Neighborhoods in Fairfax/Prince William/Loudoun Counties?

[Anonymous]

Not sure if this is the right place for this question, but we are considering a move out of North Arlington as our landlord is selling and it's time to bite the bullet and buy.

I may still need to drive into the city once or twice a week, so I'm trying to stay no more than an hour away.

Ideally, we'd like to be in the 800 range - 3 bed minimum - and a house that doesn't need serious cosmetic upgrades...which may put us out of luck in FFX?

We have two small children so good public school elementary is a must (although I'm less concerned about MS/HS now).

We'd love a community feel - kids running around - pools, clubs, etc. And, it would be nice if there is some retail within a mile so we can walk or bike to things. A "city center" or "old town" feel that isn't just chain restaurants would be a huge bonus

Is this a unicorn? Do these neighborhoods exist? We've driven around West Springfield and parts of it are nice, as well as Kings Park West - but inventory is low and price range challenging. Same with Annandale.

Any other ideas?? Thoughts on Ashburn? Burke? Haymarket? Gainesville? Leesburg?

[Anonymous]

Lake Manassas in Gainesville, Va. Beautiful gated community with good schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lake Manassas in Gainesville, Va. Beautiful gated community with good schools.

Thank you! Parts of Manassas are still up and coming, right? So the area you're referring to must be very specific? Never been... Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

OP here - I should add...we actually don't want a 4k square foot house for our family of four! That's just too much to take care of I appreciate the affordability but, wow. Why can't they build 3k

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lake Manassas in Gainesville, Va. Beautiful gated community with good schools.

I don't know how you get to DC in an hour from Gainesville if you are commuting at rush hour.

I would look for a 3-BR townhouse in McLean or Falls Church.

[Anonymous]

We're in Burke Centre. I'd say that or W. Springfield or Kings Park area sounds like they may fit what you're looking for.

For Burke/W Springfield, you won't see hardly anything at all until the spring when the military moves turn over and so things come on the market in a surge and then are gone quickly given how fast those families need to handle things.

I think the other towns you listed in your OP are not going to let you stay within an hour of the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're in Burke Centre. I'd say that or W. Springfield or Kings Park area sounds like they may fit what you're looking for.

For Burke/W Springfield, you won't see hardly anything at all until the spring when the military moves turn over and so things come on the market in a surge and then are gone quickly given how fast those families need to handle things.

I think the other towns you listed in your OP are not going to let you stay within an hour of the city.

Also in Burke Centre, and it fits the bill for kids and pools, but things do go quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lake Manassas in Gainesville, Va. Beautiful gated community with good schools.

Thank you! Parts of Manassas are still up and coming, right? So the area you're referring to must be very specific? Never been... Thank you!!

That’s not in Manassas. However highly recommend old town Manassas and the surrounding areas if you can deal with the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lake Manassas in Gainesville, Va. Beautiful gated community with good schools.

Thank you! Parts of Manassas are still up and coming, right? So the area you're referring to must be very specific? Never been... Thank you!!

That’s not in Manassas. However highly recommend old town Manassas and the surrounding areas if you can deal with the schools.

Sorry - what do you mean? Lake Manassas isn't in Manassas? Definitely not willing to "Deal" with any schools. I want the best we can afford.

Re: the distance that some have mentioned...I'm willing to give a bit on the hour. An hour fifteen, etc. I'm assuming with this move that I will actually not be going in as much

[Anonymous]

Look at South Riding in Loudoun. I used to live there and loved it. Not sure about DC commute though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lake Manassas in Gainesville, Va. Beautiful gated community with good schools.

Thank you! Parts of Manassas are still up and coming, right? So the area you're referring to must be very specific? Never been... Thank you!!

That’s not in Manassas. However highly recommend old town Manassas and the surrounding areas if you can deal with the schools.

Sorry - what do you mean? Lake Manassas isn't in Manassas? Definitely not willing to "Deal" with any schools. I want the best we can afford.

Re: the distance that some have mentioned...I'm willing to give a bit on the hour. An hour fifteen, etc. I'm assuming with this move that I will actually not be going in as much

Lake Manassas is not in Manassas. It is in Gainesville.

[Anonymous]

West Springfield in the West Springfield HS pyramid would work.

[Anonymous]

Check out Burke Station Square. Retail and restaurants close by and increasingly walkable with new paths. VRE directly across the street. Neighborhood pool is wonderful and the people are down to earth and kind

[Anonymous]

Thank you! I love these recommendations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this is the right place for this question, but we are considering a move out of North Arlington as our landlord is selling and it's time to bite the bullet and buy.

I may still need to drive into the city once or twice a week, so I'm trying to stay no more than an hour away.

Ideally, we'd like to be in the 800 range - 3 bed minimum - and a house that doesn't need serious cosmetic upgrades...which may put us out of luck in FFX?

We have two small children so good public school elementary is a must (although I'm less concerned about MS/HS now).

We'd love a community feel - kids running around - pools, clubs, etc. And, it would be nice if there is some retail within a mile so we can walk or bike to things. A "city center" or "old town" feel that isn't just chain restaurants would be a huge bonus

Is this a unicorn? Do these neighborhoods exist? We've driven around West Springfield and parts of it are nice, as well as Kings Park West - but inventory is low and price range challenging. Same with Annandale.

Any other ideas?? Thoughts on Ashburn? Burke? Haymarket? Gainesville? Leesburg?

You're describing the Ft Hunt area of Fairfax. Great elementary schools with neighborhoods centered around community pools. The middle and high school options are more questionable