Relo to Leesburg questions

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by natyloo

Thx @blindside! Your picture does no justice to Woodlea Manor, though. I'm very picky, and it definitely has a ton of character in person. .

I agree with this. In person, Woodlea Manor appears to be spacious lots with lots of trees and houses of different, yet complementary, architecture.

[natyloo]

Originally Posted by spencgr

I agree with this. In person, Woodlea Manor appears to be spacious lots with lots of trees and houses of different, yet complementary, architecture.

Definitely. �� Spencgr, do you have any specific suggestions for similarly attractive neighborhoods in Leesburg?

[NC211]

With wanting Leesburg in general, and the ability to use the Greenway without hesitation, I'd also look to the immediate east and north of Leesburg proper too, just to make sure you're not missing something that you might like. Landsdowne is one area that you might find interesting. It's on the northern side of Route 7 and east of Leesburg by about 2 or 3 miles. Still easy access to the Greenway too, but granted not immediate like Woodlea Manor. Or, just north of Leesburg on Rte. 15 bypass. Like Rasberry Falls area. Not sure on prices, but seems like good deals in that area exist for some stunning homes/settings.


But, I like Woodlea Manor too, and agree, it has a real charm to it. It's actually the first neighborhood I looked at myself back in 2011 when moving to the area from Chicago. My price range was the same as yours. We ended up in the Brambleton area though about 10 miles east, which at that time, that price range worked for Brambleton on a SFH with 4,000 SF. Now, not as much.


But, my only word of caution to Woodlea Manor, isn't the neighborhood itself, but what's going on around it. Rte 15 is the outward boundary line for the residential developers, and you can tell it has been that way for over a decade. Last boom time (04-07), you can see if you drive down it, infrastructure was put in place with anticipation of mass development opportunities on that whole stretch, from Rte. 50 up to Woodlea Manor. Two "round abouts" exist, with no real purpose other than "some day" traffic expectations. Now, you can start to see them working on Rte. 15 again, and this time it's right at the entrance of Woodlea Manor. If you buy in there, you need to do so with the expectation that at some point in the future, the areas that immediately surround the neighborhood are likely to become future residential neighborhoods as well, and not necessarily the serene country setting that exists now. Being so close to the Greenway, it's impossible to tell when that will likely happen. Could be in 10 years, or 1 year. Just can't tell.


We bought new construction in 2011. After 4 years of listening to construction activity, and at least another 5 years more being planned for the immediate area around that neighborhood, we threw in the towel last fall and moved to an established area in Leesburg that will never have construction activity like that again. Some say we were nuts to trade a 4 year old home that was in perfect condition and fully set up with all the bells and whistles that we wanted, for a 15 year old home that needs everything redone. But we did, and have been much happier ever since, even though we've been playing "contractor bingo" for the past 6 months.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by NC211

Two "round abouts" exist, with no real purpose other than "some day" traffic expectations. Now, you can start to see them working on Rte. 15 again, and this time it's right at the entrance of Woodlea Manor. If you buy in there, you need to do so with the expectation that at some point in the future, the areas that immediately surround the neighborhood are likely to become future residential neighborhoods as well, and not necessarily the serene country setting that exists now. Being so close to the Greenway, it's impossible to tell when that will likely happen. Could be in 10 years, or 1 year. Just can't tell.

What roundabout are you referring to? The ones on Rt 15, at the intersection of Rt 50? They certainly were put in place for current traffic, not anticipated traffic. And they work.


Also, on that west side of 15, current Loudoun zoning laws prohibit dividing land under (I don't know the exact size) multiple acres per house. While development could certainly(and will likely) still happen, it will still appear very rural.

[natyloo]

Originally Posted by NC211

With wanting Leesburg in general, and the ability to use the Greenway without hesitation, I'd also look to the immediate east and north of Leesburg proper too, just to make sure you're not missing something that you might like. Landsdowne is one area that you might find interesting. It's on the northern side of Route 7 and east of Leesburg by about 2 or 3 miles. Still easy access to the Greenway too, but granted not immediate like Woodlea Manor. Or, just north of Leesburg on Rte. 15 bypass. Like Rasberry Falls area. Not sure on prices, but seems like good deals in that area exist for some stunning homes/settings.


But, I like Woodlea Manor too, and agree, it has a real charm to it. It's actually the first neighborhood I looked at myself back in 2011 when moving to the area from Chicago. My price range was the same as yours. We ended up in the Brambleton area though about 10 miles east, which at that time, that price range worked for Brambleton on a SFH with 4,000 SF. Now, not as much.


But, my only word of caution to Woodlea Manor, isn't the neighborhood itself, but what's going on around it. Rte 15 is the outward boundary line for the residential developers, and you can tell it has been that way for over a decade. Last boom time (04-07), you can see if you drive down it, infrastructure was put in place with anticipation of mass development opportunities on that whole stretch, from Rte. 50 up to Woodlea Manor. Two "round abouts" exist, with no real purpose other than "some day" traffic expectations. Now, you can start to see them working on Rte. 15 again, and this time it's right at the entrance of Woodlea Manor. If you buy in there, you need to do so with the expectation that at some point in the future, the areas that immediately surround the neighborhood are likely to become future residential neighborhoods as well, and not necessarily the serene country setting that exists now. Being so close to the Greenway, it's impossible to tell when that will likely happen. Could be in 10 years, or 1 year. Just can't tell.


We bought new construction in 2011. After 4 years of listening to construction activity, and at least another 5 years more being planned for the immediate area around that neighborhood, we threw in the towel last fall and moved to an established area in Leesburg that will never have construction activity like that again. Some say we were nuts to trade a 4 year old home that was in perfect condition and fully set up with all the bells and whistles that we wanted, for a 15 year old home that needs everything redone. But we did, and have been much happier ever since, even though we've been playing "contractor bingo" for the past 6 months.

I was curious about Raspberry Falls. Haven't been there yet, but some previous listings have looked nice. Red Cedar is another that piqued my curiousity ... But seems to have some luxury homes & then your standard home, but all without wooded lots, or any character.