Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why posters are saying Vienna has strip malls...they certainly aren't unique to Vienna. There are strip malls all over Arlington, McLean, Falls Church, Fairfax, Bethesda, etc... I can't think of any area that doesn't have a bunch of strip malls.

Probably because some Vienna posters lay on the "small-town" atmosphere thick enough to suggest it's some quaint village, all because of a few semi-cutesy blocks on Church Street. You are right that all these areas have strip malls, though many of the strip malls in Arlington have been demolished and replaced with new development.

NP here. The small town feel of Vienna isn't because of a few cutesy blocks of Church Street. Even before Church Street was redeveloped, Vienna had a small town feel. It's because of the community center with sports fields right next to it. A fire station and police station right nearby holding bike rodeos and open houses. The library right down the street with story times and the playgrounds and parks right in town. Add in the July 4th festival and fireworks, the Halloween Parade, the Church Street Holiday Stroll, the Walk on the Hill, Viva Vienna, the Vienna Youth Theatre plays, the weekly farmers markets, the Taste of Vienna, and the Fire Station Pancake breakfasts all within a 4 square mile radius, and you can practically live the life of a small-town Norman Rockwell painting. Sure, it's not as quaint looking as a small New England town, but it functions as well or better than most of small-town America. The strip malls you see from Maple Avenue only tell one-quarter of the story.

There is NO place in Nova that has any small town feel- not by strip malls etc. but some places make efforts to make it a community such as Vienna- I do have to say they really do an effort with Viva Vienna, church street events, Oktoberfest- there is always something going on.

Reston is a very nice community, has a lot of nice amenities and the schools are good and getting better every year. I think you could also find a nice home for $800K in Reston (it's a little less expensive than Vienna and Oakton).

You need to open your eyes and look around- there are strip malls all over Arlington, not just on one major road. You obviously are on this post regarding non-Arlington towns to bash those areas and claim that Arlington is better. Arlington is great for work- I have an easy commute there, but wouldn't want to live there (although I do think Country Club Hills is very nice and would consider that area which is similar to mine- strip malls and all).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why posters are saying Vienna has strip malls...they certainly aren't unique to Vienna. There are strip malls all over Arlington, McLean, Falls Church, Fairfax, Bethesda, etc... I can't think of any area that doesn't have a bunch of strip malls.

Probably because some Vienna posters lay on the "small-town" atmosphere thick enough to suggest it's some quaint village, all because of a few semi-cutesy blocks on Church Street. You are right that all these areas have strip malls, though many of the strip malls in Arlington have been demolished and replaced with new development.

There are tons of dumpy strip malls all over Arlington, they are practically at every intersection.

Nonsense. You must live in a real dump. Try to get over your Arlington envy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why posters are saying Vienna has strip malls...they certainly aren't unique to Vienna. There are strip malls all over Arlington, McLean, Falls Church, Fairfax, Bethesda, etc... I can't think of any area that doesn't have a bunch of strip malls.

Probably because some Vienna posters lay on the "small-town" atmosphere thick enough to suggest it's some quaint village, all because of a few semi-cutesy blocks on Church Street. You are right that all these areas have strip malls, though many of the strip malls in Arlington have been demolished and replaced with new development.

There are tons of dumpy strip malls all over Arlington, they are practically at every intersection.

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why posters are saying Vienna has strip malls...they certainly aren't unique to Vienna. There are strip malls all over Arlington, McLean, Falls Church, Fairfax, Bethesda, etc... I can't think of any area that doesn't have a bunch of strip malls.

Probably because some Vienna posters lay on the "small-town" atmosphere thick enough to suggest it's some quaint village, all because of a few semi-cutesy blocks on Church Street. You are right that all these areas have strip malls, though many of the strip malls in Arlington have been demolished and replaced with new development.

I'm not sure why posters are saying Vienna has strip malls...they certainly aren't unique to Vienna. There are strip malls all over Arlington, McLean, Falls Church, Fairfax, Bethesda, etc... I can't think of any area that doesn't have a bunch of strip malls.

I think you can find the community feel in most any part of the county--if you get involved in sports' activities--or scouts, or whatever.

I live in a part of Fairfax county that does not have a town. We do have a shopping center that draws a lot of the area and you do run into people at Giant. However, the sports and scouts provided the community feel for us. Churches also provide that. It doesn't matter what the "town center" has, if you are not involved, you will not feel a part of the community. I think you can find community in any part of Fairfax County. Sure, the concerts, etc. on the town green can be fun--but there are plenty of other ways to get that feel.

For us, it started with our kids' activities. That is how we met people and began to feel a part of the community. With others, there may be something else. As the kids grew and went to school, we kept meeting more people and became more involved. I don't think you get that "feel" unless you contribute in some way. Yes, it is nice to walk to town--but that really limits your options when looking to buy. For me, I can walk to the grocery store, if I like--but seldom do--who wants to schlep home bags of groceries when walking? However, if I feel the need to see people, I know I can go to Giant and run into somebody. (FWIW, I seldom feel that need.)

