McLean "Town Center"- Where is it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is my main criticism of McLean -- there isn't really a downtown. Compare it to its "rival" (Bethesda) and there's a big difference in that regard.

Bethesda, like McLean, covers several zip codes and a lot of territory. Not everyone in Bethesda is near Bethesda Row or a Metro station. The NoVa equivalent of the more walkable parts of Bethesda is not McLean, but Clarendon. McLean is similar to other parts of Bethesda or Potomac; whether it is more or less preferable depends on a host of factors, including jobs, schools, etc.

True Bethesda is pretty large and encompasses a few zip codes. I guess for us (we live in Bethesda, considered McLean), it offered a good compromise, in terms of housing schools, and the "downtown" of Bethesda was the kicker. We live in a residential neighborhood walking distance from schools (Whitman cluster) and it's a 5-minute drive (or 20 minute walk on a nice day) to downtown Bethesda. DD and I drive down to Bethesda and walk around downtown almost every day, stopping at a park, a store, or just walking around. I just didn't find that option in McLean itself. I suppose Clarendon may have it, but I'm not sure if it's really that proximate to McLean.

[Anonymous]

It is shocking that with all of the money in McLean there aren't really many good restaurants at all and the "downtown" seems pretty rundown. I live near the Safeway/ Mylos shopping center and it drives me nuts. I wish we could get a Whole Foods (Balducci's is so limited) and some better restaurant options. Really, the food at McLean family restaurant is horrible. I wish the Tyson's development would help push McLean along but I kind of doubt it. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is my main criticism of McLean -- there isn't really a downtown. Compare it to its "rival" (Bethesda) and there's a big difference in that regard.

Bethesda, like McLean, covers several zip codes and a lot of territory. Not everyone in Bethesda is near Bethesda Row or a Metro station. The NoVa equivalent of the more walkable parts of Bethesda is not McLean, but Clarendon. McLean is similar to other parts of Bethesda or Potomac; whether it is more or less preferable depends on a host of factors, including jobs, schools, etc.

True Bethesda is pretty large and encompasses a few zip codes. I guess for us (we live in Bethesda, considered McLean), it offered a good compromise, in terms of housing schools, and the "downtown" of Bethesda was the kicker. We live in a residential neighborhood walking distance from schools (Whitman cluster) and it's a 5-minute drive (or 20 minute walk on a nice day) to downtown Bethesda. DD and I drive down to Bethesda and walk around downtown almost every day, stopping at a park, a store, or just walking around. I just didn't find that option in McLean itself. I suppose Clarendon may have it, but I'm not sure if it's really that proximate to McLean.

I must have missed the part when the OP asked for pointers about Bethesda.

We are near downtown McLean. The elementary and high school are within walking distance, as are the library, the community center, several parks, a Balducci's, and some other amenities like coffee and sandwich shops. It is not redeveloped like Bethesda, but it is also less congested and we probably save more money than we would save if we lived in Bethesda, which has much more of a "spend, spend, spend" vibe to me. I like to visit Bethesda Row occasionally (although there's not much there that's not also a short drive away now at either Tysons or Mosaic), but I think we're happier in a quieter place where the consumption is a bit less conspicuous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is shocking that with all of the money in McLean there aren't really many good restaurants at all and the "downtown" seems pretty rundown. I live near the Safeway/ Mylos shopping center and it drives me nuts. I wish we could get a Whole Foods (Balducci's is so limited) and some better restaurant options. Really, the food at McLean family restaurant is horrible. I wish the Tyson's development would help push McLean along but I kind of doubt it. Sigh.

I absolutely love the breakfasts at MFR, and I also like the fact that you run into neighbors and the staff treats you like a regular even if you only stop by occasionally. It's a great small-town atmosphere.

