Would you move to Arlington or Mclean for SFH living?

[Anonymous]

Where is better quality of life overall in DC metro, Mclean or Arlington. I am talking about residential parts of Arlington, not right on top of metro lines, as Mclean doesn't have this. Don't want to compare urban parts of Arlington with Mclean, as this is apples/oranges. When it comes to SFH living does Arlington provide the edge given that maybe you could walk/bike for 1 mile to metro or have a closer drive to DC, being more dense? Does Mclean provide an edge as there seems to be more space there and less crowded roads? Is lifestyle that different, are schools that different? We have never lived in the suburbs.

[Anonymous]

Mclean hands down if you care about schools. Arlington has a near impossible problem to solve with regards to its school situation.

[Anonymous]

Is the commute comparable for you?

[Anonymous]

Arlington’s boundaries are always changing. But if you work in DC, it will be the better commute.

Both McLean and Arlington are very much suburbia, so a ton of residential streets and strip malls everywhere.

McLean is more for older folks while Arlington is younger, but imo, the housing stock in McLean is much better than Arlington. Arlington’s SFH’s mainly consist of post-WWII ugly ramblers that haven’t aged well but can easily be worth $1-2 million.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

You can get more for your money in McLean, but you also get a longer drive to DC, restaurants, etc.

People I know who live in McLean don't tend to spend a lot of time in McLean...

[Anonymous]

McLean commute to the city is much harder. Like another PP said, it's richer and whiter and more Republican.

[Anonymous]

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%).

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

What makes it so for you? Tell me more.

[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.

And W-L is 42% white, and Langley is 64% white.

So of the two high schools serving north Arlington vs the two serving McLean, the first PP is correct.

But keep cherry-picking to make a point, it’s fun.

[Anonymous]

I really think it's a personal preference OP - both can be great places to live, but have slightly different vibes. I live in Arlington (Westover, same as the other poster), have lived in other areas of Arlington and spent a lot of time in Mclean due to other reasons and personally do prefer Westover to all other options, and prefer Arlington generally over Mclean. But that is because I prefer a denser neighborhood vs bigger lots and really value the walkability I have even if it's not city walkability. But if you prefer a bigger home/lot than I think Mclean hits that mark. I like that things feel close in Arlington, even if I'm driving. I like that there are multiple ways to get any one place when getting around Arlington and into DC. I think the dense neighborhoods in Arlington are a little more supportive of kids running around together, though there are certainly neighborhoods where this is a thing in Mclean too I'm sure! I like the flexibility that Arlington provides commuting as I anticipate my husband and I's jobs will change over the years, but I feel comfortable we have lots of choices within a reasonable commute. I like that my neighborhood has the benefits of the suburbs, but within 5 minutes there is a lot of variability within the density and offerings. It's a good mix for me, personally.

I'm bias to where I live, of course. So I really think it's more about what feels like a "fit" for your family. What I would recommend is spend some time on some upcoming Saturdays in both places. On a nice day, walk around each neighborhood and try to get a feel. On a Sunday morning you could walk around the Westover Farmers market for example and check out things around there. You could go over to the little shops in Mclean and then drive around different neighborhoods. Then I would come back and drive around the neighborhoods at rush hour. Try different commutes out, see which arteries get clogged. Do it multiple days. Drive to the elementary schools (if you have young kids) and see what that's like. I have a weird thing with Mclean that I feel like the winding roads get really backed up and it personally drives me a little batty but it probably happens in Arlington too and I'm just used to it and notice it less.

[Anonymous]

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.

What makes it so for you? Tell me more.

We spend all of our weekends in the neighborhood and don’t need the car. We can walk to the library, farmers market, and parks. We see the same people out and about, there’s a community feel. Tons of families and my kids can walk to their respective schools. It feels idyllic.

[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.

What makes it so for you? Tell me more.

We spend all of our weekends in the neighborhood and don’t need the car. We can walk to the library, farmers market, and parks. We see the same people out and about, there’s a community feel. Tons of families and my kids can walk to their respective schools. It feels idyllic.

How are the schools, do all kids go to zoned schools or lots go to private schools?