Would you move to Arlington or Mclean for SFH living?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:McLean if you can afford it. You can't beat the schools. And for what it's worth, my next door neighbor is black and the rest of our neighborhood is very diverse. Try renting in the area if uncertain. Also King's Manor might work.

Agree. My Mclean neighbors are from all over the world (lots of UMC immigrants). We have neighbors from different African countries (Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Algeria, etc.), Latin America, Asia, etc. Those who say Mclean is “too white” have not hung out in my neighborhood.

We’ve lived in North Arlington and McLean, and much prefer McLean. North Arlington has a very particular, self-satisfied “whiteness” vibe. People are almost uniformly Democratic and espouse liberal values, especially with respect to environmental issues, but they are very hostile to diversity, whether it’s more poor people in their neighborhoods or UMC minorities whose kids might outperform their children academically. It is far more conformist than McLean or many other parts of Fairfax County. We have been happy with our decision to leave.

As a former N Arlington resident who is black, I agree with this.

I can’t tell you how many times people thought I was either the “help” or that I seemed lost. Also, when I dated interracially, so many stares like I was an alien walking down the street. N Arlington is definitely smug UMC white liberals, while McLean is definitely more on the diverse side. Like the pp said, you get a mix of UMC people from different nations coming in.

Cool story. Not my experience at all though.

PP. I didn’t ask you, though? Your experience isn’t mine...

I need to be asked to post on a message board? No. You have your experience, and I have had quite an opposite experience. Neither one is more valid, but they are both equally valid.

Your experience is the opposite. Good for you. I stand by my experience as being black in N Arlington. If you wanted to share your experience, there was no need to quote my post or say your post is the opposite of mine, as if it makes a difference.

(Btw, this is EXACTLY the type of person I already ran across in N Arlington, people who need to butt in and make about themselves)

Painting an entire community with a big wide brush is nonsense, and you know it.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:McLean if you can afford it. You can't beat the schools. And for what it's worth, my next door neighbor is black and the rest of our neighborhood is very diverse. Try renting in the area if uncertain. Also King's Manor might work.

Agree. My Mclean neighbors are from all over the world (lots of UMC immigrants). We have neighbors from different African countries (Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Algeria, etc.), Latin America, Asia, etc. Those who say Mclean is “too white” have not hung out in my neighborhood.

We’ve lived in North Arlington and McLean, and much prefer McLean. North Arlington has a very particular, self-satisfied “whiteness” vibe. People are almost uniformly Democratic and espouse liberal values, especially with respect to environmental issues, but they are very hostile to diversity, whether it’s more poor people in their neighborhoods or UMC minorities whose kids might outperform their children academically. It is far more conformist than McLean or many other parts of Fairfax County. We have been happy with our decision to leave.

As a former N Arlington resident who is black, I agree with this.

I can’t tell you how many times people thought I was either the “help” or that I seemed lost. Also, when I dated interracially, so many stares like I was an alien walking down the street. N Arlington is definitely smug UMC white liberals, while McLean is definitely more on the diverse side. Like the pp said, you get a mix of UMC people from different nations coming in.

Cool story. Not my experience at all though.

PP. I didn’t ask you, though? Your experience isn’t mine...

I need to be asked to post on a message board? No. You have your experience, and I have had quite an opposite experience. Neither one is more valid, but they are both equally valid.

Your experience is the opposite. Good for you. I stand by my experience as being black in N Arlington. If you wanted to share your experience, there was no need to quote my post or say your post is the opposite of mine, as if it makes a difference.

(Btw, this is EXACTLY the type of person I already ran across in N Arlington, people who need to butt in and make about themselves)

Sounds like you're better off in McLean. To each their own!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:McLean if you can afford it. You can't beat the schools. And for what it's worth, my next door neighbor is black and the rest of our neighborhood is very diverse. Try renting in the area if uncertain. Also King's Manor might work.

Agree. My Mclean neighbors are from all over the world (lots of UMC immigrants). We have neighbors from different African countries (Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Algeria, etc.), Latin America, Asia, etc. Those who say Mclean is “too white” have not hung out in my neighborhood.

We’ve lived in North Arlington and McLean, and much prefer McLean. North Arlington has a very particular, self-satisfied “whiteness” vibe. People are almost uniformly Democratic and espouse liberal values, especially with respect to environmental issues, but they are very hostile to diversity, whether it’s more poor people in their neighborhoods or UMC minorities whose kids might outperform their children academically. It is far more conformist than McLean or many other parts of Fairfax County. We have been happy with our decision to leave.

As a former N Arlington resident who is black, I agree with this.

I can’t tell you how many times people thought I was either the “help” or that I seemed lost. Also, when I dated interracially, so many stares like I was an alien walking down the street. N Arlington is definitely smug UMC white liberals, while McLean is definitely more on the diverse side. Like the pp said, you get a mix of UMC people from different nations coming in.

