Reston? Need quick advice.

[Anonymous]

I love living in Reston. It's a real community. My kids went to Armstrong and Forest Edge. The academics and extracurriculars are very strong at Forest. Edge. Although we heard some negative things about Hughes, my kids have some really amazing teachers there, so that is not our experience so far. It's a pretty big school, so I guess there are a variety of experiences to be had, good or bad. I think the north side of Reston is nicer, but those on the south side might disagree.

[Anonymous]

I really like living in Reston.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, my oldest just started at Hughes, and loves it so far. We were impressed with the teachers and administration at BTS Night also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, my oldest just started at Hughes, and loves it so far. We were impressed with the teachers and administration at BTS Night also.

I agree. I really don't get why Hughes gets a bad rap. My brother's DD goes to Longfellow, so we compare notes a lot, and there's not a discernible difference between the 2 schools. Same curriculum, same middle school dramas. It's actually easier to participate in extracurricular activities at Hughes because they aren't oversubscribed like Longfellow. Also, I really think it depends on the teacher. My DD and her cousin could be taking the same subject, but one would have a more enriching experience based on the teacher. They've each had good and bad teachers.

[Anonymous]

Are there any particular neighborhoods in Reston that are more family oriented than others. i.e. block parties, tons of kids, cul de sacs...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, my oldest just started at Hughes, and loves it so far. We were impressed with the teachers and administration at BTS Night also.

I agree. I really don't get why Hughes gets a bad rap. My brother's DD goes to Longfellow, so we compare notes a lot, and there's not a discernible difference between the 2 schools. Same curriculum, same middle school dramas. It's actually easier to participate in extracurricular activities at Hughes because they aren't oversubscribed like Longfellow. Also, I really think it depends on the teacher. My DD and her cousin could be taking the same subject, but one would have a more enriching experience based on the teacher. They've each had good and bad teachers.

Hughes has IB MYP; Longfellow does not.

Longfellow has a bigger AAP program and sends a lot more kids to TJ every year than Hughes.

"Oversubscribed" and "underenrolled" are two sides of the same coin - the schools often adjust the programs to reflect the level of interest.

But, having said that, middle school is middle school.

[Anonymous]

In case you all didn't know.
----------------------------------------------------
http://time.com/money/3318909/rich-and-single-best-places/

Top 5th in the country...


Reston, which is No. 10 on our Best Places list, prides itself on being the country’s first modern planned community. Because the city was designed around its five residential “villages,” it doesn’t have a traditional downtown, but that’s not so say that there’s nowhere for singles to mingle. Reston Town Center is the city’s main gathering spot, and offers socializing opportunities ranging from evening painting classes and classic film screenings to running workshops and wine tastings. Lake Anne Plaza is another popular spot for shopping, snacking or just hanging out by the lake enjoying the free Wi-Fi. For more serious nightlife–or to commute to their high-paying jobs–many residents make the trek to Washington, D.C., a trip that’s gotten quicker and easier with the new D.C. metro extension. Now, you can take the Silver Line from Reston to the capital in about 40 minutes.

[Anonymous]

POPULATION: 61,177
MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME: $142,404
SINGLE: 31%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In case you all didn't know.
----------------------------------------------------
http://time.com/money/3318909/rich-and-single-best-places/

Top 5th in the country...


Reston, which is No. 10 on our Best Places list, prides itself on being the country’s first modern planned community. Because the city was designed around its five residential “villages,” it doesn’t have a traditional downtown, but that’s not so say that there’s nowhere for singles to mingle. Reston Town Center is the city’s main gathering spot, and offers socializing opportunities ranging from evening painting classes and classic film screenings to running workshops and wine tastings. Lake Anne Plaza is another popular spot for shopping, snacking or just hanging out by the lake enjoying the free Wi-Fi. For more serious nightlife–or to commute to their high-paying jobs–many residents make the trek to Washington, D.C., a trip that’s gotten quicker and easier with the new D.C. metro extension. Now, you can take the Silver Line from Reston to the capital in about 40 minutes.

Don't see much about the schools here. Maybe because it's about places for "singles to mingle."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there any particular neighborhoods in Reston that are more family oriented than others. i.e. block parties, tons of kids, cul de sacs...

I would pay close attention as you look. Since there are some older neighborhoods with great lots, some are original owners with no younger children. I've lived here since 2002, and it was not until 2-3 years ago our neighborhood had more and more children. There are some scattered great spots with regard to lots of kids, etc. if the neighborhood is part of Reston Association, that opens up the camps and pools.

