penguinsix

This site will give you more on the ground research re: Reston
http://www.city-data.com/forum/northern-virginia/

but they also have an Ohio forum as well.

If the money is the same, then the money isn't the same. You'll be paying a premium to live in Reston.

lapin_windstar

Homeschooling is much more religiously driven in the US than in the UK, too, and it's in the "heartland" where you find the most profound religious observance (typically).

Redwing

I lived in Newark, OH, in the late 80s, and we used to go up to Mr. Vernon quite often. It is a typical small college town; Kenyon College is actually in Gambier, just outside to the east. I seem to remember that there was a smaller college, with the name of Nazarene, or something like that actually in Mt. Vernon. Housing did cost less than Newark, and certainly less than Columbus. If you like small towns and rural areas, I think that you would like it, as long as you can stand the winters. Best thing to do is to go and check it out though. Good luck.

SnipsUK

I don't suppose you're a Rolls-Royce employee are you? I'm based out of Indianapolis now (previously worked for the company in the UK), and have been to/worked at the offices in Mt Vernon and Virginia.

In my opinion, it all depends on what sort of lifestyle you want to lead. Reston is a growing community, lots around the area, more of a social scene. Mt Vernon is in the middle of nowhere. Most people I know who work in Mt Vernon commute from Columbus, which is a cool city, but a bit of a drive away. As already pointed out, the cost of living in Mt Vernon is less than living in Virginia.