Falls Church is Number 1 in the DMV

[Anonymous]

Good schools, responsive government, good community resources, high property values.

Sure, FCC has its drawbacks. There are too many people in the schools' central office. There is no pyramid to add infusions of new students in MS and HS. The weekend round of soccer/farmer's market/Cherry Hill playground/Dogwood produces the same faces each time.

But overall, I'm baffled by the hate FCC seems to engender.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is saying it but the reason people stay is because of the small, fairly homogenous school system. Interesting how different FCC schools are from schools that are practically in the city (I'm looking at you Timberlane, Graham Rd, even Shrevewood).

The main reason FCC is so in demand is because of the small, excellent school system, especially when compared to Fairfax and Arlington. As far as homogenous (62.6% white, 13.6% multiple races, 13.1% hispanic, 7.3% asian, 3.3% black; 11.7% economically disadvantaged; 8.2% english language learners) FCC schools demographics are similar to the top schools in surrounding districts. Compared to FC and Arl you will not see so many complaints on DCUM or anywhere else about FCC schools. There is a lot to value and appreciate in a small, well run school division and many people do, given the extremely high demand for any homes that are available, despite the higher taxes. The current average citizen in FCC is Democrat, liberal, enlightened, highly educated, and involved in the community. Some on DCUM like to remind you of the shameful racist history FCC had 60+ years ago (along with most of Virginia back then including Arlington and Fairfax) as if that continues today even though nothing could be further from the truth.

There are also many other reasons people love FCC and want to raise their kids there besides the schools.

How are my neighbors enlightened? please do tell....

[Anonymous]

Falls Church is a jumble of mismatched retail and industrial plazas and ok-looking houses. One of the ugliest areas in the region, but good schools are still a real positive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Falls Church is a jumble of mismatched retail and industrial plazas and ok-looking houses. One of the ugliest areas in the region, but good schools are still a real positive.

No, it definitely isn't.

But it isn't one of the prettiest, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Falls Church is a jumble of mismatched retail and industrial plazas and ok-looking houses. One of the ugliest areas in the region, but good schools are still a real positive.

Not every neighborhood in FCC looks like Broadmont and downtown doesn't resemble a lovely town center quite yet but even small ramblers and cape cods sell for near or over a million due to the desirability of so much about FCC starting with the schools but including a host of other perks not the least of which is location. FCC is no uglier than many areas of Arlington, Fairfax and Alexandria. If the so called ugliness keeps some people away so much the better because there are obvious limits on how many more residents and school children the city can handle.

[Anonymous]

I've been here for 12 years, and I honestly think the schools have gone downhill since we moved here. My kids are now in HS and college prospects are dim - people like to say it's like a private school at a public cost, but our college admissions say otherwise. There also aren't the same opportunities because it's such a small school. The social aspect is also dismal, since there is no where to turn when there are 180-200 kids in a class and you've know almost all of them since you were 5.

I know many people who would like to move out of FCC but can't due to interest rates. I could sell my house off market today, but I feel like I'd end up in a worse house in a so-so district in Fairfax, so we're stuck here. It's fine, but I wouldn't buy here today knowing what I know now. Only upside is that I don't think my house will ever lose value, so I've got that going for me...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been here for 12 years, and I honestly think the schools have gone downhill since we moved here. My kids are now in HS and college prospects are dim - people like to say it's like a private school at a public cost, but our college admissions say otherwise. There also aren't the same opportunities because it's such a small school. The social aspect is also dismal, since there is no where to turn when there are 180-200 kids in a class and you've know almost all of them since you were 5.

I know many people who would like to move out of FCC but can't due to interest rates. I could sell my house off market today, but I feel like I'd end up in a worse house in a so-so district in Fairfax, so we're stuck here. It's fine, but I wouldn't buy here today knowing what I know now. Only upside is that I don't think my house will ever lose value, so I've got that going for me...

Some people agree with you on the bolded simply because surrounding schools have many more students but if you think about the huge number of school districts in the country with about 200 kids in each class do you think they have no social life? Knowing your classmates since you were 5 is not such a bad thing. Clearly many who choose FCC agree. Private school kids deal with a similar social dynamic. I raised my kids in FCC and that aspect of it was one of the biggest draws along with having close easy access to admin and staff and city officials when needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been here for 12 years, and I honestly think the schools have gone downhill since we moved here. My kids are now in HS and college prospects are dim - people like to say it's like a private school at a public cost, but our college admissions say otherwise. There also aren't the same opportunities because it's such a small school. The social aspect is also dismal, since there is no where to turn when there are 180-200 kids in a class and you've know almost all of them since you were 5.

