Promotion Opportunity in Mclean, VA. Need some advice.

If you intend to live in McLean it's that bad. MCLean is the area where a lot of well-off people live.

yeah, i noticed that when I was down last time. I've checked some other areas and it seems more in line with what I was expecting. Still working out the details, i've got time before I have to make a decision.

1) 90k maybe, as it would be a 20% increase in pay. However, it also depends on your living arrangements and what your wife would contribute...

2) Commute wise, there is no good commute in the DC Area, unless you live and work on the same road, or have Metro/Train access. It's pretty safe to say that for every 1 mile of commute, it will take 2-2.5 minutes to travel. So a 20 mile commute will take 40-50 minutes depending on traffic. Keep that in mind when looking for a place to live. However, if you are apartment hunting and can afford it, check out the Rosslyn/Ballston/Clarendon area. Travel to McLean from those areas shouldn't be too terrible.

I used to drive a 54 mile one way commute (90 minutes, Frederick to Bailey's Crossroads), and you certainly get used to it after a while. And you figure out alternative ways as well. I did that for a year (It was 30 mile/60 minute before I moved to Frederick) before my company transferred me to their Frederick office. Now my commute is less than 5 minutes, and I can go home for lunch.

3) As FRPLG said, IT in NOVA is very easy to come by. The Dulles Corridor has tons of IT opportunites with some big players, as well as the Federal Government. But before making the move, I'd make sure she does a thorough search of the available jobs. Security Clearance is like Wonka's Golden Ticket...if you have one, you are set.

The secert clearence is not as big a deal as it was say around 04-06. Now a days a lot of contractors will hire you with the condition that you will get one while you are working for them. If she doesn't have one don't sweat it as long as she has good credit and a clean record she can obtain one.

Just last week my boss hired a non-clearence person over one that was clearence, the non-clearence was better quailfied. Some people think casue you have a clearence you can just walk into a General Dynamics, CACI, Boz Allen and they will just hand you a job, not the case. Now if you have a TSI with lifestyle poly diffrent story but those are very rare.

Bleed, as far as cost of living. It's hard to say since I have no experience with Lancaster. So that's tough to say. You can probably find a decent place in Falls Church which is fairly close to McClean that won't clear the bank. There are lots of spots around the area where rent isn't unreasonable (expect to pay, at minimum, 1500 to be close to McClean at all. I rent a 2 bed/bath Condo in Centreville (one hell of a commute to McClean) and it's 1400 a month. The farther east, the more expensive. Another option is the reston/herndon area and taking the toll road in. 2 bucks a day round trip give or take if you get off on rt 7.

If you need any additional help, feel free to PM me and Ill be glad to do a little research for you~

When it comes down to it, if this position will lead to something in the future -- it's probably going to be worth it!

I'm not sure how the whole process works, but if it's recently expired, I'd imagine it wouldn't take as long (or be as expensive) for a company to help get it reactivated...

As saden said, McLean/Great Falls is a very affluent area. But you can live relatively close to McLean for the right price...


You are right there is a grace period. How long I don't know, DOD maybe able to tell you.

Here is funny thing about clearences though now that Obama is in office a lot of Govt Contractors are looking for new paths/ business that is not defense spending. Anything that is "green" right now is very hot and they could give 2 craps about your clearence, you have to have skillz man. =)

Also, there is no access to Tysons Corner/ McLean by Metro. Well at least not direct you could get off at Dunn Loring or Vienna and take the Metro bus close to where you will be working, which I imangine would be on Greenspring Ave.

Even though my office is several hours from Mclean I do alot of avdertising in that area to sell homeowners insurance and I'm amazed at what a small home will sell for in that area.

Looks like there are multiple offers on the table. One in McLean and one with a location of "greater DC area" which could be just about anywhere. I have to speak directly with the mgr to get a fixed location.

Looks like there are multiple offers on the table. One in McLean and one with a location of "greater DC area" which could be just about anywhere. I have to speak directly with the mgr to get a fixed location.


Honestly dude stay where you are. Me and my wife got out of there becasue there was no way we could afford to raise a family there. Daycare is like 1500 to 1800 a month in that area for a good place. You will never see a single family home unless you move to Gainesville or have at least $1 million to drop on a house and you still be in Reston commuting.

Trust me if you move you will be sitting in traffic jam one Saturday afternoon asking yourself what hell did I just do to myself.

Honestly dude stay where you are. Me and my wife got out of there becasue there was no way we could afford to raise a family there. Daycare is like 1500 to 1800 a month in that area for a good place. You will never see a single family home unless you move to Gainesville or have at least $1 million to drop on a house and you still be in Reston commuting.

Trust me if you move you will be sitting in traffic jam one Saturday afternoon asking yourself what hell did I just do to myself.

I hear you, trust me. That's why I asked for the advise. Thing is, career wise, this is probably a good move. I initially thought that the position I was to be offered was a slight jump. After my meeting, it looks to be more than I had thought. Plus, it's working directly under one of the owners of this company so visibility is great... I have a lot to think about.

Just think it through. If you don't mind apartment living and don't have kids or dogs, NOVA can be fun. Lots of happy hours, awesome shopping, great restaurants, the best of everything, etc...

I had some fun single years there too it just wears you out.

"Live in NYC (DC) once but leave before it makes you hard, live in SF but leave before it makes you soft."

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