Cool story. Not my experience at all though.

PP. I didn’t ask you, though? Your experience isn’t mine...

I need to be asked to post on a message board? No. You have your experience, and I have had quite an opposite experience. Neither one is more valid, but they are both equally valid.

Your experience is the opposite. Good for you. I stand by my experience as being black in N Arlington. If you wanted to share your experience, there was no need to quote my post or say your post is the opposite of mine, as if it makes a difference.

(Btw, this is EXACTLY the type of person I already ran across in N Arlington, people who need to butt in and make about themselves)

da fuq? Why wouldn't someone be compelled to chime in when you call their neighbors smug liberal racists? Have your opinion, but don't be surprised when you throw out big insults and get called on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Comparing McLean and North Arlington HSs:

Langley - 69.50% White + 20.87% Asian = 90%
Yorktown - 64% white + 7.8% Asian = 72%
McLean - 55.2% White + 24.8% Asian = 80%
Washington-Liberty - 42.0% White + 10.4% Asian = 52%

Don’t forget that “white” also includes people of middle eastern origin (Arabs, Persians, Turks, etc.). So the “white” category can also include many who would be considered “brown”.

[Anonymous]

I find McLean more attractive. Arlington seems to be a mix of old houses built for WWII-era government workers and new McMansions that are way too big for their postage-size lots. You see some of that in McLean as well, but at least the lots are generally big enough to leave some room for a yard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find McLean more attractive. Arlington seems to be a mix of old houses built for WWII-era government workers and new McMansions that are way too big for their postage-size lots. You see some of that in McLean as well, but at least the lots are generally big enough to leave some room for a yard.

The nicer neighborhoods of McLean are way nicer looking than Arlington. The N Arlington and McLean neighborhoods that border Arlington and falls church look very similar. Then parts of south Arlington are more urban and walkable. I would not say N Arlington is a walkable area either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
[In Arlington,] the housing is really pretty dense, the lots small. I really like this for a few reasons - you see your neighbors regularly and can't help but interact

This is an important difference.

Do you like being around people/activity? Or do you prefer more space/quiet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find McLean more attractive. Arlington seems to be a mix of old houses built for WWII-era government workers and new McMansions that are way too big for their postage-size lots. You see some of that in McLean as well, but at least the lots are generally big enough to leave some room for a yard.

The nicer neighborhoods of McLean are way nicer looking than Arlington. The N Arlington and McLean neighborhoods that border Arlington and falls church look very similar. Then parts of south Arlington are more urban and walkable. I would not say N Arlington is a walkable area either.

You obviously have never even been to Arlington. Why are you commenting?

Hint: look at a map and see where the Metro stations are.

[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%).

I am a minority living in McLean, there's NO WAY we would have picked N. Arlington, it's the most segregated place in the DC Metro area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find McLean more attractive. Arlington seems to be a mix of old houses built for WWII-era government workers and new McMansions that are way too big for their postage-size lots. You see some of that in McLean as well, but at least the lots are generally big enough to leave some room for a yard.

The nicer neighborhoods of McLean are way nicer looking than Arlington. The N Arlington and McLean neighborhoods that border Arlington and falls church look very similar. Then parts of south Arlington are more urban and walkable. I would not say N Arlington is a walkable area either.

You obviously have never even been to Arlington. Why are you commenting?

Hint: look at a map and see where the Metro stations are.

I go to Arlington all the time. I wanted to move to N Arlington but my DH wanted a nicer house and at least a 3 car garage.

I stand by the N Arlington areas and McLean bordering Arlington feel similar when you drive by. Obviously not all the houses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find McLean more attractive. Arlington seems to be a mix of old houses built for WWII-era government workers and new McMansions that are way too big for their postage-size lots. You see some of that in McLean as well, but at least the lots are generally big enough to leave some room for a yard.

The nicer neighborhoods of McLean are way nicer looking than Arlington. The N Arlington and McLean neighborhoods that border Arlington and falls church look very similar. Then parts of south Arlington are more urban and walkable. I would not say N Arlington is a walkable area either.

You obviously have never even been to Arlington. Why are you commenting?

Hint: look at a map and see where the Metro stations are.

I’m also from NYC. Your definition and my definition of walkable may be different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find McLean more attractive. Arlington seems to be a mix of old houses built for WWII-era government workers and new McMansions that are way too big for their postage-size lots. You see some of that in McLean as well, but at least the lots are generally big enough to leave some room for a yard.

The nicer neighborhoods of McLean are way nicer looking than Arlington. The N Arlington and McLean neighborhoods that border Arlington and falls church look very similar. Then parts of south Arlington are more urban and walkable. I would not say N Arlington is a walkable area either.

You obviously have never even been to Arlington. Why are you commenting?

Hint: look at a map and see where the Metro stations are.

