How much are you spending OP? That would help us direct you better. Are you spending $1M or $2M or $3M+? There really are huge differences. As far as space, Potomac Hills are usually smaller, older houses. They do have sidewalks, unlike the rest of McLean.

The rest of McLean resists change, which is why so many folks prefer Arlington. Arlington is very much for the people, not against change, to the extreme McLean is. Of course, McLean would generally not admit this.

Potomac Hills limits you as far as how much one would add on; due to the fact that you would not want to add on too much and price yourself out of the neighborhood.

Franklin Park seems slightly more progressive than most parts of McLean. FP has probably 50%+ (ALL NEW, not add ons) new homes. Most neighborhoods in McLean are going all new, so if you can't afford all new, decide if that might become an issue for you or not. i.e." if you are an old house quickly surrounded by fresh new homes.

Basically, if a house is not all new, in McLean, it is considered an unspoken knock down. There are builders abound that can and will pay cash for the old houses, add-ons or not.

Which is why you are seeing so many knock downs in all close in areas. The old home homeowners take exception to this and some posters resort to name calling.

OP here. I don't want a 5000 sq ft house. Just 3000 will do. I don't want swimming pool either. I want a good yard and have parkland at the back of the yard for the kids to play in the woods, look for tree frogs!! Would love it if there is a stream or creek, but that is harder to come by.

Anonymous wrote:Most old homes are 1960ish in McLean. There are a few new homes, about 1.5 - is that what you are asking? Is the last post op or a hijack post?

Safe to assume it was a troll post, barring new evidence to the contrary.

Most old homes are 1960ish in McLean. There are a few new homes, about 1.5 - is that what you are asking? Is the last post op or a hijack post?

Which one is more affordable for 5000sqrft home and are the lots begin enough for at least an olympic pool with yard space. I want new or at least 2005

Love the Potomac Hills neighborhood that the PP mentioned - great neighborhood community, block parties, etc. (have friends there, but don't live there). Quick commute to either Old Dominion, Chesterbrook Road or GW parkway. Only two entry points into the neighborhood and one large section has sidewalks (unlike other parts of McLean in that area). Mostly older house stock though, but a good number of them have been renovated and pockets of brand new large homes. Not as expensive as Franklin Park though, I think.

I know people in both and for a sense of community, I would say FP has much more. Anywhere in Langley, you are going to want to keep to yourself. I have heard this from many people that live in each.

Anonymous wrote:by the way, there is a very strong community in franklin park - lots of neighbors regularly out and about nightly, major holidays, impromptu bbqs, halloween, etc. really, if you and DH are both commuting to DC, and with kids in school, the commute to/from work, especially when this area has "weather events" is something to very seriously evaluate.

Good to know that there is a very strong sense of community in Franklin Park. Do they have Halloween parades or July 4th celebrations? Which streets are the focal points (such as the Ridge Drive loop in Langley Oaks).

Thanks, we have a broader range of neighborhoods, not limited to FP or LO. What about areas around Chesterbrook, Kirby Rd, and places walkable to DT Mclean? which is better for commutes? Is Kirby rd to GW pkwy better than, lets say Dolley Madison to GW pkwy, or is this better to get to side streets to go to spout run or 66? How about Old dominion Dr to Lee Highway? We realized from this thread it's better for commute to be on the east side of the Dolley Madison, right?

avoid GW parkway in the AM during normal rush hour - it's a parking lot with no escape. from franklin park, yes, Old Dominion is the main way to get to Lee Highway - there are also lots of back roads and you'll lern that w/in a few days or weeks of living there. But once you are in Arlington, there are a lot of options to get to the Key, Roosevelt or even Memorial bridges. the problem with nova is that each bridge crossing is a natural choke point and backs up everything and every road.

the area around chesterbrook (potomac hills?) is great and the school is fantastic. it isn't walkable to dt mclean - but neither is langley oaks or franklin park - just a very quick/short drive (literally minutes).

by the way, there is a very strong community in franklin park - lots of neighbors regularly out and about nightly, major holidays, impromptu bbqs, halloween, etc. really, if you and DH are both commuting to DC, and with kids in school, the commute to/from work, especially when this area has "weather events" is something to very seriously evaluate.

Franklin Park in general is going to be a better commute, but its not going to be a huge difference (maybe 10 minutes?). Another factor people I know look into is proximity to restaurants and clubs. Franklin Park is closer to both, but Langley usually has bigger lots. You really have to decide what you like better, as they are both lovely areas.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about Chain bridge to Canal rd, is this a better route into the city during rush hour? At which point is GW pkwy the most and least congested? We are looking in Mclean too not sure about location.

In my experience, Chain Bridge to Canal Road is the absolutely worst option. I only go that way if I want to go to residential neighborhoods in NW, not downtown. Traffic crawls on Chain Bridge inside the GW Parkway and Canal Road can be just as bad.

From Langley Oaks, realistically, you're going to use the GW Parkway to get to DC. It's not bad during the summer and great on weekends, but can be very slow during rush hour at other times of the year.

You have more options from Franklin Park. Some of them involve using streets in Arlington, once you know your way around. The WFC Metro is also about two miles away - Kirby to Great Falls (or Westmoreland) to Haycock Rd.

Langley Oaks is Churchill Road-Cooper-Langley. Franklin Park is Chesterbrook-Longfellow-McLean. If you've read DCUM, you'll find that Langley is a school that some people really like, and some people really hate. McLean doesn't seem to bring out the same emotions in people, maybe because it's more similar to other high schools in the area.

Thanks, we have a broader range of neighborhoods, not limited to FP or LO. What about areas around Chesterbrook, Kirby Rd, and places walkable to DT Mclean? which is better for commutes? Is Kirby rd to GW pkwy better than, lets say Dolley Madison to GW pkwy, or is this better to get to side streets to go to spout run or 66? How about Old dominion Dr to Lee Highway? We realized from this thread it's better for commute to be on the east side of the Dolley Madison, right?

OP here. Thanks for all the comments. Really appreciate it. I like Langley Oaks because of the side walk and the mature oak trees. The neighborhood is quite and serene, particularly if the house is back to park land. I can see kids have a good time for bike rides and Halloween. There is also a homeowner association which give a real sense of community. DH likes Franklin park because more houses to choose from and houses are nicer/newer. Both school districts are good so that will not be the deciding factor.

Anonymous wrote:What about Chain bridge to Canal rd, is this a better route into the city during rush hour? At which point is GW pkwy the most and least congested? We are looking in Mclean too not sure about location.

In my experience, Chain Bridge to Canal Road is the absolutely worst option. I only go that way if I want to go to residential neighborhoods in NW, not downtown. Traffic crawls on Chain Bridge inside the GW Parkway and Canal Road can be just as bad.

From Langley Oaks, realistically, you're going to use the GW Parkway to get to DC. It's not bad during the summer and great on weekends, but can be very slow during rush hour at other times of the year.

You have more options from Franklin Park. Some of them involve using streets in Arlington, once you know your way around. The WFC Metro is also about two miles away - Kirby to Great Falls (or Westmoreland) to Haycock Rd.

Langley Oaks is Churchill Road-Cooper-Langley. Franklin Park is Chesterbrook-Longfellow-McLean. If you've read DCUM, you'll find that Langley is a school that some people really like, and some people really hate. McLean doesn't seem to bring out the same emotions in people, maybe because it's more similar to other high schools in the area.

6:51 & 9:44 - THIS. You are accurate. The schools over there are better because the people are much more down to earth. LO strikes me as kind of run down and dumpy. Since you asked.

The location is also better for your commute