Pros and Cons of Great Falls, VA?

[Anonymous]

Pro: Love the open space and not having to deal with neigbors. Good schools, tree views and scenic drive.

Cons: no neigbors in walking distance, too many McMansions and small ponds, septic sewer!

Pretty sure I missed many, please help fill in the gaps. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Cons: pretty far from everything. Very isolated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cons: pretty far from everything. Very isolated.

That's not necessarily a bad thing

[Anonymous]

I've heard that homes have well water? (Con.)

[Anonymous]

Skews old. Check census data online it's an oldsters place, relative to other zip codes at similar price points (tho there aren't too many that meet that description)

[Anonymous]

Do a search. There are other threads on Great Falls. We live in GF and have no issues with septic or well water (except that we have no water when power goes out). I think some parts of GF south of the town center are on public sewer; you should check. As to demographics -- Plenty of young families and nice preschools, but not a lot of 20 somethings with no kids. It's really for families given home sizes-- you don't see nearly as many retired folks as you do in, say, close in Bethesda, because people tend to downsize and move to Reston, Cascades, or McLean when kids are grown. Great laid back community feel with lots of community events (summer concerts, Halloween, Easter, Christmas, July 4 celebrations, etc.) Lovely parks for hiking. Some parts have a neighborhod feel, some don't -- depends on what you are looking for. People who choose public schools seem happy with them; many privates are a manageable commute. Those of us who choose GF think the extra travel time is worth it.

[Anonymous]

Con - Far from Langley HS, most private schools, and many activities so you end up driving a lot, and the kids end up driving a lot. There can be a lot of traffic on Georgetown Pike and Route 7.

[Anonymous]

What's wrong with well water?

My experience of GF is sitting in an endless line of really expensive cars on a two lane road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do a search. There are other threads on Great Falls. We live in GF and have no issues with septic or well water (except that we have no water when power goes out). I think some parts of GF south of the town center are on public sewer; you should check. As to demographics -- Plenty of young families and nice preschools, but not a lot of 20 somethings with no kids. It's really for families given home sizes-- you don't see nearly as many retired folks as you do in, say, close in Bethesda, because people tend to downsize and move to Reston, Cascades, or McLean when kids are grown. Great laid back community feel with lots of community events (summer concerts, Halloween, Easter, Christmas, July 4 celebrations, etc.) Lovely parks for hiking. Some parts have a neighborhod feel, some don't -- depends on what you are looking for. People who choose public schools seem happy with them; many privates are a manageable commute. Those of us who choose GF think the extra travel time is worth it.

Great Falls trends about as old as McLean and older than Reston. You may not see the older people because people who live in Great Falls tend to stay in their homes and drive, but the over-65 set is there in large numbers.

During the real estate downtown, GF fared worse than McLean and Arlington, but that may be an opportunity for someone who can afford a home there and would consider not having to deal with neighbors a plus.

[Anonymous]

My only thought when I drive along Georgetown Pike is...why would you want to be so far from everything? But to some, that is a pro, not a con!

[Anonymous]

My experience of GF is sitting in an endless line of really expensive cars on a two lane road.

Mine, too!

[Anonymous]

We have several friends who live there. We live in McLean, close to the Chain Bridge. It takes forever to drive out there, and our friends complain about how long their commutes are. It's pretty, and you can get more house there for your money than in McLean. But I'd really worry about the roads, especially with teenagers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard that homes have well water? (Con.)

We actually moved to a house recently that is on well water. While at first I thought it was a con, I no longer think so...at all. My skin has cleared up and is longer totally dried out. It's softer and smoother than I have ever seen it before. I am not sure I want to be on public water again. The water also tastes great. Yes, you have to maintain it. Once a year you get the water tested. You can also have a uv light put on so that if bacteria ever does become a temporary issue, the light will kill it before it enters your pipes. We have a generator on our home, so we still have water when the power goes out. All that, PLUS we don't have to pay a water and sewer bill. So while you do have to maintain it, it's generally a once a year thing. Not that big of a deal.

[Anonymous]

I just moved to a house in GF on septic (had in prior house) and well (new to us). Was really worried about it, but now I like it, except for worry that when power goes out, water does too. Will the PP please share where they got their whole house generator (if they like it)? We're planning on it, but would love a recommendation.

Pros: GORGEOUS property, lots of trees, privacy, great schools
Cons: way the H*** out there, commute stinks, no decent food store nearby (safeway is AWFUL)

[Anonymous]

You will spend your life in your car. I did when I lived there. So we moved.