Federal Hill TH/Seven Corners - Crime? Schools? (Arlington, Fairfax: townhouses, neighborhood)

[sabeena78]

I've heard pretty bad things about Seven Corners and am looking at some townhouses off of 50 right before the Williston Shopping Center, on Federal Hill Road/Meeting road. Does that area count as 7 corners? Does anyone know what the area is like and is crime a major issue? I checked the WashPost crime map and it looked like right off of 50 there were some robberies, one with a gun. But it is hard to tell what the area is really like so if someone on here lives there or knows it please let me know your perspective. I currently live in DC, in Dupont Circle so I know all areas have some crime. Also if anyone knows what the elementary school would be and is like for this development of townhomes I'd appreciate some info on that too. Thanks in advance!

[claremarie]

This is the Seven Corners area, and it looks like your townhouses are just inside Fairfax County on the Arlington County border. Not sure whether crime is a big issue, but the area is home to one of the larger concentrations of low-income immigrants (mostly Hispanic), and the schools will naturally reflect those demographics in their test scores. I can't tell which is the neighborhood school, but Bailey ES is nearby, which offers a magnet program for arts and sciences and a Spanish immersion/ESOL program. Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences
Willston shopping center is a fairly drab place, with a large Safeway but not much else of interest, except for the Target store around the corner that packs them in. There is a very busy Home Depot right across Route 50, along with the best dim sum restaurant in the area (Fortune).
Since you live nearby, you should definitely check the area out in person.

[sabeena78]

Thanks clairemarie - the elem school I think is Sleepy Hollow. I have been to the area a few times but not really spent a lot of time there. I just liked the proximity to DC (compare to other places we could afford). But thanks that is helpful info...

[5stones]

since you are in the area... I'd go over for a visit around 5pm on a friday night. Drive around, see what the weekend evening atmoshpere is like. It may be pretty tame to you. If you feel safe walking around, etc... then use that as your personal indicator.

I know that there are LOTS of areas that I used to live in that I WOULD NOT dare too now that I have kids. Everyones perceptions are different, I might find a place dangerous and someones might describe it as "edgy and urbane"!!
ONLY you can define what is safe and comforable for you.