Sterling - Sugarland Run (Reston, Woodbridge: apartments, foreclosure, HOA)

[jillybean720]

My husband and I currently live in a townhouse in Lake Ridge (Woodbridge), so it's not like we're accustomed to a particularly posh environment, and we're looking to move to a single family home that is affordable and will improve our commutes (we work in Reston and near Tyson's). We found one we like in the Sugarland Run area.

Now, I've been "warned" by friends against the Sterling Park area, and this part of Sugarland Run happens to share the same zip code, so I'm afraid some data I'm looking up may be a bit skewed. The homes we are considering are located within the better school district (Meadowland ES, which is most important right now since we're expecting our first child as I type).

We looked at multiple homes in the area, and this particular neighborhood looked nice (homes in good condition, general good quality of vehicles parked in front of homes, some people out walking/jogging alone), but I just was hoping for some reassurance (or warnings!) from maybe some folks who live in the area.

[Margery]

I would have no hesitation about recommending Sugarland Run to a member of my family. I like the open contemporary style of the homes, most of the lots are wooded with mature trees, and it is very walkable. Visit it on the weekend, walk around, and talk to people that live there. It is very convenient for commuting, close to Northern Virginia Community College, close to a large library and Cascades Marketplace with a grocery, bank, restaurants, and shops.

I live close by in a 55+ community, I know the area well.

[Caladium]

There is a large geographic separation between Sugarland Run and Sterling Park, so the two are not connected.

Sugarland Run is an older neighborhood, and has a slightly worn appearance in some spots. You're right that it's not at all posh, but people I know who live there seem to like it. On the plus side, you'd have extremely convenient access to NVCC. The Cascades library and Cascades Marketplace are walking distance. Rt. 7 is about a quarter mile away, as are a few other shopping plazas, and several major stores such as Target, Kohls, Costco, and Home Depot. There is fairly good bus service there and it's the one place in eastern Loudoun where you can live without a car fairly easily.

On the negative side, there has been some petty crime in the area and I wouldn't walk far late at night. The crime is mostly small stuff--not even as much as you'd find in Sterling Park, but at the same time it's not as crime free as other parts of Cascades. Not a big issue, IMO. You're also more likely to have a foreclosed home in your neighborhood, if that's a concern.

[GCPA]

I live in Cascades...close to the part of Sugarland that borders Potomac View Road so we walk through it quite frequently. Only observation is that it looks a little tired and worn. Other than that, seems quite normal. We moved here 3 years ago and looked at Sugarland but the part we were looking at didn't have sidewalks for walking the dogs....so we didn't investigate further. It does have a path system.

Knowing what I do now, I am not sure I would even cross off Sterling Park as a possibility. There are some nice neighborhoods back in there with affordable houses. But, we had an idiot realtor from Reston and limited time, so we somewhat followed his guidance. We have a friend in Sterling Park and he has no complaints.

Lastly, Cascades isn't without its petty crime either. Just read the crime blogs. If you are going to be stupid and leave your garage door open, house and car unlocked, then don't even bother calling the police for your stupidity. Ashburn, Brambleton, Leesburg, Sterling....it's everywhere. Just be smart.

[jillybean720]

Thanks for the feedback so far - very helpful to hear from those in that local area! The home we're most strongly considering actually WAS a foreclosure and was purchased and "flipped," so it's actually quite updated inside, which is part of why we like it (we're not much for DIY projects if we can avoid them!).

[axledeep]

We moved into a SFH in Sugarland Run a little over a year ago. Prior to this, we lived in a TH in Sterling Park for 4 years. We enjoy Sugarland Run. Our home backs to the park at the northern edge of the community. As the other poster(s) stated, the neighborhood looks tired (primarly a reflection of the architectural style IMO), but I feel it is as safe a community as any other in the area. If you follow the daily police reports or talk to the community policing officers, you'll realize that Sugarland Run is not any more of a "target" community than others in eastern Loudoun County. We have two children (and another on the way), the oldest of which is going to Meadowland ES. Both ESs (Meadowland and Sugarland) are fairly diverse, representing the demographic of the area. The middle school and in particular, the high school, in the area pull from neighboring communities that likely have a higher household income...for better or worse. There are a lot of folks living in Sugarland Run that have lived here since the community was established in the early '70s. A younger crop of residents raising families is also present and seemingly on the rise. Good luck in your decision.

[SPHokie]

Sterling's bad reputation is greatly exaggerated IMO.

Its no different than Herndon, Reston, or Leesburg. There are good parts and bad. I'd stay away from the older townhouses/apartments near Sterling Park shopping center but most of the SFH neighborhoods are fine. Same with Sugarland Run.

[JCVA]

I like Sugarland Run. I live very near Sugarland Run in a neighboring community (Seneca Chase) and have kids at Meadowland ES, so I know the community very well. The neighborhood is diverse, and my kids have friends from all over the Globe. Sugarland has a very nice network of nature paths, which my family and I use fairly regularly. Many of the single-family neighborhoods (particularly close to the northern end of Sugarland Run Drive) are quite pleasant, with lots of tall, mature trees.

I think the Community is on the upswing, and young families have been buying many foreclosed houses, many of which have been very nicely fixed up. Sugarland Run has also recently renovated its Community Center, and has an olympic-sized swimming pool, which hosts lots of local swim meets.

Finally, it is very convenient, especially if you work anywhere between Tysons and the Dulles Corridor (getting to my job in Reston is a cake-walk, and I don't even have to take the toll road)!!

Good luck to you whatever you decide. If you do decide to come here, welcome!

[jillybean720]

Thanks so much, everyone - we had our home inspection on Saturday, so it looks like we will be joining the Sugarland Run community soon! The home we decided on is VERY close to Meadowland Elementary and has a walking path directly behind the property, so we have high hopes that it will be a step up from our current townhouse community in Woodbridge (aside from it being a larger home and a single family home, of course). Now just waiting for the HOA docs and the settlement date!

[EuroExpat]

Originally Posted by jillybean720

Thanks so much, everyone - we had our home inspection on Saturday, so it looks like we will be joining the Sugarland Run community soon! The home we decided on is VERY close to Meadowland Elementary and has a walking path directly behind the property, so we have high hopes that it will be a step up from our current townhouse community in Woodbridge (aside from it being a larger home and a single family home, of course). Now just waiting for the HOA docs and the settlement date!

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll love living there. We looked at SR seriously a couple of years ago but weren't in the position to buy back then. Good luck!!