Anonymous wrote:[ (Note- not City of Falls Church schools, those do not have the same reputation as Arlington or the Fairfax County Schools close-in.)

where are you getting this from??
George Mason- the Falls Church City high school is ranked as the #5 high school in the area- there are no Fairfax high schools above it, and only one Arlington --http://apps.washingtonpost.com/highschoolchallenge

Falls Church City is known for its schools and its walkability- and I think the OP might find it exactly what she is looking for. OP- Falls Church City is very small- 2 sq miles-- a Falls Church mailing address does not mean it's in the city limits. In general city addresses have only 3 digits and are generally in the 22046 zipcode.

I also think N. Arlington- near EFC metro is a great location.
Based on your commutes I think you are better of in VA then MD.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:North Arlington is a great commute to the Farragut/Metro Center area. Anywhere in North Arlington would be great.

Falls Church in the Haycock/Longfellow/McLean pyramid is also exceptional- and I would suggest it for you, if proximity to Metro and to shops/eateries is less of a concern. You pay the premium for those things in N Arlington, and will get more house for your money in Falls Church. It is very family friendly. (Note- not City of Falls Church schools, those do not have the same reputation as Arlington or the Fairfax County Schools close-in.)

I think the City of Falls Church schools are considered every bit as good as the North Arlington and McLean/West Falls Church schools.Some people particularly like FCC and its schools because they are small and less bureaucratic. It's one reason, though, why FCC didn't appeal to us. There are some great rivalries in the area between schools like Yorktown and Washington-Lee in North Arlington, McLean and Langley in McLean, and Churchill and Whitman in Montgomery, but George Mason doesn't have any local rivals. The students have to travel long distances to play teams in rural counties and other small towns like Manassas Park.

They are. Some people think they're better, in fact.

Anonymous wrote:North Arlington is a great commute to the Farragut/Metro Center area. Anywhere in North Arlington would be great.

Falls Church in the Haycock/Longfellow/McLean pyramid is also exceptional- and I would suggest it for you, if proximity to Metro and to shops/eateries is less of a concern. You pay the premium for those things in N Arlington, and will get more house for your money in Falls Church. It is very family friendly. (Note- not City of Falls Church schools, those do not have the same reputation as Arlington or the Fairfax County Schools close-in.)

I think the City of Falls Church schools are considered every bit as good as the North Arlington and McLean/West Falls Church schools.

Some people particularly like FCC and its schools because they are small and less bureaucratic. It's one reason, though, why FCC didn't appeal to us. There are some great rivalries in the area between schools like Yorktown and Washington-Lee in North Arlington, McLean and Langley in McLean, and Churchill and Whitman in Montgomery, but George Mason doesn't have any local rivals. The students have to travel long distances to play teams in rural counties and other small towns like Manassas Park.

Oakton fits your requirements. And it's close to the Vienna metro and has parks but its close to shopping.

Falls Church in the Haycock/Longfellow/McLean pyramid is also exceptional- and I would suggest it for you, if proximity to Metro and to shops/eateries is less of a concern. You pay the premium for those things in N Arlington, and will get more house for your money in Falls Church. It is very family friendly. (Note- not City of Falls Church schools, those do not have the same reputation as Arlington or the Fairfax County Schools close-in.)

ITA with the above, as these are some of the best public schools in the area. I would point out, however, that you can live in that pyramid and still be within walking distance of the West Falls Church Metro station, as well as the shops and eateries in the Falls Plaza shopping center (Giant, CVS, Starbucks, Hair Cuttery, Haandi, Pietanza, Road Runner Sports, etc.). Depending upon your definition of "walkable", you can even walk to downtown Falls Church City from some parts of that area.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks very much for the suggestions! Jobs are downtown -- Farragut North & Metro Center areas. The schools and commute time are the main priorities. I'll research the areas suggested. I had not heard of some of them. Happy to hear more. Thanks again!

North Arlington is a great commute to the Farragut/Metro Center area. Anywhere in North Arlington would be great.

Falls Church in the Haycock/Longfellow/McLean pyramid is also exceptional- and I would suggest it for you, if proximity to Metro and to shops/eateries is less of a concern. You pay the premium for those things in N Arlington, and will get more house for your money in Falls Church. It is very family friendly. (Note- not City of Falls Church schools, those do not have the same reputation as Arlington or the Fairfax County Schools close-in.)

Anonymous wrote:City of Falls Church or within town limits of Vienna.

In that price range you have more options outside the town limits of Vienna, and the schools are just as good.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/6330-Old-Chesterbrook-Rd_Mc-Lean_VA_22101_M52661-80819

Here is one in McLean, VA. Great schools and still close to Arlington as well as Chain Bridge. Probably 5 minutes from DC.

Anonymous wrote:why is this hideous? it looks okay to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2613-N-Jefferson-St_Va_VA_22207_M63407-92023

This is very close to Lee Harrison. You could walk to a great park, 2 grocery stores, ice cream, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, bagel shop, bank and Starbux.

Hideous.

Me too. Looks nice.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/9618-Dewmar-Ln_Kensington_MD_20895_M52188-44299

If you are Catholic, this is a great family neighborhood. Most of the kids go to Holy Redeemer. It's right outside the beltway in Kensington, MD. Could commute right down Conn. Ave to Downtown. It's probably 45 minutes in rush hour. Can't walk to restaurants or anything though.

Thanks very much for the suggestions! Jobs are downtown -- Farragut North & Metro Center areas. The schools and commute time are the main priorities. I'll research the areas suggested. I had not heard of some of them. Happy to hear more. Thanks again!

I think the "hideous" house's exterior is kind of bland, but the neighborhood is great (disclaimer: i live a few blocks away) and 0.14 acre is about normal for the area. You'll see a lot more houses on the market in a couple months - this is such a slow time of year.

City of Falls Church or within town limits of Vienna.

Anonymous wrote:

Hardly. Decent price point too for the nabe.

Yuck - I could never get past the ugly exterior and there's almost no yard. And what's with this "nabe" crap? The shelf life for that term expired long ago.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2613-N-Jefferson-St_Va_VA_22207_M63407-92023

This is very close to Lee Harrison. You could walk to a great park, 2 grocery stores, ice cream, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, bagel shop, bank and Starbux.

Hideous.

Hardly. Decent price point too for the nabe.