Hamel Hill Neighborhood of Mclean

[Anonymous]

Do any readers have feedback about the Hamel Hill neighborhood of Mclean? We're looking at a home right off of Davidson but want to be sure it's safe and child friendly--and not too loud with traffic and buses going by all day. Any insight is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do any readers have feedback about the Hamel Hill neighborhood of Mclean? We're looking at a home right off of Davidson but want to be sure it's safe and child friendly--and not too loud with traffic and buses going by all day. Any insight is appreciated.

Good news is you're right by Lewinsville Park in a very convenient part of McLean. Bad news is that the cul-de-sacs right off on Davidson aren't really much of a neighborhood. And there are lots of cars and pedestrians, as Davidson is one of the two approaches to McLean HS (the other being off of Westmoreland Street).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any readers have feedback about the Hamel Hill neighborhood of Mclean? We're looking at a home right off of Davidson but want to be sure it's safe and child friendly--and not too loud with traffic and buses going by all day. Any insight is appreciated.

Good news is you're right by Lewinsville Park in a very convenient part of McLean. Bad news is that the cul-de-sacs right off on Davidson aren't really much of a neighborhood. And there are lots of cars and pedestrians, as Davidson is one of the two approaches to McLean HS (the other being off of Westmoreland Street).

Thanks for your input--in terms of "affordable" neighborhoods in McLean, would you recommend Hamel Hill to a friend or relative moving into town with two small kids? I'm having a hard time getting a feel for the area. We're moving from a very busy street in Arlington and dont want to trade one speed strip for another...

Thanks

[Anonymous]

OP, is there a particular school you are looking to attend? We live in the Kent Gardens neighborhood and there are lots of family friendly, nice neighborhoods. Not sure what your budget is or what type of house you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

I personally wouldn't live there with small kids precisely because of the student drivers on Davidson Road. I'm sure it would not be an issue for others. However, you could find similar houses ($750-900K homes from the 80s) in larger, quieter neighborhoods in the Chesterbrook ES or Spring Hill ES districts in McLean or the Wolftrap ES district in Vienna.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, is there a particular school you are looking to attend? We live in the Kent Gardens neighborhood and there are lots of family friendly, nice neighborhoods. Not sure what your budget is or what type of house you are looking for.

We're looking to stay as close to 850 as possible--4 beds, big basement, nice size yard. Probably what most people are looking for, I'd imagine. Are your kids in Kent Gardens ES and are you happy with the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, is there a particular school you are looking to attend? We live in the Kent Gardens neighborhood and there are lots of family friendly, nice neighborhoods. Not sure what your budget is or what type of house you are looking for.

We're looking to stay as close to 850 as possible--4 beds, big basement, nice size yard. Probably what most people are looking for, I'd imagine. Are your kids in Kent Gardens ES and are you happy with the school.

For that price point, I would look in Potomac Hills or Chesterbrook area that feed into Chesterbrook. Our kids go to private so I can't speak to KG but it is on the larger side as far as Mclean schools go.

[Anonymous]

Chesterbrook ES area isn't close to much. Not the main downtown at least. Is there a library close by?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Chesterbrook ES area isn't close to much. Not the main downtown at least. Is there a library close by?

well, right now the main library in Mclean is closed for renovations so people are going the temp one by Balducci's or the FCC one. If you live near Chesterbrook, you do have the Chesterbrook center with Starbucks and Safeway. Let's face it, it is not like "downtown Mclean" is some thriving metropolis. We live near Chesterbrook and it is not that far to get to any of the stores on Chain Bridge Rd. But it is not walkable if that is what you are after.

[Anonymous]

If you live in central McLean, you're within walking distance of a library, community center, park, Starbucks, Balducci's, etc. If you live in the Chesterbrook area, that's not really an option. But it's a shorter commute to DC, and the homes are very pretty.