North Reston vs. South Reston (Herndon, Falls Church: apartments, lease, condo)

[NOVAEER]

Are there any significant differences between the two areas? It looks as if North Reston is more desirable based on home prices. Is this due to proximity to the Town Center?

[kilikina778]

North Reston is much nicer than South Reston. I live in South Reston and in retrospect, I wish I had reconsidered my move here. The Town Center area (along with Lake Anne) is MUCH more desirable and family-friendly.

South Reston has some nice elements. Hunters Woods Elementary is fantastic. The woods are pretty. But the area I live in across from Hunters Woods Shopping Plaza is not safe. There are always shady characters roaming about, and there is a clear criminal element on this side of town. Residents are always requesting more of a police presence. I'm a single mother and me and my daughter are constantly being harassed along the walkways in the woods and in the parking lot of the shopping center. Personally, I will not walk without my dog because I don't feel it's very safe. At the risk of sounding politically incorrect, the bottom line is that most of the harassing parties come from the low-income housing unit behind the shopping center.

I have only been here since January, so I'm no expert. These are just my own personal observations.

[JfromReston]

There are some nice safe areas of South Reston and there are also some areas that I would stay away from, kilikina778 details one and another is the area of Glade Drive west of Reston Parkway. I live in the South Lakes area and find it very safe and more reasonable priced housing than in North Reston. In addition to the South Lakes area, I would recommend anything that feeds into Sunrise Valley Elementary. Housing in North Reston is significantly more expensive. I've lived in South Reston since 2002.

[1984]

Originally Posted by kilikina778

North Reston is much nicer than South Reston. I live in South Reston and in retrospect, I wish I had reconsidered my move here. The Town Center area (along with Lake Anne) is MUCH more desirable and family-friendly.

South Reston has some nice elements. Hunters Woods Elementary is fantastic. The woods are pretty. But the area I live in across from Hunters Woods Shopping Plaza is not safe. There are always shady characters roaming about, and there is a clear criminal element on this side of town. Residents are always requesting more of a police presence. I'm a single mother and me and my daughter are constantly being harassed along the walkways in the woods and in the parking lot of the shopping center. Personally, I will not walk without my dog because I don't feel it's very safe. At the risk of sounding politically incorrect, the bottom line is that most of the harassing parties come from the low-income housing unit behind the shopping center.

I have only been here since January, so I'm no expert. These are just my own personal observations.

Your personal observations are correct. It is the most dangerous shopping center in Reston.

[Nate_VA]

I live in North Reston, but I think much of South Reston is very nice. But, the area to the west of Reston Parkway (south of the toll road) is much less desirable. I'm wondering if that area will change when the RTC metro stop opens in a few years. I think rents will increase if the building is within walking distance of the station.

[MDude25]

In my opinion all of Reston is generally a nice place to live both south and north of the toll road.

[TPL]

Everybody above is correct. I used to live in South Reston and then North Reston. South Reston to me feels more like traditional Reston, and my neighbors there were far more down to Earth as well as protective of one another. However, in a number of different ways North Reston can be nicer, including with regards to safety (Overall, even though it has some spots), property, and convenience (RTC and downtown Herndon can be accessed without crossing the Toll Road, as can Route 7).

[austindoxie1972]

North Reston has a "newer" feel to it. I loved living there. But I can totally see how South Reston is more traditional. If moving back, I'd still go with North Reston, though.

[GratefulDawg]

Hey all. I'd like to piggy back on this not too old thread with a specific question about North Reston v. South Reston.

My main question is about safety for my wife and our 1-year old.

We're looking to move back to Reston. Previously we lived in a townhouse near the public golf course on the South side of town. We liked the area and mostly felt safe. (I always felt safe but my wife is very sensitive and doesn't always 'feel' safe even when she almost certainly is). She just learned which paths not to take when walking the dog at night. (Towards the Safeway in Hunters Wood Plaza).

Now we're looking at apartments, for affordability, and because we need a shorter lease term. One we're considering is Fairway Apartments up by the private golf course and Lake Anne Elementary School. I toured the apartments and walked around a bit and it seems fine to me, but this was on a Sunday afternoon.

Does anyone know about this area? (Or even this property specifically)?

Thanks!

[leighland]

I like South Reston a lot. its easy to steer clear of Hunter Woods Plaza. That plaza is the only questionable area in Reston so I find it unconchanable that Reston Association, which charges almost 700$ just to live there cant fix that one problem. OTHO Falls Church City which is 3 sq miles, has daylaborers hanging out on the Giant parking lot in Falls Church Paza and those cops dont lift a finger either
the problem with Reston is the additional **monthly 600$ ****condo fee. they arent spending it all onpretty flowers so i can only assume condo places in Chestnut Grove or Springhill have many condodefaulters.