OP here. Many thanks all for the useful insights. I'm glad I'm on the right track in my search

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the bowling green houses - is that the zone of houses that will be close to the expansion of Route 66? I thought the county will be removing a bunch of houses to widen 66 and that first house looks like it will be right next to the new border.. I don't know what area got approved but this was a year ago, I do believe 66 will be widened - no choice.

http://patch.com/virginia/vienna/vienna-area-homes-risk-eminent-domain-due-i-66-widening-plans-0

Pp here but the gibson house would be consider a tear down for a builder but affordable if you want a smaller house. It is zoned to Marshall road which is one of the lower rated schools in Vienna but lower rated is still good.

MRES is a "7" -- that may be low in Vienna standards, but it's not "low" for most of the state! (we are about to buy a house in MRES zone... but my only one in ES will not be going there b/c DC is in AAP.) Nothing wrong with MRES though. Thoreau seems great. I don't have personal experience with Madison, but I believe it was listed as the 8th best HS in Va or something???

I live in 22180 and love it here.

Of the houses you listed, the Bowling Green homes are perfectly fine and they are part of Dunn Loring Woods. Not the central part of 22180. Closer to Dunn Loring metro, if that matters to you.

The rest are in Vienna Woods I believe.

Thelma looks like it might be a tear down.

I like the location of the Gibson house. I haven't been on that street but in looking at the map, it's a good location and isn't a cut through street.

Thelma, Gibson, Tapawingo would be slightly closer to 66 (and Vienna metro) if that's your route, but the others aren't that much further.

All the schools in town are good, I'd say Vienna El and Louise Archer probably are the better of the bunch but Marshall Road and Cunningham Park have made improvements. The middle (Thoreau) and high school (Madison) are excellent.

It's a great family friendly area and I'm really happy to be raising my kids here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If possible you want Madison HS not Marshall HS so stay in town.

Honestly I would rather pick the marshall location than suffer that horrible vienna commute

I am in McLean which is better than both areas above so I have the most impartial view

Anonymous wrote:If possible you want Madison HS not Marshall HS so stay in town.

Honestly I would rather pick the marshall location than suffer that horrible vienna commute

If possible you want Madison HS not Marshall HS so stay in town.

Anonymous wrote:the bowling green houses - is that the zone of houses that will be close to the expansion of Route 66? I thought the county will be removing a bunch of houses to widen 66 and that first house looks like it will be right next to the new border.. I don't know what area got approved but this was a year ago, I do believe 66 will be widened - no choice.

http://patch.com/virginia/vienna/vienna-area-homes-risk-eminent-domain-due-i-66-widening-plans-0

Pp here but the gibson house would be consider a tear down for a builder but affordable if you want a smaller house. It is zoned to Marshall road which is one of the lower rated schools in Vienna but lower rated is still good.

the bowling green houses - is that the zone of houses that will be close to the expansion of Route 66? I thought the county will be removing a bunch of houses to widen 66 and that first house looks like it will be right next to the new border.. I don't know what area got approved but this was a year ago, I do believe 66 will be widened - no choice.

http://patch.com/virginia/vienna/vienna-area-homes-risk-eminent-domain-due-i-66-widening-plans-0

Nothing wrong with bowling green. It's in a neighborhood with lots of families plus a nice mix of retirees.

Bowling green is a really long street and kind of a cut through so it is busy although not as much as tapawingo. This dude of Vienna is awesome though. Great schools and family friendly. Bowling green may also have some rentals so check that out. Good luck! Come join us!!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not familiar with the area, but why are there so many houses for sale on Bowling Green Dr?

Op here. That caught my eye too but when I drive through the area it looks like a normal good street.

Yes but 3 on the same block on one side of the street often indicate some unwanted building/development is coming or there's another issue that is of concern to residents. I would talk to someone in the neighborhood and ask questions before pursuing any of those.

I would skip Tapawingo. It is a pretty busy street. Also, anything with a SE, SW, NE or NW means you are in the town and thus will paying higher property taxes (Fairfax Cty plus TOV).

Anonymous wrote:I'm not familiar with the area, but why are there so many houses for sale on Bowling Green Dr?

Op here. That caught my eye too but when I drive through the area it looks like a normal good street.

I'm not familiar with the area, but why are there so many houses for sale on Bowling Green Dr?

I am a first time home buyer keenly looking to buy this summer/fall. My budget is 550-600K and I am already pre-approved for 600K. I am looking at both Pimmit Hills and Vienna 22180 which seems like the zip code that I could potentially afford. 2 kids in elementary and one in Prek hence school is important, Commute is to DC (Farragut west and DH China Town). Some of the houses I have seen are listed below. Any thoughts on these house/area from people who know this zip code well? Many thanks

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Vienna/2649-Bowling-Green-Dr-22180/home/9540791
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Vienna/2637-Bowling-Green-Dr-22180/home/9540883 - short sale
http://www.trulia.com/property/3042558537-609-Thelma-Cir-SW-Vienna-VA-22180
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/603-Gibson-Dr-SW-Vienna-VA-22180/51772183_zpid/
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Vienna/205-Tapawingo-Rd-SW-22180/home/9453284 - off market but had been listed @ 600k
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2642-Bowling-Green-Dr-Vienna-VA-22180/51808507_zpid/ - looks like it just sold.