Moving to NOVA from out of state, where would you move in NOVA? up to 1.6 mm house budget

[Anonymous]

City of Falls Church....hands down.



+1 great schools, inside beltway, easy airport (IAD & DCA) access, close to two Metro stops, Harris Teeter coming soon and possibly Whole Foods, homes hold value, small town with only 4 schools (2 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high) all of which are highly rated.

Not for a commute to Reston.

[Anonymous]

neighborhood with friendly people (relatively friendly)
nice grocery stores like whole foods, trader joes, etc
good school curriculums with good after school programs
good sports like gymnastics, soccer, tennis, fitness club
nice restaurants with ethnic cuisine
running trails / biking trails

budget of house:
up to 2mm for a 5 bedroom house
tiny yard with space for a small garden
house must be on cul de sac or non busy rd

Reston has all of these. You need to check the specific neighborhood for the school, but all the rest is there. Or, Oak Hill which is adjacent and has lots of good schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I were in your shoes, I would choose (based on current friends and local knowledge in Arlington alone)

-Williamsburg/Yorktown neighborhoods.. Once the new elementary school is built, the schools won't be as over-crowded and you "hopefully" don't have to worry about getting rezoned for elementary, middle or high schools.

-Lyon Village - in Clarendon - amazing location with restaurants, bars, tons of parks all within walking distance. Great schools, but some complain about the bar-crawls seeping into their neighborhoods.. not sure I would want to have teenagers in that area.

other neighborhoods are supposed to be fantastic as well: Cherrydale, Jamestown/Country Club Hills, Donaldsun Run. I just am not as knowledgeable about these locations.

Don't bother with anything in Arlington. Expensive, overrated, and poor value for the money for anyone working in Reston.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were in your shoes, I would choose (based on current friends and local knowledge in Arlington alone)

-Williamsburg/Yorktown neighborhoods.. Once the new elementary school is built, the schools won't be as over-crowded and you "hopefully" don't have to worry about getting rezoned for elementary, middle or high schools.

-Lyon Village - in Clarendon - amazing location with restaurants, bars, tons of parks all within walking distance. Great schools, but some complain about the bar-crawls seeping into their neighborhoods.. not sure I would want to have teenagers in that area.

other neighborhoods are supposed to be fantastic as well: Cherrydale, Jamestown/Country Club Hills, Donaldsun Run. I just am not as knowledgeable about these locations.

Don't bother with anything in Arlington. Expensive, overrated, and poor value for the money for anyone working in Reston.

It's a reverse commute to Reston, and if there are children in the school system, Arlington fits the bill for most of what the OP is looking for. There are amazing sports, after school activities and enrichments, and an amazing community feel in all the schools. Not to mention tons of restaurants across all cultures and tastes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were in your shoes, I would choose (based on current friends and local knowledge in Arlington alone)

-Williamsburg/Yorktown neighborhoods.. Once the new elementary school is built, the schools won't be as over-crowded and you "hopefully" don't have to worry about getting rezoned for elementary, middle or high schools.

-Lyon Village - in Clarendon - amazing location with restaurants, bars, tons of parks all within walking distance. Great schools, but some complain about the bar-crawls seeping into their neighborhoods.. not sure I would want to have teenagers in that area.

other neighborhoods are supposed to be fantastic as well: Cherrydale, Jamestown/Country Club Hills, Donaldsun Run. I just am not as knowledgeable about these locations.

Don't bother with anything in Arlington. Expensive, overrated, and poor value for the money for anyone working in Reston.

It's a reverse commute to Reston, and if there are children in the school system, Arlington fits the bill for most of what the OP is looking for. There are amazing sports, after school activities and enrichments, and an amazing community feel in all the schools. Not to mention tons of restaurants across all cultures and tastes.

It's a reverse commute but the commute still sucks because it gets backed up at the tolls and where it intersects with 495.

[Anonymous]

It's a reverse commute to Reston, and if there are children in the school system, Arlington fits the bill for most of what the OP is looking for. There are amazing sports, after school activities and enrichments, and an amazing community feel in all the schools. Not to mention tons of restaurants across all cultures and tastes.

