Neighborhood Selection in Fairfax County

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I'd appreciate some input on neighborhoods in FairFax County that you would recommend, and what it is about the neighborhood that stands out to you. My family is looking at moving to VA, and have narrowed it down to FairFax County due to the wonderful school system. However, were stuck when it comes to deciding on a specific location within the County. Your feedback would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Fffx county is huge so we may need some more info from you. Where will you/dh be working? How long of a commute are you looking at? If top schools are your priority I would suggest Mclean, Vienna, Falls Church. All seem to be very family friendly to me. Yes, ffx county schools have a great reputation but some are going to be better than others depending on what you want/need out of a school. GL!

[Anonymous]

Also, the ages of your children are needed. We're in a great school district, but it does not offer full day kindergarten.
Schools alone should not determine what neighborhood - do you like having a neighborhood with playgrounds, swimming pools, and tennis courts? Do you like having a grocery store around the corner? Or would you rather be secluded? New home or older home?
I would recommend Springfield and Kingstowne, but not Mount Vernon areas.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback thus far!! Our kids are 8 and six years old, so our top priority would be an area that offers top public schools from elementary through high school. Also, being close to great shopping, dining, parks, swimming pools etc would be great too. Proximity to the metro would also be nice. Thanks again for all the advice!

[Anonymous]

Seems like Vienna would be a good fit for you. Get into a neighborhood that feeds into Madison H.S. Schools on the north of Maple Ave tend to have higher test scores but there are some excellent schools/neighborhoods south of Maple. I think the nhoods that feed into Marshall Road elementary would probably be close to the Vienna Metro. Prices for a SFM start around 500K for a 3bd/2bath rambler (that would probably need some work).

Another area to look at is the 22043 zip of Falls Church. This feeds into the Haycock/Longfellow/Mclean pyramid which is also excellent. Houses are going to be more here. I would say starting closer to $550-600k for a starter home with more around the $650-800K price point.

GL!

[Anonymous]

Where are you and your husband commuting to? It makes a big difference

[Anonymous]

Avoid Vienna south of Maple Ave. if you want to be in a neighborhood assigned to top schools. Marshall Road is good but no one thinks it's among the top ES in the county. Same for Cunningham Park and Freedom Hill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you and your husband commuting to? It makes a big difference

I would primarily be commuting to DC, and my husband would need easy to the beltway to commute to Baltimore & it's surrounding areas.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you and your husband commuting to? It makes a big difference

I would primarily be commuting to DC, and my husband would need easy to the beltway to commute to Baltimore & it's surrounding areas.

Thanks!

I meant to say easy access to the beltway....

[Anonymous]

There is no reason to avoid Vienna south of Maple Avenue. Vienna Elementary and Marshall Road are fine schools. Cunningham Park has one neighborhood of recent immigrants that feeds into it, but the school is really okay. If you are a super school snob then you might avoid these schools, but then you would avoid the ones north of Maple Avenue too and head straight to McLean!

Anonymous wrote:Avoid Vienna south of Maple Ave. if you want to be in a neighborhood assigned to top schools. Marshall Road is good but no one thinks it's among the top ES in the county. Same for Cunningham Park and Freedom Hill.

[Anonymous]

And Freedom Hill is fine too and has a community-based advanced academics program. It is a very diverse school economically and ethnically. Some on this board have issue with that.

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for proximity to the Beltway, look for homes in the Woodson district. You want to be at elementary schools that feed into Frost MS and Woodson. Canterbury Woods ES district is particularly good.

[Anonymous]

OP, since your DH is commuting to Baltimore, is there a reason you are not looking in MD? I commute to College Park from a neighborhood close to the Beltway, and I really can't imagine going to Baltimore! Although I do actually know a family that does this. They live in the Canterbury Woods ES district, but the mom is a SAHM. Dad leaves at 5:30 and gets home after 6. It's a long. long day for everybody.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no reason to avoid Vienna south of Maple Avenue. Vienna Elementary and Marshall Road are fine schools. Cunningham Park has one neighborhood of recent immigrants that feeds into it, but the school is really okay. If you are a super school snob then you might avoid these schools, but then you would avoid the ones north of Maple Avenue too and head straight to McLean!

I love this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the feedback thus far!! Our kids are 8 and six years old, so our top priority would be an area that offers top public schools from elementary through high school. Also, being close to great shopping, dining, parks, swimming pools etc would be great too. Proximity to the metro would also be nice. Thanks again for all the advice!

Holy cow. You both need to really think about where you are going to live. I know after 9/11 I would never agree to both of us being so far away from the kids. One person needs to be close in case of an emergency. What are you going to do if one of the kids get sick? What you are describing is going to be a headache. I know I sound negative, but I know what a headache this area can be when something big happens (like 9/11) or if there's snow or a child gets sick.