Arlington and Alexandria school districts

[Anonymous]

Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church City all have very low home inventory right now. Just be aware. It’s a really tough buyer’s market in this area these days. Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

We love Arlington, having moved here a couple years ago. You might be able to find something in Lyon Park that is walkable, though for that budget you’ll have to sacrifice on something. That was the neighborhood I originally wanted to be in. But — We wound up in Glencarlyn, which is not walkable to stores but has a park and trails surrounding it, and is a great place for kids. We love it. Our kids are in Spanish immersion though so I can’t comment on the zoned schools for this community. For $1.3, you can get something beautiful in the neighborhood, but inventory is low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We love Arlington, having moved here a couple years ago. You might be able to find something in Lyon Park that is walkable, though for that budget you’ll have to sacrifice on something. That was the neighborhood I originally wanted to be in. But — We wound up in Glencarlyn, which is not walkable to stores but has a park and trails surrounding it, and is a great place for kids. We love it. Our kids are in Spanish immersion though so I can’t comment on the zoned schools for this community. For $1.3, you can get something beautiful in the neighborhood, but inventory is low.

OP: That sounds great! Parks and trails >>>>> shops. Thanks for the tip.

[Anonymous]

Move to Westover in Arlington and hang with us at the beer garden. Lots a families, good community spirit. $1.3M is a popular price point though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Move to Westover in Arlington and hang with us at the beer garden. Lots a families, good community spirit. $1.3M is a popular price point though.

OP: my people!

[Anonymous]

Consider Falls Church City. Very walkable, tons of wine bars/craft beer joints, smaller school district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Move to Westover in Arlington and hang with us at the beer garden. Lots a families, good community spirit. $1.3M is a popular price point though.

+1 great community, good schools

[Anonymous]

Arlington family. I wouldn't move to Arlington for the schools. Overcrowded, behind on plans to fix it, constant budget issues, and boundary wars every few years. We used to have higher teacher pay, smaller class sizes and smaller schools compared to Fairfax, but not anymore.

I'd look at Falls Church City or Fairfax County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe also consider Falls Church City? Near metro, nice walkable area, and I think houses in your budget. We looked there 4 years ago but ended up elsewhere.

Do a lot of research if you consider Falls Church. It is very small with lots of construction happening everywhere. The schools are converting to standards based rating and it’s not for everyone. Small has many advantages but also some disadvantages to being so tiny. It may be hard to find a place with a decent yard if that’s important to you.

[Anonymous]

Grading not rating

[Anonymous]

Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Move to Westover in Arlington and hang with us at the beer garden. Lots a families, good community spirit. $1.3M is a popular price point though.

OP: my people!

Watch out for floods though. Don’t buy in a gully.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of Arlington fans on dcum but I wanted to chime in to say don’t rule out Alexandria. I’m from California (Bay Area) and have lived in several parts of the DC area and the only place I could really get into is Alexandria - and somewhat coincidentally (or not) I keep meeting other folks from CA who say the same!

A lot of the DC area is suburban sprawl, and not in a good way. Alexandria has significantly more charm and personality than other places around here (certainly than Arlington, which was famously called “soulless”), and the people in Alexandria are both more down to earth and friendlier (it’s the southern influence I think) in a way that reminds me of CA.

There are many good public elementary schools in Alexandria. The public high school is huge and has some troubled kids but also sends its share of kids to Ivies every year, so it’s not all bad.

Anyway something to consider!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We love Arlington, having moved here a couple years ago. You might be able to find something in Lyon Park that is walkable, though for that budget you’ll have to sacrifice on something. That was the neighborhood I originally wanted to be in. But — We wound up in Glencarlyn, which is not walkable to stores but has a park and trails surrounding it, and is a great place for kids. We love it. Our kids are in Spanish immersion though so I can’t comment on the zoned schools for this community. For $1.3, you can get something beautiful in the neighborhood, but inventory is low.

OP: That sounds great! Parks and trails >>>>> shops. Thanks for the tip.

pro tip: don’t rule out other areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of Arlington fans on dcum but I wanted to chime in to say don’t rule out Alexandria. I’m from California (Bay Area) and have lived in several parts of the DC area and the only place I could really get into is Alexandria - and somewhat coincidentally (or not) I keep meeting other folks from CA who say the same!

A lot of the DC area is suburban sprawl, and not in a good way. Alexandria has significantly more charm and personality than other places around here (certainly than Arlington, which was famously called “soulless”), and the people in Alexandria are both more down to earth and friendlier (it’s the southern influence I think) in a way that reminds me of CA.

There are many good public elementary schools in Alexandria. The public high school is huge and has some troubled kids but also sends its share of kids to Ivies every year, so it’s not all bad.

Anyway something to consider!

Alexandria has parts that are ugly as ugly gets and soulless. Just depends.