Lorton/Gunston Square (Fairfax, Laurel: appointed, houses, neighborhoods)

[AFwife36]

Hello Everyone,

My family is relocating from California, and we have looked at some beautiful town houses in the Lorton area. Specifically, Gunston Square and Lorton Station. I do have a son who will be attending school next year. I have done a search on past threads, but I was hoping for some current opinions on these areas, as far family friendliness, safety, ammenities, etc. Thank you!

[Fairfax Mom]

I think some of the Lorton schools are good and some are bad - not sure which ones - I would check the demographics and ratings on the Fairfax county website.

The area looks fine to me but I am sure some people will disagree.

[slduvall]

We also looked at lorton Station when we first got here. My Husband spent some time there during the week, and then again on the weekend, drove thru at night etc. He was a little disappointed in the amount of traffic that zooms thru it on the way to Rt 1. There are two very good restaurants there, but the place is slowing down a little bit in this economy. It is surrounded by lower income apts, and those areas feed into the same schools. You will find that most of Lorton and Gunston are like that. Pockets of very nice homes, surrounded by apts. Not the best place for long walks around the area, bike rides, etc. I would spend some time looking at Kingstowne, Island Creek, Landsdown, Hayfield etc. All on the north side of Belvoir. better schools, better areas to walk, ride etc.

[AFwife36]

Thank you for your replies. This is such tough decision. Kingstowne is where we would prefer, but for what we are looking for, we just can't afford it. Lorton Station appears to be an upcoming area, which is why we looked there. I also want good schools, and to feel safe, though.

[adctvmonkey]

You are right - Lorton Station is a very nice neighborhood; however, it feeds into Lorton Station Elementary, which has lower test scores than adjacent schools and a somewhat unfavorable reputation in the community. The community, like slduvall mentioned, abuts some low-income neighborhoods. The same goes for Gunston Elementary. There should be similar homes in other areas of Lorton around Laurel Hill that should be in a similar price range, but they are in the Silverbrook or Halley Elementary districts, which have higher test scores and draw students from higher-income neighborhoods like Crosspointe.

[newandconfused]

I agree with what was said above by adctvmonkey ... look for homes in laurel hill and anywhere north that feeds to silverbrook elementary.. not lorton station or gunston ..

[lindsayd]

I used to sell at Laurel Hill back when it was being built. It really is a great community. Very family friendly, nice amenities, good schools.