Moving to Annandale from the UK - What's it like?

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

In the next few weeks I'm moving with my husband and 17 month old son to Annandale, VA from the UK. Can anyone tell me a bit about the area and what to expect? I'd be especially keen to hear about any good local parks (I think you call them tot lots?) or playgroups / parent and child classes.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

What part of Annandale? Do you know the neighborhood, yet?

There are quite a few parks in Annandale, just need to know where you'll be to give you some good suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Thanks It looks like our house is near Manassas Gap Park, on a street off Annandale Rd (650) - does that help?

[Anonymous]

You'll be near Hidden Oaks Nature Center which has a nice wildlife display and fun kid programs plus a playground. You can also drive over to Wakefield Rec Center for kid classes, indoor pool. There are a variety of preschools in that area, too. Plus the library - I know that some of the organized Moms groups meet there.

[Anonymous]

Annandale has 2 distinct sides - the heavily asian side outside of the beltway (west), and the heavily hispanic side inside the beltway (east).

Looks like your neighborhood is just barely inside the beltway, so I'm not sure what the mix will be like in your exact neighborhood. But the town is very much ethnic - mostly either korean or el salvadorean, depending which part. It's interesting. You will have no shortage of cool places to eat I'm sure.

[Anonymous]

Where in the UK are you coming from?

In general, expect Annandale to be less walkable. I currently live in London, but even when I've visited other smaller cities in the UK, I find them to be much more walkable than most of the DC area.

[Anonymous]

Don't listen to the poster who described Annandale as having only two sides. I live in Annandale and that's not true. We're more diverse than that and I love it. There is a wide range in neighborhood type --McMansions, attractive large homes, small split-levels, apartments. We're right inside the beltway and I like being near to good stuff happening in the City of Falls Church and Arlington. The new Mosaic center is close by and fun with good restaurants.

[novamom]

I live pretty close to you and love it. Easy to get everywhere but I like the burbs and having a yard. My son is a little older than yours. Send me a private message and we'll connect. Mosaic has a zero entry fountain that's fun for the little ones to play in. On Saturday mornings at Mason District Park, there's a children's show - puppet show, music, etc. Some of them are for a slightly older kid (magic show) but DS really likes the music. Not too far away is Clemyjontri which is the mother of all playgrounds around here. We tend to go there for an early morning activity b/c it gets really crowded later in the day. Like a PP said, Hidden Oaks Nature center is really great as well and super close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Annandale has 2 distinct sides - the heavily asian side outside of the beltway (west), and the heavily hispanic side inside the beltway (east).

Looks like your neighborhood is just barely inside the beltway, so I'm not sure what the mix will be like in your exact neighborhood. But the town is very much ethnic - mostly either korean or el salvadorean, depending which part. It's interesting. You will have no shortage of cool places to eat I'm sure.

You're pretty stupid to try and pass off these stereotypes here.

[Anonymous]

Check out the Annandale blog:
http://annandaleva.blogspot.com/?m=1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Annandale has 2 distinct sides - the heavily asian side outside of the beltway (west), and the heavily hispanic side inside the beltway (east).

Looks like your neighborhood is just barely inside the beltway, so I'm not sure what the mix will be like in your exact neighborhood. But the town is very much ethnic - mostly either korean or el salvadorean, depending which part. It's interesting. You will have no shortage of cool places to eat I'm sure.

I live in Annandale outside the beltway. Where outside the beltway is the heavily asian part? There are some asians and hispanics in my neighborhood, but it is still mostly white. At my kids' schools there are asian and hispanic kids, but the majority is still white. I think your comments are misleading and a little racist. Sounds like you are trying to stir up trouble.

[Anonymous]

Annandale is great! You'll have a great time. Hidden Oaks nature center is fabulous, and they have a lot of really fun programs for little ones. If you google "parktakes" you'll get the online site for the county rec centers, and you can look through the classes offered at Hidden Oaks. Lots of nature walks, puppet shows, etc.

For parks, there are quite a few great ones! My little boys love the park that is over next to Annandale High School, off of Heritage. There is one side for bigger kids and another side for smaller kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll be near Hidden Oaks Nature Center which has a nice wildlife display and fun kid programs plus a playground. You can also drive over to Wakefield Rec Center for kid classes, indoor pool. There are a variety of preschools in that area, too. Plus the library - I know that some of the organized Moms groups meet there.

Wakefield Rec Center (Audrey Moore RECenter at Wakefield Park) has excellent mountain biking trails and a skateboard park.

Also right by the cross county trail which goes north / south over fairfax, about 30 miles of bike trail.

You will be amazed at this right in the middle of a dense suburban area.

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/moore/

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/bike/bikemap/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Annandale has 2 distinct sides - the heavily asian side outside of the beltway (west), and the heavily hispanic side inside the beltway (east).

Looks like your neighborhood is just barely inside the beltway, so I'm not sure what the mix will be like in your exact neighborhood. But the town is very much ethnic - mostly either korean or el salvadorean, depending which part. It's interesting. You will have no shortage of cool places to eat I'm sure.

I highly recommend Lighthouse Tofu & BBQ behind the Burger King on Columbia Pike. And the Bonchon Chicken that just opened on Columbia Pike is really good, too. Lots of great "cheap eats" dining options in Annandale.

[Anonymous]

Think Slough or one of the more boring suburbs outside of London. Throw in a few strip malls and you'd be about right.