Reply to Would you move to Arlington or Mclean for SFH living?

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Reply to "Would you move to Arlington or Mclean for SFH living?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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. [/quote]

I agree with all of this.  McLean does tend to have larger houses/lot sizes which is a pro or a con depending on what you are looking for.

For the schools, both the N. Arlington and McLean schools are generally considered "good" although people will argue about gradations of "good.  Outside of the challenges APS is having with growth (and McLean is not immune to that seeing the overcrowding at McLean HS) -- the main difference to be aware of is how APS vs FCPS handles gifted education.  APS basically doesn't have much of a gifted program, just supposed to provide some added enrichment via in-class differentiation and a gifted resource teacher. FCPS has their AAP program which tests kids to ID those who get put into a separate program, either at their neighborhood school or going to a different school, for more accelerated work.  Which you prefer comes down to personal preference and what you think might work best for your specific children.

IME in APS,  I had 2 kids ID'd as gifted -- one across all subjects and the other just in math.  I felt both seemed reasonably well challenged in school and certainly once in HS had plenty of options for higher level classes.  I think the main weakness is in MS where they don't offer an "honors" classes outside of math.  If we'd been in FCPS, I expect one would have qualified for AAP and the other not.  I do have concerns about what the experience is for non-AAP kids and what that dynamic can do in a family where close siblings get different experiences, and the influence on the school environment if the "smart" kids are all pulled out to go somewhere else. [/quote]

yes this is such a good point pp. It really is personal preference, but knowing the difference can be helpful in making a decision. For us, we preferenced Arlington's non-pull out approach for the reason the pp mentioned as I just didn't like that potential dynamic (as pp mentioned, in FCPS, some gifted students may be pulled out and go to a completely different school than others or a sibling, or do a totally different program than other kids in the same school while in Arlington everything is considered "push in"). Some people really like the heavy emphasis on gifted students in FCPS though and if your kids are older and you have a better sense I'm sure it's good for some kids. So it really is to each his/her own.[/quote]

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