best school/neighborhood in fairfax (Arlington, Alexandria: houses, neighborhoods, live)

[micknmay]

My family will be moving to Fairfax in several months. I have a job opportunity at either Carpenter Rd, Fort Myer by the Arlington cemetary or Prosperity Avenue by the Dunn Loring Metro station. My children are 1 and 3 years old. I can afford up to $800K for a house. Since I will have to choose between the two locations, I'm interested which of the two has the better elementary schools and pyramids. I'm also interested in being in a school district that would have my children be eligible for Thomas Jefferson High school if they qualify. Walkability is also very important for us. Which of the two area are more walkable with nearby stores, music schools, parks, family friendly areas. Any input would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[OrangeFish]

For $800K go to McLean.

[micknmay]

Thanks OrangeFish for the input. Mclean is pricey but is it the best school pyramid? Also, I've read that the Metro doesn't stop in the town. Is that right? Thanks.

[FindingZen]

Do you mean the City of Fairfax or Fairfax County?

[ionlife]

Vienna or Oakton--the closer you get to the beltway, the greater the problems become in schools.

[car54]

All students in Fairfax County Public Schools are eligible to attend Thomas Jefferson. As well as students from Alexandria City and Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William Counties.

[Nancy in Nokomis]

Fairfax Station, McLean, Vienna

[claremarie]

If you want the pyramids with the highest SAT scores, look at Langley, McLean, Madison, Lake Braddock, Woodson.
You should also consider George Mason HS, in the City of Falls Church, which generally is among the top-scoring high schools in the DC area. For $800k, you could definitely find a house in the City of Falls Church, which has many neighborhoods within walking distance of shopping areas, schools, libraries, etc. The commute to the Prosperity workplace location would be 15-20 minutes, tops, from Falls Church.

[micknmay]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I was told yesterday that the job has moved to woodbridge. I drove through Vienna and loved Maple ave and the residential houses behind it. Is the Metro walking distance from Broadleaf street in Vienna? I hear that langley h.s. in mclean is rated better ? Is there a walkable downtown in mclean like there is in Vienna? The metro doesn't go there correct? I'm not so sure that the city of Falls Church would be a good option for us because the residents are not eligible for TJ, correct? Thanks again.

[car54]

Falls Church City kids are eligible for TJHSST.

But I really wouldn't dwell on TJ too much....your kids are very young and getting into TJ is EXTREMELY difficult. Don't pressure your kids to get into TJ, because very few do.

TJ kids are very different....I know a bit about it because I drive a school bus and I do a TJ run and a regular high school run (Chantilly). You wouldn't believe the conversations I overhear on the TJ bus....it's like driving a busful of adults. None of the immature screaming and yelling and vandalism that is so common on the regular high school bus.

Those TJ kids have a LONG day too....mine catch my Chantilly bus at 6:15 am, and change buses at Chantilly High for the trip to TJ. The reverse happens in the evening. My TJ students' school day is close to twelve hours long! Add a few hours of homework and these kid's lives are GRUELING!