Which school pyramids are considered "desirable" in Fairfax County? (Arlington: for sale, custom home)

[rarebucky]

Thanks for the responses. I like the idea of buying in Tysons Chase because a) I'd be surrounded by 30 other new houses and b) I know that by being buyer #15 there are at least 14 people who theoretically would have paid more than I would be paying (I'm a difficult negotiator and there's no way I'm not getting a good deal). Tankdude - I'd like to know the development in Mclean you're referring to. We're looking at McLean as well and have seen some beautiful houses in different neighborhoods for $1.5 mm and less but I don't like the idea of buying a McMansion next to a $500k teardown that may or may not happen. I guess my point of this whole thing is I want to be surrounded by other new homes, I don't want to be the nicest house on the block.

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by rarebucky

Thanks for the responses. I like the idea of buying in Tysons Chase because a) I'd be surrounded by 30 other new houses and b) I know that by being buyer #15 there are at least 14 people who theoretically would have paid more than I would be paying (I'm a difficult negotiator and there's no way I'm not getting a good deal). Tankdude - I'd like to know the development in Mclean you're referring to. We're looking at McLean as well and have seen some beautiful houses in different neighborhoods for $1.5 mm and less but I don't like the idea of buying a McMansion next to a $500k teardown that may or may not happen. I guess my point of this whole thing is I want to be surrounded by other new homes, I don't want to be the nicest house on the block.

In theory, that strategy would hold if we were back in year 2003-2005.

Unfortunately, I've heard people who've bought into a community thinking they have built in equity until the community had further problems selling and started dropping the price or giving out free options. Some builders are even offering price protection.

Also, even if you paid X for your house, the assessed value could be X - ?

The small cul de sac that I'm referring to is right off the intersection of Great Falls Road and Haycock Road. It's a tucked away cul de sac where there's currently a model home and maybe 4-5 more homes to be built. Homes are huge and it's about 1/2 mile from West Falls Church Metro and convenient to all the major highways and is inside the beltway.

Heading East on Haycock, make an immediate right onto Great Falls and then an immediate left. This area is considered McLean although it has a Falls Church zip code. Triangle is Haycock-Longfellow-McLean...one of the best in NoVA.

Not being in a community of 30 homes has its advantages such as not having an HOA.

Personally, I would consider Francis Young Estates before Tysons Chase.

Sekas Homes - Northern Virginia and Suburban Washington D.C.'s Premiere HomeBuilder

Sekas Homes - Northern Virginia and Suburban Washington D.C.'s Premiere HomeBuilder

[JEB77]

The development in Falls Church is called The Enclave of McLean. If you can deal with the fussy title, here's the developer's web site:

The Enclave of McLean

Appears to be a four-home development in a cul-de-sac; not clear if any of the homes have sold yet. They appear to be very nice - larger lots than at Tysons Chase but smaller houses. One factor to consider is whether, if you have or plan to have kids, they will find other children to play with in a four-home cul-de-sac off a fairly busy intersection. I also wouldn't bet the house on that school pyramid remaining intact indefinitely.

Francis Young in the Wolftrap/Kilmer/Madison pyramid strikes a balance between Tysons Chase and The Enclave - the homes are bigger than at The Enclave, and the lots are bigger than at Tysons Chase.

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by JEB77

The development in Falls Church is called The Enclave of McLean. If you can deal with the fussy title, here's the developer's web site:

The Enclave of McLean

Appears to be a four-home development in a cul-de-sac; not clear if any of the homes have sold yet. They appear to be very nice - larger lots than at Tysons Chase but smaller houses. One factor to consider is whether, if you have or plan to have kids, they will find other children to play with in a four-home cul-de-sac off a fairly busy intersection. I also wouldn't bet the house on that school pyramid remaining intact indefinitely.

Francis Young in the Wolftrap/Kilmer/Madison pyramid strikes a balance between Tysons Chase and The Enclave - the homes are bigger than at The Enclave, and the lots are bigger than at Tysons Chase.

It's probably a safe bet that the triangle will remain intact. Haycock being 1/2 mile, and Longfellow/McLean being close also. Haycock and Longfellow of course are probably the top two GT schools in NoVA, and Longfellow sends the most kids to TJ. I think Kilmer sends 1/2 that. McLean HS of course, is probably the #2 neighborhood HS in NoVA with a bit more diversity compared to Langley. US News recently gave McLean HS a gold ranking and was the highest ranked neighborhood school in NoVA, besting Langley.

