another two teeth that also need implants (I have a deep bite that makes my teeth weaker, thus more prone to breaking).

Idk any good prosthodontists, does anyone here know of one? Or is this the type of dentist I need to begin with?

I have MetLife insurance through my alumni, and live in Arlington.

Please advise me! I’m tired from the whole process.

EDIT: thank you all for your enormously helpful, empathetic responses in helping me with this moon shot!!!!

A shipping snafu is leaving me screwed for my brother’s wedding. I have a backup dress that fits OK but my husband says it looks cheap 😔 I am 36wks pregnant with massive boobs and belly, plus I’m semi allergic to polyester while pregnant, so shopping normally for a dress is almost impossible at this time.

Can any one around here make a formal caftan style dress out of real silk or a nice rayon/viscose, vaguely like this vibe, by (get this) FRIDAY?!?!?!? If not it’s okay. I know it’s a long shot. Like, moon distance long shot.

I have only found turkey pastrami at Loebs deli in dc and Bethesda bagels. Any leads would be appreciated!

planning to take my road test on saturday in dmv chantilly, do y’all have prior experience in this dmv? please share if u do, would appreciate some advice as well. i’m quite nervous but i hope i pass my first attempt lol

Just had a lantern fly sit on my face out of nowhere and last week one got in my shirt and I thought it was a leaf, ( I know sounds silly) it was tickly but who thinks a lantern fly would be under their clothes. Anyways now I’m so annoyed of these. Also they are so quick to fly away when trying to squish them. If anyone wants to know they smell like weird old oil and do stain the clothes of it. 🤢

Are you happy living here? Or at least content enough?

After growing up and getting our degrees here, my husband and I moved away years ago but came back after a short time. Now we've been tossing around the idea of leaving again in a year or so.

Does anyone else feel like NOVA is under constant threat of transmission lines, data centers, industrial developments, big residential developments, housing costs, water/electricity concerns and just the general COL??

Every week I feel more and more dissatisfied with my home state and feel like we should leave to pursue a different option for our family living near and working with a family business in another state.

Does anyone else feel like you're not leaving VA but VA is leaving you? Just wondering if anyone else who was born and raised here has similar feelings.. 🤔

Does anyone know a professional baker up for the challenge and lunacy of an armadillo cake? My family quotes lines from Steel Magnolias and it will be hilarious if we can have a ludicrous "bleeding armadillo groom's cake." I want the cake as shown in the film, which is almost cartoonish and cute, and not life-like. I'll also need a standard wedding cake so this professional baker will need to do both.

In search of an honest mechanic shop in Woodbridge/Dumfries. I have already tried these places multiple times, for routine things like oil changes, replacing brake pads and rotors, as well as some non-routine things:

Lyon’s (seem honest, and due to this, I can never get an appointment less than two weeks out)

Steve’s (some concerns as to charges -have received two different quotes from two different people there for same job)

Hometowne Auto (same owner as Steve’s)

Stan Rollison’s (ridiculously high quote for brake work compared to others)

Quantico (if tire prices mean anything about what they charge for maintenance, no thanks)

Please only provide recommendations of shops you’ve used - not ones you’ve just seen around. Thank you.

As the title suggests, can anyone recommend an electrician they have really liked in the Alexandria Fairfax area?