Pros and Cons of Great Falls, VA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, there are no parts of McLean that are too far out. Everything is right on the beltway. Technically, the nicest parts of McLean are outside the beltway.

Being near the Beltway isn't especially relevant if you're trying to get into DC. The appreciation in inside-the-Beltway McLean, as in North Arlington, has been much greater than in outside-the-Beltway McLean and Great Falls over the past 10-15 years. Outside-the-Beltway McLean still has the most expensive single-family homes, but the gap has been narrowing. The influx of Loudoun commuters on Fairfax roads has made GF and outside-the-Beltway McLean less appealing to a lot of people, but that's compensated for by some degree by the emergence of the Tysons-Dulles corridor as a major employment center in its own right.

Appreciation doesn't mean what I think you think it means. North Arlington and the cheaper parts of McLean (22101) have certainly become more expensive over the last few years, but they'll never be the same as those mansions up in 22102. I bought in the Chesterbrook part of McLean and I love it, but I don't delude myself that my house will be worth millions one day just because I'm inside the beltway.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, there are no parts of McLean that are too far out. Everything is right on the beltway. Technically, the nicest parts of McLean are outside the beltway.

Being near the Beltway isn't especially relevant if you're trying to get into DC. The appreciation in inside-the-Beltway McLean, as in North Arlington, has been much greater than in outside-the-Beltway McLean and Great Falls over the past 10-15 years. Outside-the-Beltway McLean still has the most expensive single-family homes, but the gap has been narrowing. The influx of Loudoun commuters on Fairfax roads has made GF and outside-the-Beltway McLean less appealing to a lot of people, but that's compensated for by some degree by the emergence of the Tysons-Dulles corridor as a major employment center in its own right.

Appreciation doesn't mean what I think you think it means. North Arlington and the cheaper parts of McLean (22101) have certainly become more expensive over the last few years, but they'll never be the same as those mansions up in 22102. I bought in the Chesterbrook part of McLean and I love it, but I don't delude myself that my house will be worth millions one day just because I'm inside the beltway.

This is true, but I think the parts of McLean inside the beltway are getting nicer as people tear down some of the older houses and build new construction.

To bring this back to GF, I think the opposite is true for GF. The nicest parts of GF are the parts closer to the parkway. The property values tend to reflect this. So while McLean is nicer the further out you go, GF is nicer the further in you go. The parts where the two meet are very pricey (some of the most expensive real estate you can find).

This actually makes sense. I would take either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, there are no parts of McLean that are too far out. Everything is right on the beltway. Technically, the nicest parts of McLean are outside the beltway.

Being near the Beltway isn't especially relevant if you're trying to get into DC. The appreciation in inside-the-Beltway McLean, as in North Arlington, has been much greater than in outside-the-Beltway McLean and Great Falls over the past 10-15 years. Outside-the-Beltway McLean still has the most expensive single-family homes, but the gap has been narrowing. The influx of Loudoun commuters on Fairfax roads has made GF and outside-the-Beltway McLean less appealing to a lot of people, but that's compensated for by some degree by the emergence of the Tysons-Dulles corridor as a major employment center in its own right.

Appreciation doesn't mean what I think you think it means. North Arlington and the cheaper parts of McLean (22101) have certainly become more expensive over the last few years, but they'll never be the same as those mansions up in 22102. I bought in the Chesterbrook part of McLean and I love it, but I don't delude myself that my house will be worth millions one day just because I'm inside the beltway.

+1

There are more homes built since 2014 that have sold in 22101 over the past year for over $2 million than there have been homes in that price range that sold in Great Falls and were built at any time, before or after 2014. It may not turn your property into a multi-million home, but it means you probably saw much larger increases in value than someone out in Great Falls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the part of McLean. The parts that border Falls Church are considered the ghetto of McLean.

McLean gets nicer the farther out you go, but it also gets very expensive outside the beltway. This is why people have started calling it Upper McLean. A lot of it has to do with the shear size of the houses and lots. We're talking real mansions, not McMansions like in Arlington.

No one uses the term "Upper McLean" in NoVa except for 1-2 DCUM posters, just as no one uses the phrase "Good Falls" to describe the less expensive parts of Great Falls except for 1-2 DCUM posters. I think you'll have to rent a helicopter and fly banners over the sky if you really want the phrases to catch on.