This community is bordered by the City of Falls Church and Arlington County, both of which have their own schools.

Only other nearby "options" would be Lemon Road ES and Marshall HS, but I would think homes on the west side of Great Falls or the Dulles Toll Road are more likely to go that route than this 4 home community on the east side.

As I mentioned earlier, another benefit of this small community is its proximity to the City of Falls Church with many shops/restaurants, and also the nearby W&OD Trail. In fact, the City of Falls Church is getting a Harris Teeter as part of it's total revamp, while a short drive away is Whole Foods and Trader Joe's and two huge Giants.

Of course, the drive to Tysons is easy with a backdoor driving option to avoid most of chain bridge road, the main artery into downtown Vienna that's usually clogged during rush hour. Then there's the option of downtown McLean with many nice restaurants (at least 3 sushi restaurants) including a Balducci's and an organic butcher and a huge Total Wine and a great local McLean Hardware store. Two nearby Tree Top Kids toy stores and even seen a day spa that caters to kids!!!

The Organic Butcher

With regard to kids and playing, everyone knows that kids have more options than just the neighbor kids. Moms will always have play dates/parties with kids classmates, and there are several great tennis and swimming clubs nearby (Tuckahoe, Chesterbrook, Kent Gardens, McLean Swim and Tennis, etc.).

Lets not forget the nearby Clemyjontri in McLean, the best playground in NoVA.

Clemyjontri Park, Clemy Park, Fairfax County Park Authority

Traffic wise, McLean is much better centrally located compared to Vienna. In McLean, you can easily access the GW Parkway, I66, I495, Dulles Toll Road, and Leesburg Pike.

The neat thing about this 4 house community is that they're not clearing out a wide swath of land and planting 5 ft. saplings. This community will retain its mature trees surrounding it to give it less of a sterile McMansion feel that you would find in a 30 home community like Tysons Chase.

[claremarie]

Having lived in that general area for years, I concur with the convenience to amenities and the flexible commuting options. I'd also agree that those homes are safe from any school boundary adjustments, given the proximity to the elementary and middle schools. And I liked that the developer noted the presence of the GT programs on its website. Obviously, they know their target market. But having recently relocated, I can't drive by and see what was on this site before it was developed. Was it woods or several smaller homes?

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by claremarie

Having lived in that general area for years, I concur with the convenience to amenities and the flexible commuting options. I'd also agree that those homes are safe from any school boundary adjustments, given the proximity to the elementary and middle schools. And I liked that the developer noted the presence of the GT programs on its website. Obviously, they know their target market. But having recently relocated, I can't drive by and see what was on this site before it was developed. Was it woods or several smaller homes?

Look at Google maps and MS Live, which have older aerials, it appears that a single home used to occupy this large lot.

[JEB77]

Originally Posted by claremarie

Having lived in that general area for years, I concur with the convenience to amenities and the flexible commuting options. I'd also agree that those homes are safe from any school boundary adjustments, given the proximity to the elementary and middle schools. And I liked that the developer noted the presence of the GT programs on its website. Obviously, they know their target market. But having recently relocated, I can't drive by and see what was on this site before it was developed. Was it woods or several smaller homes?

On the issue of school boundaries for this development, I think you are surely right with respect to Haycock and Longfellow, and probably right with respect to McLean as well. McLean HS's boundaries, however, are among the most convoluted in the county, Langley is projected to be overcrowded in a few years, and the School Board periodically suggests it intends to undertake a massive redistricting study in the not-too-distant future. If I were absolutely intent on being in the McLean HS district, I would live in McLean south of 123, rather than in Falls Church.

[JEB77]

Originally Posted by tankdude

With regard to kids and playing, everyone knows that kids have more options than just the neighbor kids. Moms will always have play dates/parties with kids classmates, and there are several great tennis and swimming clubs nearby (Tuckahoe, Chesterbrook, Kent Gardens, McLean Swim and Tennis, etc.).

Lets not forget the nearby Clemyjontri in McLean, the best playground in NoVA.

