Why is Arlington so hot?

[Anonymous]

Seriously, there are two houses on my street for sale (an expanded Cape and a circa 2000 build with with only three bedrooms) between $1.2 and $1.3 million -- and they are both pending. I thought telework was making Arlington less desirable. And the schools are circling the drain. What is going on?

[Anonymous]

This is happening everywhere.

[Anonymous]

No schools are doing wonderfully during this pandemic. It's still close in and close to amenities. The pandemic isn't forever.

[Anonymous]

Arlington isn’t perfect, but it offers something that is in short supply. It has the suburban feel that is nice for raising a family plus plenty of parks, trails, etc. But also close access to the city for date nights, museums, sporting events, and commute (if you work in DC). But also good commuting location to other job centers like Tysons. Plus it offers good (enough) schools from our experience so far. There just aren’t many areas in the region that offer all this.

[Anonymous]

Proximity to DC and Tysons with pretty good schools. No other reason. Repeat: no other reason. Yes, if telework really becomes a major thing then Arlington home price will suffer mightily. However, it's not clear yet whether telework will really take off. So for now, Arlington's location and schools keep it afloat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Proximity to DC and Tysons with pretty good schools. No other reason. Repeat: no other reason. Yes, if telework really becomes a major thing then Arlington home price will suffer mightily. However, it's not clear yet whether telework will really take off. So for now, Arlington's location and schools keep it afloat.

Really? You think proximity is the only reason people buy here? I live 2 blocks from a metro station, can walk my kids to multiple parks, can walk to several coffee shops and other non-chain businesses, live near running/bike trails, and have a backyard for gardening and a swing set. I can walk along a nice tree-lined street to my youngest’s preschool. And I have the proximity to other areas you mentioned.

Look, I totally get why people move to other areas besides Arlington. You do have to sacrifice on house and/or lot size here if you’re able to buy new construction. For some people the trade off isn’t worth it, especially if your job is farther out. So I’m not hating on the appeal of other areas. But I think it’s a huge disservice to say people only buy in Arlington because its proximity to other locations.

[Anonymous]

Sorry meant if you aren’t able to buy new construction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proximity to DC and Tysons with pretty good schools. No other reason. Repeat: no other reason. Yes, if telework really becomes a major thing then Arlington home price will suffer mightily. However, it's not clear yet whether telework will really take off. So for now, Arlington's location and schools keep it afloat.

Really? You think proximity is the only reason people buy here? I live 2 blocks from a metro station, can walk my kids to multiple parks, can walk to several coffee shops and other non-chain businesses, live near running/bike trails, and have a backyard for gardening and a swing set. I can walk along a nice tree-lined street to my youngest’s preschool. And I have the proximity to other areas you mentioned.

Look, I totally get why people move to other areas besides Arlington. You do have to sacrifice on house and/or lot size here if you’re able to buy new construction. For some people the trade off isn’t worth it, especially if your job is farther out. So I’m not hating on the appeal of other areas. But I think it’s a huge disservice to say people only buy in Arlington because its proximity to other locations.

Yes. Because many other neighborhoods have everything else you listed. It is absolutely not unique to have parks, coffee shops, trails, trees. It's hilarious you think otherwise.

The ONLY thing that makes North Arlington "hot" is schools and proximity to the DC and Tysons job centers. No other reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proximity to DC and Tysons with pretty good schools. No other reason. Repeat: no other reason. Yes, if telework really becomes a major thing then Arlington home price will suffer mightily. However, it's not clear yet whether telework will really take off. So for now, Arlington's location and schools keep it afloat.

Really? You think proximity is the only reason people buy here? I live 2 blocks from a metro station, can walk my kids to multiple parks, can walk to several coffee shops and other non-chain businesses, live near running/bike trails, and have a backyard for gardening and a swing set. I can walk along a nice tree-lined street to my youngest’s preschool. And I have the proximity to other areas you mentioned.

Look, I totally get why people move to other areas besides Arlington. You do have to sacrifice on house and/or lot size here if you’re able to buy new construction. For some people the trade off isn’t worth it, especially if your job is farther out. So I’m not hating on the appeal of other areas. But I think it’s a huge disservice to say people only buy in Arlington because its proximity to other locations.

