Looking to move- where are charming, but not snobby, N. Arlington neighborhoods?

[Anonymous]

OP here, I would consider a larger and newish town home in a less urban area. The mosquitos are so bad a our house that we spend much more time (and money) maintaining our yard than we do using it.

It seems that the larger town homes are all near metros, though, right? Does anyone know of more suburban enclaves of town homes? I think there might be one near the intersection of Glebe/Old Dominion and Lee Hwy. I'd be giving up charm, I guess.

[Anonymous]

There are two subdivisions of townhomes near Glebe/Lee. the ones on the West side of Glebe are in Glebewood Village. Most of them are on the smaller side - 2 BR, 1 BA upstairs with a rec room or bedroom and bath in the basement. I've seen a couple of larger units in the $600's. The townhomes on the other side of Glebe are larger, but they're contemporary and very plain-looking. There are some townhomes off of Kirkwood North of Washington Blvd - they're enormous. You also might look at ones off of Scott Street North of Rosslyn - a friend is selling one for $800K.

There are also a bunch on Gallows South of Tysons, and plenty around East Falls Church area. they're all over the place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are two subdivisions of townhomes near Glebe/Lee. the ones on the West side of Glebe are in Glebewood Village. Most of them are on the smaller side - 2 BR, 1 BA upstairs with a rec room or bedroom and bath in the basement. I've seen a couple of larger units in the $600's. The townhomes on the other side of Glebe are larger, but they're contemporary and very plain-looking. There are some townhomes off of Kirkwood North of Washington Blvd - they're enormous. You also might look at ones off of Scott Street North of Rosslyn - a friend is selling one for $800K.

There are also a bunch on Gallows South of Tysons, and plenty around East Falls Church area. they're all over the place.

There are a couple different townhouse developments near Glebe/Lee. The classic Glebewood townhouses I think of, are the small 2BR/1BA, 1930s- if driving North on Glebe, turn to the left one block, just before the Lee intersection, to get to those. They are just 1 mile from Ballston Metro, and go for $400-500k ish range. Excellent schools. Extremely charming, but not big.

There are several other townhouse areas - more regular-sized, and regular-priced townhomes, around that area too. One development in particular is quite attractive- again, as you drive North towards Lee, it is on your left, just after the Sunrise. To the right are some not huge, but not tiny, townhouse developments that aren't from the 1930s, but aren't brand new either. Perhaps not the most "charming," in my opinion, but excellent location, amenities, and schools.

As you go North on Glebe, there are at least 3 townhouse developments in the upper North section of Arlington. Two are to the left and right off Glebe, before you get to Old Dominion. There are also gorgeous townhomes, in small developments to the left and right as you approach Chain Bridge.

Highest end townhomes in N Arlington - the four overlooking Washington Golf & CC, with a view of DC/Georgetown - gorgeous. $3M each but not sure if the four have sold at that high price point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I would consider a larger and newish town home in a less urban area. The mosquitos are so bad a our house that we spend much more time (and money) maintaining our yard than we do using it.

It seems that the larger town homes are all near metros, though, right? Does anyone know of more suburban enclaves of town homes? I think there might be one near the intersection of Glebe/Old Dominion and Lee Hwy. I'd be giving up charm, I guess.

Yes, a number of the larger developments of THs are near metros in the area. Buckingham Commons next to Ballston is one of the largest new developments going up right now, and the largest THs there are over 3000 sq feet which have been selling in the mid-to-high 800s, but more are being built, ranging from 1200-3000 sq feet (not sure which sizes are still on sale).

Other options currently on list in less 'urban' areas are ones like this one in the Bromptons at Cherrydale (under contract), 2800 sq feet, 2004-construction at $874k:

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Arlington/2068-N-Oakland-St-22207/home/11279130

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the tips on townhouses! I will drive by all the areas you pointed out. I have found all this feedback very interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do people use the word "charm" to describe North Arlington when there are many houses that look like this?

http://franklymls.com/AR7658631

If that's "charming," then Woodbridge is positively "captivating."



Congratulations!
You picked the one house in N Arlington that's in an historically African American area.
This is not at all representative of the area.

OP, check out Berkshire Oakwood.

[Anonymous]

OP I'm curious, why are you looking specifically at N. Arlington? Most people who choose N. Arlington are looking for semi-urban and close to metro, not looking to get away from that. You are paying a premium to live in N. Arlington for exactly those things. You would get a lot more for your money elsewhere, and it sounds like you'd be happier away from the busier areas. You are much more likely to find what you are looking for in McLean or Falls Church, which are really not much further away
at all. Go to Vienna and you'd certainly find newish and bigger, and away from urban areas.