I've heard Upper Mclean used in the real world, but never heard of "Good Falls". I'll have to start using it to see if it will catch on.

[Anonymous]

There are parts of Great Falls that I would take over parts of 22101 and there are parts of 22101 that I would take over Great Falls. There are no absolutes.

But I agree with the poster that, generally, Great Falls gets nicer the closer in you get while McLean gets nicer the further out you get.

I rarely use the terms Upper McLean or Lower McLean, but I have heard them used. Not as widely used as North Arlington and South Arlington though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean a mile or so outside the beltway between downtown McLean and great falls. Closer to downtown McLean though. It's the best of both worlds there. Trees, privacy, parks, nice houses and big lots but also just a 40 min commute downtown on I66 during rush hour (we qualify for HOV). The drive home is about 25 mins.

But that part of town is VERY pricey. 22102 is way too expensive for most of us.

+1

McLean One Hundred is coveted for this reason. Proximity (commute) - but also, the houses are similarly built to certain specs, so there is no belly aching about "new house" trauma by the old house owners, because there are no old houses. Very aesthetically appealing, spacious, great lots, and location, location, location.

All these places have a different feel. Being outside the Beltway will never strike some people as a prime location.

Does 1 mile north of the beltway versus 1 mile south really make a difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are parts of Great Falls that I would take over parts of 22101 and there are parts of 22101 that I would take over Great Falls. There are no absolutes.

But I agree with the poster that, generally, Great Falls gets nicer the closer in you get while McLean gets nicer the further out you get.

I rarely use the terms Upper McLean or Lower McLean, but I have heard them used. Not as widely used as North Arlington and South Arlington though.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean a mile or so outside the beltway between downtown McLean and great falls. Closer to downtown McLean though. It's the best of both worlds there. Trees, privacy, parks, nice houses and big lots but also just a 40 min commute downtown on I66 during rush hour (we qualify for HOV). The drive home is about 25 mins.

But that part of town is VERY pricey. 22102 is way too expensive for most of us.

+1

McLean One Hundred is coveted for this reason. Proximity (commute) - but also, the houses are similarly built to certain specs, so there is no belly aching about "new house" trauma by the old house owners, because there are no old houses. Very aesthetically appealing, spacious, great lots, and location, location, location.

All these places have a different feel. Being outside the Beltway will never strike some people as a prime location.

Does 1 mile north of the beltway versus 1 mile south really make a difference?

It is not that bad. People in both areas get spoiled by proximity, but if you are moving closer in from out west (for example) - either is heaven.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean a mile or so outside the beltway between downtown McLean and great falls. Closer to downtown McLean though. It's the best of both worlds there. Trees, privacy, parks, nice houses and big lots but also just a 40 min commute downtown on I66 during rush hour (we qualify for HOV). The drive home is about 25 mins.

But that part of town is VERY pricey. 22102 is way too expensive for most of us.

+1

McLean One Hundred is coveted for this reason. Proximity (commute) - but also, the houses are similarly built to certain specs, so there is no belly aching about "new house" trauma by the old house owners, because there are no old houses. Very aesthetically appealing, spacious, great lots, and location, location, location.

All these places have a different feel. Being outside the Beltway will never strike some people as a prime location.

Does 1 mile north of the beltway versus 1 mile south really make a difference?

It is not that bad. People in both areas get spoiled by proximity, but if you are moving closer in from out west (for example) - either is heaven.

so it's not like property values differ by 500k if your are on one side of the beltway versus half a mile away or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean a mile or so outside the beltway between downtown McLean and great falls. Closer to downtown McLean though. It's the best of both worlds there. Trees, privacy, parks, nice houses and big lots but also just a 40 min commute downtown on I66 during rush hour (we qualify for HOV). The drive home is about 25 mins.

But that part of town is VERY pricey. 22102 is way too expensive for most of us.

+1

McLean One Hundred is coveted for this reason. Proximity (commute) - but also, the houses are similarly built to certain specs, so there is no belly aching about "new house" trauma by the old house owners, because there are no old houses. Very aesthetically appealing, spacious, great lots, and location, location, location.

All these places have a different feel. Being outside the Beltway will never strike some people as a prime location.