Yes. Because many other neighborhoods have everything else you listed. It is absolutely not unique to have parks, coffee shops, trails, trees. It's hilarious you think otherwise.

The ONLY thing that makes North Arlington "hot" is schools and proximity to the DC and Tysons job centers. No other reason.

It has nice little pockets of walkability. And fewer MAGA losers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proximity to DC and Tysons with pretty good schools. No other reason. Repeat: no other reason. Yes, if telework really becomes a major thing then Arlington home price will suffer mightily. However, it's not clear yet whether telework will really take off. So for now, Arlington's location and schools keep it afloat.

Really? You think proximity is the only reason people buy here? I live 2 blocks from a metro station, can walk my kids to multiple parks, can walk to several coffee shops and other non-chain businesses, live near running/bike trails, and have a backyard for gardening and a swing set. I can walk along a nice tree-lined street to my youngest’s preschool. And I have the proximity to other areas you mentioned.

Look, I totally get why people move to other areas besides Arlington. You do have to sacrifice on house and/or lot size here if you’re able to buy new construction. For some people the trade off isn’t worth it, especially if your job is farther out. So I’m not hating on the appeal of other areas. But I think it’s a huge disservice to say people only buy in Arlington because its proximity to other locations.

Yes. Because many other neighborhoods have everything else you listed. It is absolutely not unique to have parks, coffee shops, trails, trees. It's hilarious you think otherwise.

The ONLY thing that makes North Arlington "hot" is schools and proximity to the DC and Tysons job centers. No other reason.

It has nice little pockets of walkability. And fewer MAGA losers.

Again, this is not rare in the DMV area. Arlington is far from a unique pearl in an oyster except the combo of proximity and schools. But that's okay! Because those things matter. They will matter less if WFH becomes the norm, but they will still matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proximity to DC and Tysons with pretty good schools. No other reason. Repeat: no other reason. Yes, if telework really becomes a major thing then Arlington home price will suffer mightily. However, it's not clear yet whether telework will really take off. So for now, Arlington's location and schools keep it afloat.

Really? You think proximity is the only reason people buy here? I live 2 blocks from a metro station, can walk my kids to multiple parks, can walk to several coffee shops and other non-chain businesses, live near running/bike trails, and have a backyard for gardening and a swing set. I can walk along a nice tree-lined street to my youngest’s preschool. And I have the proximity to other areas you mentioned.

Look, I totally get why people move to other areas besides Arlington. You do have to sacrifice on house and/or lot size here if you’re able to buy new construction. For some people the trade off isn’t worth it, especially if your job is farther out. So I’m not hating on the appeal of other areas. But I think it’s a huge disservice to say people only buy in Arlington because its proximity to other locations.

Yes. Because many other neighborhoods have everything else you listed. It is absolutely not unique to have parks, coffee shops, trails, trees. It's hilarious you think otherwise.

The ONLY thing that makes North Arlington "hot" is schools and proximity to the DC and Tysons job centers. No other reason.

It has nice little pockets of walkability. And fewer MAGA losers.

Again, this is not rare in the DMV area. Arlington is far from a unique pearl in an oyster except the combo of proximity and schools. But that's okay! Because those things matter. They will matter less if WFH becomes the norm, but they will still matter.

Ok. Where else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proximity to DC and Tysons with pretty good schools. No other reason. Repeat: no other reason. Yes, if telework really becomes a major thing then Arlington home price will suffer mightily. However, it's not clear yet whether telework will really take off. So for now, Arlington's location and schools keep it afloat.

Really? You think proximity is the only reason people buy here? I live 2 blocks from a metro station, can walk my kids to multiple parks, can walk to several coffee shops and other non-chain businesses, live near running/bike trails, and have a backyard for gardening and a swing set. I can walk along a nice tree-lined street to my youngest’s preschool. And I have the proximity to other areas you mentioned.

Look, I totally get why people move to other areas besides Arlington. You do have to sacrifice on house and/or lot size here if you’re able to buy new construction. For some people the trade off isn’t worth it, especially if your job is farther out. So I’m not hating on the appeal of other areas. But I think it’s a huge disservice to say people only buy in Arlington because its proximity to other locations.

Yes. Because many other neighborhoods have everything else you listed. It is absolutely not unique to have parks, coffee shops, trails, trees. It's hilarious you think otherwise.

