Would you move to Arlington or Mclean for SFH living?

[Anonymous]

The three neighborhood high schools that McLean students attend (Langley, McLean, and Marshall) are ranked ## 2, 3, and 6 in the state by US News. None of the Arlington high schools cracks the top 10. There are also far more students from the Langley, McLean, and Marshall areas at TJHSST - the state's top high school - than there are from Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The three neighborhood high schools that McLean students attend (Langley, McLean, and Marshall) are ranked ## 2, 3, and 6 in the state by US News. None of the Arlington high schools cracks the top 10. There are also far more students from the Langley, McLean, and Marshall areas at TJHSST - the state's top high school - than there are from Arlington.

Us news doesn’t take into account demographics, so it’s biased in that way.

And Arlington pays Fairfax for slots in TJ. It’s a fixed percentage of students from each.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the commute comparable for you?

I think it will be, one of us will work from home, another will be commuting to either DC or NOVA somewhere, not sure yet. School quality is super important.

We have friends where one parent works from home and the other commutes to DC via Metro from Vienna. They bought in a very specific area of Vienna so the commuting spouse can bike to Metro on a paved trail near their house. Schools are good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seemed like OP was looking for comparisons of Arlington and McLean neighborhoods that aren’t siting right on top of Metro (so excluding, say, the heart of Clarendon or the McLean area within walking distance of the Silver Line).

One thing I like about where we are in McLean is that it’s a quick drive to the WFC or McLean Metro stations, both of which have (for now) good parking near the station. The real congestion getting to DC if you drive isn’t really in McLean - it’s primarily in Arlington as you get closer to the bridges. So good Metro access is definitely a positive, even if you prefer to live in a SFH that has a bit of a yard.

Mclean parking is not metro parking, its a private lot which will go away once development increases. WFC will be it until they expand parking at EFC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean if you’re in your 40s
Arlington If you’re in your 20s-30s.

McLean has the better housing where a 1.5 million dollar home actually looks like a million dollar home. Arlington housing looks like you’re paying a million bucks for a shed.

So, if you have younger kids, then Arlington, when you have older kids and you are older, then Mclean? I get a feeling that school situation in Mclean has an edge with more options, like AAP and better rated HSs.

There's no edge either way. It's all about what you want and your family's preference. Truly. There is no point in comparing Mclean vs Yorktown vs. W&L. They have their slight differences, but overall the vast majority of children are going to do well at any of them. They are all schools that vastly serve a highly educated, high income population. Mclean/Langley a little more so with a little more overt money in my opinion, but again - you are not going to see a wild difference in your child's outcomes because you chose mclean over yorktown or vice versa. It's just not going to happen. I know so many people that graduated from schools throughout fairfax, arlington, mclean, what have you - there is a range of success in all of them. None of it having to do with whether they were at Yorktown or Mclean. You need to pick the community that feels like the best fit for you and the lifestyle you want and the vibe you want to surround your family's daily life. If you have a child you truly feel is BEYOND gifted (I mean truly, not just smart like most kids in Arlington and Mclean) and really would be served by a pull out program than sure - go with Mclean. But AAP has it's issues too, that's for certain so again, nothing has an edge. If you're making the choice between arlington and mclean, it's likely your kids have the income/education to have a good shot at doing well in life - it's going to be more about parenting, support, love then choosing between those schools.

This +1000. The school differences are negligible (academically) if you are fairly attentive parent with reasonably bright kids. The biggest difference will be your lifestyle and the culture of the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean if you’re in your 40s
Arlington If you’re in your 20s-30s.

McLean has the better housing where a 1.5 million dollar home actually looks like a million dollar home. Arlington housing looks like you’re paying a million bucks for a shed.

So, if you have younger kids, then Arlington, when you have older kids and you are older, then Mclean? I get a feeling that school situation in Mclean has an edge with more options, like AAP and better rated HSs.

