Annandale/Americana Drive & Lafayette Village (Arlington, McLean: real estate, apartment complexes, foreclosure)

[Turbogyrl]

To all familiar with the area, and especially those who currently live there - what is your take on those 2 areas? Hubby & I are looking to move there... trading our big SFH in Prince William Co. for a TH & short commute. I lived at the Parliament Apartments on Medford Drive from 95-98, and really liked Annandale then. But I have seen a lot of hype about gangs and crime there lately... isolated incidents, perhaps? We've driven around during the work day and on the weekends... looks pretty nice there, still, and the Safeway Plaza looks much nicer than back in the 90's - was refaced or something, I guess. Yes there is lots of traffic, but where I live in PWCounty there is lots of traffic too... and commute up/down 95 is wearing thin. Who lives in Annandale & really loves it or hates it! Please, tell all... thanks

[springfieldva]

If you liked that part of Annandale during the mid to late 90's, you'll probably still like it.

I don't think it's really changed that much since then.

[JakilaTheHun]

I used to live off of Americana Dr in Annandale. It seemed like a relatively nice area to me.

I think the people who constantly complain about gangs are normally worry-warts who think there are gangs surrounding them everywhere and any neighborhoods with less than 80% white population are automatically "dangerous." I don't know how many threads I've read in this forum about gang activity in [insert middle/upper-middle class neighborhood in NoVa that is about as safe as can be].

I never encountered any major crime in Annandale and I felt completely comfortable walking around on the streets at 3 AM. I imagine there are a few car break-ins here and there, but those happen just about everywhere.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by JakilaTheHun

I used to live off of Americana Dr in Annandale. It seemed like a relatively nice area to me.

I think the people who constantly complain about gangs are normally worry-warts who think there are gangs surrounding them everywhere and any neighborhoods with less than 80% white population are automatically "dangerous." I don't know how many threads I've read in this forum about gang activity in [insert middle/upper-middle class neighborhood in NoVa that is about as safe as can be].

I never encountered any major crime in Annandale and I felt completely comfortable walking around on the streets at 3 AM. I imagine there are a few car break-ins here and there, but those happen just about everywhere.

For me it's more about aesthetics. I think some apartment complexes in Annandale are old and run down looking. At the same time there are some really nice parts of Annandale. I like Annandale though in a way it is it's own city. There's a bustling downtown there are nice parts there are not so nice parts there's diversity. If one likes the diversity of Prince William county then Annandale will be real swell. Good luck!

[OrangeFish]

I am about two miles from Lafayette Village and I think my neighborhood is quite safe. I'm out walking our dog at all hours (anytime between 4 am and 6:30 am, and anytime between 10:30 pm and 1 am, plus during daylight hours) and have never had a problem. I love my commute to work and my kids have all sorts of playmates in our neighborhood. No complaints here.

[DC Oldtimer]

I'm one of those posters who loves Annandale outside the beltway but would not live in Annandale inside the beltway. I will give you two reasons.

First, I dont believe the safety concerns are without merit. One of our doctors practices over there around the intersection of Medford drive and Little River. He is closing earlier these days to avoid leaving there at night. Similarly, a neighbor who worked over there told her bosses that she would not stay in the office alone at night. She's a real estate agent, I assume she knows of what she speaks. Now works at a different office.

Even if you dont believe these concerns, the simple fact is that housing prices over there have been falling precipitously, while outside the beltway the decline is far more modest. If you go over to the FFX County real estate assessment website and put in Americana drive you can see the shocking fall in values.

There are two schools of thought here. The optimistic one is that prices cant fall any further and will have to start going back up. The other one is that prices will continue to fall based on perceived desirability of the location and foreclosure rates.

I give more credence to the latter than the former POV.

Fairfax County

[JEB77]

Originally Posted by DC Oldtimer

I'm one of those posters who loves Annandale outside the beltway but would not live in Annandale inside the beltway. I will give you two reasons.

First, I dont believe the safety concerns are without merit. One of our doctors practices over there around the intersection of Medford drive and Little River. He is closing earlier these days to avoid leaving there at night. Similarly, a neighbor who worked over there told her bosses that she would not stay in the office alone at night. She's a real estate agent, I assume she knows of what she speaks. Now works at a different office.

Even if you dont believe these concerns, the simple fact is that housing prices over there have been falling precipitously, while outside the beltway the decline is far more modest. If you go over to the FFX County real estate assessment website and put in Americana drive you can see the shocking fall in values.

There are two schools of thought here. The optimistic one is that prices cant fall any further and will have to start going back up. The other one is that prices will continue to fall based on perceived desirability of the location and foreclosure rates.

I give more credence to the latter than the former POV.

Fairfax County

I understand that some people are skittish about the area right around Medford/Heritage, which happens to be inside the Beltway and has a number of older garden apartment complexes. However, there are also very nice parts of Annandale inside the Beltway (further east than Medford/Heritage) off both Gallows and Columbia Pike that are every bit as nice and as safe as Canterbury Woods or Wakefield Forest. Plus, the commute to Arlington or DC is shorter.

The fact that you think safety may be an issue at Medford/Route 236 doesn't really warrant a wholesale indictment of inside-the-Beltway Annandale. The intersection of Medford/Route 236 is close to the Beltway, so whatever criminal element lurks in the immediate area - to the extent it is inclined to travel in other directions - can just as easily head west on Route 236 as east.

[Turbogyrl]

Originally Posted by JEB77

I understand that some people are skittish about the area right around Medford/Heritage, which happens to be inside the Beltway and has a number of older garden apartment complexes. However, there are also very nice parts of Annandale inside the Beltway (further east than Medford/Heritage) off both Gallows and Columbia Pike that are every bit as nice and as safe as Canterbury Woods or Wakefield Forest. Plus, the commute to Arlington or DC is shorter.

The fact that you think safety may be an issue at Medford/Route 236 doesn't really warrant a wholesale indictment of inside-the-Beltway Annandale. The intersection of Medford/Route 236 is close to the Beltway, so whatever criminal element lurks in the immediate area - to the extent it is inclined to travel in other directions - can just as easily head west on Route 236 as east.

I work in Fairfax, and my hubby works in Tysons Corner... so we are thinking reverse commute for me, and hopefully a pretty short commute for him, at least distance wise. Honestly...today.. where is it TRULY and completely safe after dark? I certainly don't walk around after dark anymore where I live, and I would not in Fairfax County either.

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by Turbogyrl

I work in Fairfax, and my hubby works in Tysons Corner... so we are thinking reverse commute for me, and hopefully a pretty short commute for him, at least distance wise.

With the HOT lane construction -- I would seriously consider a move closer to McLean (maybe Pimmit Hills area?) so your husband doesn't have a nightmare commute. I have friends that work in Tysons Corner and their commute sagas are legendary, even with such a short distance.

Now if you are working full-time in Fairfax, then you'll need to consider who gets the crappy commute and who gets the easy commute.

[Turbogyrl]

Originally Posted by OrangeFish

With the HOT lane construction -- I would seriously consider a move closer to McLean (maybe Pimmit Hills area?) so your husband doesn't have a nightmare commute. I have friends that work in Tysons Corner and their commute sagas are legendary, even with such a short distance.

Now if you are working full-time in Fairfax, then you'll need to consider who gets the crappy commute and who gets the easy commute.

Well its already been decided... if he wants a nice home cooked dinner every night, then I have to have the easy commute! There are some back roads he can take all the way up through Annandale into Falls Church, and then take Route 7 West down to the Mclean area, if need be.