If you still want N. Arlington, then identify the charming neighborhoods you want first, then try to find the houses that are slightly less than "ideal" -- because its on a busier street, or situated next to something less desirable, or needs work. There's no secret neighborhood where all the houses are new but less than $800K in N. Arlington, so you need to find the diamond in the rough.

[Anonymous]

15:58-OP here. I have bought into the understanding (illusion?) that N. Arlington Schools are the best. However, I am learning every day and open to any information. We are in the McKinley, Swanson, WL district now. So, I believed that the premium got me better schools. My husband works in downtown DC and he works long hours, so I want a quickish commute.

Some of McLean would be just as quick as Arlington, though. Am I mistaken about the schools? I have very little children (3yr. and 18 months) so I haven't "gotten there" yet. I have no firsthand understanding. I consider the urban nature of Arlington a downside, for my preferences.

You pose an excellent question, though. Anytime I look at a real estate map I am amazed at what I can get for a certain house, then realize it's McLean.

[Anonymous]

Well, traditionally Mclean schools have the reputation of being the best in northern virginia, as Mclean is known as being the wealthy area if Nova. But Arlington schools have come a long way in recent years, and more people now are favoring semi- urban close-in areas over more traditionl suburbs, thus the rise in popularity of arlington, and the prices there in recent years. Also, yorktown hs is higher ranked than W-L by most measures, so the premium you are paying is for proximity to DC and walkable semi- urban neighborhoods, not necessarily the schools. You may want to spend ome time on the Great Schools website.

[Anonymous]

PP again- just to share my own experience, i also looked in both McLean and Arlington. I grew up around here so i know that Mclean schools have the cache of being the best in the state, possibly the region. But we decided the traditional suburbs were not for us, so bought in Arlington in a walkable area where i still consider the schools to be pretty great. In fact, despite the reputation that Fairfax county schools have of being to be the best, ive come to learn that Arlington has a lot going for it, and has some really wonderful innovative offerings. But if i preferrerd a more suburban lifetyle, then i would be looking in McLean.

[Anonymous]

PP, thanks for your perspective, this is OP. Since I only know people who have moved to Arlington, mostly for the schools, I believed they were the best. I did know Yorktown was ranked higher than WL. As a SAHM my world is pretty small. I meet people I run into locally.

I would prefer a more traditional suburban experience. I am far from "home" and think a more traditional setting would be more comfortable for me and my family. We have an agent. I will discuss this with her. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

My experience in Bluemont has been good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, thanks for your perspective, this is OP. Since I only know people who have moved to Arlington, mostly for the schools, I believed they were the best. I did know Yorktown was ranked higher than WL. As a SAHM my world is pretty small. I meet people I run into locally.

I would prefer a more traditional suburban experience. I am far from "home" and think a more traditional setting would be more comfortable for me and my family. We have an agent. I will discuss this with her. Thank you!

OP, I have lived in N. Arlington for 15+ years and actually think it is pretty suburban in a lot of places once you get out of the areas right near the metro. Places tend to have bigger lots the further north you go. We live in Waverly Hills and while we can walk to some retail (which I love), we also have block parties, Easter egg hunts, and Halloween parades in our neighborhood. I think this is true for many neighborhoods in Arlington. As for schools you really can't go wrong anywhere in N. Arlington. You should also join MONA if you already haven't - you can meet a lot of people through there and learn about schools, neighborhoods as well. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, traditionally Mclean schools have the reputation of being the best in northern virginia, as Mclean is known as being the wealthy area if Nova. But Arlington schools have come a long way in recent years, and more people now are favoring semi- urban close-in areas over more traditionl suburbs, thus the rise in popularity of arlington, and the prices there in recent years. Also, yorktown hs is higher ranked than W-L by most measures, so the premium you are paying is for proximity to DC and walkable semi- urban neighborhoods, not necessarily the schools. You may want to spend ome time on the Great Schools website.

Still a big difference between Yorktown (similar to McLean) and W-L (which isn't close).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, traditionally Mclean schools have the reputation of being the best in northern virginia, as Mclean is known as being the wealthy area if Nova. But Arlington schools have come a long way in recent years, and more people now are favoring semi- urban close-in areas over more traditionl suburbs, thus the rise in popularity of arlington, and the prices there in recent years. Also, yorktown hs is higher ranked than W-L by most measures, so the premium you are paying is for proximity to DC and walkable semi- urban neighborhoods, not necessarily the schools. You may want to spend ome time on the Great Schools website.

Still a big difference between Yorktown (similar to McLean) and W-L (which isn't close).

What does this mean??

In the latest rankings, Yorktown was 6, W-L was 8, and McLean was 12. Not that these ranking are the be all end all, but what us your comment based on?