Clemyjontri Park, Clemy Park, Fairfax County Park Authority

You're absolutely right - most kids do play with kids outside their own neighborhoods. The issue to consider is whether neighborhood kids are also an option, so the parents don't need to ferry their kids everywhere. Can young kids walk to these tennis/swim clubs or Clemyjontri from the Enclave? Mom and Dad don't always want to be a taxi service. It's the same issue that parents confront when they buy a two-acre house off a winding road in Great Falls.

Originally Posted by tankdude

Traffic wise, McLean is much better centrally located compared to Vienna. In McLean, you can easily access the GW Parkway, I66, I495, Dulles Toll Road, and Leesburg Pike.

It really depends on where you're located in McLean or Vienna, and where you need to go. McLean is a better location for those working in DC, although there are neighborhoods in Vienna where one can get to DC without hitting a stoplight before 23rd and Constitution; Vienna may be better for those working in the Tysons/Dulles area. The main traffic arteries in McLean (Chain Bridge, Dolley Madison and Old Dominion) all are jammed during rush hour as well.

Originally Posted by tankdude

The neat thing about this 4 house community is that they're not clearing out a wide swath of land and planting 5 ft. saplings. This community will retain its mature trees surrounding it to give it less of a sterile McMansion feel that you would find in a 30 home community like Tysons Chase.

Gee, 30 homes isn't exactly Levittown, but I see your point. I was recently in the Solitaire development in McLean - a much older development than Tysons Chase - and equally struck by its "sterile McMansion feel." I certainly don't begrudge someone, however, who decides that more space, nice neighbors, good schools and/or proximity to work at Tysons Chase or Solitaire justifies a bit of an aesthetic trade-off.

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by JEB77

On the issue of school boundaries for this development, I think you are surely right with respect to Haycock and Longfellow, and probably right with respect to McLean as well. McLean HS's boundaries, however, are among the most convoluted in the county, Langley is projected to be overcrowded in a few years, and the School Board periodically suggests it intends to undertake a massive redistricting study in the not-too-distant future. If I were absolutely intent on being in the McLean HS district, I would live in McLean south of 123, rather than in Falls Church.

McLean south of 123 does include Falls Church (some say its McLean but with a Falls Church postal code of 22043) and is bordered by Arlington and City of Falls church further south and east of that.

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by JEB77

You're absolutely right - most kids do play with kids outside their own neighborhoods. The issue to consider is whether neighborhood kids are also an option, so the parents don't need to ferry their kids everywhere. Can young kids walk to these tennis/swim clubs or Clemyjontri from the Enclave? Mom and Dad don't always want to be a taxi service. It's the same issue that parents confront when they buy a two-acre house off a winding road in Great Falls.

For the most part, you don't want your kids to be walking anywhere, even in the neighborhood, no matter where you are.

Originally Posted by JEB77

It really depends on where you're located in McLean or Vienna, and where you need to go. McLean is a better location for those working in DC, although there are neighborhoods in Vienna where one can get to DC without hitting a stoplight before 23rd and Constitution; Vienna may be better for those working in the Tysons/Dulles area. The main traffic arteries in McLean (Chain Bridge, Dolley Madison and Old Dominion) all are jammed during rush hour as well.

McLean is great whether you work in DC, Herndon, Reston, or Tysons. Those in McLean can access a huge network of back roads to get to Tysons. Also, the Dulles Toll Road will take you directly to Dulles, Herndon, and Reston.

In Vienna though, all must cross Leesburg Pike to get to Tysons. The main artery is via Chain Bridge Road. Also, there are many restrictions within the Town of Vienna on whether left turns can be made when returning home, and that includes Electric Ave and Old Courthouse roads.

For those in Vienna, you must navigate Hunter Mill, Beulah, Lawyers, etc. in order to get anywhere near Leesburg Pike or the Toll Road. Try those one lane roads during inclimate weather.

McLean is also better if one needs to cross American Legion over to Maryland.

Originally Posted by JEB77

Gee, 30 homes isn't exactly Levittown, but I see your point. I was recently in the Solitaire development in McLean - a much older development than Tysons Chase - and equally struck by its "sterile McMansion feel." I certainly don't begrudge someone, however, who decides that more space, nice neighbors, good schools and/or proximity to work at Tysons Chase or Solitaire justifies a bit of an aesthetic trade-off.

A 30 home development is pretty huge in NoVA in Vienna or McLean, where land is scarce. You only get those sized developments in Oak Hill or Centreville, or further west in Chantilly and Gainesville when land was plentiful.