Curious About N. Arlington Area (Falls Church, Madison: apartment complexes, renting, houses)

[Leerinsmom]

Hello,

I am interested in renting a home in the N. Arlington area, it is around 16th St. N and Sycamore St right where Sycamore turns into Roosevelt. I am told that this is a 10 min walk to the East Falls Church metro station. It is also by Benjamin Banneker Park, East Falls Church Park, and Madison Manor Park. Is this a nice safe neighborhood? Are there grocery stores, places to eat, etc in walking distance? Any advice?

[claremarie]

I lived about a mile from there for more than ten years. Overall, it's a great neighborhood, but there are some lower-income apartment communities near the intersection of Roosevelt and Wilson Blvd and lots of traffic near the Metro stop, so a moderate amount of caution is advisable during late evening hours. Eden Center, the largest Vietnamese shopping center this side of Saigon, is within walking distance, with lots of little shops and a number of excellent restaurants. However, for "regular" shopping, you would probably want the Safeway at Willston Center, which is not really walking distance but a short drive around the corner at Patrick Henry and Route 50. There is also a large Target there.

[CaseyMac]

This is a great area! I live in N. Arlington and love it! It defies the cookie-cutter suburban communities and provides a unique and funky place to live.

You are very close to the shops of Westover at the corner of Washington Blvd. N. McKinley Rd., zip 22205. Google Map that intersection and see how far you are from there. They have great little neighborhood shops and restaurants along with a post office, neighborhood market and library. Oh and a hardware store that thrives despite the big and boisterous Atlanta giant (aka Home Depot).

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by CaseyMac

This is a great area! I live in N. Arlington and love it! It defies the cookie-cutter suburban communities and provides a unique and funky place to live.

You are very close to the shops of Westover at the corner of Washington Blvd. N. McKinley Rd., zip 22205. Google Map that intersection and see how far you are from there. They have great little neighborhood shops and restaurants along with a post office, neighborhood market and library. Oh and a hardware store that thrives despite the big and boisterous Atlanta giant (aka Home Depot).

Westover was a pretty neat place 35 years ago as well; it had a 'small town' feel unlike most of Arlington.

I do agree about that 'funky vibe' (in the good sense) as well.

As for Roosevelt St; I remember when it was the main connector across Wash Blvd to Wilson Blvd prior to Sycamore being cut through (from Lee Hwy south) and the former road becoming a small residential dead end ca. 1974 when a bridge across a creek was removed near a defunct railroad right of way.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by claremarie

I lived about a mile from there for more than ten years. Overall, it's a great neighborhood, but there are some lower-income apartment communities near the intersection of Roosevelt and Wilson Blvd and lots of traffic near the Metro stop, so a moderate amount of caution is advisable during late evening hours. Eden Center, the largest Vietnamese shopping center this side of Saigon, is within walking distance, with lots of little shops and a number of excellent restaurants. However, for "regular" shopping, you would probably want the Safeway at Willston Center, which is not really walking distance but a short drive around the corner at Patrick Henry and Route 50. There is also a large Target there.

Those apartment complexes were 'weird' back in the early 1970's as well.

[NOVANative1]

I'm wondering whether you ended up getting the house? That's a great neighborhood. Roosevelt's a little busy right there, but there are small houses and lots of new construction, plus the park and the dog park are right there. My favorite house in Arlington (the one that got away!) is on Roosevelt right near there, an 1860s house tucked behind trees.