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From what we've read, we are more drawn to Alexandria at this point. But would like to get a better sense of the others as well.
Which of these towns/cities is more vibrant (things going on - farmers markets, festivals, etc.), has a strong community feel, is better location (easier access to other towns), least congested (traffic), safest, and most walkable with a good downtown "core"? Proximity to a hospital, vet and 24 ER vet also is a plus.
I work from home so don't have to commute but have to consider errand running, doctor/dentist/vet appointments.
Alexandria. However Arlington has a lot of different areas that check off most of your boxes. Arlington is also the most central of the 4 areas listed and you can get to many other places including DC quickly.
I’m not a fan of Fairfax or Falls Church. I really appreciate Reston. It has a really nice town center and it reminds me of Columbia but with closer access to DC. But for me it comes down to Arlington and Alexandria. I kind of like Alexandria a little better, but the metro access is not as good. I like that in Arlington you have more access to several metro stops, which is a nice amenity.
Old Town Alexandria is hard to beat but once past there it loses the village-y charm and is basic suburban. If you're able to swing it in the budget focus there in the historic district for anything and everything walkable, with the north end the most accessible. Arlington offers a while lot more of the urban village options, and would suggest (in order) Virginia Square, Clarendon, Courthouse, Ballston and Rosslyn. Virginia Square is the quietest but wedged in between high-density Ballston and high-demand Clarendon, and a very easy walk/bike/subway to both. Kind of a dark horse might be quirky Yorktown, a revived section of North Arlington that's hilly and tree-canopied with a relaxed vibe yet so close to DC or Courthouse (minutes). The restored Lee-Harrison Shopping Center has a newer Harris Teeter, Chesapeake Bagel Bakery, La Moo Creamery, Peter Chang Szechuan Restaurant, Taqueria El Poblano, pie-tanza woodfired pizza, Duck Donuts, Elevation Burger, Ghin Na Ree Thai Restaurant and a Virginia ABC liquor store. There's miles of trails right there to burn all of that off too!
Last edited by kyle19125; 03-02-2021 at 03:52 PM..
Location: That star on your map in the middle of the East Coast, DMV
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Quote:
Originally Posted by macalan
From what we've read, we are more drawn to Alexandria at this point. But would like to get a better sense of the others as well.
Which of these towns/cities is more vibrant (things going on - farmers markets, festivals, etc.), has a strong community feel, is better location (easier access to other towns), least congested (traffic), safest, and most walkable with a good downtown "core"? Proximity to a hospital, vet and 24 ER vet also is a plus.
I work from home so don't have to commute but have to consider errand running, doctor/dentist/vet appointments.
How would you rank them and why?
1. Alexandria
2. Arlington (these two are totally interchangeable and based on preference really)
3. Falls Church
4. Fairfax City
5. Reston (these three are all lovely places to live and comfortable, but that's just how I'd order them)
Old Town Alexandria is hard to beat but once past there it loses the village-y charm and is basic suburban. If you're able to swing it in the budget focus there in the historic district for anything and everything walkable, with the north end the most accessible. Arlington offers a while lot more of the urban village options, and would suggest (in order) Virginia Square, Clarendon, Courthouse, Ballston and Rosslyn. Virginia Square is the quietest but wedged in between high-density Ballston and high-demand Clarendon, and a very easy walk/bike/subway to both. Kind of a dark horse might be quirky Yorktown, a revived section of North Arlington that's hilly and tree-canopied with a relaxed vibe yet so close to DC or Courthouse (minutes). The restored Lee-Harrison Shopping Center has a newer Harris Teeter, Chesapeake Bagel Bakery, La Moo Creamery, Peter Chang Szechuan Restaurant, Taqueria El Poblano, pie-tanza woodfired pizza, Duck Donuts, Elevation Burger, Ghin Na Ree Thai Restaurant and a Virginia ABC liquor store. There's miles of trails right there to burn all of that off too!
You definitely should post in the DMV specific forum to get more responses.
I lived in Fairfax (2011-2013) and Arlington (2013-2014). Kyle pretty much described what I remember. Old Town Alexandria is probably the best specific area, but Arlington as a whole describes a rather large area and offers a ton of various options. We lived in Courthouse but all the stops that Kyle listed have tons to do, plenty of living options, and easy access to the metro.
Falls Church, Fairfax and Reston have some nice options in specific spots, but overall are gonna be way behind the first two.
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