I know many people who would like to move out of FCC but can't due to interest rates. I could sell my house off market today, but I feel like I'd end up in a worse house in a so-so district in Fairfax, so we're stuck here. It's fine, but I wouldn't buy here today knowing what I know now. Only upside is that I don't think my house will ever lose value, so I've got that going for me...

Some people agree with you on the bolded simply because surrounding schools have many more students but if you think about the huge number of school districts in the country with about 200 kids in each class do you think they have no social life? Knowing your classmates since you were 5 is not such a bad thing. Clearly many who choose FCC agree. Private school kids deal with a similar social dynamic. I raised my kids in FCC and that aspect of it was one of the biggest draws along with having close easy access to admin and staff and city officials when needed.

If your kid is popular and/or find their "people" here, then it can be great. One of my kids has not and it is extremely painful. I'm happy you didn't have this experience.

[Anonymous]

College admissions have never been “good” from FCC but it’s not right to judge kids based on college admissions because of the ridiculous admissions process and because there is no “best” school for all kids.

To the PP who said you won’t hear as many complaints about FCC schools compared to Arlington or Fairfax, that’s because there are so many fewer residents there. Of course the absolute number of complaints is smaller. Among my neighbors I hear many concerns - social problems from the one school at each level are probably the most common. There are lots of kids who feel left out or ostracized here. Another complaint is how many fewer classes and activities there are. No strings program, no dance team, limited extracurriculars…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been here for 12 years, and I honestly think the schools have gone downhill since we moved here. My kids are now in HS and college prospects are dim - people like to say it's like a private school at a public cost, but our college admissions say otherwise. There also aren't the same opportunities because it's such a small school. The social aspect is also dismal, since there is no where to turn when there are 180-200 kids in a class and you've know almost all of them since you were 5.

I know many people who would like to move out of FCC but can't due to interest rates. I could sell my house off market today, but I feel like I'd end up in a worse house in a so-so district in Fairfax, so we're stuck here. It's fine, but I wouldn't buy here today knowing what I know now. Only upside is that I don't think my house will ever lose value, so I've got that going for me...

You do realize that colleges admit students, not their hs, right? Your children's dim (your word, not mine) college prospects are definitely not a result of attending FCC public schools.

[Anonymous]

The mean replies from PPs are emblematic of what it’s like to live in FCC. Say one word out of turn or criticize the schools in anyway and you’re DONE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The mean replies from PPs are emblematic of what it’s like to live in FCC. Say one word out of turn or criticize the schools in anyway and you’re DONE.

Nonsense.

-- someone who actually lives in Falls Church

[Anonymous]

I’m always baffled when I see people describe places like Falls Church or other “ugly” places in the DMV as so nice and amazing with beautiful houses.
But if you ask them to describe or draw their best place to live, it wouldn’t look like it at all.

Let’s be honest, the houses are mostly ugly.
Not walkable, ugly strip malls, etc…

It’s fine to like the place because the schools are good and the location is close jobs. That’s about it. But please don’t say that this is a beautiful place.

If it wasn’t about your job or schools, this isn’t the place you would pick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The mean replies from PPs are emblematic of what it’s like to live in FCC. Say one word out of turn or criticize the schools in anyway and you’re DONE.

The only mean replies here are from people who don't live in FCC. And please explain what "DONE" means. That's ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m always baffled when I see people describe places like Falls Church or other “ugly” places in the DMV as so nice and amazing with beautiful houses.
But if you ask them to describe or draw their best place to live, it wouldn’t look like it at all.

Let’s be honest, the houses are mostly ugly.
Not walkable, ugly strip malls, etc…

It’s fine to like the place because the schools are good and the location is close jobs. That’s about it. But please don’t say that this is a beautiful place.

If it wasn’t about your job or schools, this isn’t the place you would pick.

Which comments call FCC beautiful? There are some nice neighborhoods but you are putting words in people's mouths that never came out.