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Old 06-03-2012, 07:23 AM
 
51 posts, read 109,464 times
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I was wondering if anyone had an opinion of either area. I work/live currently in Alexandria in the Carlyle district, but I'm just kind of dreaming off into the future about potentially buying a house or condo and was interested in these two spots (in addition to what is available around Carlyle).
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Old 06-03-2012, 07:59 AM
 
Location: Tysons Corner
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Kingstown is establish but will be what it is for the foreseeable future, Shirlington is up and coming, might be getting some MUCH needed transit improvements, and will likely be an improving corridor over the next 10 years. So it matters how long of a game you are in here and what life style situation you are. If you want to end up living in a very urban environment then Shirlington, if you want some of urban life but more space then kingstowne
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Old 06-03-2012, 09:37 AM
 
Location: Fairfax, VA
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I've lived in both. I'd go for Shirlington every day and twice on Sunday.
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Old 06-03-2012, 10:37 AM
 
Location: Northern Virginia
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If you're currently in Alexandria, I assume you've spent time in both? They have a VERY different feel--which are you most comfortable/at home in?
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Old 06-03-2012, 11:51 AM
 
51 posts, read 109,464 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliTerp07 View Post
If you're currently in Alexandria, I assume you've spent time in both? They have a VERY different feel--which are you most comfortable/at home in?
I've lived in Alexandria for about a month. Got to see some of Kingstowne, at least near the shopping center and Lake Village Drive. It seemed pretty nice as far as I could tell. Felt very suburbia. Haven't gotten out to Shirlington yet.

Even still, I won't notice some of the things people who have lived there know about.

But yeah, I'm thinking way far ahead as I'm tied down with a lease and stuff. Just curious about purchasing a condo or house in the future.
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Old 06-03-2012, 11:57 AM
 
Location: Tysons Corner
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Kingstowne is a bit more controlled, and as you said suburban. Shirlington is a lot more dense, a lot more family shops, some more cultural diversity which is a good thing for some, and a scary thing for others. I personally love the little korean BBQs, vietnamese pho shops, and the overall busyness of it. I think its major draw back is it has experienced very little attention from the region as far as improving some of its long standing transportation and land use needs, something I think over the next 10 years that the county will double up on as far as trying to correct. I really like the things happening on closer to columbia pike than the 395 region of shirlington (personally)
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Old 06-03-2012, 02:00 PM
 
51 posts, read 109,464 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tysonsengineer View Post
Kingstowne is a bit more controlled, and as you said suburban. Shirlington is a lot more dense, a lot more family shops, some more cultural diversity which is a good thing for some, and a scary thing for others. I personally love the little korean BBQs, vietnamese pho shops, and the overall busyness of it. I think its major draw back is it has experienced very little attention from the region as far as improving some of its long standing transportation and land use needs, something I think over the next 10 years that the county will double up on as far as trying to correct. I really like the things happening on closer to columbia pike than the 395 region of shirlington (personally)
oh, what they doing up near columbia pike?
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Old 06-03-2012, 05:10 PM
 
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darth254, there's lots of info on Columbia Pike developments at the Arlington County website.

You might also want to consider whether it matters to you whether you live in Arl. Co., versus another county.
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Old 06-03-2012, 05:18 PM
 
Location: Tysons Corner
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darth254 View Post
oh, what they doing up near columbia pike?
Working from the ground up, fixing the infrastructure, working towards a possible LRT corridor, forcing new development to remove surface parking and provide pedestrian improvements. It hasn't had the sudden shovel impact of Tysons or Merrifield, but when it gets going its going to be well planned and I think successful (10 years out). This area also has the benefit of having a large residential base to start with, something that Tysons/Merrifield doesnt have.

That whole region though is one that I think is going to be the hidden gem of Fairfax over the next 20 years between columbia pike and route 7. If you look at wheres its come from only 5 years ago you can see how much things are getting better.
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Old 06-03-2012, 06:19 PM
 
Location: McLean, VA
448 posts, read 870,586 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tysonsengineer View Post

That whole region though is one that I think is going to be the hidden gem of Fairfax over the next 20 years between columbia pike and route 7. If you look at wheres its come from only 5 years ago you can see how much things are getting better.
Agreed. But the big challenge will be the Culmore and Seven Corners areas. I know that the county has current plans to complete sidewalks through that area. That is a great start, but at some point they need to require more mixed use buildings and move away from the suburb-like commercial developments that are wasting a lot of space. Each time I am in the shopping center at Baileys (corner of 7 and Columbia Pike) I can't help but notice all the space that should be used above the stores. The street also needs

Word is that the county and the Weissberg Corporation are planning a mixed use project in that area. That should be great for the area
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