Anonymous wrote:

I've lived in both places and strongly disagree with this. McLean is not a town like Vienna, but it does have its own community center, as well as a library and community park. It also has a McLean Day in the spring that is similar to Viva Vienna and other festivities.

In some ways, McLean feels more like a small town than Vienna because it is less congested, you are more likely to run into people you know when you're out, and merchants are more likely to know your name. The retail strip on Maple Avenue in Vienna is more visible and gets more business from people heading back and forth on 123, whereas the retail areas around Chain Bridge in McLean are set back from Dolley Madison and get more local patronage.

They are both good places to live.

I am sure that McLean is also a great place to live. But every time there is a festival in Vienna, I meet people there from McLean. THEY are the ones who lament that McLean doesn't have more of a small-town feel.

I can't speak for those people. Having moved from Vienna to McLean, I don't notice a big difference but, to be honest, we moved for a shorter commute, not for a "small-town feel," which is pretty much impossible to have in NoVa in any event. So, while Vienna is incorporated as a town, McLean has a special tax assessment district that funds the McLean Community Center. Patrick Henry Library is on Maple Avenue near the center of Vienna; Dolley Madison Library is off Ingleside near the center of McLean. Vienna has Viva Vienna; McLean has McLean Day. Kids play on McLean sports teams just like they do on VYI teams.

We liked Vienna and go back frequently. There are more "cheap eats" and other places there that seem geared to kids, like Nielsen's. But, when we do, we ask ourselves how we put up with the congestion there so long. Maple Avenue and Church Street are definitely more of a slog than the commercial areas in McLean, particularly on the weekends. There are always trade-offs.

I've lived in both places and strongly disagree with this. McLean is not a town like Vienna, but it does have its own community center, as well as a library and community park. It also has a McLean Day in the spring that is similar to Viva Vienna and other festivities.

In some ways, McLean feels more like a small town than Vienna because it is less congested, you are more likely to run into people you know when you're out, and merchants are more likely to know your name. The retail strip on Maple Avenue in Vienna is more visible and gets more business from people heading back and forth on 123, whereas the retail areas around Chain Bridge in McLean are set back from Dolley Madison and get more local patronage.

They are both good places to live.

I am sure that McLean is also a great place to live. But every time there is a festival in Vienna, I meet people there from McLean. THEY are the ones who lament that McLean doesn't have more of a small-town feel.

One nice thing about the Churchill Road area is that, depending on where you buy, your kids could walk to both Churchill Road and Cooper. That's not the case if you buy near Wolftrap, as Kilmer is a hike from there. Also, homes in the Wolftrap district aren't really in the part of Vienna that's considered somewhat walkable (only a sliver of the Town of Vienna goes to Wolftrap, and the other neighborhoods are further north on lots that generally get bigger the further north you go).

McLean is a better location but you can get more for your money in vienna.

All these schools are very good. I'd chose the best house/location for your family.

Anonymous wrote:

The biggest difference in terms of retail is that Vienna has a lot more "family-friendly" restaurants to choose from, but is also much more congested along Maple Avenue.

No, the biggest difference isn't retail. There are plenty of restaurants, and plenty of congestion, in McLean, too. But McLean doesn't have the walkability, town center with Town Green, and bike trails that Vienna has. Vienna has several big block parties a year, such as Viva Vienna and Octoberfest, as well as a huge Halloween parade. There is a much stronger small-town feel to Vienna than to McLean.

I've lived in both places and strongly disagree with this. McLean is not a town like Vienna, but it does have its own community center, as well as a library and community park. It also has a McLean Day in the spring that is similar to Viva Vienna and other festivities.

In some ways, McLean feels more like a small town than Vienna because it is less congested, you are more likely to run into people you know when you're out, and merchants are more likely to know your name. The retail strip on Maple Avenue in Vienna is more visible and gets more business from people heading back and forth on 123, whereas the retail areas around Chain Bridge in McLean are set back from Dolley Madison and get more local patronage.

They are both good places to live.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are trying to move into Vienna or McLean area from Springfield, mainly for kids' school. I know I will be living at the same house for at least 15 years- moving is the last thing that I want to do. While searching, I found two houses that I like in those school districts. I know both school districts are great, but if you'd choose, in terms of curriculums and other neighborhood atmospheres, which districts do you prefer? My kids are rising K and 1st G.
Any comments will be appreciated! Thank you!

Does commuting play into the decision at all? Churchill Road is a better location to get to DC or Maryland, and just as good to get to Tysons. Wolftrap is closer to Reston and Dulles.

The schools are similar, except that Churchill Road and Kilmer are AAP centers, while Wolftrap and Cooper are not. The AAP kids from CR go to Longfellow. That could change in the future. Most Madison kids go to Thoreau, not Kilmer, but I don't think it's a big deal (some also go to Jackson).

Vienna still has a marginally more laid back feel and more space. But that is changing quickly as it's become an "in" place to live and more $1.3-1.5 million houses replace teardowns. McLean is more dress-up to go to the grocery store and everyone drives a BMW. Depends where you think you'll fit better.

This just makes me laugh. I'm always at the McLean Giant in my yoga pants, driving a mini-van, along with all the other moms. Stereotype much?

Nope, McLean Giant is no different than anywhere else in Fairfax County. I wear shorts and flip flops. I saw Newt Gingrich there long time ago and even he was dressed down.

