Advice on "country living" near Fairfax (Alexandria, Mount Vernon: houses, price)

[Brownstraceroad]

Hi,

We (husband, myself, and 2 little kids 4 and 7) are possibly relocating from Vermont to Northern VA. My husband's job would be in Fairfax.

Looking at the housing down there got me really depressed. Is there anyplace that is kind of "country like" (i.e., not just lots of suburbs) that is a reasonable commute?

Are there trains that go out to Western VA, or is that just too tricky into Fairfax?

Thanks for any advice you can provide!

Kathleen

[OrangeFish]

Clifton is nice, as is Fairfax Station. Very "country" there.

[twinmma]

Middleburg is nice and wouln't be too bad of a commute...maybe 25-30 minutes. It is expensive in that area but very nice.
Aldie is another option...I think cheaper than Middleburg.
Purcellville is nice as well for the country feel but not sure about the commute.
Some parts of Leesburg are nice for this type of atmosphere.
Good luck!

[movingtodcfromseattle]

I would second Clifton. We were just there the other day for the first time and thought it was beautiful! Close enough to necessary shopping, etc and about 20 from d-town Fairfax City.

[Alicia Bradley]

Clifton feels VERY rural.. especially if you're lucky enough to own land there.

[WVMountainMan]

In northern Virginia to me at least..........Winchester, Front Royal, and Berryville seem the closest to bieng real "country" in my opinion.

[Denton56]

Where in Fairfax is the job? Fairfax is a big county.

I agree that Loudoun county, Leesburg and points west, is your best bet but if the job is in Mount Vernon or Alexandria, that won't work at all.

[Brownstraceroad]

HI,
Thanks so much for the advice so far! I will look into those places. : ) He would be right in Fairfax (from what I know) -- Lee Highway.
Thanks again!

[GoHokiesGo]

Clifton would be a super easy commute into Fairfax, just pop down the parkway a few miles. Clifton is loaded with horse farms and huuuuge beautiful houses in some parts, plus a quaint little old town area; I love driving through the backroads in Clifton since the area is very nice with fun twisty roads. I don't know what your price range is, but I think Clifton is pretty pricey (several multi-million dollar estates).

Agreed with some of the others about western loudoun, it is a lot more rural with lots of outdoors, wineries and farms. I think you could find more bang for your buck there, but probably would add 30 mins to your commute to fairfax. As you've probably read, traffic is a bear in the DC area, and will probably be a bit of a culture shock coming from Vermont.

[goozer]

Great Falls, which is actually IN Fairfax County, feels pretty country in a lot of areas, especially near the county and state parks along the Potomac. The problem is that you will pay through the nose to live there. Especially in the pastoral "country" parts.