Taxes in Mclean vs. Arlington, other differentiators

[Anonymous]

Debating buying in Mclean vs. North Arlington.

Both areas seem similar, but what am I missing? Are local taxes comparable?

Schools aren't a huge factor as DC are in private.

Leaning towards N. Arlington just because it's closer to the city, but would appreciate thoughts from those who are actually living it.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

What part of n Arlington?

[Anonymous]

N Arlington is being taken over by the woke 35 to 45 year olds. They are making decisions that will negatively affect living in Arlington — such as infrastructure and flooding — in favor of road restrictions and high density development. Fairfax County is large enough and people in McLean are well connected that tge woke will not ruin McLean.

[Anonymous]

Not enough to make a difference if your children are in private. You will likely get a larger lot in McLean, but potentially have more walkable things in Arlington. Pick the best house for your budget, and always check the flood maps in both places.

[Anonymous]

There aren't really good private schools in Arlngton (there are a few in McLean like Potomac) and it can actually be easier to reach some of the privates in DC and Maryland from parts of McLean than from much of Arlington. If you're expecting to commute downtown, North Arlington is closer than McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What part of n Arlington?

Looking in 22207, I like some degree of walkability, e.g., around Cherrydale or Lee Heights, but would compromise on that if needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not enough to make a difference if your children are in private. You will likely get a larger lot in McLean, but potentially have more walkable things in Arlington. Pick the best house for your budget, and always check the flood maps in both places.

RPA maps are more important in McLean. Flooding occurs in Arlington because of overwhelmedold storm water system. Most of McLean’s infrastructure in newer and has not been overwhelmed by density like Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What part of n Arlington?

Looking in 22207, I like some degree of walkability, e.g., around Cherrydale or Lee Heights, but would compromise on that if needed.

There are some walkable neighborhoods in McLean near the central area (Chain Bridge/Old Dominion intersection): West McLean, Bryn Mawr, Salona Village. Old Dominion Gardens and Ingleside are also walkable to the library and community center, and a park.

Note that "West McLean" is the name of a neighborhood and is not actually the western part of McLean, which is out towards Great Falls and not walkable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not enough to make a difference if your children are in private. You will likely get a larger lot in McLean, but potentially have more walkable things in Arlington. Pick the best house for your budget, and always check the flood maps in both places.

RPA maps are more important in McLean. Flooding occurs in Arlington because of overwhelmedold storm water system. Most of McLean’s infrastructure in newer and has not been overwhelmed by density like Arlington.

Tell that to people on Kirby and Chesterbrook. A relatively major road was washed out for months. All of these areas have underground water that rises in severe rains. You seem to have an axe to grind against Arlington, so it’s worth checking the maps in any place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not enough to make a difference if your children are in private. You will likely get a larger lot in McLean, but potentially have more walkable things in Arlington. Pick the best house for your budget, and always check the flood maps in both places.

I've lived in both, and that's a bit of an overgeneralization. Tons of places in North Arlington are not walkable to anything. McLean can be walkable depending on where you are (and what you want to walk to, which is true of both).

Frankly I haven't found there to be a huge difference between the two, it really depends on the exact neighborhood more than whether it's McLean or Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not enough to make a difference if your children are in private. You will likely get a larger lot in McLean, but potentially have more walkable things in Arlington. Pick the best house for your budget, and always check the flood maps in both places.

RPA maps are more important in McLean. Flooding occurs in Arlington because of overwhelmedold storm water system. Most of McLean’s infrastructure in newer and has not been overwhelmed by density like Arlington.

Tell that to people on Kirby and Chesterbrook. A relatively major road was washed out for months. All of these areas have underground water that rises in severe rains. You seem to have an axe to grind against Arlington, so it’s worth checking the maps in any place.

That was fixed and impacted a lot of areas. It's pretty unlikely that will happen again anytime soon. (NP, btw)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not enough to make a difference if your children are in private. You will likely get a larger lot in McLean, but potentially have more walkable things in Arlington. Pick the best house for your budget, and always check the flood maps in both places.

RPA maps are more important in McLean. Flooding occurs in Arlington because of overwhelmedold storm water system. Most of McLean’s infrastructure in newer and has not been overwhelmed by density like Arlington.

Tell that to people on Kirby and Chesterbrook. A relatively major road was washed out for months. All of these areas have underground water that rises in severe rains. You seem to have an axe to grind against Arlington, so it’s worth checking the maps in any place.

DP, and I don't think I have an axe to grind, but my impression is that because of the denser development flooding generally is more of a concern in Arlington than McLean. Of course, everything depends on the exact location and topography.

https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/is-arlington-ready-for-the-next-flood/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not enough to make a difference if your children are in private. You will likely get a larger lot in McLean, but potentially have more walkable things in Arlington. Pick the best house for your budget, and always check the flood maps in both places.

RPA maps are more important in McLean. Flooding occurs in Arlington because of overwhelmedold storm water system. Most of McLean’s infrastructure in newer and has not been overwhelmed by density like Arlington.

The flooding occurs in north Arlington SFH neighborhoods due to McMansions (ie less dense housing) and the loss of permeable surface area.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in both places. Mclean is much more diverse than lily white N Arlington. Skews slightly older, too. As an Asian woman, I much prefer living in McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:N Arlington is being taken over by the woke 35 to 45 year olds. They are making decisions that will negatively affect living in Arlington — such as infrastructure and flooding — in favor of road restrictions and high density development. Fairfax County is large enough and people in McLean are well connected that tge woke will not ruin McLean.

Dafuq are you prattling on about with this “woke” verbiage. You sound like a nutter.