Thing is, at that price point, you'll have to sacrifice size, commute or schools. You don't get everything you want at that price point. Personally, I'd probably go for the best commute I could get and accept schools that might be lower-ranked for Fairfax County on the premise that it is still one of the best counties in the nation. But you simply won't be able to find anything in one of the "best" school districts anywhere near Falls Church.

Something feeding into Stuart or Falls Church HS would at least be an awesome commute. And all the new housing around Mosaic District feeds into FCHS so I see the demographics changing there at some point. If you could find something feeding into Fairfax HS, snap it up - it's not too far out and the school has really climbed in the rankings in recent years.

City of Fairfax. Much closer in than Chantilly, Manassas, etc., but still (somewhat) affordable with good schools, some cute shops/restaurants nearby, and decent access to the Vienna or Dunn Loring metro if you're on the eastern side. The commute to Falls Church wouldn't be too bad although 50 gets backed up during the peak of rush hour. 500k will be a stretch though, you may need to look at THs.

Agree with PP, you picked up deal.

OP, check out zip 22312 and 22311 which might work with your budget if you are willing tolerate lower Great School ratings.

My cousin graduated from Stuart in '11 and just graduated from UVA.
She was able to go to Woodson because of her AP courses.

Therefore, don't buy into the school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would avoid Falls Church and JEB Stuart High School areas.

Yes, run, don't walk away from Sleepy Hollow or Lake Barcroft.......

03 Stuart grad... doing just fine. Our class left and went to UVA, William and Mary, VTech, Davidson, Yale etc.. all well along into their careers now... no reason to dismiss the area.

Bought a well kept and renovated w/addition 4br/3ba rambler in Barcroft Hills / 22041 for $445K in August on a 1/3 acre lot.

22041/22042/22044 are some of the best values inside the beltway if you can tolerate your kids going to school with people from other countries.

I'd consider the Sleepy Hollow Woods neighborhood in Annandale/22003. Near Falls Church and several community pools. Mason Crest ES (Belvedere ES for AAP)/Glasgow MS/Stuart HS. I'd also look at the Camelot neighborhood in Annandale. Camelot ES (Mantua ES for AAP)/Jackson MS/Falls Church HS. The schools are fine for motivated students.