Moving to Alexandria: Kingstowne v. Franconia? (Chantilly, McLean: HOA, houses, neighborhood)

[dkf747]

Both areas mentioned by the OP are nice. Go for it!

[slim04]

I looked in the Kingstowne area about 4 years ago. I really liked it, but ultimately we decided to live closer to the city because of the commute and we wanted more walkability. The one thing I really liked about the area was that it was full of military families working at Ft. Belvior that were very eager to make friends.

The schools in that area, however, are not among the best in Fairfax County.

[MKJen]

Originally Posted by slim04

The schools in that area, however, are not among the best in Fairfax County.

This is true of the elementary schools and some of the high schools. The Lee District schools are not comparable with the other Fairfax districts, as I've heard through the grapevine. I don't what the issues are but I take it the high schools aren't prep schools and the elementary curriculum is . . . well. . . too elementary.

[adctvmonkey]

As a lot of people know, Kingstowne is a great neighborhood. I disagree with the poster who said the stores would decrease the home values, it's a silly notion. The town center's stores are nice and not discount stores, and they're all part of a cohesive master plan, and our home value has remained exactly the same from last year while others go down. I literally live a block away from the town center, and it's an amazing and attractive convenience in a safe neighborhood.

To clarify about schools, the elementary schools here are decent, but it's the middle and high schools that aren't the best. All in all it's still a great area to live in.

[mollyanna]

Franconia area is more suburban street, sidewalk type houses, older homes, possibly with some character, where kids could ride bikes, etc. Kingstowne is more transient and yes has that strip mall feeling. It's OK but not homey at all. A lot of Edison High school kids walk over to Kingstowne to hang out and younger kids can safely hang out at the movie theater there on Friday nights, so it's not a bad place, but it does get really busy.

[SilverDragon]

I think your good and bad hit that nail on the head. Kingstowne is safe and convenient and has a lot of amenities, but it is crammed with generic townhouses and big box stores. Franconia is generally older, with a more traditional suburban feel. How ever not all parts of Franconia are nice and you need to know where you are going. And the housing stock is older. I lived in the Rose Hill area a while back and enjoyed it.

[Pavement]

MKJen says - "A WalMart can't decrease house values, that's silly.

The Kingstowne area is a little pricey but everything you need is less than a mile from all the subdivisions at Kingstowne Center - which will save you a lot of gas.

If you like to shop for deals there's TJMaxx, Dress Barn, Ross, Kohl's and WalMart. Plus, there's a 16 screen, stadium seating cinema. A Safeway and Giant grocery stores. Panera, Bonefish, Starbucks, Blockbuster, Noodles, Cleaners, Chipotle. A Homegoods, World Market and many, many stores you have at the malls. Also, a farmers market during the summer. "

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As a homeowner in any neighborhood, i would fight to keep a Walmart away. A Walmart would likely lower property values - have you ever heard a realtor in the Northern VA sell a home to you and list a nearby Walmart as a positive? probably not. That may be a selling point in the middle of the country, but not in major metro areas.

As for the other stores, big discount chains aren't my idea of quality either, especially TJ MAxx, Ross and Dress Barn. Regarding Kohl's, they are actually pricey for their Target quality clothing.

As for the major grocery stores, Safeway usually delivers the highest prices and lowest food and service quality and several Giant's in the NOVA area are closing, due to their pathetic service capabilities - Kingstowne would be better served with a Shopper's than either one of those stores.

Blockbuster? i thought they went out of business.

You forgot to mention all of the chain restaurants managed to jam in the parking lot.

you are right, there are no "check cashing" or dollar stores, but they could be put in any day next to the dress barn and no one would know the difference.

[Yankeesfan]

Kingstowne has a Safeway and a Giant in their shopping center and a Shoppers right up the street in Manchester Lakes, plus another Giant at Hayfield shopping center -- so Kingstowne residents can choose whichever they prefer! Wegman's will be opening next year near the corner of Beulah Street and Telegraph Road.

[Pavement]

good for them. Wegmans will put at least two of them out of business. and that will be a good thing.

[Yankeesfan]

Not bitter or anything, are you? What's with the attitude? Especially since you don't even live in Kingstowne?