The ONLY thing that makes North Arlington "hot" is schools and proximity to the DC and Tysons job centers. No other reason.

Really? There are plenty of other neighborhoods with metro, trails, parks, restaurants, etc. and good schools? Because we didn’t find much of that out there when we were house hunting.

And even if there are other areas with all these amenities that doesn’t negate the attractiveness of Arlington. I never claimed Arlington is the only place where this type of lifestyle exists. But I do think there is shortage of neighborhoods with transit, green space, and retail throughout the DC region, which is why as a whole these types of neighborhoods are more expensive. The proximity to job centers just further makes Arlington desirable, but isn’t the sole reason people pay so much to live here.

I don’t understand why you’re so defensive about the reasons people who buy in Arlington find it attractive to live here. I’ve never said there aren’t other great neighborhoods or implied Arlington is the best place ever. I’m just explaining that it offers much more than proximity to DC and Tysons. If all it had was proximity and no other amenities of its own, it would likely be much more affordable.

But if you feel better by hating on Arlington, then go for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proximity to DC and Tysons with pretty good schools. No other reason. Repeat: no other reason. Yes, if telework really becomes a major thing then Arlington home price will suffer mightily. However, it's not clear yet whether telework will really take off. So for now, Arlington's location and schools keep it afloat.

Really? You think proximity is the only reason people buy here? I live 2 blocks from a metro station, can walk my kids to multiple parks, can walk to several coffee shops and other non-chain businesses, live near running/bike trails, and have a backyard for gardening and a swing set. I can walk along a nice tree-lined street to my youngest’s preschool. And I have the proximity to other areas you mentioned.

Look, I totally get why people move to other areas besides Arlington. You do have to sacrifice on house and/or lot size here if you’re able to buy new construction. For some people the trade off isn’t worth it, especially if your job is farther out. So I’m not hating on the appeal of other areas. But I think it’s a huge disservice to say people only buy in Arlington because its proximity to other locations.

Yes. Because many other neighborhoods have everything else you listed. It is absolutely not unique to have parks, coffee shops, trails, trees. It's hilarious you think otherwise.

The ONLY thing that makes North Arlington "hot" is schools and proximity to the DC and Tysons job centers. No other reason.

Really? There are plenty of other neighborhoods with metro, trails, parks, restaurants, etc. and good schools? Because we didn’t find much of that out there when we were house hunting.

And even if there are other areas with all these amenities that doesn’t negate the attractiveness of Arlington. I never claimed Arlington is the only place where this type of lifestyle exists. But I do think there is shortage of neighborhoods with transit, green space, and retail throughout the DC region, which is why as a whole these types of neighborhoods are more expensive. The proximity to job centers just further makes Arlington desirable, but isn’t the sole reason people pay so much to live here.

I don’t understand why you’re so defensive about the reasons people who buy in Arlington find it attractive to live here. I’ve never said there aren’t other great neighborhoods or implied Arlington is the best place ever. I’m just explaining that it offers much more than proximity to DC and Tysons. If all it had was proximity and no other amenities of its own, it would likely be much more affordable.

But if you feel better by hating on Arlington, then go for it.

Yes, really. You think MoCo, Fairfax, Alexandria, and DC don't all have restaurants and parks? There are tons of metro stations and most of them have amenities nearby. The only difference with Arlington is good schools and proximity to multiple job centers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously, there are two houses on my street for sale (an expanded Cape and a circa 2000 build with with only three bedrooms) between $1.2 and $1.3 million -- and they are both pending. I thought telework was making Arlington less desirable. And the schools are circling the drain. What is going on?

The pandemic has reduced inventory to the lowest levels in 100 years and induced panic buying. If you HAVE to buy now, it's a shitty situation. If you can wait, the pendulum will swing back once people feel safe moving again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arlington isn’t perfect, but it offers something that is in short supply. It has the suburban feel that is nice for raising a family plus plenty of parks, trails, etc. But also close access to the city for date nights, museums, sporting events, and commute (if you work in DC). But also good commuting location to other job centers like Tysons. Plus it offers good (enough) schools from our experience so far. There just aren’t many areas in the region that offer all this.

This is exactly why we live here. It’s kind of like Bethesda, but not snobby.