Views on this Falls Church neighborhood? (Arlington, Annandale: lease, crime, cheap home)

[peace4]

Falls Church Neighborhood just south of arlington blvd close to Loehmann's shopping. About 3 miles
from Fairfax inova hospital.

I am a foreign citizen looking for a cheap home in NOVA. This areas seems relatively cheap. I found an old house in this area I wish to refurbish and sell. If it won't sell, I will keep it for myself as a vacation home.

Any views on this neighborhood?

[mkarch]

There are several neighborhoods fitting that description and they vary quite a bit. Holmes Run was the one I liked best around there, while some of the others were really run down.

[peace4]

I will be more specific;
Woodley Ln & Hodge Pl
Falls Church, VA 22042

[Forehead]

I'll say this much, you're next to what is, in my opinion, the best Pho restaurant in the area. On the other hand, it's not that I mind the general area so much since I grew up nearby, but if you can't sell it, Falls Church isn't high on a list of places I'd consider for a "vacation home."

[CuppaJoe]

Are you referring to the WestLawn Neighborhood area by Wayne Road off Rt 50? If so, I lived there for a year and quickly got out. Crime has risen and more and more of the residents are illegal immigrants who are letting the houses go into disrepair :-\ If you look at the County complaint records for those addresses, the vast majority of the issues have been too many people living in a house who aren't on the lease, and property disrepair like junk yards, grass over 12 inches, parking boats and cars on the lawns, etc. It's a real shame because about 1/3 of the residents are long-time owners who take excellent care of their places.

[JD984]

I think Westlawn is in Falls Church, not Annandale, but this blog covers other developments in the Mason District part of Fairfax County that includes the Westlawn neighborhood:

Annandale VA

I don't read it regularly, but my impression is that it's an even-handed blog overseen by a long-time resident of the area who is simultaneously a civic booster and a faithful reporter of some of the zoning/maintenance problems, like the last poster mentioned, that you might come across on some blocks.

[Ed From Falls Church]

You're biggest problem and I think the reason why the houses right there are so inexpensive might be the immediate proximity of the fire department. The trucks roll several times an hour all day and all night with sirens blasting. I live about a mile away on Arlington Blvd and it's a problem for me and I only listen to about a third of what you would listen to at the corner of Woodley and Hodge.

Don't think crime is an issue around there

[CuppaJoe]

Crime is becoming an increasingly present issue, unfortunately. Friend's car was stolen from Westlawn neighborhood the other week :-\