Talk to me about (specific parts of) Burke (Alexandria, Fairfax: for sale, real estate)

[Annuin]

My husband and I are looking to move to the NoVA area from NY. As such I've been looking around at rentals and real estate, and I had a question for anyone local to the Burke area.

I've found apartments/condos for sale in the Luria/Reins Commons Court (Burke Center Station Commons). From a look on Google Maps, they're condo complexes along Roberts Pkwy N, not far from the Burke VRE/Amtrak. Obviously, the close vicinity to the railway tracks can depress the price and desirability, but this is still not expensive, which is why I'm looking for info from locals.

Are there things about that particular area that should give us further pause?

Thanks in advance!

[Fundman]

I believe they are co-ops. There are very few co-op developments in northern Virginia and the units typically sell for less than comparable condos because of the ownership structure. Burke is mostly townhouses and single family homes. The location is right next to a busy shopping center with a Walmart. On the other side of the VRE station is a Target. You would also be close to Burke Center Parkway which is where most of the shopping centers are.

[Nancy in Nokomis]

Very nice, safe area

[slduvall]

One thing to keep in mind in NOVA is being close to the trains (metro/VRE) is desirable, and doesn't necessarily bring down property value as it does in other areas. It is all about the commute. That said it all depends on how much sound you can handle.

[Fredesch]

Originally Posted by slduvall

One thing to keep in mind in NOVA is being close to the trains (metro/VRE) is desirable, and doesn't necessarily bring down property value as it does in other areas. It is all about the commute. That said it all depends on how much sound you can handle.

The majority of trains that use that track are VRE commuter trains. Very few freight trains use that track as it goes to DC and trains with hazardous materials are not allowed in DC. Also if you have woods and houses between you and the trains, you probably won't hear them.

VRE may be the only way you can get from Burke to Union station in DC in half an hour. being near a VRE station is a good thing.

[CuppaJoe]

Burke is a very safe, fairly well to do area. If you're a professional who enjoys quiet time in the evenings with a bit of weekend daytime outings to coffee shops, the gym, errands - I recommend it. I grew up in the town and love it. One downside is there are some snooty white folk (blah, I'm white myself) who look down on minorities, but it's not a terribly big problem.

One huge advantage is it's a central location to many different areas of NoVA. You can get on the Fairfax County Parkway easily, hit 395 or 495 closeby, or pop over to Fairfax City through easily navigable residential streets.

[car54]

Fuhgeddaboudit!!!

There's no decent pizza around here....

[jbakerman]

Originally Posted by car54

Fuhgeddaboudit!!!

There's no decent pizza around here....

It's only a 15-20 minute drive to Johnny's in Kingstowne from Burke...

[car54]

Originally Posted by jbakerman

It's only a 15-20 minute drive to Johnny's in Kingstowne from Burke...

No Nuh Yawker would ever, ever admit that ANY pizza made in the entire DC, MD, VA area is acceptable.

Say Johnny used to make the best pie in Nuh Yawk and he moved his pizzeria down here....it wouldn't be any good here.

You see, it's all in the water used to make the dough....it's gotta be Nuh Yawk water, period!

[gomason]

lol Johnny's in Kingstowne. I live like 1 mile from there and I would never settle for that.

Valentino's in Alexandria of Beauregard is the best NY style pizza in the DC area bar none.