Duplex/townhouse neighborhood with small fenced yards? (Arlington, Alexandria: for sale, rent)

[peseta]

We currently rent in Capitol Hill in DC and love it, but it's way too expensive to buy there and the wife works in Virginia. Are there any neighborhoods besides Old Town anywhere in Nova that have a critical mass of duplexes or townhouses with fenced-in yards under 500k? Metro access a factor, but biggest preference would be for a neighborhood that's a bit older with some character (as a ideal, think of the rowhouse neighborhoods in DC or Philadelphia). We do not want to maintain a large house or yard, but would like a postage-stamp-size yard for our dog (i.e., townhouse communities with unfenced common yards are not preferred). School districts not an issue. Thanks much for any advice, I know I might be asking for something that does not exist!

[EuroExpat]

Reston or Fairfax?

[peseta]

Closer to Fairfax, ideally, but more interested in the neighborhood than the location. We'll each have a commute, so there's a decent amount of flexibility.

[Hersh]

We live in an older townhome community on the south side of Fairfax (near Burke) similar to what you describe. 95 all brick townhomes with fenced yards, pricing $350k + right now. We bought last year for $340K. The Village Park off of Guinea Road. There are several of these types of communities in this area.

[mlv311]

I would look in Oakton too. I had a friend who sold his TH there two years ago for under $500K. His neighborhood was just like you describe, but I don't recall the name of the development. I do know you could walk to the Vienna metro. Oakton and Vienna have many of the qualities you are looking for.

[bmwguydc]

There are some communities in the City of Farifax that meet the description, especially off University Drive. And, they are walking distance to the downtown area, which is nice, but they're older in the sense that they date from the 1960/70ss forward, not older in terms of a hundred or two years like Georgetown or Alexandria.

[g3org3]

Just curious, why not Old Town? While not palatial, there are townhouses in northern part near the Braddock Road Metro that go for less than $500k. Same for the southwest section, although that's further from a Metro stop. If Old Town give you hives or something, look in the Rosemont or Del Ray areas (22301).

[l3it3r]

There are REALLY nice townhomes for sale in Lorton, specifically the Laurel Hill neighborhood. They're big, have smaller fenced yards, and are in a great neighborhood.

[robbobobbo]

Del Ray in Alexandria has some stretches of duplexes and townhouses. Look mostly along Mt Vernon Ave and the streets going from Mt Vernon Ave to Rt 1. Del Ray is a walkable neighborhood with a few shops, several restaurants, a library, and a Metro stop not far away. The community hosts several events each year. I think it would have a much closer feel to Capitol Hill than any Fairfax County post-1970 townhouse subdivision.

Rosemont also has numerous townhouses around Commonwealth Ave, and you'd then be near Old Town.

[ferndc]

Try Fairlington Villages in Arlington. They were built in the 40's and have a range of models with fenced in backyards. Quick access to a metro via bus.