Vienna vs McLean: culture differences?

[Anonymous]

We are a mid thirties couple looking to buy a home. Price is not an issue but we wonder what are the cultural differences between the two neighboring towns? Which has nicer people? What are people like in each town? What will our children’s lives eventually be like as residents in each town?

[Anonymous]

You are splitting hairs. There’s more similarities than any differences at all. We have best friends in both.

[Anonymous]

Very little community in McLean

[Anonymous]

Lived in both. Started in McLean, moved to Vienna specifically to give our DC a lifestyle that was more similar to our own childhoods (both locals); cul de sac living with neighborhood friends, a nice sized yard, sidewalks, sense of community.

[Anonymous]

I’ve lived in both. Mclean is more expensive and a bit better schools.

Vienna is said to be more family friendly but I haven’t noticed much difference personally having lived there for 20 years. I guess it’s neighborhood dependent. They’re both big places. McLean near north Arlington is very different than McLean next to great falls. For example mclean hamlet is very nice for families with sidewalk. You have to drive around and really see the areas.

Demographics will vary, existence of side walks for your kids. Lots of Asian and white people people in McLean. I view Vienna as more diverse as it’s more affordable.

[Anonymous]

Mclean is a little more keep to yourself and Vienna has more community feel. Mclean is not unkind but just a vibe that is less “let’s hang out and have drinks in the yard” which you do have Vienna.

[Anonymous]

Trying to stereotype these two communities is pointless. They each have homes at different price points, of different ages and types, and consist of multiple microenvironments which can be different from street to street.

In broad terms McLean is wealthier, homes cost more, and the schools are better. But Vienna has wealthier areas with new, larger homes and McLean has less expensive areas with smaller, older homes with carports instead of garages. Demographics are similar between the two.

Your experience will depend more on you and your behavior than on which area you choose to live in. If you're pleasant, sociable, flexible, and outgoing, you'll be fine anywhere. If you're arrogant, self-important, overtly political, abrasive, etc., you'll have a tough time anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mclean is a little more keep to yourself and Vienna has more community feel. Mclean is not unkind but just a vibe that is less “let’s hang out and have drinks in the yard” which you do have Vienna.

this x100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lived in both. Started in McLean, moved to Vienna specifically to give our DC a lifestyle that was more similar to our own childhoods (both locals); cul de sac living with neighborhood friends, a nice sized yard, sidewalks, sense of community.

+1

More community in Vienna.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are splitting hairs. There’s more similarities than any differences at all. We have best friends in both.

This is the most honest and useful response yet.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in both and prefer McLean. I like that people are a bit more reserved, whereas in Vienna it felt like there were more people who were superficially friendly and outgoing, but then kept close tabs on everyone and their kids. Of course, I'm comparing one McLean neighborhood to one Vienna neighborhood, and others might have different experiences, but I'm glad we made the move.

[Anonymous]

This thread about Vienna generated a lot of back-and-forth (I wasn't the OP of that thread but understood where she was coming from):

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1107933.page

[Anonymous]

It depends where exactly you are. Wealthy McLean has more kids who travel more, go downtown for private, have large yards / fewer sidewalks, and are in organized activities or tutoring. Vienna also has that too, but there’s a bit more range toward lower relative incomes, less extensive travel, smaller yards, Vienna schools and activities, and summer jobs. If you are a downtown focused family who imagines boarding school or downtown private school, there is more of that in McLean. Vienna is also wealthy but less extreme.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trying to stereotype these two communities is pointless. They each have homes at different price points, of different ages and types, and consist of multiple microenvironments which can be different from street to street.

In broad terms McLean is wealthier, homes cost more, and the schools are better. But Vienna has wealthier areas with new, larger homes and McLean has less expensive areas with smaller, older homes with carports instead of garages. Demographics are similar between the two.

Your experience will depend more on you and your behavior than on which area you choose to live in. If you're pleasant, sociable, flexible, and outgoing, you'll be fine anywhere. If you're arrogant, self-important, overtly political, abrasive, etc., you'll have a tough time anywhere.

+1.

Both the FCPS curriculum and the GPA algorithm are the same everywhere in the county. Vienna is a town, not a city, so it has county schools. By contrast, Falls Church is a city, so it has its own schools. Parts of Vienna lack sidewalks, other parts have sidewalks. Parts of McLean lack sidewalks, other parts have sidewalks. Pick an attribute and parts of McLean or Vienna will have that while other parts will not have that.

[Anonymous]

I think of McLean as skewing a bit wealthier (just a bit), but I also think of McLean as something no one else has mentioned here yet -- lots of older people. Like rich elderly women, in particular. Businesses that have been there forever. I think of Vienna as a bit more family oriented. Vienna is kids on the block playing together, McLean is carefully engineered playdates. The playdate thing is probably an exaggeration, but it is what comes to mind.