Starting over...after a disappointing relocation from FL to elsewhere in VA.

[saganista]

With adult children, assessments of the local school system won't be very meaningful for an intended renter. Also the fabled "singles scene" of the Ballston Corridor in Arlington is a happy haven for many 20- and early 30-somethings, but less typically so for those who've already been through the hangovers of those years. As others have, I'd have spoken up for Falls Church right off, as it is a very comfy upscale environment that has an actual city government, meaning that there are activities and organizations galore. Just the thing for meeting people, single or not. Geographically, everything in the city itself (which is only 2 square miles) is fine. What I think <JEB77> was saying is that the parts outisde of Falls Church proper that are to the north toward McLean or the west toward Vienna (off Shreve Road and Idylwood Road perhaps in particular) are excellent choices as well. There is no dropoff in upscale-ness in those areas, and they may indeed be more attractive options in the minds of many. This entire area is safe, close to shopping, close to Metro, and all those other things people like so much. Things may taper off some to the south of FC City and as you get closer to Seven Corners (intersection of Rtes 7, 50, and a few others). Many people are quite happy living in these areas, but they don't have quite the polish or panache (or average income) that some of the others do. Any way you slice it, you would have a very convenient and therefore universally enviable commute from Falls Church to Falls Church. The commute to Fairfax City would also be a piece of cake, as it is against traffic. You would likely prefer to drive it in either case, though.

Living in or around Fairfax City would be another option. It has many of the same strengths as Falls Church, but maybe not as strong. It is home to George Mason University. It's also considerably further from Metro and therefore from easy trips to DC. It might be less expensive and easier to rent in that area, though.

A third option would be Vienna, which lies kind of between the other two. While the others are Cities, Vienna is a Town, meaning it has its own local government and hence activities of nearly every sort. Vienna is perhaps most famous for being "family friendly", but people of all sorts do live there, and it's tough to knock much about it. Like Falls Church, it is served by two Metro stations.

[saganista]

Originally Posted by Gekkota

How is the area around New Providence Drive? The street has a lot of pretty nice looking condos and is next to a lake. It is between Lee Hwy and Arlington Blvd., right inside the beltway. I am considering buying in that area, and would like to know whether it is a safe area. I appreciate any feedback.

It's a longish road, but basically the east side of Fairview Park. Typically, quite nice. The lake has a fountain in it which is lit at night. One of the area's nicer restaurants, 2941, is on the west side of the lake, overlooking the fountain.

[Gekkota]

JEB77, what about the New Providence Drive condo complex area? I am thinking about moving there. It seems quiet and has a lake, and a jogging trail. It is bordered by Fairview Park Drive, Lee Highway, and Rte 50. Thanks.

[Gekkota]

Originally Posted by saganista

It's a longish road, but basically the east side of Fairview Park. Typically, quite nice. The lake has a fountain in it which is lit at night. One of the area's nicer restaurants, 2941, is on the west side of the lake, overlooking the fountain.

Thanks, saganista...I totally overlooked your post!

[saganista]

One of the offspring looked into buying in Fairview Park last winter and thought quite highly of it though Fair Lakes eventually won out. I've never been down the far part of New Providence. It backs up to some apartments that once were considered a little seedy but don't really seem to be anymore. I don't know what if any interaction there is between the two back there. There certainly isn't any at all closer in toward Fairview Park Drive.

[JD984]

Originally Posted by saganista

What I think <JEB77> was saying is that the parts outisde of Falls Church proper that are to the north toward McLean or the west toward Vienna (off Shreve Road and Idylwood Road perhaps in particular) are excellent choices as well. There is no dropoff in upscale-ness in those areas, and they may indeed be more attractive options in the minds of many. This entire area is safe, close to shopping, close to Metro, and all those other things people like so much. Things may taper off some to the south of FC City and as you get closer to Seven Corners (intersection of Rtes 7, 50, and a few others). Many people are quite happy living in these areas, but they don't have quite the polish or panache (or average income) that some of the others do. Any way you slice it, you would have a very convenient and therefore universally enviable commute from Falls Church to Falls Church. The commute to Fairfax City would also be a piece of cake, as it is against traffic. You would likely prefer to drive it in either case, though.

People could play around with this mapping tool if they wanted to get a sense of the different areas of Falls Church:

Mapping America ? Census Bureau 2005-9 American Community Survey - NYTimes.com

Relative to the City of Falls Church itself, the areas of Fairfax County with Falls Church addresses to the northwest that border McLean and the West Falls Church metro are slightly more affluent than the City, and the Idylwood and Pimmit Hill areas to the west of the City are less affluent. The areas with Falls Church addresses south and southeast of the City are generally less affluent, but again there are variations. The area south of Route 50 near Falls Church High School and the Seven Corners/Culmore/Bailey's Crossroads areas near Route 7 are, by NoVa standards, moderate and and even low-income areas. On the other hand, the neighborhoods between Columbia Pike and Seven Corners to the east of Sleepy Hollow Road are higher-income areas than the City of Falls Church. Many would say a neighborhood like Lake Barcroft (one of the areas just described) full of interesting 1950s "contemporary" homes has more "panache" than the City of Falls Church or the Town of Vienna, but that's a subjective judgment that might also be influenced by whether one is looking for a "walkable" area or has school-age children, since Lake Barcroft children attend public schools that lower-income students also attend and which have lower test scores.

I've gone into this detail simply to point out again that generalizations about Falls Church are tricky. From the perspective of someone who is not worried about schools, but only looking for a safe apartment or condo in Falls Church, there are very few areas (none in the City and few in the county) that I'd really worry about. For example, I personally wouldn't want to live right around Culmore (off Route 7 about 1/2 way between Seven Corners and Baileys' Crossroads). On the other hand, there are many middle-aged singles (from around the world) who like the Skyline apartment complex a bit further east on Route 7 near the Alexandria border.