Does 1 mile north of the beltway versus 1 mile south really make a difference?

on 193 it does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean a mile or so outside the beltway between downtown McLean and great falls. Closer to downtown McLean though. It's the best of both worlds there. Trees, privacy, parks, nice houses and big lots but also just a 40 min commute downtown on I66 during rush hour (we qualify for HOV). The drive home is about 25 mins.

But that part of town is VERY pricey. 22102 is way too expensive for most of us.

+1

McLean One Hundred is coveted for this reason. Proximity (commute) - but also, the houses are similarly built to certain specs, so there is no belly aching about "new house" trauma by the old house owners, because there are no old houses. Very aesthetically appealing, spacious, great lots, and location, location, location.

All these places have a different feel. Being outside the Beltway will never strike some people as a prime location.

Does 1 mile north of the beltway versus 1 mile south really make a difference?

on 193 it does.

Depends where one is commuting. Though we know how much you LOVE this topic! LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean a mile or so outside the beltway between downtown McLean and great falls. Closer to downtown McLean though. It's the best of both worlds there. Trees, privacy, parks, nice houses and big lots but also just a 40 min commute downtown on I66 during rush hour (we qualify for HOV). The drive home is about 25 mins.

But that part of town is VERY pricey. 22102 is way too expensive for most of us.

+1

McLean One Hundred is coveted for this reason. Proximity (commute) - but also, the houses are similarly built to certain specs, so there is no belly aching about "new house" trauma by the old house owners, because there are no old houses. Very aesthetically appealing, spacious, great lots, and location, location, location.

All these places have a different feel. Being outside the Beltway will never strike some people as a prime location.

Does 1 mile north of the beltway versus 1 mile south really make a difference?

on 193 it does.

Depends where one is commuting. Though we know how much you LOVE this topic! LOL.

Lol, she loves how much 22101 has "appreciated" which makes it the bestest!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean a mile or so outside the beltway between downtown McLean and great falls. Closer to downtown McLean though. It's the best of both worlds there. Trees, privacy, parks, nice houses and big lots but also just a 40 min commute downtown on I66 during rush hour (we qualify for HOV). The drive home is about 25 mins.

But that part of town is VERY pricey. 22102 is way too expensive for most of us.

+1

McLean One Hundred is coveted for this reason. Proximity (commute) - but also, the houses are similarly built to certain specs, so there is no belly aching about "new house" trauma by the old house owners, because there are no old houses. Very aesthetically appealing, spacious, great lots, and location, location, location.

All these places have a different feel. Being outside the Beltway will never strike some people as a prime location.

Does 1 mile north of the beltway versus 1 mile south really make a difference?

on 193 it does.

Depends where one is commuting. Though we know how much you LOVE this topic! LOL.

Lol, she loves how much 22101 has "appreciated" which makes it the bestest!

I don't understand the snark. Great Falls values haven't gone up muchy. It makes a house there more affordable (pro) but also less likely to increase in value (con).

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/business/wonk/housing/overview/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in McLean a mile or so outside the beltway between downtown McLean and great falls. Closer to downtown McLean though. It's the best of both worlds there. Trees, privacy, parks, nice houses and big lots but also just a 40 min commute downtown on I66 during rush hour (we qualify for HOV). The drive home is about 25 mins.

But that part of town is VERY pricey. 22102 is way too expensive for most of us.

+1

McLean One Hundred is coveted for this reason. Proximity (commute) - but also, the houses are similarly built to certain specs, so there is no belly aching about "new house" trauma by the old house owners, because there are no old houses. Very aesthetically appealing, spacious, great lots, and location, location, location.

All these places have a different feel. Being outside the Beltway will never strike some people as a prime location.

Does 1 mile north of the beltway versus 1 mile south really make a difference?

on 193 it does.

Depends where one is commuting. Though we know how much you LOVE this topic! LOL.

Lol, she loves how much 22101 has "appreciated" which makes it the bestest!

I don't understand the snark. Great Falls values haven't gone up muchy. It makes a house there more affordable (pro) but also less likely to increase in value (con).

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/business/wonk/housing/overview/

^^ much lately

[Anonymous]

The trolls keep trying to necessitate the same old threads. Get a life.