LOL! You do know that all of those things are also available in the Reston/Oak Hill area? Don't you. I guess you do not realize that there are tons of sports activities available all over Fairfax--even in Loudoun. I would even guess that they are more readily available than in Arlington. It may surprise you to know that there are also restaurants of all cultures. And, a reverse commute is almost non-existent in Northern Virginia. From Arlington to Reston is not a ten minute drive under the best of circumstances. It may even surprise you to know that there are lots of after school activities and enrichments. Unlike you, I cannot speak for all schools in my community, but I can tell you that there was a great community feel in my kids' school, and I know that lots of other schools in the surrounding area also have that. How do I know? Sports friends, etc.
Unlike you, I am not criticizing your community. Just pointing out that there are many, many communities that would suit OP. Many with a close commute--which Arlington does not offer. I have two grocery stores within walking distance, have a school and a swimming pool in walking distance, ethnic restaurants in walking distance, and I live on a quiet cul-de-sac in a quiet neighborhood. I also live a lot closer to Reston than Arlington. There are tons of neighborhoods that fit that bill--maybe not the groceries in walking distance.

[Anonymous]

How did OP criticize your community?

Agree though that there are many great places to live in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were in your shoes, I would choose (based on current friends and local knowledge in Arlington alone)

-Williamsburg/Yorktown neighborhoods.. Once the new elementary school is built, the schools won't be as over-crowded and you "hopefully" don't have to worry about getting rezoned for elementary, middle or high schools.

-Lyon Village - in Clarendon - amazing location with restaurants, bars, tons of parks all within walking distance. Great schools, but some complain about the bar-crawls seeping into their neighborhoods.. not sure I would want to have teenagers in that area.

other neighborhoods are supposed to be fantastic as well: Cherrydale, Jamestown/Country Club Hills, Donaldsun Run. I just am not as knowledgeable about these locations.

Don't bother with anything in Arlington. Expensive, overrated, and poor value for the money for anyone working in Reston.

It's a reverse commute to Reston, and if there are children in the school system, Arlington fits the bill for most of what the OP is looking for. There are amazing sports, after school activities and enrichments, and an amazing community feel in all the schools. Not to mention tons of restaurants across all cultures and tastes.

Not really a reverse commute because Tysons is a major job center in its own right. And Arlington is expenisve and it's just a pain to deal with all the parents trying to get their kids into the same activities, which are in comparatively short supply in Arlington because, until recently, there weren't so many kids there. The restaurants in Arlington aren't that good, and the cultural mixing is far greater in Fairfax and Loudoun. Arlington is much more polarized between the virtually all-white "haves" in North Arlington and the heavily minority "have-nots" in South Arlington, compared to the other counties. Just a really bad suggestion for the OP, who can do better further west where she wouldn't be competing for everything with people commuting to DC.

[Anonymous]

LOL. Everyone likes to tear down Arlington. Wonder why...

There are many options for OP - I am not pushing Arlington at all. In fact, I posted about Vienna earlier - seems like a good fit. But WTF is up with the Arlington haters.

-Arlington person who has worked in Herndon for 8+ years. I could never live out that way myself, but know many people who do enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were in your shoes, I would choose (based on current friends and local knowledge in Arlington alone)

-Williamsburg/Yorktown neighborhoods.. Once the new elementary school is built, the schools won't be as over-crowded and you "hopefully" don't have to worry about getting rezoned for elementary, middle or high schools.

-Lyon Village - in Clarendon - amazing location with restaurants, bars, tons of parks all within walking distance. Great schools, but some complain about the bar-crawls seeping into their neighborhoods.. not sure I would want to have teenagers in that area.

other neighborhoods are supposed to be fantastic as well: Cherrydale, Jamestown/Country Club Hills, Donaldsun Run. I just am not as knowledgeable about these locations.

Don't bother with anything in Arlington. Expensive, overrated, and poor value for the money for anyone working in Reston.

It's a reverse commute to Reston, and if there are children in the school system, Arlington fits the bill for most of what the OP is looking for. There are amazing sports, after school activities and enrichments, and an amazing community feel in all the schools. Not to mention tons of restaurants across all cultures and tastes.