The biggest difference in terms of retail is that Vienna has a lot more "family-friendly" restaurants to choose from, but is also much more congested along Maple Avenue.

No, the biggest difference isn't retail. There are plenty of restaurants, and plenty of congestion, in McLean, too. But McLean doesn't have the walkability, town center with Town Green, and bike trails that Vienna has. Vienna has several big block parties a year, such as Viva Vienna and Octoberfest, as well as a huge Halloween parade. There is a much stronger small-town feel to Vienna than to McLean.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are trying to move into Vienna or McLean area from Springfield, mainly for kids' school. I know I will be living at the same house for at least 15 years- moving is the last thing that I want to do. While searching, I found two houses that I like in those school districts. I know both school districts are great, but if you'd choose, in terms of curriculums and other neighborhood atmospheres, which districts do you prefer? My kids are rising K and 1st G.
Any comments will be appreciated! Thank you!

Does commuting play into the decision at all? Churchill Road is a better location to get to DC or Maryland, and just as good to get to Tysons. Wolftrap is closer to Reston and Dulles.

The schools are similar, except that Churchill Road and Kilmer are AAP centers, while Wolftrap and Cooper are not. The AAP kids from CR go to Longfellow. That could change in the future. Most Madison kids go to Thoreau, not Kilmer, but I don't think it's a big deal (some also go to Jackson).

Vienna still has a marginally more laid back feel and more space. But that is changing quickly as it's become an "in" place to live and more $1.3-1.5 million houses replace teardowns. McLean is more dress-up to go to the grocery store and everyone drives a BMW. Depends where you think you'll fit better.

This just makes me laugh. I'm always at the McLean Giant in my yoga pants, driving a mini-van, along with all the other moms. Stereotype much?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are trying to move into Vienna or McLean area from Springfield, mainly for kids' school. I know I will be living at the same house for at least 15 years- moving is the last thing that I want to do. While searching, I found two houses that I like in those school districts. I know both school districts are great, but if you'd choose, in terms of curriculums and other neighborhood atmospheres, which districts do you prefer? My kids are rising K and 1st G.
Any comments will be appreciated! Thank you!

Does commuting play into the decision at all? Churchill Road is a better location to get to DC or Maryland, and just as good to get to Tysons. Wolftrap is closer to Reston and Dulles.

The schools are similar, except that Churchill Road and Kilmer are AAP centers, while Wolftrap and Cooper are not. The AAP kids from CR go to Longfellow. That could change in the future. Most Madison kids go to Thoreau, not Kilmer, but I don't think it's a big deal (some also go to Jackson).

Vienna still has a marginally more laid back feel and more space. But that is changing quickly as it's become an "in" place to live and more $1.3-1.5 million houses replace teardowns. McLean is more dress-up to go to the grocery store and everyone drives a BMW. Depends where you think you'll fit better.

McLean has plenty of grocery store slobs and not everyone drives an expensive car.

The biggest difference in terms of retail is that Vienna has a lot more "family-friendly" restaurants to choose from, but is also much more congested along Maple Avenue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are trying to move into Vienna or McLean area from Springfield, mainly for kids' school. I know I will be living at the same house for at least 15 years- moving is the last thing that I want to do. While searching, I found two houses that I like in those school districts. I know both school districts are great, but if you'd choose, in terms of curriculums and other neighborhood atmospheres, which districts do you prefer? My kids are rising K and 1st G.
Any comments will be appreciated! Thank you!

Does commuting play into the decision at all? Churchill Road is a better location to get to DC or Maryland, and just as good to get to Tysons. Wolftrap is closer to Reston and Dulles.

The schools are similar, except that Churchill Road and Kilmer are AAP centers, while Wolftrap and Cooper are not. The AAP kids from CR go to Longfellow. That could change in the future. Most Madison kids go to Thoreau, not Kilmer, but I don't think it's a big deal (some also go to Jackson).

Vienna still has a marginally more laid back feel and more space. But that is changing quickly as it's become an "in" place to live and more $1.3-1.5 million houses replace teardowns. McLean is more dress-up to go to the grocery store and everyone drives a BMW. Depends where you think you'll fit better.

Anonymous wrote:We are trying to move into Vienna or McLean area from Springfield, mainly for kids' school. I know I will be living at the same house for at least 15 years- moving is the last thing that I want to do. While searching, I found two houses that I like in those school districts. I know both school districts are great, but if you'd choose, in terms of curriculums and other neighborhood atmospheres, which districts do you prefer? My kids are rising K and 1st G.
Any comments will be appreciated! Thank you!

Does commuting play into the decision at all? Churchill Road is a better location to get to DC or Maryland, and just as good to get to Tysons. Wolftrap is closer to Reston and Dulles.

The schools are similar, except that Churchill Road and Kilmer are AAP centers, while Wolftrap and Cooper are not. The AAP kids from CR go to Longfellow. That could change in the future. Most Madison kids go to Thoreau, not Kilmer, but I don't think it's a big deal (some also go to Jackson).

We are trying to move into Vienna or McLean area from Springfield, mainly for kids' school. I know I will be living at the same house for at least 15 years- moving is the last thing that I want to do. While searching, I found two houses that I like in those school districts. I know both school districts are great, but if you'd choose, in terms of curriculums and other neighborhood atmospheres, which districts do you prefer? My kids are rising K and 1st G.
Any comments will be appreciated! Thank you!