Mclean vs. Vienna

[Anonymous]

if given the choice, what schools would you choose and why? would be great to get experience from parents that are at both schools. thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

McLean has about a dozen schools as does Vienna. Which ones are you talking about? The only school named "Mclean" is McLean High School. And the only school named "Vienna" is Vienna Elementary school, so I assume you are not comparing those two.

[Anonymous]

The areas are both nice. It really depends on your commute and budget. If you have $2.5 million to spend and commute to Tysons, I would choose McLean. If you have $800,000 to spend and commute to Tysons, I'd probably choose Vienna. If you have $800,000 and commute downtown, I might suck it up and choose an older home in McLean, unless you don't commute during rush hour and then I'd probably choose Vienna. Overall, I prefer the town of Vienna but McLean is closer to DC obviously if you drive. If you're planning on taking the metro, I'd look around all the stations and see what is in your budget.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I was referring mostly to elementary schools, however any information would be helpful (middle, high). As far as commute, more interested in communities and people in each city.

[Anonymous]

You will hear folks who live in Mclean taut the glories of their communities and schools and the same for those that live in Vienna. So I'm not sure if your going to be able to get a good unbiased review.

I'll disclose I live in Town of Vienna and LOVE it. That said the schools in both Mclean and Vienna are very, very good. The communities have somewhat different feels and it depends on what exactly your looking for.

I love the walkability of Vienna, the W & OD trail right up the road, walking distance to grocery stores, schools, restaurants, library, community center, sports fields, etc. The close proximity to the metro. The "low key" attitude and the friendliness of the neighbors. The small town, family friendly feel. The town's various events (Halloween Parade, Santa on the Fire Engine, Viva Vienna, etc).

So there's my 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

vienna is not walkable for most. I live out off of HMR and don't walk jack shit.

[Anonymous]

Vienna does have very good public schools, but they are VERY crowded.

[Anonymous]

17:20 I agree, but aren't McLean schools just as crowded? It's a situation everywhere within the FCPS schools without high levels of FARMS. Speak up for reductions in class size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vienna does have very good public schools, but they are VERY crowded.

Not all. My kids' school is not. Vienna El.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The areas are both nice. It really depends on your commute and budget. If you have $2.5 million to spend and commute to Tysons, I would choose McLean. If you have $800,000 to spend and commute to Tysons, I'd probably choose Vienna. If you have $800,000 and commute downtown, I might suck it up and choose an older home in McLean, unless you don't commute during rush hour and then I'd probably choose Vienna. Overall, I prefer the town of Vienna but McLean is closer to DC obviously if you drive. If you're planning on taking the metro, I'd look around all the stations and see what is in your budget.

Where in the world did you come up with the $2.5 mil figure?

That high figure is not required even for homes that aren't that old, and even new, in McLean.

[Anonymous]

Town of Vienna charges a town tax...which covers trash and leaf removal. Still not worth it though.

[Anonymous]

We started ES in McLean and then moved to Vienna (didn't have those $2.5 mil). I think both areas have very strong schools, but I personally like our Vienna school more. It's not as crazy competitive and tiger-mom/helicopter-parents affected. It feels more normal here in Vienna. Though, again, McLean school was also at a very good level.

[Anonymous]

Both are good. I prefer mclean because vienna is farther out and you eventually have to get on 66 which is it's main road. Mclean has GW parkway, 495, 66, Chain Bridge , many more commuting options and depending on where you are choice of west falls church metro and future silver lines.

[Anonymous]

Town of Vienna charges a town tax...which covers trash and leaf removal. Still not worth it though.

...and snow removal (timely, not waiting on VDOT for 2 days), instantaneous police response, maintenance and captial $$ for street and sidewalk improvements, free mulch from those leaves, parks and recreation programs and site maintenance...

Very much worth it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The areas are both nice. It really depends on your commute and budget. If you have $2.5 million to spend and commute to Tysons, I would choose McLean. If you have $800,000 to spend and commute to Tysons, I'd probably choose Vienna. If you have $800,000 and commute downtown, I might suck it up and choose an older home in McLean, unless you don't commute during rush hour and then I'd probably choose Vienna. Overall, I prefer the town of Vienna but McLean is closer to DC obviously if you drive. If you're planning on taking the metro, I'd look around all the stations and see what is in your budget.

Where in the world did you come up with the $2.5 mil figure?

That high figure is not required even for homes that aren't that old, and even new, in McLean.

The reason I chose that figure is because the new homes in Vienna tend to top out around $1.5 million. So if you want to spend $2.5 million, there will be more inventory that suits your needs in McLean. Obviously someone with $1.2 million to spend can choose either....duh! But the OP did not give any parameters.