Place to Live Between Chantilly and Springfield

[Hal Roach]

Originally Posted by Vectorhead

Keep in mind that NOVA is mostly one big sprawling suburb, and the different towns blend into each other. Neither Springfield nor Chantilly are urban in the slightest. They both have quite large areas of strip malls (like most other parts of NOVA) and areas of housing.

Communities like West Springfield and Burke are lighter on the strip malls and heavier on neighborhoods. One thing I like about West Springfield is that, because it's older, it doesn't have nearly the cookie cutter feel of some of the newer areas. Neighborhoods are wooded and houses vary a little more. Use Google Maps to look at the Carrleigh Parkway area. Carrleigh Parkway starts at Old Keene Mill but ends up in the middle of Accotink Park. It has lots of cul-de-sacs off each side and all the houses on both Carrleigh and the cul-de-sacs back up to Accotink. The houses are really lovely and large and I believe, for the most part, they're in your budget.

Nice neighborhood, but I think the other side of OKM is a little nicer, and while paying a premium to be backed up to the golf course might not be feasible; being across the street from a gc house will help it retain it's value, and adhere to the principal of gaining more appreciation by being in the lower end of the neighborhood, price wise. Residential construction quality may have peaked in the mid to late 60s, when those homes were built. 50 year old house in WS with a 1 car garage, or a brand new one in the Woodbridge area with a three car garage? Would be easier than deciding what kind of beer I am drinking tonight. It also would be a little easier to slip out the back onto the Rolling Road entrance to the parkway.....The WT Woodson area might also be a good middle point, but you would be moving faster taking a more outer route.

[HomesForAllVA]

Originally Posted by kissmekate10

Probably out of our price range, but is Vienna or Oakton a doable commute to both places? How about Fairfax? Are these smaller places than Chantilly or Springfield? I hear Chantilly and Springfield are pretty large.

There are most definitely homes in your price range in those areas.

I work with a lot of people relocating to the area. One thing I would suggest to help narrow down your search is to review schools (you can use greatschools.org) and pick a school "pyramid" or 2 that you would like to be in. Yes - Springfield (West), Annandale, Fairfax, Oakton, Chantilly, Vienna and Fairfax Station all all decent commuting points and where you should focus your search. There are good homes in your price point in those areas as well. Once you find a school you like that'll give you much greater focus.

Congrats on your move - NoVA is a great place to live!

[snowdenscold]

Seems like Burke is a good halfway point, and it's pretty much all families.

You can jump on FFX Co. Parkway and get to either location in not too much time (or alternatively Old Keene Mill Road depending on where you're going)

[kissmekate10]

Great info! Thank you all for your help.

[Middlin]

Depending on exactly where in Springfield and Chantilly, my advice would be to stay north of Fairfax County Parkway and 66. Driving from Springfield to the Chantilly area going north in the am is pretty jammed and horrible in the PM