McLean "Town Center"- Where is it?

[Anonymous]

We're thinking we're likely priced out of North Arlington and have now thought of looking at some of the more inexpensive neighborhoods of McLean. We'll be coming from a sought after DC neighborhood and would like some of the things we had there. Trouble is, I can't seem to find it. Where is the town center- a spot with shopping, coffee shop, etc... That has a town center feel? We've driven around and checked out areas suggested by friends, but can't find the "town center". Is there such a thing. If so, where. Also, I'm not worried about walk ability. I knew we'd be giving that up. A five or ten minute drive is fine for us. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Old Chain Bridge. Google for the Starbucks, Giant, McLean Family Restaurant. All are in the town center.

[Anonymous]

"downtown McLean" is at the corner of Old Dominion Rd and Chain Bridge Road. There's a ton of shops along Old Dominion too (non-chain stores, like high end organic butchers etc). But the main center building is the same center as the Giant, Greenberry Coffee Shop, Kazan Restaurant, CVS, etc. There's a Starbucks next door too.

[Anonymous]

Too funny. I remember driving up and down Old Dominion and Chain Bridge Rd and wondering where downtown McLean was. That was 15 years ago and there's still no there there. But our property value had appreciated nicely even with major renovations, our neighborhood and schools are still great and DH likes his commute. And there's plenty of shopping and eating to go around.

[Anonymous]

Or StarNut, Greenberry's, Sweet Leaf for coffee. All on or near Chain Bridge.

In general, McLean homes are more, not less, expensive than North Arlington properties. The more affordable areas will be off Great Falls or Westmoreland south of Chain Bridge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too funny. I remember driving up and down Old Dominion and Chain Bridge Rd and wondering where downtown McLean was. That was 15 years ago and there's still no there there. But our property value had appreciated nicely even with major renovations, our neighborhood and schools are still great and DH likes his commute. And there's plenty of shopping and eating to go around.

This. It's convenient and that area has the potential to be more walkable in the future. But prices have definitely gone up in the neighborhoods near the "downtown" (sic) area. It is great if you want to be close to DC, Tysons, Metro, airports and top schools, and want to have some walkability but are even more interested in having everything within a short drive.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

"Town Center" -- bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Welcome to the bedroom suburbs!

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

McLean is more pricey and a step up from Arlington , not sure how you are priced out of Arlington and looking at McLean

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:McLean is more pricey and a step up from Arlington , not sure how you are priced out of Arlington and looking at McLean

I think North Arlington is more expensive per SF, but homes in McLean are bigger, so it tends to even out. There are more sales over a million in 22101/McLean than in the most expensive zip code in Arlington, which is 22207.

But I assume the OP has a certain size home and price range in mind for her family, so in her case it may well be that she's seeing more homes in McLean that seem to meet her specs than in North Arlington, putting aside the "downtown" (or lack thereof) issue.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all of the input. I took a drive out to McLean and went to the "town center" Giant. Stopped by Starbucks and StarNut. It's not what I was hoping for, but I'm just happy for a neighborhoody Starbucks. I also saw that there were plans in 2010 to redo the "town center", but the owner's were gun shy due to the recession. Does anyone know if they've changed their mind for the upcoming future? Also, how does the area expect to change with the completion of the Tyson's projects? I really prefer Arlington because of Clarendon, etc... however; for the square footage we want (I want to feel like I have more space after living sandwiched in between to other families in a rowhouse for 12 years), we're priced out. You can actually get more land for your buck in McLean in some of the more modest neighborhoods. What I want would cost upwards of 1.5 to 2 mil. in Arlington. It ain't happenin'!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:McLean is more pricey and a step up from Arlington , not sure how you are priced out of Arlington and looking at McLean

Depends which exact area of Arlington and Mclean and what type of property. If you mean walkable, metro accessible areas of Arlington and getting a certain size of the home in certain condition, you will get a price break moving to Mclean or even more residential areas of N.Arlington away from metro. N.Arlington is big though and not every area is priced the same, this is also true to some extent for Mclean, certain areas are considered more desirable and more expensive. If you go from the most expensive enclaves near Clarendon into the cheaper areas of Mclean, you should be getting a better home for your money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all of the input. I took a drive out to McLean and went to the "town center" Giant. Stopped by Starbucks and StarNut. It's not what I was hoping for, but I'm just happy for a neighborhoody Starbucks. I also saw that there were plans in 2010 to redo the "town center", but the owner's were gun shy due to the recession. Does anyone know if they've changed their mind for the upcoming future? Also, how does the area expect to change with the completion of the Tyson's projects? I really prefer Arlington because of Clarendon, etc... however; for the square footage we want (I want to feel like I have more space after living sandwiched in between to other families in a rowhouse for 12 years), we're priced out. You can actually get more land for your buck in McLean in some of the more modest neighborhoods. What I want would cost upwards of 1.5 to 2 mil. in Arlington. It ain't happenin'!!!

If you buy near the mclean metro there will be a ton of new development including a wegmans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is more pricey and a step up from Arlington , not sure how you are priced out of Arlington and looking at McLean

Depends which exact area of Arlington and Mclean and what type of property. If you mean walkable, metro accessible areas of Arlington and getting a certain size of the home in certain condition, you will get a price break moving to Mclean or even more residential areas of N.Arlington away from metro. N.Arlington is big though and not every area is priced the same, this is also true to some extent for Mclean, certain areas are considered more desirable and more expensive. If you go from the most expensive enclaves near Clarendon into the cheaper areas of Mclean, you should be getting a better home for your money.

All of McLean is either on par or better than North Arlington. 1/2 of North Arlington is not on as good as McLean. Either way it's an improvement to move to McLean.