Tempted to move to great falls from McLean as prices seem to be falling

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great Falls is nicer in every way. If you know anything about GF, you can get so much more house for your money.

People I know in GF entertain ALL the time - they have elaborate homes and gardens, with pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, and tons of land.

"Traffic" and "convenience" are not a problem at all, to the people that live there.

How do you know that traffic is NOT an issue for every GFalls resident? Have you asked every single resident that very question? GFalls is NOT nicer in every way, but, according to you it is. So that is your reality. It IS difficult to get to anything, limited restaurants + 1 crappy grocery store.

[Anonymous]

We had friends in GF with a house just like the one PP described. It was great for family parties, which they had 2-3 times per year.

They moved closer in last year. The traffic and complete dependency on their cars to get anywhere wore them down.

[Anonymous]

Prices are dropping for a reason. Demographics, distant burbs with no walkability and large lots are not what most home buyers want, even if they can afford it. If you buy in a place like Great Falls, expect at best stable prices - I don't think you'll see much price appreciation as the generation shift to closer in living continues.

[Anonymous]

Anybody who is defending Great Falls as locality that has become less desirable is a FOOL. GF has been on a steady decline (in terms of re prices) the last few years. If you doubt it, please look at the numbers. They don't lie. IMO, the primary reason for this is the horrendous traffic and people are just fed up with the ever increasing commutes plus there there is only one small shopping center in GF. Most people I personally know in GF, while affluent are working professionals (attorneys, docs, corporate execs, lobbyst, etc) who must haul their asses to work EVERY DAY so the traffic is the culprit. GF has very few who are independently wealthy where they don't need to work....

[Anonymous]

They don't even have a sewer system in great falls, talk about backwoods far out.

[Anonymous]

Under $1M listing fly in GF because of the Langley pyramid, although the overall quality of FCPS has been decline for some time. If you are considering buying in GF, I'd get up early and got to Katie's for coffee one morning and then leave at your expect departure time for work. 193 crawls from the center of GF to Mclean daily - no rain or accidents required. Walker to 7 is the same. The only reasonable commute from GF is due south to Reston - if you work in Tysons or points further east, be prepared for a painful commute.

[Anonymous]

I just read an article in the Post reporting there is a huge inventory of unsold properties in Great Falls and that it would be even higher if many sellers hadn't taken their homes off the market around Christmas.

It's pretty out there but, from an investment perspective, I would feel much safer buying in Arlington, McLean or Falls Church than Great Falls. I don't see any trends that make Great Falls more attractive, except declining prices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just read an article in the Post reporting there is a huge inventory of unsold properties in Great Falls and that it would be even higher if many sellers hadn't taken their homes off the market around Christmas.

Link pls

[Anonymous]

G Falls is nice, but they not only keep building new homes, but, UGLY new homes. Meanwhile, there is a glut of existing ones on sale. If a house sells very quickly, it is because it is priced right to sell quickly. Also, w delayed start times, if you have a kid that goes to Langley, on a bus, they will spend 1 hour each way. Same goes if the parent drives them in or picks them up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anybody who is defending Great Falls as locality that has become less desirable is a FOOL. GF has been on a steady decline (in terms of re prices) the last few years. If you doubt it, please look at the numbers. They don't lie. IMO, the primary reason for this is the horrendous traffic and people are just fed up with the ever increasing commutes plus there there is only one small shopping center in GF. Most people I personally know in GF, while affluent are working professionals (attorneys, docs, corporate execs, lobbyst, etc) who must haul their asses to work EVERY DAY so the traffic is the culprit. GF has very few who are independently wealthy where they don't need to work....

o

Huge tech corridor in Western FFX and Loudoun counties. DC centric fools!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just read an article in the Post reporting there is a huge inventory of unsold properties in Great Falls and that it would be even higher if many sellers hadn't taken their homes off the market around Christmas.

It's pretty out there but, from an investment perspective, I would feel much safer buying in Arlington, McLean or Falls Church than Great Falls. I don't see any trends that make Great Falls more attractive, except declining prices.

Land. We have land. It's fabulous. Lots of wildlife. Snakes handle the rodents so no rat issue. I can green, lie in my hammock, etc, and no one messes with me. Easy drive to Tysons for shopping; GF center had all you need for day to day. Reston easy shot for variety. Half hour to Leesburg; Lucketts not much farther. Heaven

[Anonymous]

Great Falls is a very nice area, but I think it's time has come and gone. It and Potomac MD are one of the few places you can live on 2+ acres in the DC area, but the commute is insane into Tysons. You will pay dearly for the trees and quiet of the area with a lot of windshield time.

[Anonymous]

Substitute garden for green

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great Falls is a very nice area, but I think it's time has come and gone. It and Potomac MD are one of the few places you can live on 2+ acres in the DC area, but the commute is insane into Tysons. You will pay dearly for the trees and quiet of the area with a lot of windshield time.

Not everyone works in Tysons and other points East. We go to the gym in the basement of our own homes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:G Falls is nice, but they not only keep building new homes, but, UGLY new homes. Meanwhile, there is a glut of existing ones on sale. If a house sells very quickly, it is because it is priced right to sell quickly. Also, w delayed start times, if you have a kid that goes to Langley, on a bus, they will spend 1 hour each way. Same goes if the parent drives them in or picks them up.

I agree. Some of the homes are atrocious. Gold topped columns, gaudy fountains, weird castle style roofs... Are they mostly foreigners building?

The ones that are sitting are very dated styles where the elderly owners haven't updated since the early 80s. They're offended when realtors tell them it needs updating and think it should sell without any work done. People spending 1.5mill+ don't want fixer uppers with 30 year old kitchen and closed floor plans.