Not really a reverse commute because Tysons is a major job center in its own right. And Arlington is expenisve and it's just a pain to deal with all the parents trying to get their kids into the same activities, which are in comparatively short supply in Arlington because, until recently, there weren't so many kids there. The restaurants in Arlington aren't that good, and the cultural mixing is far greater in Fairfax and Loudoun. Arlington is much more polarized between the virtually all-white "haves" in North Arlington and the heavily minority "have-nots" in South Arlington, compared to the other counties. Just a really bad suggestion for the OP, who can do better further west where she wouldn't be competing for everything with people commuting to DC.

Your whole post is just so full of sh!t inaccurate. WTF?

[Anonymous]

McLean

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It's a reverse commute to Reston, and if there are children in the school system, Arlington fits the bill for most of what the OP is looking for. There are amazing sports, after school activities and enrichments, and an amazing community feel in all the schools. Not to mention tons of restaurants across all cultures and tastes.

LOL! You do know that all of those things are also available in the Reston/Oak Hill area? Don't you. I guess you do not realize that there are tons of sports activities available all over Fairfax--even in Loudoun. I would even guess that they are more readily available than in Arlington. It may surprise you to know that there are also restaurants of all cultures. And, a reverse commute is almost non-existent in Northern Virginia. From Arlington to Reston is not a ten minute drive under the best of circumstances. It may even surprise you to know that there are lots of after school activities and enrichments. Unlike you, I cannot speak for all schools in my community, but I can tell you that there was a great community feel in my kids' school, and I know that lots of other schools in the surrounding area also have that. How do I know? Sports friends, etc.
Unlike you, I am not criticizing your community. Just pointing out that there are many, many communities that would suit OP. Many with a close commute--which Arlington does not offer. I have two grocery stores within walking distance, have a school and a swimming pool in walking distance, ethnic restaurants in walking distance, and I live on a quiet cul-de-sac in a quiet neighborhood. I also live a lot closer to Reston than Arlington. There are tons of neighborhoods that fit that bill--maybe not the groceries in walking distance.



Where did PP criticize?? you sound bitter. the poster was simply stating his/her point of view and suggestion.. the purpose of the forum. Relax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LOL. Everyone likes to tear down Arlington. Wonder why...

There are many options for OP - I am not pushing Arlington at all. In fact, I posted about Vienna earlier - seems like a good fit. But WTF is up with the Arlington haters.

-Arlington person who has worked in Herndon for 8+ years. I could never live out that way myself, but know many people who do enjoy it.

My thoughts exactly - why all the bitterness towards Arlington? You don't see Arlington parents on here bashing other towns, they are just proud and love where they live and making suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were in your shoes, I would choose (based on current friends and local knowledge in Arlington alone)

-Williamsburg/Yorktown neighborhoods.. Once the new elementary school is built, the schools won't be as over-crowded and you "hopefully" don't have to worry about getting rezoned for elementary, middle or high schools.

-Lyon Village - in Clarendon - amazing location with restaurants, bars, tons of parks all within walking distance. Great schools, but some complain about the bar-crawls seeping into their neighborhoods.. not sure I would want to have teenagers in that area.

other neighborhoods are supposed to be fantastic as well: Cherrydale, Jamestown/Country Club Hills, Donaldsun Run. I just am not as knowledgeable about these locations.

Don't bother with anything in Arlington. Expensive, overrated, and poor value for the money for anyone working in Reston.

It's a reverse commute to Reston, and if there are children in the school system, Arlington fits the bill for most of what the OP is looking for. There are amazing sports, after school activities and enrichments, and an amazing community feel in all the schools. Not to mention tons of restaurants across all cultures and tastes.

While technically a reverse commute, it's still pretty bad at rush hour.

[Anonymous]

OP. I live n arlington and I like it here. You pay a lot of money to have an easy commute to the city, though.

If your family doesn't value that, look further out. There are lovely communities outside the beltway.

I don't know where you are coming from, but know that travel times are long here and traffic matters a lot. Get some advice from Google maps about distances.