Perfect neighborhood?

[Anonymous]

It might be a little lower than you're looking for, but South Run Oaks in Fairfax Station, AV 22309.
These homes are a little older (1980s) compared with a lot of new construction around it. but the neighborhood was planned out. Large lots. Walking paths. Playgrounds. pool. Its been a while since I looked at prices, but they were 800k- 1m. Fairfax County schools are great.

[Anonymous]

Q for OP- you really have no preference between VA and MD? I am surprised - most people seem to have a preconceived preference for one. Good for you, you will have more choices.

[Anonymous]

When we were home searching in NoVa we had similar criteria and ended up in Falls Church and love it. Other neighborhoods we liked but didn't find a house we loved (our budget was less than yours) were Westover/Lacey Woods, Lyon Village, and Lyon Park (all in North Arlington). The commute from Falls Church into the city isn't great but isn't terrible, probably an average 40-45 minute drive in traffic, but less if you can flex and commute outside the prime hours. Metro and biking are options too. I'm not so big on McLean myself because it seems like it would be harder to get that neighborhood/community feel -- larger lots with busy roads/no sidewalks, no real central downtown. Certainly there are probably neighborhoods in McLean that are exceptions, but that's the general feeling I get.

[Anonymous]

love, love, love the North Cleveland Park area in DC. Lots of families, nice community feel, sidewalks (nice if you are a runner), safe, tons of restaurants, close to everything, etc....I could go on and on!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:love, love, love the North Cleveland Park area in DC. Lots of families, nice community feel, sidewalks (nice if you are a runner), safe, tons of restaurants, close to everything, etc....I could go on and on!

OP doesnt want DC and the shitty middle and high school options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, McLean new construction is running 2.2+ in the "desirable" areas. Yes, there is trash in McLean. If you are okay with old construction, "needs TLC" (wink,wink) then you will pay about $900 for basically land. Just an insiders perspective. Don't know about other areas.

I guess we live in some of that "trash" in McLean But you wouldn't pay $900K for it - more like $600K. It has pretty well everything the OP listed (except an abundance of pretty houses), including an exceptionally family friendly neighborhood. And the place next door, which was torn down and rebuilt recently, went for about $1.3 million, and it IS a beautiful house.