Where to live.....McLean Arlington or vienna

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I should add that we would like to take advantage of the DC area stuff and urban area (we’re coming from Maine). No thoughts on Arlington?

In terms of commute, it will be the worst. Plus your older kids will have to go to 2 schools in 2 years. I would focus on McLean or Vienna. Having lived in both, I think Vienna is way more family-friendly and welcoming, plus more walkable. Obviously farther from DC.

+1

Where in McLean?

I would do Vienna if the commute isn't bad. McLean as a backup. They are all fine for non-rush-hour adventures in DC.

-Arlington resident

Oops. Just seeing that you'd be on the other side of Tyson's Corner. I'd probably go with McLean. Tyson's traffic is worst in the area.

^ or maybe even the Westover and Lee-Harrison areas of Arlington (22205/22207). Or even Falls Church City (22046). Easy commutes to that part of McLean.

Those don't work because OP indicated they would be here for 2 years and one of their children is a rising 5th grader. It would be much easier for the child to stay in the same school for both of the years. Arlington and Falls Church City start MS in 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Not sure about the kids who live on this particular street (it varies street by street) but this location is pretty central:
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Vienna/123-Locust-St-SW-22180/home/9454428

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is really helpful. Thank you everyone. While I like the idea of a short commute, I think Vienna will be a better fit for what we're looking for with our kids and my wife will be home (not working) for the time we're there. Any more thoughts on particular areas in Vienna? Vienna Elementary/Wolftrap, walkability, families, etc... we currently live in a community where the kids can go outside and find someone to play with/bike around with. It's awesome, and I realize this doesn't happen everywhere... They play soccer so that's also something we'd like to get them signed up for once we find a place. Basically just regular kids who enjoy going to school but aren't geniuses or anything.

Vienna has sidewalks, the commute will be decent, the people will be slightly more down to earth, and you will have what you want downtown - won't be Maine though, so be forewarned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure about the kids who live on this particular street (it varies street by street) but this location is pretty central:
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Vienna/123-Locust-St-SW-22180/home/9454428

Although I guess you will rent if you're only staying for 2 years.

[Anonymous]

Vienna is fine for families with kids who are solid students but not academic stars, and very much into sports.

The most walkable areas will be in 22180 and zoned for Vienna ES and Cunningham Park ES. Parts of the Louise Archer and Marshall Road ES districts too.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't rule out McLean. A rental like this is within your budget and will put your kids within walking distance of Kent Gardens ES in a neighborhood with sidewalks and lots of younger families. McLean has all the same youth programs (youth soccer, community center, etc.) as Vienna.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/6712-Van-Fleet-Dr_MC-Lean_VA_22101_M58281-43161

[Anonymous]

McLean and Vienna are similar enough that the shorter commute would make my decision towards McLean. Both have excellent schools, strong youth sports, a Community Center, a library, restaurants...... Both have their share of hyper focused parents and their share of more laid back parents.

[Anonymous]

I would favor Falls Church City over any you mentioned. Small - two square miles; walkable; only neighborhood schools (one line of schools for all of FCC); lot's of great new restaurants, grocery stores, mini-target (all w/in walking or biking distance) and small community feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would favor Falls Church City over any you mentioned. Small - two square miles; walkable; only neighborhood schools (one line of schools for all of FCC); lot's of great new restaurants, grocery stores, mini-target (all w/in walking or biking distance) and small community feel.

My issues with FCC would be: (1) middle school starts in 6th - so you'd have to change schools; (2) there is an IB focus even in middle school, which isn't ideal unless you plan to stick with IB through HS; and (3) it's very small and most kids/families have known each other a long time, so it's harder to break in as a newcomer (Arlington and McLean are better for newcomers, and Vienna is better than FCC).

[Anonymous]

McLean is the most expensive (22101 - not near Tysons). Try King's Mill for a small townhouse - that will place you in one of the best school pyramids.

[Anonymous]

Wonderful community feel in Vienna. Look within Town of Vienna—22180 and all addressed will have a direction to the street. NE and SE will be closer to McLean than NW and SW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would favor Falls Church City over any you mentioned. Small - two square miles; walkable; only neighborhood schools (one line of schools for all of FCC); lot's of great new restaurants, grocery stores, mini-target (all w/in walking or biking distance) and small community feel.

Are you even paying attention to OP are you just want to cheerleader FCC?

OP, I live in Arlington and love it, but for your specific situation and your particular kids, I would add to the pile of PPs saying you want FFX, because of MS starting in 6th. Traffic is awful, so find a home you like with a good commute. McLean or Vienna are both nice areas, with good schools.

[Anonymous]

Used to live in Vienna.

All you'll get for the extra Town taxes is (1) trash pickup; (2) an over-zealous local police department; (3) some odd local politicians who weren't cut out for higher office; and (4) the right to claim it has a "wonderful community feel." when it's no different than other areas in Northern Virginia (Falls Church, McLean, Fairfax, etc.) But it's not as close to DC as Arlington, or as expensive as McLean, so they will beat you over the head with the "community feel" stuff until you surrender.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is really helpful. Thank you everyone. While I like the idea of a short commute, I think Vienna will be a better fit for what we're looking for with our kids and my wife will be home (not working) for the time we're there. Any more thoughts on particular areas in Vienna? Vienna Elementary/Wolftrap, walkability, families, etc... we currently live in a community where the kids can go outside and find someone to play with/bike around with. It's awesome, and I realize this doesn't happen everywhere... They play soccer so that's also something we'd like to get them signed up for once we find a place. Basically just regular kids who enjoy going to school but aren't geniuses or anything.

Vienna Elementary has a really good community. Tons of families walk to school and it is right in the center of town. Wolf trap is also good, but the community does not seem as tight knit.

I don’t live in Vienna but have friends/family who do and would also recommend Vienna Elementary over Wolf Trap. Both are good schools but Vienna Elem is closer to the walkable part of town that seems to be “hot” right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is really helpful. Thank you everyone. While I like the idea of a short commute, I think Vienna will be a better fit for what we're looking for with our kids and my wife will be home (not working) for the time we're there. Any more thoughts on particular areas in Vienna? Vienna Elementary/Wolftrap, walkability, families, etc... we currently live in a community where the kids can go outside and find someone to play with/bike around with. It's awesome, and I realize this doesn't happen everywhere... They play soccer so that's also something we'd like to get them signed up for once we find a place. Basically just regular kids who enjoy going to school but aren't geniuses or anything.

Vienna Elementary has a really good community. Tons of families walk to school and it is right in the center of town. Wolf trap is also good, but the community does not seem as tight knit.

I don’t live in Vienna but have friends/family who do and would also recommend Vienna Elementary over Wolf Trap. Both are good schools but Vienna Elem is closer to the walkable part of town that seems to be “hot” right now.

It’s Wolftrap, not Wolf Trap.

Wolftrap is on the more expensive north side of Vienna. The other side only seems “hotter” because there are cheaper houses there to be torn down.