Fairfax/Vienna vs. Franconia/Springfield Metro Stops (West Springfield, Tysons Corner: rent, condos)

[2tnvols]

I want to live within 10 minutes of one of these two Metro stops. Which is the better area?

It looks like the housing prices are better within 10 minutes of Franconia/Springfield, and it looks like the demographics are good for both the Fairfax/Vienna and Franc/Spring areas.

A 1950's house is fine. No frills is fine. A small to moderate amount of renovating is fine. We just want to be in a safe, quiet neighborhood close to one of those 2 Metro stops. No townhomes/condos.

Which is the better area? Thanks!

[dullnboring]

If schools are an issue, they tend to be better in the Vienna area which may affect resale value (but on the flipside, means buying housing to start with is a bit more expensive). Otherwise however, the two areas are fairly comparable and both pretty good. There's one or two more questionable areas in the vicinity of Franconia than Vienna.

[itrade]

No argument - Vienna is much better. Schools are better (affecting housing prices), crime is lower, and yoiu can still get into the Vienna garage at 8:00 am and get a parking spot.

[Fern435]

There are many safe, affordable neighborhoods with excellent schools within 10 minutes of the Franconia/Springfield Metro, and parking is seldom a problem at that stop. There are also several Metro Express bus routes along Old Keene Mill Road that are convenient and safe.

We rent a home in West Springfield (22152).

Check the DC Metro page and consult the trip planner to compare commuting options.

[saganista]

Both areas are quite nice. The Vienna area is a little more upscale than the Franconia/Springfield area and is of course closer to all that is Tysons Corner. Vienna is also the home of such bonus niceties as Wolftrap Center for the Performing Arts and Meadowlark Gardens. Unlike either Franconia or Springfield, Vienna is an incorporated Town, and so has its own local government (Mayor, Town Council, police, fire) and a variety of local services (such as leaf & snow removal, trash & junk pickup, etc.) that are very good. You do have to pay Town taxes in addition to County taxes if you live within the Town limits. The Town is one of relatively few areas in NoVa that has an actual communtiy feel to it, and as per the above, crime is essentially non-existent and the schools are all excellent with James Madison High School being the end of the line...

[itrade]

No kidding. The police in Vienna issues a press release when somebody smashes a bottle on the ground - especially when there are 40 cops in a town of 14,000...

[saganista]

Well, every now and then, they catch some high school kid doing 37 in a 25. The Vienna police actually are pretty hard on young drivers and have a reputation for dirty tactics when it comes to catching some of them in a moment of weakness...