Reston vs. Falls Church (Alexandria, McLean: apartments, rental, to live)

[kingdomer]

I will be relocating to NOVA next spring for a temporary duty assignment of approximately 2 years. My office will be in McLean but my wife and I do not have a burning desire to live there and would like to keep the monthly rent to $2,600 max for a 2 bedroom apartment.

Any suggestions for locales which offer:

a reasonable commute (30-40 minutes at most)
a city center with shops/restaurants
good parks for my wife to chase our 1 year old around
access to trails for running/biking

I was looking at units in the Reston Town Center, as well as the Pearson Square Apartments. Any thoughts about those locations as well?

Thank you.

[PK12]

I'd recommend places around Tysons Corner too, you should easily find something within your rental budget. Look up Avalon Park Crest apts.

Pearson Square apts are nice, I was strongly considering them but instead chose another community in Alexandria because I found a bigger den.

[JfromReston]

Originally Posted by PK12

I'd recommend places around Tysons Corner

I think Reston is your better bet!

You will find a much better variety of "good parks for my wife to chase our 1 year old around
access to trails for running/biking" in Reston. It is just a much more family oriented place to raise your child.

Check out the Reston Interactive Map
Reston Association - Interactive Map Guide

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by JfromReston

I think Reston is your better bet!

I'm SHOCKED you would think so!

[Badger21]

OP,

It depends what you value the most but I'd go with Tyson's Corner with your budget. Reston has more walkability and access to parks, but with Tysons you have access to more shopping and you will have a better commute.

Welcome to the area

[kingdomer]

Thanks everyone.

[gomason]

Personally, I'd avoid Tysons. Doesn't have much character and definitely doesn't have a "city center."

Only a few places that have one around here, ranked accordingly: Ballston, Reston, Falls Church, and Fairfax/Vienna.

[Forehead]

When you say your office is in McLean, do you mean Tyson's Corner or do you mean the actual town of McLean? It can make a big difference.

Reston has a ton of parks and trails, and the silver line metro will get you into Tyson's.

Falls Church has the W&OD trail going right through the middle of town, and has a lot of trees and parks as well. Falls Church is much more convenient to Tysons if you're driving, it's a straight shot in on Rt. 7 though traffic is a nightmare and will take longer than you think to get in. The silver line would work here as well, you could just take it from East Falls Church.

If your office is actually in McLean, Falls Church is a much better bet. The metro doesn't go through the town, but driving there from Falls Church isn't bad, especially is you can find an apartment in the 22043 area code, then you have several route options.

[DCmum]

Move to Vienna

[kingdomer]

Office is actually in McLean.