Arlington neighborhood thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's a lovely house. Need to see for yourself whether it's far enough off Wilson to minimize street noise. Also, there are a lot of rental houses in that area, so with checking for historic rental listings. It would suck to buy a forever home only to find out later that the neighbors are four post grabs splitting a SFH; surprisingly common in the eastern portions of bluemont closer to Ballston

But otherwise my guess is that house will go fast. Wouldn't be surprised if it gets an offer before the open house

Not so sure that it will go quickly. Similarly sized houses in that area that were built 50-60 years later sell for around the same price. The renovations are nice, but you're still dealing with a house that was built in 1940.

[Anonymous]

Most of Bluemont's housing stock are those 1940 era colonials and Cape cods. Unexpanded ones with some renovations (I.e. still not pure 1940s interiors) routinely sell for 700-750.

850 for an addition and well done renovations is s great deal. 0.6 miles to Ballston metro is great. It will be 0.4-0.5 miles once the western metro entrance area is built (if ever, but it's been planned for ages)

One downside is proximity to the fire department. But on the flip side, almost every other street in Bluemont east of George Mason is on a cut through street. This one isn't. So some potential minuses, but a lot of known pluses.

[Anonymous]

Use Zillow to find rental SFHs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's a lovely house. Need to see for yourself whether it's far enough off Wilson to minimize street noise. Also, there are a lot of rental houses in that area, so with checking for historic rental listings. It would suck to buy a forever home only to find out later that the neighbors are four post grabs splitting a SFH; surprisingly common in the eastern portions of bluemont closer to Ballston

But otherwise my guess is that house will go fast. Wouldn't be surprised if it gets an offer before the open house

Not so sure that it will go quickly. Similarly sized houses in that area that were built 50-60 years later sell for around the same price. The renovations are nice, but you're still dealing with a house that was built in 1940.

And that's a definite plus!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We lived in Waverly Hills (rent) and moved to Dominion Hills when we bought. DH is nice because while lots of houses have additions, there are very few total new builds and the neighborhood has a nice look of modest homes. The shopping center in Wilson is going downhill but hopefully they’ll replace the convenience store soon. It’s walkable to Westover. We have a great neighborhood association with neighborhood activities for kids. We have sidewalks and not all neighborhoods do.

Sidewalks, lots of families with young kids like ours and knowing my house wouldn’t slowly become the oldest/smallest one on the block is what sold me. Also great proximity to running/biking trails, Rt 50 and Rt 66.

+1 Love residential neighborhoods with sidewalks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you like Westover, I would check out Bluemont.

This is like saying, If you like the Upper East Side, I would check out Staten Island.

Idiot. Go finish that last glass of wine and pass out. Your regular routine.

Bluemont is honestly becoming as hot as neighboring Westover. The poster who likened Westover to the Upper East Side and Bluemont to Staten Island isn't drinking wine, she's hitting the bong.

Huh? Westover has a cute downtown with the Italian Store, a farmer’s market, Lebanese Taverna, etc. Bluemont has a clock repair shop and a Safeway that is barely functional.

They finally tore down that wall between Bluemont and Westover. So now citizens can travel freely between the two neighborhoods that are right next to each other.

If only they would tear down the apartheid wall between Halls Hill and Waycroft, the houses in Halls Hill would be worth even more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sure someone will be on to trash south arlington as soon as I post this, but we love Arlington Ridge/Aurora Highlands. We walk to pentagon city, 23rd street restaurants, the library, multiple parks, the metro. We've been happy with Oakridge and Gunston so far. Yes, Oakridge is crowded but we had a good experience. Neighbors are friendly.

But you're not able to be a member of MONA.

Another benefit. South Arlington gets better and better.

You do what most people do. Buy a $500,000 condo in North Arlington and use that address to get into MONA

Meanwhile you have a fabulous house in 22202, 22204, 22206 and only have to travel to North Arlington for the MONA initiation rite in which you have to find a parking space in the Lee Harrison center in 30 seconds. You are eligible for the MONA board if you can park your car and not scrape, ding, block or otherwise damage another SUV or minivan

MONA membership is worth it for the entertainment value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sure someone will be on to trash south arlington as soon as I post this, but we love Arlington Ridge/Aurora Highlands. We walk to pentagon city, 23rd street restaurants, the library, multiple parks, the metro. We've been happy with Oakridge and Gunston so far. Yes, Oakridge is crowded but we had a good experience. Neighbors are friendly.

But you're not able to be a member of MONA.

Another benefit. South Arlington gets better and better.