The four places are different. Vienna has very good schools but it is crowded and pretty expensive. It does have a town feeling. If you play a sport or join a group, you will know everyone. Reston is nice, but far away from DC and the schools are not loved. Oakton is outside of Vienna and the near parts are essentially part of Vienna. But the far parts are Fairfax. Fairfax is more like what posters are saying about strip malls.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all you people complaining that Vienna doesn't have a community downtown feel and is nothing other than strip malls, let's be honest. Very few places in the DC suburbs really have a downtown with any character, and very few even feel like true towns. As others have said before me, DMV suburbs have a lot to offer but there's no "there" there. No sense of place. Move to NY state, NJ or New England if that's what you really want.

Here's the kicker for vienna you get the following

1) Strip mall downtown (not desirable)
2) If they do plan to redevelop it, they will turn it into one of those fake city centers with a panera, pot belly's and

So pick your poison, but let's not bull shit ourselves in thinking it will have a small town mulberry feel, there are just too many people living there to accomplish that.

The thing is, we want the stores in the strip malls: Grocery's, drug, pizza, etc. But we don't like the aesthetics. Strip malls are convenient for shopping...park, buy and leave. But not for walking.

Vienna does have a town-center area, from about Park St to Lawyers. Both on Maple Ave (123) and Church Street. In that area (excluding where Magruders used to be), we have no large lots at the street. Businesses include Chipotle, Noodles, Whole Foods, Vienna inn, Panera, $tarbux, (maple ave) and Church St Pizza, Cocoa Vienna, Caffe Amouri, Sushi Yoshi, Bazins, Great Harvest Bread, Bikes @ Vienna, the clock store (I do not remember the name), Pure Pasty, Nielsons, Custard, and several more whose name escapes me.

We also have the Town Green (concerts), the Library, the Caboose...etc.

These are mostly small locally owned businesses that give back to the community. For example, the Owner of Caffe Amouri (Michael Amouri) also runs Vienna Idol, planned the Vienna First Night Celebration, and coaches girls basketball at Madison.

Anonymous wrote:For all you people complaining that Vienna doesn't have a community downtown feel and is nothing other than strip malls, let's be honest. Very few places in the DC suburbs really have a downtown with any character, and very few even feel like true towns. As others have said before me, DMV suburbs have a lot to offer but there's no "there" there. No sense of place. Move to NY state, NJ or New England if that's what you really want.

Here's the kicker for vienna you get the following

1) Strip mall downtown (not desirable)
2) If they do plan to redevelop it, they will turn it into one of those fake city centers with a panera, pot belly's and

So pick your poison, but let's not bull shit ourselves in thinking it will have a small town mulberry feel, there are just too many people living there to accomplish that.

Anonymous wrote:For all you people complaining that Vienna doesn't have a community downtown feel and is nothing other than strip malls, let's be honest. Very few places in the DC suburbs really have a downtown with any character, and very few even feel like true towns. As others have said before me, DMV suburbs have a lot to offer but there's no "there" there. No sense of place. Move to NY state, NJ or New England if that's what you really want.

I strongly disagree with this. The point is, Vienna does have a down town. It is not the strip malls, though.

For all you people complaining that Vienna doesn't have a community downtown feel and is nothing other than strip malls, let's be honest. Very few places in the DC suburbs really have a downtown with any character, and very few even feel like true towns. As others have said before me, DMV suburbs have a lot to offer but there's no "there" there. No sense of place. Move to NY state, NJ or New England if that's what you really want.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oakton or Madison. Buy in Vienna or Oakton.

Be careful, some of Veinna goes to Marshall HS, South Lakes and some of Oakton goes to Fairfax HS.

ES doesn't effect price. HS is the determining factor in price.

Is this true, ES has little impact on price or resale value?

Yes. this is true. HS is what people care about. ES is the same now matter where in FCPS - with the exception of Alexandria and parts of Springfield.

The same house in Vienna, VA that goes to Oakton or Madison will cost more more $$ as compared to a house in Vienna zoned for Falls Church or Marshall HS.

Buy in 22181 or 22180. Make sure Oakton or Madison is the HS. You will be happy!

The marshall district has better appreciation and good school. I would definitely check it out. The best area is mclean but marshall areas are very good too and are closer in and near allot of tysons redevelopment. Vienna is further out and has no plans in upgrading their soviet era shopping areas.

The problem with Marshall is there is no community -- yet.

You are correct that it doesn't have a town center like Falls Church, Mclean, or Vienna, but it's right in the middle and so has easy access to all of them. We lived in Pimmit Hills and really enjoyed that neighborhood and the walkability to schools and shops. Our whole family was able to swim at Tuckahoe and access Spring Hill Rec Center very easily. The Shrevewood area is also very popular and has a great pool there too.