Hi! So, my husband is getting a job transfer to northern Virginia!! we currently live in So Cal. We are super excited because my husbands family lives out there and we are all very close. So, we are moving the 1st week of Jan. and have 2 kids. My daughter is in kindergarten and my son is 3 and in preschool 2 half days a week. We are looking at either Loudoun county or Fairfax county for places to live. So, my question is, is there a mom's group or play groups that I can get involved in that anyone knows of? Even though we have family over there, I don't really know anyone else and my kids are the only kids in the family for now, and my brother in law, sister in law, and mother in law all work full time. So, I'm looking for ways that I can make friends and have my kids make friends too. My husband will be gone in training for the first 3 months that we are there, so I will probibly be bored when my family is at work during the day. I know my daughter will make friends at school, but I would like to be able to make some friends too. So, if you know of any mom groups or play groups, please let me know! Even if they are at churches that's good too. We will be looking for a non denom. christian church to go too also. Thanks!!
We're relocating there too, around the same time! I have a 4 1/2 yr old who is in half day pre-k and a 2 yr old. Stressful!! Good luck finding something, message me when you get there if you need a friend :)
McLean Bible Church has a Loudoun Campus. There are tons of ways to get involved at the church as well - couples small groups, Motherhood Matters (which is a Mom's Group), for the kids there is something called Kid's Quest, which is awesome. If you are also looking for Mom's groups outside of the church, dependent upon where you live you can go to the community website and find groups there. For instance, if you will be living in Ashburn then there would be play groups and Mom's groups through the community website.
If living in Fairfax county, McLean Bible Church has a campus there as well and there are Mom's groups and the same opportunities available through that campus as well.
We lived in Reston, VA for 2 yrs and hated every minute of it.
Northern Virginia isn't anything like the rest of Virginia it's like going to a different country. Traffic is AWEFUL we lived literally 5 miles from where my husband work and it took him at least 30 mins to get to work in the morning no matter what time he left for work. There is a nice outdoor mall there and my GREAT ob/gyn was there but that's about all I can say that is good about Northern Virginia. There are plenty of moms groups in the area because it is so densely populated.
Loudon and Fairfax are booming metropolises. There are tons of things to do and everything is relatively close. Just remember, the traffic is horrendous! What can take 5 min. in the middle of the day, can take 45 min. at rush hour.
Get involved in the PTO at school. You'll meet lots of moms who are just like you. No. VA is full of transients - it's the nature of the beast around here.
Find a church. Get involved. There are hundreds to choose from...
You'll need to find a house first and then a church. You don't want to find a church you love and then discover that it's an hour from your home.
MOPS is big out here. You can find a group that suits your needs once you get here.
I live further out and am very happy for it. I have few neighbors and my friends - the ones I see most often - are dear. You'll have to decide what kind of neighborhood you want to live in - there are all kinds in Fairfax and Loudon...
YMMV
LBC
We lived in Sterling Va for 17 years before my husbands job moved and we relocated to Chesapeake. During those 17 yrs, Loudoun county was pretty much paved over though there are still a few rural areas way out towards the western end and Leesburg still has a small town feeling to it. It's all pretty metropolitan right now, and the traffic is a constant presence 24/7. Which ever neighborhood you land in, there will be plenty to do and can join as many groups as you want to.
I would check out the local MOMS Clubs (www.momsclub.org) and join the one for your new neighborhood. It's a great way to connect and make friends. You could also look into MOPS since you're open to something at churches.
One of my best friends lives in Reston, though she is about to move to Toronto. I know she has done Little Gym and Music Together with her kids. If you end up in/near Reston, I can try to get some more specific recs from her. She has kids ages 4 and 2 and is really happy there (they are also moving b/c of her husband's job). I think it's a nice place to raise a family.
We'll miss you in SoCal!
K.
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