Narrowing search to Oakton/Vienna or S Riding/Belmont (Reston: cul-de-sac, real estate)

[CTBBFAN]

We are still on the fence and need any input that can be provided. We have a target price of $750-850K and I will work near Fair Oaks Mall. We have two small children and my wife is stay at home.

Here is the world as we see it:

Oakton/Vienna/Reston:

PROS
Established neighborhoods with mature trees, etc
Good resale potential
Closer to the things we like (good restaurants, etc)
Easy commute
CONS
Older neighborhoods means less kids and less socialization/immersion for my children and wife.
Older homes that need some work or updating

S.Riding/Belmont:

PROS
Great for kids and wife to become immersed in the community
Great homes that are updated in every way imaginable
CONS
Longer commute
More speculation in terms of resale value
Far from the city

It is really frustrating for us that we have these tradeoffs.

Does anyone know of an area that is:

• Family and stay at home mom friendly neighborhood (cul de sac, playground, etc)
• Newer/nicer home (around 3000sqft)
• Within 20-30 minutes of Fair Oaks Mall
• Good schools
• Solid resale value

Thanks!

[JfromReston]

Originally Posted by CTBBFAN

Oakton/Vienna/Reston:

CONS
Older neighborhoods means less kids and less socialization/immersion for my children and wife.

I don't see this as a problem in my Reston neighborhood. Though built in the late 70's it has lots of kids and stay-at-home moms.

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by CTBBFAN

We are still on the fence and need any input that can be provided. We have a target price of $750-850K and I will work near Fair Oaks Mall. We have two small children and my wife is stay at home.

Here is the world as we see it:

Oakton/Vienna/Reston:

PROS
Established neighborhoods with mature trees, etc
Good resale potential
Closer to the things we like (good restaurants, etc)
Easy commute
CONS
Older neighborhoods means less kids and less socialization/immersion for my children and wife.
Older homes that need some work or updating

S.Riding/Belmont:

PROS
Great for kids and wife to become immersed in the community
Great homes that are updated in every way imaginable
CONS
Longer commute
More speculation in terms of resale value
Far from the city

It is really frustrating for us that we have these tradeoffs.

Does anyone know of an area that is:

• Family and stay at home mom friendly neighborhood (cul de sac, playground, etc)
• Newer/nicer home (around 3000sqft)
• Within 20-30 minutes of Fair Oaks Mall
• Good schools
• Solid resale value

Thanks!

Based on your listed options, I would go with Vienna.

Another area to consider also is West Falls Church/Tysons/McLean. Schools are top notch, close to best shopping/restaurants, some walkable areas, great atmosphere, close to public transportation, tons of playgrounds (Clemyjontri), libraries, and mommy/kid stuff, and going against traffic during rush hour on 66 to Fair Oaks in the AM.

The closer you are to DC/Beltway, the more likely the real estate values will hold.

Clemyjontri Park, Clemy Park, Fairfax County Park Authority

[CTBBFAN]

Hi J,

I apologise if my comment came out negative about Reston as I certainly did not mean for it to be construed that way.

Perhaps it is out price point or the lack of inventory, but the homes we reviewed in Reston/Vienna/Oakton were not very "neighborhoody". I am certainly interested in your thoughts about areas/developments that are family friendly in Reston. Which areas would you review? North or South of the Toll Road? I promise we would be good neighbors!!

Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[CTBBFAN]

Thanks Tank, I will check those areas out on Homesdatabase.com

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by CTBBFAN

Thanks Tank, I will check those areas out on Homesdatabase.com

West Falls Church (ska as McLean) has a 22043 zip code. Consider also the city of Falls Church.

[barryhussein]

South Riding is the worst for jet noise. How about Franklin Farm in Oakton?

[Doppelganger69]

Hi, CTBBFAN! I'm surprised that you found Vienna not very neighborhoody. While its concept of downtown isn't ideal, we moved here three weeks ago and have found everyone very friendly. Our kids play with the neighborhood kids on fair days, we can walk to the local elementary school, etc. My husband and kids even got invited into one neighbor's house for cookies after they stopped to admire the Christmas lights. We are also walking distance to "downtown," such as it is, which has been very convenient. I think the walkability and close convenience to various things (banks, restaurants, grocery stores, etc) make the place feel very family-friendly and homey. I am a SAHM with two kids, ages 5 and 9. The only challenge I see in Vienna is getting a newer home in your price range, but it could be done, I think, with a little patience. Or an older home that's already been fixed up.

I also like Falls Church City, as has been suggested, but the housing prices are even higher and you would have longer commute (which is why we're in Vienna instead of Falls Church).

[tankdude]

Originally Posted by Doppelganger69

I also like Falls Church City, as has been suggested, but the housing prices are even higher and you would have longer commute (which is why we're in Vienna instead of Falls Church).

I find this a bit surprising that you said FCC is more expensive than Vienna.

Did you buy new in Vienna? What was the price, if you don't mind me asking.

[mlv311]

If you have narrowed down your choices to those two, I would pick Oakton/Vienna over S. Riding. Even if you end up in a neighborhood with dual-income families, your wife can always meet other stay-at-home moms through moms groups. There are plenty to choose from in the area. There are so many low-cost, free activities available for kids in this area that you don't need to depend on a local playground/cul-de-sac to have playdates and things to do daily. Your commute will be A LOT better and it's a highly desireable area with very good schools so resale value is very good.

If on the other hand, you really want a big, newer home, you are going to have to look outside Vienna. One possibility is Clifton if you don't want to live too far away from work.