Seeking Neighborhood in NOVA with Community Pool, Good Schools (McLean: houses, transfer)

[kev2]

We would appreciate any recommendations of a neighborhood in NOVA with good schools, a sense of community, and a pool within walking distance (that does not have a multi-year waiting list!). We currently live in one of these areas (Woodson pyramid, with a great pool down the street, and wonderful neighbors), but we are needing more space these days, and would like to live on a road with less through traffic. One of us commutes to DC five days a week, and the other to Silver Spring 2-3 days a week. We are hoping to buy in the 700-900K price range. We have been looking in the Oakton and Fairfax Station areas, primarily, but are open to other suggestions.

Amy advice would be much appreciated!

[DC Oldtimer]

I think both Mantua and Truro have community pools. IIRC both are in the Woodson pyramid. Mantua is an older neighborhood with a range of homes, some on big lots. The renovated ones can be really grand. I personally love Ridgelea Hills, the adjacent neighborhood that a lot of people consider part of Mantua.

Truro has a lot of contemporary houses. Have a neighbor who used to live there and loved it.

Canterbury Woods also has a pool and is in the Woodson pyramid. The elementary school is pretty good, probably not quite as good as Wakefield Forest. But given your price range I am not sure it would be fancy enough for you. It is a homey cozy neighborhood surrounded by parks. Homes circa the mid60s or so.

[claremarie]

You could consider neighborhoods in McLean, near the McLean and Kent Gardens swim clubs. This is a more modest part of McLean, and you could easily find homes in your price range. The schools are great, and it's easy to get to both DC and the Beltway. In past seasons, there have not been waiting lists at these clubs.
Also the Falls Church neighborhoods near Poplar Heights and High Point swim clubs. Not sure about waiting lists there.
There will definitely be waiting lists at Chesterbrook, McLean Hamlet, and Highlands.

[DunnLauren]

Originally Posted by claremarie

You could consider neighborhoods in McLean, near the McLean and Kent Gardens swim clubs. This is a more modest part of McLean, and you could easily find homes in your price range. The schools are great, and it's easy to get to both DC and the Beltway. In past seasons, there have not been waiting lists at these clubs.
Also the Falls Church neighborhoods near Poplar Heights and High Point swim clubs. Not sure about waiting lists there.
There will definitely be waiting lists at Chesterbrook, McLean Hamlet, and Highlands.

We have been looking at houses in McLean for several months, but the Kent Gardens area is not very pleasant (the neighborhoods that feed into Franklin Sherman and Chesterbrook are much nicer, but more expensive!) Many of the homes look run-down. I think you'd be better off staying in the Woodson area or looking in Vienna or Oakton with a $700-900,000 budget. Some times sellers can transfer their pool memberships to their buyers.

[kev2]

Thanks for the replies! We do love the area where we currently live (off Guinea) but the homes are very similar to ours so spending the closing costs, etc, to move may not be worth it. Oakton definitely appeals to me, but things that come on the market these days either move quickly (if they are appropriately priced) or are way overpriced. We have looked at homes in North Hill (Woodson district, off Braddock) and South Run (Lake Braddock Secondary), but haven't seen the right house in these neighborhoods. Also, with North Hill, they are going to be widening the roads around the neighborhood and I am concerned about the impact on the community; plus, it doesn't have a pool (although if we had some extra cash laying around, I am sure that Fairfax Country club has a swim team!).