There's no edge either way. It's all about what you want and your family's preference. Truly. There is no point in comparing Mclean vs Yorktown vs. W&L. They have their slight differences, but overall the vast majority of children are going to do well at any of them. They are all schools that vastly serve a highly educated, high income population. Mclean/Langley a little more so with a little more overt money in my opinion, but again - you are not going to see a wild difference in your child's outcomes because you chose mclean over yorktown or vice versa. It's just not going to happen. I know so many people that graduated from schools throughout fairfax, arlington, mclean, what have you - there is a range of success in all of them. None of it having to do with whether they were at Yorktown or Mclean. You need to pick the community that feels like the best fit for you and the lifestyle you want and the vibe you want to surround your family's daily life. If you have a child you truly feel is BEYOND gifted (I mean truly, not just smart like most kids in Arlington and Mclean) and really would be served by a pull out program than sure - go with Mclean. But AAP has it's issues too, that's for certain so again, nothing has an edge. If you're making the choice between arlington and mclean, it's likely your kids have the income/education to have a good shot at doing well in life - it's going to be more about parenting, support, love then choosing between those schools.

This +1000. The school differences are negligible (academically) if you are fairly attentive parent with reasonably bright kids. The biggest difference will be your lifestyle and the culture of the schools.

The “culture of the schools” is why the McLean schools are considered stronger and consistently ranked higher. You don’t see the same number of National Merit Semifinalists at the Arlington schools, or equally strong Model UN, Scholastic Bowl, or student journalism programs. There are also stronger foreign language options and specialized Academy programs in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean if you’re in your 40s
Arlington If you’re in your 20s-30s.

McLean has the better housing where a 1.5 million dollar home actually looks like a million dollar home. Arlington housing looks like you’re paying a million bucks for a shed.

So, if you have younger kids, then Arlington, when you have older kids and you are older, then Mclean? I get a feeling that school situation in Mclean has an edge with more options, like AAP and better rated HSs.

There's no edge either way. It's all about what you want and your family's preference. Truly. There is no point in comparing Mclean vs Yorktown vs. W&L. They have their slight differences, but overall the vast majority of children are going to do well at any of them. They are all schools that vastly serve a highly educated, high income population. Mclean/Langley a little more so with a little more overt money in my opinion, but again - you are not going to see a wild difference in your child's outcomes because you chose mclean over yorktown or vice versa. It's just not going to happen. I know so many people that graduated from schools throughout fairfax, arlington, mclean, what have you - there is a range of success in all of them. None of it having to do with whether they were at Yorktown or Mclean. You need to pick the community that feels like the best fit for you and the lifestyle you want and the vibe you want to surround your family's daily life. If you have a child you truly feel is BEYOND gifted (I mean truly, not just smart like most kids in Arlington and Mclean) and really would be served by a pull out program than sure - go with Mclean. But AAP has it's issues too, that's for certain so again, nothing has an edge. If you're making the choice between arlington and mclean, it's likely your kids have the income/education to have a good shot at doing well in life - it's going to be more about parenting, support, love then choosing between those schools.

This +1000. The school differences are negligible (academically) if you are fairly attentive parent with reasonably bright kids. The biggest difference will be your lifestyle and the culture of the schools.

The “culture of the schools” is why the McLean schools are considered stronger and consistently ranked higher. You don’t see the same number of National Merit Semifinalists at the Arlington schools, or equally strong Model UN, Scholastic Bowl, or student journalism programs. There are also stronger foreign language options and specialized Academy programs in FCPS.

Eh, so the kids are into dorky activities rather than sports (I was one of those kids, I see it as a disadvantage). National Merit Semifinalists is all about SAT test prep, and the tiger moms (of all ethnicity) I'm sure are testing like made before freshman year.

It is a different culture, Arlington is way more laid back academically but still a decent education generally. Current capacity issue is a real crisis, but hopefully wiser heads will prevail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’ve lived in both Arlington and McLean and think McLean has a better overall quality of life, but that’s because we value the additional space and privacy, along with public schools that we found more academically rigorous.

But there is no need for a pissing contest. Each area has its strengths, and both are expensive. Just look at the median prices for sales of single-family homes in the school districts over the past 12 months (per Redfin), which reflects the high demand to live in these areas.

Langley: $1,165,000
McLean: $1,111,000
Yorktown: $1,062,500
W-L: $992,750

What isn't reflected here is lot/house size. That $1.1M in Langley is WAY larger than the $992k in W-L.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve lived in both Arlington and McLean and think McLean has a better overall quality of life, but that’s because we value the additional space and privacy, along with public schools that we found more academically rigorous.