If I had it to do over again, I would move within walking distance of a pool. I have friends near Sunrise Valley who frequently talk of how great their neighborhoods are for kids. Others love the North Point area, near the Lake Newport Pool. Another moved over by Hunters Woods, and was surrounded by older neighbors, though I'm sure there are great streets. South Reston has great wooded trails.

If you choose to not go the RA route, the Fox Mill Woods neighborhood of neighborhood off Lawyers has a ton of kids. They also have their own pool. Houses there are few and far between.

Sorry to ramble I hope some of this helps. If you need a realtor contact, the one we used, and loved, is a lifelong a Reston resident and knows all the areas really well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any particular neighborhoods in Reston that are more family oriented than others. i.e. block parties, tons of kids, cul de sacs...

I would pay close attention as you look. Since there are some older neighborhoods with great lots, some are original owners with no younger children. I've lived here since 2002, and it was not until 2-3 years ago our neighborhood had more and more children. There are some scattered great spots with regard to lots of kids, etc. if the neighborhood is part of Reston Association, that opens up the camps and pools.

If I had it to do over again, I would move within walking distance of a pool. I have friends near Sunrise Valley who frequently talk of how great their neighborhoods are for kids. Others love the North Point area, near the Lake Newport Pool. Another moved over by Hunters Woods, and was surrounded by older neighbors, though I'm sure there are great streets. South Reston has great wooded trails.

If you choose to not go the RA route, the Fox Mill Woods neighborhood of neighborhood off Lawyers has a ton of kids. They also have their own pool. Houses there are few and far between.

Sorry to ramble I hope some of this helps. If you need a realtor contact, the one we used, and loved, is a lifelong a Reston resident and knows all the areas really well.

Great Falls Crossing (in Reston) has tons of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of folks stuck Obama/Biden bumperstickers and then talked on and on about "school pyramids." It's a form of the typical not in my background, etc. Now back to the topic: Reston is indeed more interesting than a lot of places around here. But the Town Center transformed it--take that thing away and it would be hollow.

Shows how much you know about Reston. You're forgetting about Lake Anne plaza, North Village Center, South Lakes Center, Silver Line Metro town center (which is going to blow the RTC out of the water), Lifetime Fitness, YMCA, RCC, Centerstage, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Home Depot center, the future Fairfax County recreation center at Baron Cameron Park, library, hospital, medical offices, government center, Target, W&OD, nearby Herndon's ethnic food places, etc... Reston offers so much more than any other community, much more than just the town center.

Shhhh! Don't tell them that! I'd like to keep the ignorant a-holes out of my town, please

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of folks stuck Obama/Biden bumperstickers and then talked on and on about "school pyramids." It's a form of the typical not in my background, etc. Now back to the topic: Reston is indeed more interesting than a lot of places around here. But the Town Center transformed it--take that thing away and it would be hollow.

Shows how much you know about Reston. You're forgetting about Lake Anne plaza, North Village Center, South Lakes Center, Silver Line Metro town center (which is going to blow the RTC out of the water), Lifetime Fitness, YMCA, RCC, Centerstage, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Home Depot center, the future Fairfax County recreation center at Baron Cameron Park, library, hospital, medical offices, government center, Target, W&OD, nearby Herndon's ethnic food places, etc... Reston offers so much more than any other community, much more than just the town center.

Lake Anne Plaza was nice like....15 years ago? It's an ok place, though.

You do know there are plans to revitalize Lake Anne Plaza, right? Not that it needs it for why we primarily go...lunching on weekends, or for Saturday's wildly
popular farmer's market.

[Anonymous]

I really like Reston and would like to live there if it weren't so far out. Even with the new Metro Silver Line, the commute to downtown DC is just too long. (I'm not able to leave home prior to 7:00 am to beat traffic).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of folks stuck Obama/Biden bumperstickers and then talked on and on about "school pyramids." It's a form of the typical not in my background, etc. Now back to the topic: Reston is indeed more interesting than a lot of places around here. But the Town Center transformed it--take that thing away and it would be hollow.

Shows how much you know about Reston. You're forgetting about Lake Anne plaza, North Village Center, South Lakes Center, Silver Line Metro town center (which is going to blow the RTC out of the water), Lifetime Fitness, YMCA, RCC, Centerstage, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Home Depot center, the future Fairfax County recreation center at Baron Cameron Park, library, hospital, medical offices, government center, Target, W&OD, nearby Herndon's ethnic food places, etc... Reston offers so much more than any other community, much more than just the town center.

Lake Anne Plaza was nice like....15 years ago? It's an ok place, though.

You do know there are plans to revitalize Lake Anne Plaza, right? Not that it needs it for why we primarily go...lunching on weekends, or for Saturday's wildly
popular farmer's market.

Ok, you really like Reston. We get it.