My favorite restaurants in McLean are Absolute Thai, J. Gilberts, Kazan, Pasa Thai, Greek Taverna, Evo Bistro, Bistro Vivant, and Tachibana. They are spread out in different places, but more enough to keep us happy. But I also love that it's so close to ethnic restaurants in Falls Church and Vienna, and a quick hop to DC or around the Beltway to Rockville for Chinese (I'm sure there are good places in Arlington as well, but nothing there really stands out to me other than Pupatella).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is shocking that with all of the money in McLean there aren't really many good restaurants at all and the "downtown" seems pretty rundown. I live near the Safeway/ Mylos shopping center and it drives me nuts. I wish we could get a Whole Foods (Balducci's is so limited) and some better restaurant options. Really, the food at McLean family restaurant is horrible. I wish the Tyson's development would help push McLean along but I kind of doubt it. Sigh.

16:09 again. The restaurants are rather limited in McLean proper, but there are some decent places to eat. I'm not interested in getting a WF right in McLean. Tyson's has one by Trader Joe's, that's close enough. Harris Teeter also at Tyson's. Plenty of grocery stores already.

I echo the othe PP's sentiment that MFR staff treat you like a regular when you come in every now and then for breakfast. I frequently run into people I know due to McLean's small town vibe, and I think many folks are interested in keeping that and not turning it into Clarendon 2.0 or Bethesda 2.0--especially since we can drive to those so quickly anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is shocking that with all of the money in McLean there aren't really many good restaurants at all and the "downtown" seems pretty rundown. I live near the Safeway/ Mylos shopping center and it drives me nuts. I wish we could get a Whole Foods (Balducci's is so limited) and some better restaurant options. Really, the food at McLean family restaurant is horrible. I wish the Tyson's development would help push McLean along but I kind of doubt it. Sigh.

16:09 again. The restaurants are rather limited in McLean proper, but there are some decent places to eat. I'm not interested in getting a WF right in McLean. Tyson's has one by Trader Joe's, that's close enough. Harris Teeter also at Tyson's. Plenty of grocery stores already.

I echo the othe PP's sentiment that MFR staff treat you like a regular when you come in every now and then for breakfast. I frequently run into people I know due to McLean's small town vibe, and I think many folks are interested in keeping that and not turning it into Clarendon 2.0 or Bethesda 2.0--especially since we can drive to those so quickly anyway.

Yep, and Wegmans is supposed to be coming to Tysons/McLean soon as well.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you want walkability, why aren't you looking at Falls Church?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you want walkability, why aren't you looking at Falls Church?

She said walkability was not that important to her in the first post.

[Anonymous]

Wait, my choices are trailer-like add ons or an HOA? Sign me up!

16:47 - you need to educate yourself before you spout on about something you know nothing about. There are too many know it alls that know absolutely nothing.

PP here. Do you really think you are going to be told why there is no downtown?

BTW, if you are interested in anything resembling walkability, do not think to try to cross 123 at any point. Closer to the other side of Chain Bridge is slightly more safe.

But frankly, I would LOVE to know to where you intend to walk. Would you REALLY drag your weekly groceries home from Giant? That does not sound realistic. Though it looks great on paper, I am sure.

What neighborhood are you interested in OP? We would certainly need your price point and goals to direct you better.

The idea of "aging in place" may appeal to some, but have you SEEN the looks on the faces of those there? Yikes!

[Anonymous]

OP here- thanks again for this discussion. It's been really eye opening. I have more things to consider now. McLean provides what I need- grocery store, Starbucks, dry cleaners, etc... Just not in a cute town center. I'm okay with that given the proximity to Tyson's. After living on top of people and sandwiched in between them for a dozen years I'm longing for seclusion. I know that prohibits walkability, but the trade off is worth it. I see that there's resistance to development for a number of reasons. In just hoping that will change. This is more of a DH move than my choice, but I was with him on moving to where we can see the trees for once. It'll be nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Wait, my choices are trailer-like add ons or an HOA? Sign me up!

16:47 - you need to educate yourself before you spout on about something you know nothing about. There are too many know it alls that know absolutely nothing.

PP here. Do you really think you are going to be told why there is no downtown?

BTW, if you are interested in anything resembling walkability, do not think to try to cross 123 at any point. Closer to the other side of Chain Bridge is slightly more safe.

But frankly, I would LOVE to know to where you intend to walk. Would you REALLY drag your weekly groceries home from Giant? That does not sound realistic. Though it looks great on paper, I am sure.

What neighborhood are you interested in OP? We would certainly need your price point and goals to direct you better.

