Hollin Hall neighborhood?

[Anonymous]

My husband and I are looking at buying a house in the Hollin Hall neighborhood in the Fort Hunt area. I am a little nervous about moving away from Arlington where we currently live, which we love. But we are looking for an area that is more affordable and at the same time kid-friendly, safe, yet not too arduous a commute to downtown DC. Can anyone share pros/cons of being in the area? TIA!

[Anonymous]

I had a boss who lived there are his commute to downtown DC was terrible unless he left before 7am. He loved the neighborhood though!

[Anonymous]

I rented a house over there about 6 years ago and lived there for 3 years. It's a great neighborhood - very nice people and quiet. There's a small strip mall with a couple of restaurants, a bakery, drugstore and Safeway within walking distance. There's also a park and a pool in the neighboorhood. And the GW Parkway trail is near enough to walk to as well.

I really enjoyed living over there and would move back in a heartbeat.

[Anonymous]

PP here: In response to 13:30 - My DH commuted to G'town and it was 45 - 60 minutes. Rough points were coming into Old Town and getting into G'town. The rest was smooth.

[Anonymous]

great neighborhood, i agree. and that little shopping center is great - nice little bakery and the Variety store is awesome. like a hardware store for girls LOL - there's a bus that goes up the parkway into DC - best commute in the area if you ask me.

[Anonymous]

MS/HS combo is NOT for school snobs.

I've seen a few people complain that it's too Stepfordish but horses for courses, etc.

But if you've got a lifetime job in DC or aren't likely to be working outside DC/Arlington/Alexandria, the commute is just fine.

[Anonymous]

Commute into DC during rush generally runs 40-50 minutes. Drive along the parkway so. of Old Town is peaceful and lovely. 10-15 to OT, 10 across OT, 15 into DC.

Great neighborhood. Great elementary schools, MS/HS not as nearly bad as made out to be on this board. Diverse, yes, but terrible academics - not at all.

[Anonymous]

Commute is one of the best secrets in the general DC area I think. Takes us about 30 -40 min to downtown and no highways. We used to live in Ballston and it took us 30 minutes to either metro or drive (getting through georgetown was a pain so took just as long even though we were much closer distance wise).

[Anonymous]

I used to rent in Belle View (before we moved to/bought in Arlington) and I really loved it. So pretty and peaceful and the little shopping center is great. I was exercising all the time with being so close to the Mt. Vernon trail. And I kind of enjoyed the commute into downtown on the GW Parkway. All those neighborhoods along there are among my favorite in the area.

[Anonymous]

we used to live in Arlington/Courthouse and honestly, the only thing we miss is being able to walk to Ray's and get easy takeout from all the rstaurants on busy work nights

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the replies!