Would you move to Arlington or Mclean for SFH living?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d keep my eyes open for properties in the “West McLean” neighborhood of McLean north of Chain Bridge Road and south of Dolley Madison (that is the historic name of the neighborhood, but it’s just west of the center of McLean and not in western McLean out towards Great Falls). There are occasionally some newish homes with at least four bedrooms on smaller lots that go on the market for around $1.25M and it’s walkable to coffee shops and some other stores in McLean without having to cross a major road. That will also get you into the McLean schools.

Thank you for the suggestion, will look into it, sounds like it's fairly close to stuff to walk to, but I wonder if anyone actually walks in DT Mclean. Will have to visit more and drive around. Looking at walkability map someone posted here, DT Mclean seems like a pretty walkable pocket, same as walkable parts of Arlington, but the feel could be different, so need to see for myself in more detail, we haven't been there enough. I also realize that even if something isn't entirely pleasant to walk around and people still drive and nobody walks, it's still worth it to have this as an option as opposed to be walking distance to nothing. I am just trying to avoid certain situations, like what my close friends have in the suburbs of another metro area, where their visiting relatives are trapped in the house because there is nothing around and no sidewalks. Uber is also expensive if you have to take it frequently and the area doesn't have abundance of uber drivers at any hour of the day. We are going to have to make sacrifices.

As a McLean resident the neighborhood described above is the best for walking in town for single family homes. Within a few blocks are groceries, restaurants, multiple coffee shops, cleaners, Total Wine and ABC store, public library, community center and Alden theater, parks etc. I drive through downtown McLean multiple times each day and see people out. There is also bus lines that will take you directly to Metro. If you need to drive as I do because I am not within easy walking distance, there is ample parking unlike many locations in Arlington.

Yes, McLean has plenty of parking and most people drive. I find parking in Arlington to be a PITA whether it be a playground, restaurants or to the library. Even paid parking garages are often hard to find parking and spots right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d keep my eyes open for properties in the “West McLean” neighborhood of McLean north of Chain Bridge Road and south of Dolley Madison (that is the historic name of the neighborhood, but it’s just west of the center of McLean and not in western McLean out towards Great Falls). There are occasionally some newish homes with at least four bedrooms on smaller lots that go on the market for around $1.25M and it’s walkable to coffee shops and some other stores in McLean without having to cross a major road. That will also get you into the McLean schools.

Thank you for the suggestion, will look into it, sounds like it's fairly close to stuff to walk to, but I wonder if anyone actually walks in DT Mclean. Will have to visit more and drive around. Looking at walkability map someone posted here, DT Mclean seems like a pretty walkable pocket, same as walkable parts of Arlington, but the feel could be different, so need to see for myself in more detail, we haven't been there enough. I also realize that even if something isn't entirely pleasant to walk around and people still drive and nobody walks, it's still worth it to have this as an option as opposed to be walking distance to nothing. I am just trying to avoid certain situations, like what my close friends have in the suburbs of another metro area, where their visiting relatives are trapped in the house because there is nothing around and no sidewalks. Uber is also expensive if you have to take it frequently and the area doesn't have abundance of uber drivers at any hour of the day. We are going to have to make sacrifices.

As a McLean resident the neighborhood described above is the best for walking in town for single family homes. Within a few blocks are groceries, restaurants, multiple coffee shops, cleaners, Total Wine and ABC store, public library, community center and Alden theater, parks etc. I drive through downtown McLean multiple times each day and see people out. There is also bus lines that will take you directly to Metro. If you need to drive as I do because I am not within easy walking distance, there is ample parking unlike many locations in Arlington.

Bryn Mawr and Salona Village are the two other McLean neighborhoods that are as convenient to the central area as West McLean. Salona, in particular, has gotten crazy expensive, but occasionally less expensive houses in both come on the market. There just isn’t the same number of newer but not super expensive houses as there is in West McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is too far and too white, which is what some people want.

I’ve lived in both. Most recently in the Westover area of Arlington. It’s the best of the best.

Yorktown High school is whiter (64%) than McLean (55%).

Not to quibble, but Westover is SUPER white.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d keep my eyes open for properties in the “West McLean” neighborhood of McLean north of Chain Bridge Road and south of Dolley Madison (that is the historic name of the neighborhood, but it’s just west of the center of McLean and not in western McLean out towards Great Falls). There are occasionally some newish homes with at least four bedrooms on smaller lots that go on the market for around $1.25M and it’s walkable to coffee shops and some other stores in McLean without having to cross a major road. That will also get you into the McLean schools.

Thank you for the suggestion, will look into it, sounds like it's fairly close to stuff to walk to, but I wonder if anyone actually walks in DT Mclean. Will have to visit more and drive around. Looking at walkability map someone posted here, DT Mclean seems like a pretty walkable pocket, same as walkable parts of Arlington, but the feel could be different, so need to see for myself in more detail, we haven't been there enough. I also realize that even if something isn't entirely pleasant to walk around and people still drive and nobody walks, it's still worth it to have this as an option as opposed to be walking distance to nothing. I am just trying to avoid certain situations, like what my close friends have in the suburbs of another metro area, where their visiting relatives are trapped in the house because there is nothing around and no sidewalks. Uber is also expensive if you have to take it frequently and the area doesn't have abundance of uber drivers at any hour of the day. We are going to have to make sacrifices.

As a McLean resident the neighborhood described above is the best for walking in town for single family homes. Within a few blocks are groceries, restaurants, multiple coffee shops, cleaners, Total Wine and ABC store, public library, community center and Alden theater, parks etc. I drive through downtown McLean multiple times each day and see people out. There is also bus lines that will take you directly to Metro. If you need to drive as I do because I am not within easy walking distance, there is ample parking unlike many locations in Arlington.

Bryn Mawr and Salona Village are the two other McLean neighborhoods that are as convenient to the central area as West McLean. Salona, in particular, has gotten crazy expensive, but occasionally less expensive houses in both come on the market. There just isn’t the same number of newer but not super expensive houses as there is in West McLean.

Thank you for the suggestions, I see that homes are over 2m, which is way above our budget, and I do see some homes that sold in our price range in these areas, so it's a matter of looking.