Questions about Oakton (McLean, Fairfax, Vienna: apartment complex, rental, townhouse)

[athousandlogins]

Originally Posted by saganista

at least one former and usually snarling Vice President lives in McLean.

Hahaha, I love the way you put that.

Originally Posted by saganista

In the end, it would come down to feel and personal preference as much as anything else, I would think...

Yeah, that. Both places offer some of the best schools in the area (in the nation, in fact), relatively easy access to commuting routes and shopping, upscale homes...

If you can afford either place, then really it's just a matter of where you find the home you like best for your money.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by saganista

All in all, Oakton would be a little more country than McLean and a little less cosmopolitan, but both are wonderful areas with a great deal to offer. In the end, it would come down to feel and personal preference as much as anything else, I would think...

Now see for me Oakton is more city than McLean. I live in a cluster of condos so there's no country living in my part of town. Now McLean to me seemed more country. Lots of trees and wooded areas didn't see a lot of apartment complexes.

[FlightAttendant]

I lived in Oakton for many years and you would have a hard time finding a more wonderful place to live. Its a great place to raise kids.

My kids went to Parkwood preschool in Vienna which is not a bad drive. I don't know if its still an outstanding preschool but its worth checking out.

Good luck living in that splendid area.

[saganista]

Originally Posted by FlightAttendant

My kids went to Parkwood preschool in Vienna which is not a bad drive. I don't know if its still an outstanding preschool but its worth checking out.

Yes, indeed it is, and at least as of recently, Mrs. Vickery was still actively keeping a watchful eye over it...

[saganista]

Originally Posted by terrence81

Now see for me Oakton is more city than McLean. I live in a cluster of condos so there's no country living in my part of town. Now McLean to me seemed more country. Lots of trees and wooded areas didn't see a lot of apartment complexes.

Well, Jermantown north of 123 is a little more country-ish, at least once you get out to Oak Marr and beyond. On the southside, Jermantown is more built up alright, but still many trees. But I was thinking more of the SFH stock in Oakton -- particularly north of 123 out toward Vale Road -- and just the overall attitude and atmosphere. McLean is aware of itself. Just the mailing address is prestigious...kind of in a Beverly Hills sort of way. Oakton isn't. McLean folks are more apt to go to a recital at the Kennedy Center. Oakton folks are more apt to watch American Idol. I don't have any numbers on that...just sort of a general impression from 6 years in McLean and 31 in the Vienna/Oakton area. It seems to me that there is an assumed and actual level of sophistication in McLean that you wouldn't find to the same degree in Oakton even though they're only about ten miles apart...

[smaug20000]

Another preschool in Oakton on Vale Road is the Montessori School of Oakton. I toured the school and really was impressed with the place. I also know someone who interned there as a teacher. It is a bit pricey which is why we decided not to go. We would if we could, but too expensive for us at the moment.

As far as Langley HS vs Oakton HS, we looked at both of those and ended up in the Langley HS district. I didn't thoroughly research this factor, but isn't Oakton HS quite large with a big student population and Langley a bit smaller? That didn't factor into my decision, but as I read about the Fairfax HS's in general, it seemed that some of the HS were gigantic. I came from a HS with less than 400 kids, so my perspective may be a bit off.

[JEB77]

Originally Posted by saganista

Well, Jermantown north of 123 is a little more country-ish, at least once you get out to Oak Marr and beyond. On the southside, Jermantown is more built up alright, but still many trees. But I was thinking more of the SFH stock in Oakton -- particularly north of 123 out toward Vale Road -- and just the overall attitude and atmosphere. McLean is aware of itself. Just the mailing address is prestigious...kind of in a Beverly Hills sort of way. Oakton isn't. McLean folks are more apt to go to a recital at the Kennedy Center. Oakton folks are more apt to watch American Idol. I don't have any numbers on that...just sort of a general impression from 6 years in McLean and 31 in the Vienna/Oakton area. It seems to me that there is an assumed and actual level of sophistication in McLean that you wouldn't find to the same degree in Oakton even though they're only about ten miles apart...

As generalizations go, this strikes me as right on the money. McLean really is a suburb of Washington, with most of its higher-income residents tied to the political, business and professional community in D.C. As such, it is very much part of the New York - Washington "East Coast axis," with all that entails in terms of interests, tastes, etc. I associate Oakton much more with the high-tech business community centered around Dulles/Tysons - the residents are, to a much greater degree, a cross-section of folks from around the country who have gravitated to the DC area over the years. Vienna literally falls in the middle. There are high-tech executives in McLean, and law and accounting firm partners with seven-figure salaries in Oakton or Vienna, but for the most part the DC-based professionals will be in McLean and Arlington, and the high-paid technical types will be found in communities like Oakton.

[camer]

Originally Posted by saganista

Well, Jermantown north of 123 is a little more country-ish, at least once you get out to Oak Marr and beyond. On the southside, Jermantown is more built up alright, but still many trees. But I was thinking more of the SFH stock in Oakton -- particularly north of 123 out toward Vale Road -- and just the overall attitude and atmosphere. McLean is aware of itself. Just the mailing address is prestigious...kind of in a Beverly Hills sort of way. Oakton isn't. McLean folks are more apt to go to a recital at the Kennedy Center. Oakton folks are more apt to watch American Idol. I don't have any numbers on that...just sort of a general impression from 6 years in McLean and 31 in the Vienna/Oakton area. It seems to me that there is an assumed and actual level of sophistication in McLean that you wouldn't find to the same degree in Oakton even though they're only about ten miles apart...

Thank you everyone!
McLean sounds a lot like the community we are living now (Newton, MA). Certainly not a bad thing. But my interest in Oakton has peaked even more since reading your feedback. I can't wait to see it when we are down there for vacation. I look forward to more input ......

[Melbourne Family]

We relocated 7 months ago from Australia & are living right along the boarder of Vienna & Oakton and we love the area! Hope you find what you are looking for when you visit

[kev2]

Regarding the differences between Oakton and Mclean...my sense of Oakton (having lived in various areas in the region for over 20 years) is that it is one of the more recently developed communities. Twenty years ago, it was considered far out territory, with beautiful winding roads. It has been built up since then, and new and more expensive houses have been added, but Oakton still maintains a feeling that I think of as slightly different and more country than much of the surrounding areas. In a way, it feels like Great Falls on a much smaller, less grand scale. Mclean, on the other hand is a more established community, and, as mentioned in an earlier post, is more connected to DC (although my husband's firm is downtown...he'll just have an awful commute!). I personally like both areas; I really do thing it is a matter of personal preference once you have some time to check them out. High schools are both good...Langley has a well know academic rep., and Oakton seems to be known for athletics. I don't think you can go wrong either way!