Best town for family in NoVA? (Alexandria, Reston: new home, neighborhoods, school district)

[House_search_va]

We're planning to move to Northern VA next summer. We're looking at the Fairfax county area. What would be the best area for great schools, strong family community and good neighborhoods? We're considering under $1mil for a house. Considering Great Falls, Clifton, Reston and Fairfax Station. Any suggestions on one vs another on that list?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[VRE332]

it all depends on where you have to commute to. The traffic situation here can disturb your quality of life. So please post where you will be commuting to and we can lead you in the right direction.

[pmbva]

Sadly Virginia has very few towns like other parts of the country. We have subdivisons with schools and shopping areas near by. The only real towns are Falls Church, Old Town Alexandria, Fairfax City. If you look at Clifton and Fairfax Station you will most likely find the newest home for under a million. Check out South Run, Crosspointe for older well established neighboorhoods in Fairfax Station these are my personal favorites lovely homes built by well know builders with schools in the community, Mclean and Great Falls a much older and much sought after school district you get a small lot and less home for the money. Just over the Fairfax County line on the back side of Clifton you get a tremedous amount for your money in Prince William County. Only a few miles more for tremedous buys on new and nearly new homes just google Hunters Ridge, River Falls, Westridge, Lake Ridge for some great neighboorhoods.

[nova_44]

I'd have to agree with VRE--it depends on where you you are commuting to. Great Falls and Reston are beautiful areas. You'd probably also like Vienna.

[mpascal]

We've been in Reston for 8 years now and find it very family-friendly. Having grown up in NJ where every little town has its own feel and flavor, we found that lacking in this area when we first came. Having lived in several places in NoVa now, we find Reston to be the closest to what we grew up with. Good schools, lots of organized activities for kids, community centers...

[House_search_va]

My husband works in Vienna. For now it looks like I will work from home - but want to keep my career options opened (I work in Web industry).

[House_search_va]

Thank you mpascal! I have the exact same concerns of losing that little town charm and community feel coming from CT. We are very interested in Reston as well. What school system in that town do you find best? My child will be going into 4th grade when we move.

[mpascal]

My kids have both been at Sunrise Valley Elementary. We've been extremely happy. That said, we've heard good things from friends in other Reston schools as well. Know that there hasn't been the best press about the MS and South Lakes HS. We know many, many people including our friends across the street who have kids there and have been very satisfied. Many who have been critical have included those who don't know the community and have been upset about redistricting.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinions of course, I guess the point is be wary of all outside opinions, and check stuff out for yourself, and see how schools live up to your own criteria and preferences.

You're welcome to message me privately if you have any other issues/questions about Reston

[saganista]

Hmmm. I'd say take a close look at Vienna and Falls Church. Moving further out might not add much more than additional time to the daily commute. Both of those are incorporated areas (the Town of Vienna, and the City of Falls Church), so they have a local government and local festivals and some of that hometown feel that is indeed lacking in many other areas of NoVa. They are also both within easy access of all that is Tysons and Metro for easy rides downtown. Schools are excellent in both. Falls Church runs its own independent system for those who live within the city limits. Vienna's schools are part of the Fairfax County system.

[mpascal]

As much as I love Reston, I would also say Falls Church City is great. It's small, one K-1 school, one 2-4 school, a 5-8 MS, and then 9-12 HS---so it really replicates that small northeastern feel, in that the same kids will be together all the way through school. Schools are good though, having done some work there in the last couple of years. Closer to DC and more expensive then traveling west into Fairfax County.