Close-in NOVA community for in-laws?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: we live in AU Park so I was thinking of McLean only because it seems close via chain bridge but I honestly don't go to VA very often and I'm worried about the traffic. They want a mixed age community where we're going to want to hang out too - not an 'old folks place.' For now they're leaning towards SFH and they do have a dog.

Eastern Mclean and North Arlington would be easy. There are neighborhoods where when walking the county lines cross properties. There might be some ramblers , townhouses, or capes with first floor bedrooms. Mclean community center has many events and activities and there is the springhill rec center.

[Anonymous]

Arlington or Falls Church.

[Anonymous]

OP here. 20:07 - thanks, very helpful. This is exactly what I was trying to figure out. We have a great realtor but she only does MD and DC. Could refer for VA but ideally I'd love a realtor that knows the DC/NOVA/MD areas to help them think about tradeoffs.

[Anonymous]

Carol, Jerry and Jinx Lunger are Arlington locals and very good.

[Anonymous]

Rosslyn offers a lot but not many SFH. Still, it's close to GTN and GWU for health care, the Kennedy Center, has Metro; plenty of modern, even beautiful Towers living with great views/pools/24/7 security; variety in restaurants, cafe's and a certain night life vibe/ambiance sorely lacking in other close in Nova areas.

With car, it's the quickest route to AU, straight across Key Bridge, up Foxhall and voila.

[Anonymous]

Lake Barcroft +1

Many empty nesters are moving there for good prices on ramblers and great sense of community. Schools do not matter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carol, Jerry and Jinx Lunger are Arlington locals and very good.

Not so much

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rosslyn offers a lot but not many SFH. Still, it's close to GTN and GWU for health care, the Kennedy Center, has Metro; plenty of modern, even beautiful Towers living with great views/pools/24/7 security; variety in restaurants, cafe's and a certain night life vibe/ambiance sorely lacking in other close in Nova areas.

With car, it's the quickest route to AU, straight across Key Bridge, up Foxhall and voila.

I'm a very big fan of Arlington but don't quite agree that Rosslyn has a "certain night life vibe/ambiance". There is really very little to do there in the evenings, especially in the weekends. It's a little like downtown DC in that respect: mainly big office buildings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lake Barcroft +1

Many empty nesters are moving there for good prices on ramblers and great sense of community. Schools do not matter

That's a haul for people who are planning to spend a lot of time in AU Park.

22207 or 22101. The hop across Chain Bridge is going to be just as close and generally a little less painful than the trip across the Key Bridge.

[Anonymous]

I agree with 20:07 on the nice THs in that area, though the downside of townhouses is that you wouldn't have the possibility of single-story living once mobility was an issue.

I agree, though - for access to Chain Bridge, I would look in the neighborhoods around Glebe and Military Road, North of Lee Highway. A nice cape, bungalow or ranch (there are some really nicely renovated ranches around us) would give them the option of houses with fewer stairs, and typically a bit cheaper than the colonials or farmhouses because families with one kids are usually looking at houses with 3-4 bedrooms on the same level.

[Anonymous]

Some of the townhouses in North Arlington have elevators -- Rixey View, Analostan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rosslyn offers a lot but not many SFH. Still, it's close to GTN and GWU for health care, the Kennedy Center, has Metro; plenty of modern, even beautiful Towers living with great views/pools/24/7 security; variety in restaurants, cafe's and a certain night life vibe/ambiance sorely lacking in other close in Nova areas.

With car, it's the quickest route to AU, straight across Key Bridge, up Foxhall and voila.

I'm a very big fan of Arlington but don't quite agree that Rosslyn has a "certain night life vibe/ambiance". There is really very little to do there in the evenings, especially in the weekends. It's a little like downtown DC in that respect: mainly big office buildings.

Downtown DC is far livelier now at night than Rosslyn. Much of the Orange Line development, and what's planned for Tysons, is based on lessons learned from how dreary Rosslyn is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Downtown DC is far livelier now at night than Rosslyn. Much of the Orange Line development, and what's planned for Tysons, is based on lessons learned from how dreary Rosslyn is.

Very funny

[Anonymous]

There are some nice high end condos in Rosslyn now if they are willing to go that route.

Otherwise, I'd agree with the PPs on finding an Arlington/McLean TH with an elevator or a rambler, but ramblers can be hard to find. I have been looking for one in FC/Lake Barcroft for my parents, and it's been hard to find one that's updated and with a large enough lot (3/4 - 1 acre).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Downtown DC is far livelier now at night than Rosslyn. Much of the Orange Line development, and what's planned for Tysons, is based on lessons learned from how dreary Rosslyn is.

Very funny

Sad but true. Rosslyn sucks.