You do what most people do. Buy a $500,000 condo in North Arlington and use that address to get into MONA

Meanwhile you have a fabulous house in 22202, 22204, 22206 and only have to travel to North Arlington for the MONA initiation rite in which you have to find a parking space in the Lee Harrison center in 30 seconds. You are eligible for the MONA board if you can park your car and not scrape, ding, block or otherwise damage another SUV or minivan

MONA membership is worth it for the entertainment value.

Why doesn't anyone park underneath Harris Teeter? There is always plenty of parking, and you don't have to circle the parking lot, dodging the MONA super-SUVs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sure someone will be on to trash south arlington as soon as I post this, but we love Arlington Ridge/Aurora Highlands. We walk to pentagon city, 23rd street restaurants, the library, multiple parks, the metro. We've been happy with Oakridge and Gunston so far. Yes, Oakridge is crowded but we had a good experience. Neighbors are friendly.

But you're not able to be a member of MONA.

Another benefit. South Arlington gets better and better.

You do what most people do. Buy a $500,000 condo in North Arlington and use that address to get into MONA

Meanwhile you have a fabulous house in 22202, 22204, 22206 and only have to travel to North Arlington for the MONA initiation rite in which you have to find a parking space in the Lee Harrison center in 30 seconds. You are eligible for the MONA board if you can park your car and not scrape, ding, block or otherwise damage another SUV or minivan

MONA membership is worth it for the entertainment value.

See, OP? South Arlington people are kind, good-hearted souls who are never nasty or sarcastic about anything or disparage anyone. Kumbaya, muthafucka.

[Anonymous]

OP- if you want Westover, stick it out. We've been here since 2006 and could't be happier. Find an agent that specializes in Westover -- many people I know have used Kristin Kelly (she lives here too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- if you want Westover, stick it out. We've been here since 2006 and could't be happier. Find an agent that specializes in Westover -- many people I know have used Kristin Kelly (she lives here too).

And be sure to complain extensively about your overcrowded schools. We never tire of hearing about it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- if you want Westover, stick it out. We've been here since 2006 and could't be happier. Find an agent that specializes in Westover -- many people I know have used Kristin Kelly (she lives here too).

And be sure to complain extensively about your overcrowded schools. We never tire of hearing about it!

Is that McKinley? I remember the thread that seemingly went on for years about how APS gave them a raw deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- if you want Westover, stick it out. We've been here since 2006 and could't be happier. Find an agent that specializes in Westover -- many people I know have used Kristin Kelly (she lives here too).

And be sure to complain extensively about your overcrowded schools. We never tire of hearing about it!

Is that McKinley? I remember the thread that seemingly went on for years about how APS gave them a raw deal.

The gripes hilariously continue to this day. Then they come over here, encourage more buyers and boost their hood. It’s a riot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sure someone will be on to trash south arlington as soon as I post this, but we love Arlington Ridge/Aurora Highlands. We walk to pentagon city, 23rd street restaurants, the library, multiple parks, the metro. We've been happy with Oakridge and Gunston so far. Yes, Oakridge is crowded but we had a good experience. Neighbors are friendly.

But you're not able to be a member of MONA.

Another benefit. South Arlington gets better and better.

You do what most people do. Buy a $500,000 condo in North Arlington and use that address to get into MONA

Meanwhile you have a fabulous house in 22202, 22204, 22206 and only have to travel to North Arlington for the MONA initiation rite in which you have to find a parking space in the Lee Harrison center in 30 seconds. You are eligible for the MONA board if you can park your car and not scrape, ding, block or otherwise damage another SUV or minivan

MONA membership is worth it for the entertainment value.

See, OP? South Arlington people are kind, good-hearted souls who are never nasty or sarcastic about anything or disparage anyone. Kumbaya, muthafucka.

Kumbaya girl, I live in the much vaunted 22207 zip code of NORTH Arlington and have been a MONA member for almost 6 years. If one can't laugh at one's foibles, one must resort to poor attempts at humor ending with the ever reliable vulgarity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- if you want Westover, stick it out. We've been here since 2006 and could't be happier. Find an agent that specializes in Westover -- many people I know have used Kristin Kelly (she lives here too).

And be sure to complain extensively about your overcrowded schools. We never tire of hearing about it!

Is that McKinley? I remember the thread that seemingly went on for years about how APS gave them a raw deal.

All will be better when Reed schools re-opens as a neighborhood school and those high income kids living in Tara, Larchmont, and Leeway Heights no longer bring their slacker ways to McKinley.