Advice about Mt Vernon Valley Alexandria & neightborhoods to relocate (Mount Vernon: sale, condo)

[thvalare]

Hi everybody!
My husband is working in DC and we move for short time to Lancaster, PA ( a longgg commute). We are in the process of buying a home in a location closer to DC. I saw a lot homes on sale in Mt Vernon Valley in Alexandria and I would like someone can explain if something is wrong there?
Anyway, if someone can provide information about location, I am looking a place with a great school to my daughter that she will start pre-k 5.

If you have great points to consider before to move to choose a neightborhood, please let me know. I really appreciate it, believe it me!!

Thanks in advance,

thvalare

[notinnj]

Mount Vernon Valley is in Hybla Valley, which is in the Fairfax County portion of Alexandria. In general, this area has a poor reputation and is not considered a desirable place to live. It is possible that the house you are looking at is on a good street in a stable community, but there is really no way of knowing this for sure without talking to some of your prospective neighbors. The nature of a neighborhood like this can change from block to block. There are many run-down commercial and residential properties along and near the Route 1 corridor. It is also a long long commute to DC, although not as long as Lancaster, PA! On the plus side, the very nice Huntley Meadows Park is nearby.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by notinnj

Mount Vernon Valley is in Hybla Valley, which is in the Fairfax County portion of Alexandria. In general, this area has a poor reputation and is not considered a desirable place to live. It is possible that the house you are looking at is on a good street in a stable community, but there is really no way of knowing this for sure without talking to some of your prospective neighbors. The nature of a neighborhood like this can change from block to block. There are many run-down commercial and residential properties along and near the Route 1 corridor. It is also a long long commute to DC, although not as long as Lancaster, PA! On the plus side, the very nice Huntley Meadows Park is nearby.

I agree that, to paraphrase Forrest Gump, Hybla Valley can be like a box of chocolates. However, I'm not understanding the "long commute" part of living in that area unless one assumes driving across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. A kiss-n-ride to the Huntington Metro would make for an even shorter commute.

To the OP: what is your preferred price range? We may be able to offer other suggestions like Kingstowne, a sterile (IMO) but well-regarded townhouse and condo community a bit further west of Hybla Valley. On the way there, you may well pass by the Stoneybrooke community with its older but respectable single family homes.

[jackhand]

Choose a place with the best high school. Bypass Hybla Valley and Kingstowne. Get a place with easy access to the metro.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by jackhand

Choose a place with the best high school. Bypass Hybla Valley and Kingstowne. Get a place with easy access to the metro.

While I wouldn't want to presume anything, if the OP is attracted to the prices of homes in Hybla Valley/Mt. Vernon Valley as being ideal, then finding a home within what might be considered the "best" high school pyramids could prove difficult as those tend to be the most expensive.

[notinnj]

[quote=Tone509;7246319]I agree that, to paraphrase Forrest Gump, Hybla Valley can be like a box of chocolates. However, I'm not understanding the "long commute" part of living in that area unless one assumes driving across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. A kiss-n-ride to the Huntington Metro would make for an even shorter commute.


I should say "difficult commute." While not physically far from DC, it would be a difficult drive going up U.S. 1 in the mornings. My bias may be showing here as I live very close to downtown DC, but my bus - Metrorail commute takes much longer than it should. The thought of starting out my day down in Hybla Valley and commuting to DC short circuits my brain.

[llegislate]

Virginia Hills is a wonderful place to live and easy commute to DC via Huntington metro.