The idea of "aging in place" may appeal to some, but have you SEEN the looks on the faces of those there? Yikes!

You sound very, very odd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Wait, my choices are trailer-like add ons or an HOA? Sign me up!

16:47 - you need to educate yourself before you spout on about something you know nothing about. There are too many know it alls that know absolutely nothing.

PP here. Do you really think you are going to be told why there is no downtown?

BTW, if you are interested in anything resembling walkability, do not think to try to cross 123 at any point. Closer to the other side of Chain Bridge is slightly more safe.

But frankly, I would LOVE to know to where you intend to walk. Would you REALLY drag your weekly groceries home from Giant? That does not sound realistic. Though it looks great on paper, I am sure.

What neighborhood are you interested in OP? We would certainly need your price point and goals to direct you better.

The idea of "aging in place" may appeal to some, but have you SEEN the looks on the faces of those there? Yikes!

We're open to neighborhoods given our very narrow preference- a house backing to trees (so my claustrophobia can go away after 12 years) in the McLean cluster. I was told to avoid Langley HS by several people for a number of reasons. We'd like to renovate ourselves (crappy work is obvious to my contractor savvy DH and irks the hell out of him), so we'd like a tear down in the $850 to $950 range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is shocking that with all of the money in McLean there aren't really many good restaurants at all and the "downtown" seems pretty rundown. I live near the Safeway/ Mylos shopping center and it drives me nuts. I wish we could get a Whole Foods (Balducci's is so limited) and some better restaurant options. Really, the food at McLean family restaurant is horrible. I wish the Tyson's development would help push McLean along but I kind of doubt it. Sigh.

I completely agree. Having lived and worked in the area for over 20 years, we go to the McLean Family Restaurant and Rocco's out of nostalgia and habit, but you quickly run out other places to go. Especially when you work at the very large office complex on the east side of McLean, you never want to go to the Greek Taverna/Cafe Taj/Kazan/whatever name the Asian place on 123 is going by this week again for a team lunch. The Safeway/Mylos shopping center is horrible - ancient, run down, dreary (Mylos is good food, but the whole area is depressing). I do think someone takes pride on keeping the center of McLean shabby.

I would say that many parts of Arlington and McLean were equally shabby 20 years ago. But since then Arlington has completely transformed (I miss the Cuban and Vietnamese restaurants - sniff) and McLean hasn't changed that much.

Pick the area you like. If you like a "Main Street" kind of feel, you may not care for McLean.

[Anonymous]

It does not look like much, but it has its charms and you will come to like it quite a bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is shocking that with all of the money in McLean there aren't really many good restaurants at all and the "downtown" seems pretty rundown. I live near the Safeway/ Mylos shopping center and it drives me nuts. I wish we could get a Whole Foods (Balducci's is so limited) and some better restaurant options. Really, the food at McLean family restaurant is horrible. I wish the Tyson's development would help push McLean along but I kind of doubt it. Sigh.

I completely agree. Having lived and worked in the area for over 20 years, we go to the McLean Family Restaurant and Rocco's out of nostalgia and habit, but you quickly run out other places to go. Especially when you work at the very large office complex on the east side of McLean, you never want to go to the Greek Taverna/Cafe Taj/Kazan/whatever name the Asian place on 123 is going by this week again for a team lunch. The Safeway/Mylos shopping center is horrible - ancient, run down, dreary (Mylos is good food, but the whole area is depressing). I do think someone takes pride on keeping the center of McLean shabby.

I would say that many parts of Arlington and McLean were equally shabby 20 years ago. But since then Arlington has completely transformed (I miss the Cuban and Vietnamese restaurants - sniff) and McLean hasn't changed that much.

Pick the area you like. If you like a "Main Street" kind of feel, you may not care for McLean.

McLean provides what its most vocal residents want, which is a comfortable, convenient, primarily residential setting that is not congested like some nearby areas or built up with generic retail like parts of Arlington. Providing a wide array of dining options for nearby office workers is simply not a top priority.

Other areas also have plenty to offer, but I would not trade them for McLean. We have better public schools than DC, a larger selection of spacious homes on nice lots than Arlington, and an easier commute to the District than Vienna. It's a great place to live.