Any scoop on Great Falls, Va?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great falls real estate values are falling a slow death. People aren't valuing the distance and space anymore.

No, no, no. McLean person, you can calm down. No one is trying to undermine you personally.

IMO, I would take GF over McLean in a heartbeat. If you value space and privacy, GF is for you, OP. Don't listen to the know it all know nothing, who tries to tell you what you want or need. If the market tanks in McLean, it will tank in GF. Which is to say, it will not. It's okay McLean, don't worry your pretty little head.

Are you sure you know the anonymous posters that well?

- 16:54 (and McLean resident).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think great falls had its heyday when DC was a wreck. Now people with $ generally prefer to be in DC or close in. Hence the pp's reference to houses sitting on the market . . .

This.

[Anonymous]

I don't live in Great Falls but I love it. I think it's really beautiful and it has a completely different vibe than the rest of the area. If DH didn't work in DC and our kids weren't entrenched in their current schools, I'd move there in a heartbeat. I'd much rather a rural feeling v. the urban lifestyle I live in and most on this board are seeking- but that's just me.

[Anonymous]

If you look at any home value index great falls is slowly falling by a percent or so a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you look at any home value index great falls is slowly falling by a percent or so a year.

The sale prices

[Anonymous]

Great Falls is the best. We live in Vienna and our goal is to get there eventually. Such a wonderful feel and great people.

[Anonymous]

Problem is that in its heyday, it was the outer boundary, so as long as you left early you could drive to DC without too much trouble

Now such a mass of humanity is commuting in from Loudoun at ungodly hours, the commute is terrible.

It's a great place to live if you never live in District and are like a CEO or something. But then why live here and not CT or NC or something truly rural and nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are strongly considering Great Falls. Could anyone comment on how long the drive on Georgetown Pike is from Walker Rd to the Beltway around 6:30 in the morning? Thanks!

From there, at 6:30 - 15 mins, 20 mins max.

I agree with this.

We live in GF, are in our 30's and have young children (kindergarten and preschool). We love it! We have a great neighborhood - kids playing in the cul de sac every night and parents watching while drinking a glass of wine. We have septic and other than having it pumped every 5 years, I've never given it a second thought. Commute is long but so worth it to be away from the hustle of the city each night and on weekends (I grew up in DC proper). DH works in Reston so his commute is fine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you look at any home value index great falls is slowly falling by a percent or so a year.

The county tax assessments for Great Falls were up by over a percentage point this year on average.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you look at any home value index great falls is slowly falling by a percent or so a year.

The county tax assessments for Great Falls were up by over a percentage point this year on average.

+1

Ignore the hostile McLean poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well water is another drawback.

Well water is a big plus. You have a filtration system and much better water without the massive amounts of chemicals needed for city or county water. Septic syste,s are also efficient and not gross. Unless you personally pump them about every five years. Great Falls is not for me because of commute, but you should not rule out because of well eater and septic systems. Of course the septic system ensures the large lots will not be filled with cookie cutter houses side by side a la Ashburn or Arlington

+1

More and more people want classier neighbors than other inner suburbs; and the space is priceless. Who wants to bicker with someone you don't even know, or care to know? More people over age 30 are choosing GF, if they are able to afford it. If they can't afford it, they will probably pretend to find another gripe about GF. You know, like the inner suburbs shit shack owners gripe about the new houses: "I would buy one, but I don't 'want' one". No one believes it.

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well water is another drawback.

Well water is a big plus. You have a filtration system and much better water without the massive amounts of chemicals needed for city or county water. Septic syste,s are also efficient and not gross. Unless you personally pump them about every five years. Great Falls is not for me because of commute, but you should not rule out because of well eater and septic systems. Of course the septic system ensures the large lots will not be filled with cookie cutter houses side by side a la Ashburn or Arlington

+1

More and more people want classier neighbors than other inner suburbs; and the space is priceless. Who wants to bicker with someone you don't even know, or care to know? More people over age 30 are choosing GF, if they are able to afford it. If they can't afford it, they will probably pretend to find another gripe about GF. You know, like the inner suburbs shit shack owners gripe about the new houses: "I would buy one, but I don't 'want' one". No one believes it.

I understand that snide remarks beget claims of sour grapes. Objectively, Great Falls/22066 has been lagging in recent years behind both McLean/22101 and Arlington/22207. Great Falls consists primarily of expensive properties, but the number of million-plus sales in 22066 to date in 2014 (108)( is behind McLean/22101 (175) and Arlington/22207 (158), and that doesn't include teardowns where someone buys an older house or lot for $800K and builds a more expensive home. I think the commute is the reason why, not well water or septic systems.

But neighborhoods ought to be about where individuals and families want to live, not what everyone else is clamoring for at the moment. There aren't many places like Great Falls as close to DC or Tysons for those who want that lifestyle and can deal with the commute (or, even better, don't need to commute). [/quote]

This is the appeal of GF. Some people don't like the other two places you mentioned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great Falls is the best. We live in Vienna and our goal is to get there eventually. Such a wonderful feel and great people.

I agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you look at any home value index great falls is slowly falling by a percent or so a year.

[Anonymous]

Most homes in Great Falls are not on Georgetown Pike and Riverbend gets little traffic. There are access roads to groups of homes off those streets. Great falls and western mclean have areas that blend into each other.

The air feels cleaner - nature's filtration system. The water tastes great. The ambiance is relaxing for those with high pressure jobs.