But there is no need for a pissing contest. Each area has its strengths, and both are expensive. Just look at the median prices for sales of single-family homes in the school districts over the past 12 months (per Redfin), which reflects the high demand to live in these areas.

Langley: $1,165,000
McLean: $1,111,000
Yorktown: $1,062,500
W-L: $992,750

What isn't reflected here is lot/house size. That $1.1M in Langley is WAY larger than the $992k in W-L.

One could just as easily say Arlington prices should be adjusted to reflect shorter commutes to DC.

Overall people pay more on average to live in single-family houses in McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean if you’re in your 40s
Arlington If you’re in your 20s-30s.

McLean has the better housing where a 1.5 million dollar home actually looks like a million dollar home. Arlington housing looks like you’re paying a million bucks for a shed.

So, if you have younger kids, then Arlington, when you have older kids and you are older, then Mclean? I get a feeling that school situation in Mclean has an edge with more options, like AAP and better rated HSs.

There's no edge either way. It's all about what you want and your family's preference. Truly. There is no point in comparing Mclean vs Yorktown vs. W&L. They have their slight differences, but overall the vast majority of children are going to do well at any of them. They are all schools that vastly serve a highly educated, high income population. Mclean/Langley a little more so with a little more overt money in my opinion, but again - you are not going to see a wild difference in your child's outcomes because you chose mclean over yorktown or vice versa. It's just not going to happen. I know so many people that graduated from schools throughout fairfax, arlington, mclean, what have you - there is a range of success in all of them. None of it having to do with whether they were at Yorktown or Mclean. You need to pick the community that feels like the best fit for you and the lifestyle you want and the vibe you want to surround your family's daily life. If you have a child you truly feel is BEYOND gifted (I mean truly, not just smart like most kids in Arlington and Mclean) and really would be served by a pull out program than sure - go with Mclean. But AAP has it's issues too, that's for certain so again, nothing has an edge. If you're making the choice between arlington and mclean, it's likely your kids have the income/education to have a good shot at doing well in life - it's going to be more about parenting, support, love then choosing between those schools.

This +1000. The school differences are negligible (academically) if you are fairly attentive parent with reasonably bright kids. The biggest difference will be your lifestyle and the culture of the schools.

The “culture of the schools” is why the McLean schools are considered stronger and consistently ranked higher. You don’t see the same number of National Merit Semifinalists at the Arlington schools, or equally strong Model UN, Scholastic Bowl, or student journalism programs. There are also stronger foreign language options and specialized Academy programs in FCPS.

Eh, so the kids are into dorky activities rather than sports (I was one of those kids, I see it as a disadvantage). National Merit Semifinalists is all about SAT test prep, and the tiger moms (of all ethnicity) I'm sure are testing like made before freshman year.

It is a different culture, Arlington is way more laid back academically but still a decent education generally. Current capacity issue is a real crisis, but hopefully wiser heads will prevail.

If Arlington were more “laid back,” you would not see 119-page threads on DCUM with people yelling at each other over a fairly modest realignment of elementary school boundaries and assignments.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/849831.page

It’s not that APS is bad. But there is a certain complacency when it comes to academic rigor and opportunities that you don’t find in the stronger FCPS pyramids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is too far and too white, which is what some people want.

I’ve lived in both. Most recently in the Westover area of Arlington. It’s the best of the best.

Yorktown High school is whiter (64%) than McLean (55%).

Cool story? I guess? McLean is still far whiter than Arlington. If that’s cool for you, then own it.

Anything is whiter than Arlington if you count South Arlington with the North.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve lived in both Arlington and McLean and think McLean has a better overall quality of life, but that’s because we value the additional space and privacy, along with public schools that we found more academically rigorous.

But there is no need for a pissing contest. Each area has its strengths, and both are expensive. Just look at the median prices for sales of single-family homes in the school districts over the past 12 months (per Redfin), which reflects the high demand to live in these areas.

Langley: $1,165,000
McLean: $1,111,000
Yorktown: $1,062,500
W-L: $992,750

What isn't reflected here is lot/house size. That $1.1M in Langley is WAY larger than the $992k in W-L.

