Want to relocate to NoVa - where?

[Anonymous]

McLean is highly walkable and will get even more so. More parks and playgrounds per area than any place around, and about a long golf drive from the best in shopping and restaurants - and Metro too, pretty darn soon. Oh, but also the schools (in sports and academics both) are just the best. Langley boys' lacrosse - #1 in Virginia. McLean girls' soccer - #1 in Virginia. Top scores on all academic tests - all from McLean, or TJ, where McLean residents can go. Pretty much a no-brainer if you care about your kids' education or sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Much of McLean 22101 is about same commute by car or shorter than Falls Church (22046). If proximity to Metro is key then OP might also consider WFC and parts of Vienna near Metro.

It all depends on priorities, N. Arlington is short commute but many homes there are meh even in the 900K range.

You can change your house, but you can't change your commute (and driving commutes around here ALWAYS get worse over the years). N Arlington close to Orange line is insanely great for working downtown. You have multiple options (metro, bus, driving). You never know when you'll need a non-car method of commuting. For example, none of my N Arlington friends took 4 hours to get home during the blizzard -- they were all home within an hour, even with the metro delays. My FFX county friends? All got screwed. One took 8 HOURS to get home!

This is just ridiculous. I live right by WFC metro, took 66 home that day, and got home in about an hour DRIVING.

I agree with you that it's ridiculous, but I live right where you do (we could be neighbors) and it took me 5 hours to get home that day. My fault, I think. I waited until 4:30 to leave (I was actually working, slacker government employee that I am). However, I would not buy a house based on that wacky snowstorm last year. I am walkable to metro and I love my neighborhood, so I'm happy where I am despite the fact that one night of the entire time I've lived here it took me 5 hours to get home.

[Anonymous]

Think Vienna is the best for family friendly. One thing to consider is if you want a pool community or access to one in the town. I think that really contributes to quality of life and family friendliness.

[Anonymous]

Vienna isn't a short commute to DC, one of the OP's conditions. If you can afford a house over $1M, it's not where I'd look. McLean, Falls Church and Arlington are just as "family-friendly."

[Anonymous]

Eek.

Not so sure about McLean....especially when they say "Everything but X".

Check out the following zip codes....the North Arlington people have it right.

22201, 22209, 22203, 22205

If you want it all, check out Lyon Village in 22201.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eek.

Not so sure about McLean....especially when they say "Everything but X".

Check out the following zip codes....the North Arlington people have it right.

22201, 22209, 22203, 22205

If you want it all, check out Lyon Village in 22201.

Also 22207 and 22213.

Don't get hung up on Lyon Village (much as I love it). Very little inventory, and lots of other nice places that will get you a little more house for your money, and still a short commute, walkability, and good schools.

[Anonymous]

I commute to DC. Have lived the last 11-12 years in Fairfax, and I'm moving to Arlington (22207) for a better commute. I've lived in the area for 21 years and I do think that Arlington is extremely family-friendly. We meet up with friends in various Arlington parks every weekend, and there are tons of families. There are tons of family-friendly restaurants and other businesses. So is Fairfax, but if commuting to DC is a consideration, you really should look in North Arlington. The bonus is that if you ever get a job in Tysons, North Arlington is convenient to that too. The schools in the parts of North Arlington that border McLean are comparable to the schools in McLean. I don't really think that McLean necessarily has the family-friendly edge over Arlington.

Frankly, in your budget, you should be looking in North Arlington, Falls Church (22046, mostly) and McLean. See everything in your range that appeals to you and you'll get a feel for where you want to be. I wouldn't bother with Lyon Village unless you really want metro walkability, and if that's the case, there are other neighborhoods where you can get that. (there are also some nice neighborhoods south of the clarendon metro, though i'm spacing on the neighborhood names.)

[Anonymous]

On the Tyson's side of Vienna the commute to K/17th is 50 minutes each way7:40am departure, 5:05pm departure on the return -- that was today.

If you want a 20 minute commute, the OP need to be a lot closer to one of the bridges -- e.g. off Williamsburg/Glebe Rd

[Anonymous]

Arlington's great if you (1) bought before 2003, (2) have a HHI over 250k, and/or (3) are okay with living in an 800sf condo that doesn't have a washer and dryer.

[Anonymous]

(reading more) and since your budget is $1 mil, you'll do just fine. Pick an area in Arlington (preferably zoned to Yorktown HS) that you like.

[Anonymous]

If you're looking at N Arlington and want Metro access (within walking distance) and walkability I suggest Lyon Village, Waverly Hills, Cherrydale, and East Falls Church. The school pyramids in all these neighborhoods are excellent. Lyon Village is especially popular for its large historic homes and there are plenty of newer homes. Many, many families have been drawn to the neighborhood for its proximity to shops and restaurants and the local schools, in particular, Science Focus. South of the Clarendon and Va Square Metro stations Lyon Park and Ashton Heights might also be worth a look. Both are attractive, historic neighborhoods.

Located between the Ballston and East Falls Church Metro stations check out the Tara/Leeway Overlee and Bluemont neighborhoods along Washington Boulevard. They are among N Arlington's established and more attractive neighborhoods. Westover Village with it's popular shops and restaurants, the popular middle school Swanson, and the new Westover Library are all within walking distance.

There are some other great neighborhoods in N Arlington in your price range that meet your criteria, as well as in other close-in neighborhoods in nearby Falls Church City. The metro adjacent N Arlington neighborhoods in your price range all have good schools, so just pick a neighborhood and house you like.

[Anonymous]

The only "problem" with N Arlington is that it has become so popular with families (that share your neighborhood preferences) that its schools are now overcrowded. All the N Arlington elementary schools will soon be overcrowded if they aren't already. And the newly constructed high schools, W-L and Yorktown are both far too small to handle the projected student population. W-L will be 1,000 students over capacity in a few years largely due to the popularity of the Orange Line neighborhoods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I said "hands down" because Arlington is the only one that meets ALL of OPs criteria.

- family friendly: I would say true of many communities in NOVA, but certainly lots of resources for kids in Arlington (parks, playgrounds, kid-friendly businesses etc)
- walkable (restaurants, grocery, park, metro) --this is where McLean loses out -- no metro and a lot less walkable.
- short commute to DC: several possibilities here
- schools: lots of good choices
- budget between $900K and $1.3-$1.4 mil.: check

Lyon Village meets all of the above. It is like the city in suburbia with great public schools. The new Clarendon Center by the Metro (where Trader Joes is going...and where bgr, pete's new haven pizza, circa, etc., etc.) has been a great recent update. TONS of young kids too with great parks and lots of impromptu parties with families. You won't need a car (this is not something ppl just say..but it is dead on true). I walk to the gym, groceries, movie theater, parks, preschool, elem.school, pharmacy, drs one metro stop. There are always kid activities--parades, parties, international bike races, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only "problem" with N Arlington is that it has become so popular with families (that share your neighborhood preferences) that its schools are now overcrowded. All the N Arlington elementary schools will soon be overcrowded if they aren't already. And the newly constructed high schools, W-L and Yorktown are both far too small to handle the projected student population. W-L will be 1,000 students over capacity in a few years largely due to the popularity of the Orange Line neighborhoods.

Part of W-L will get rezoned to Wakefield in a few years. It's inevitable.

[Anonymous]

Generally, you get either "walkable and short commute" or "good schools" but not both. N Arlington is the best bet.

Potomac Greens and Old Town Greens in Alexandria, but not the greatest schools.

Love Burke and Fairfax Station, but not "walkable" to grocery stores, etc.