I go to Arlington all the time. I wanted to move to N Arlington but my DH wanted a nicer house and at least a 3 car garage.

I stand by the N Arlington areas and McLean bordering Arlington feel similar when you drive by. Obviously not all the houses.

Many (most) of the walkable areas in Arlington are north of Rt 50.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean if you can afford it. You can't beat the schools. And for what it's worth, my next door neighbor is black and the rest of our neighborhood is very diverse. Try renting in the area if uncertain. Also King's Manor might work.

Agree. My Mclean neighbors are from all over the world (lots of UMC immigrants). We have neighbors from different African countries (Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Algeria, etc.), Latin America, Asia, etc. Those who say Mclean is “too white” have not hung out in my neighborhood.

We’ve lived in North Arlington and McLean, and much prefer McLean. North Arlington has a very particular, self-satisfied “whiteness” vibe. People are almost uniformly Democratic and espouse liberal values, especially with respect to environmental issues, but they are very hostile to diversity, whether it’s more poor people in their neighborhoods or UMC minorities whose kids might outperform their children academically. It is far more conformist than McLean or many other parts of Fairfax County. We have been happy with our decision to leave.

To the PP who wrote this, I love you. These words tell you everything there is to know about N. Arlington. We spent 1.5yrs looking for a house and deciding between N. Arlington and McLean(22101), we chose McLean.

Signed - A POC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean if you can afford it. You can't beat the schools. And for what it's worth, my next door neighbor is black and the rest of our neighborhood is very diverse. Try renting in the area if uncertain. Also King's Manor might work.

Agree. My Mclean neighbors are from all over the world (lots of UMC immigrants). We have neighbors from different African countries (Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Algeria, etc.), Latin America, Asia, etc. Those who say Mclean is “too white” have not hung out in my neighborhood.

We’ve lived in North Arlington and McLean, and much prefer McLean. North Arlington has a very particular, self-satisfied “whiteness” vibe. People are almost uniformly Democratic and espouse liberal values, especially with respect to environmental issues, but they are very hostile to diversity, whether it’s more poor people in their neighborhoods or UMC minorities whose kids might outperform their children academically. It is far more conformist than McLean or many other parts of Fairfax County. We have been happy with our decision to leave.

As a former N Arlington resident who is black, I agree with this.

I can’t tell you how many times people thought I was either the “help” or that I seemed lost. Also, when I dated interracially, so many stares like I was an alien walking down the street. N Arlington is definitely smug UMC white liberals, while McLean is definitely more on the diverse side. Like the pp said, you get a mix of UMC people from different nations coming in.

Cool story. Not my experience at all though.

PP. I didn’t ask you, though? Your experience isn’t mine...

I need to be asked to post on a message board? No. You have your experience, and I have had quite an opposite experience. Neither one is more valid, but they are both equally valid.

Your experience is the opposite. Good for you. I stand by my experience as being black in N Arlington. If you wanted to share your experience, there was no need to quote my post or say your post is the opposite of mine, as if it makes a difference.

(Btw, this is EXACTLY the type of person I already ran across in N Arlington, people who need to butt in and make about themselves)

da fuq? Why wouldn't someone be compelled to chime in when you call their neighbors smug liberal racists? Have your opinion, but don't be surprised when you throw out big insults and get called on it.

Because is actually experienced racism, so I’m calling it out. I am not saying everyone I met are racists....but I’m sorry I will never speak on my experiences as being black and sharing my own personal experiences of called a monkey and a help again in N Arl again on this forum.

And exactly what I mean. I just speak from my own experience and I have the N Arlington brigade trying to shut me up. Instead of just listening. I didn’t ask for anyone else’s feedback. I am sharing my own. It’s funny when I share my own personal experience, I’m the bad one even tho I was the one who experienced the racism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find McLean more attractive. Arlington seems to be a mix of old houses built for WWII-era government workers and new McMansions that are way too big for their postage-size lots. You see some of that in McLean as well, but at least the lots are generally big enough to leave some room for a yard.

The nicer neighborhoods of McLean are way nicer looking than Arlington. The N Arlington and McLean neighborhoods that border Arlington and falls church look very similar. Then parts of south Arlington are more urban and walkable. I would not say N Arlington is a walkable area either.

You obviously have never even been to Arlington. Why are you commenting?

Hint: look at a map and see where the Metro stations are.

I’m also from NYC. Your definition and my definition of walkable may be different.

OK - let's call it "Arlington walkable".

If you want less arbitrary terms, how about this for my N Arlington neighborhood:
Walk score: 85 / 100
Transit score: 72 / 100
Bike score: 83 / 100

Regardless, many of the "walkable" areas ARE in North Arlington.

Or maybe you don't understand N v. S Arlington? Rt 50 is the dividing line. Everything N of Rt 50 (incl. 7 of 9 metro stops) is considered "North Arlington".