One could just as easily say Arlington prices should be adjusted to reflect shorter commutes to DC.

Overall people pay more on average to live in single-family houses in McLean.

Budgets are usually fixed though so from an individual’s perspective...you get more lot/house for your money in McLean, but also a longer commute. Typical tradeoffs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean if you’re in your 40s
Arlington If you’re in your 20s-30s.

McLean has the better housing where a 1.5 million dollar home actually looks like a million dollar home. Arlington housing looks like you’re paying a million bucks for a shed.

So, if you have younger kids, then Arlington, when you have older kids and you are older, then Mclean? I get a feeling that school situation in Mclean has an edge with more options, like AAP and better rated HSs.

There's no edge either way. It's all about what you want and your family's preference. Truly. There is no point in comparing Mclean vs Yorktown vs. W&L. They have their slight differences, but overall the vast majority of children are going to do well at any of them. They are all schools that vastly serve a highly educated, high income population. Mclean/Langley a little more so with a little more overt money in my opinion, but again - you are not going to see a wild difference in your child's outcomes because you chose mclean over yorktown or vice versa. It's just not going to happen. I know so many people that graduated from schools throughout fairfax, arlington, mclean, what have you - there is a range of success in all of them. None of it having to do with whether they were at Yorktown or Mclean. You need to pick the community that feels like the best fit for you and the lifestyle you want and the vibe you want to surround your family's daily life. If you have a child you truly feel is BEYOND gifted (I mean truly, not just smart like most kids in Arlington and Mclean) and really would be served by a pull out program than sure - go with Mclean. But AAP has it's issues too, that's for certain so again, nothing has an edge. If you're making the choice between arlington and mclean, it's likely your kids have the income/education to have a good shot at doing well in life - it's going to be more about parenting, support, love then choosing between those schools.

This +1000. The school differences are negligible (academically) if you are fairly attentive parent with reasonably bright kids. The biggest difference will be your lifestyle and the culture of the schools.

The “culture of the schools” is why the McLean schools are considered stronger and consistently ranked higher. You don’t see the same number of National Merit Semifinalists at the Arlington schools, or equally strong Model UN, Scholastic Bowl, or student journalism programs. There are also stronger foreign language options and specialized Academy programs in FCPS.

Eh, so the kids are into dorky activities rather than sports (I was one of those kids, I see it as a disadvantage). National Merit Semifinalists is all about SAT test prep, and the tiger moms (of all ethnicity) I'm sure are testing like made before freshman year.

It is a different culture, Arlington is way more laid back academically but still a decent education generally. Current capacity issue is a real crisis, but hopefully wiser heads will prevail.

If Arlington were more “laid back,” you would not see 119-page threads on DCUM with people yelling at each other over a fairly modest realignment of elementary school boundaries and assignments.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/849831.page

It’s not that APS is bad. But there is a certain complacency when it comes to academic rigor and opportunities that you don’t find in the stronger FCPS pyramids.

Or, you find people who have achieved high academic success themselves and realize that sending their kids to APS vs. FCPS will not make a significant difference in outcomes. So they just decided to live in the area with amenities they prefer.

Aside from a handful of vocal parents in a few communities most parents ARE laid back. Please don’t tell me you make assumptions just based on what you read on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

We just moved to Mclean last year with 2 kids in elementary. We thought the houses were far superior in McLean. I also think the schools are better. Our kids are in the AAP program in McLean. We moved to McLean for our kids.

I personally like Arlington MUCH better for myself. I’m more of an urban person.

We moved to mclean for schools. There’s a reason why so many people move here for schools. So if you like nice houses and good schools, you may pick mclean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is too far and too white, which is what some people want.

I’ve lived in both. Most recently in the Westover area of Arlington. It’s the best of the best.

Yorktown High school is whiter (64%) than McLean (55%).

Cool story? I guess? McLean is still far whiter than Arlington. If that’s cool for you, then own it.

Anything is whiter than Arlington if you count South Arlington with the North.

My kid’s AAP class in McLean is like 75% Asian. I was surprised how Asian our school was. We also have a lot of Persians, who are considered white. McLean is not Snow White. I believe N Arlington is more white.