Arlington/Alexandria/Vienna/Burke for Military Family (Annandale, Springfield: real estate, renting)

[KimberLiz]

These posts have been so informative, I have really enjoyed reading such thoughtful and "professional" advice. My family is moving to NOVA in July. My husband will be working at the Pentagon. I have done tons of research and decided on the following areas to concentrate on renting for a year, with an eye to buy in perhaps the next year:

Alexandria
Arlington
Burke
Dunn Loring
Fairfax Station
Vienna

We have 3 small children who will be in the public school system, and since both my husband and I have advanced degrees, education is very important to us - along with being in an area that values education. We would like to be in proximity to a cultural and vibrant area yet still live in a "family-friendly" locale, i.e. someplace with backyards and playgrounds.

We love old home construction, so would like to be in an area that has some pre-1950's era housing.

Can I ask some of you seasoned posters to let me know which areas (out of those I have listed above) I should really be concentrating on? Thank you so much in advance.

[VEIK]

Alexandria
Arlington
Vienna

thats where I would live, if I wanted a pre 1950's house.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by KimberLiz

These posts have been so informative, I have really enjoyed reading such thoughtful and "professional" advice. My family is moving to NOVA in July. My husband will be working at the Pentagon. I have done tons of research and decided on the following areas to concentrate on renting for a year, with an eye to buy in perhaps the next year:

Alexandria
Arlington
Burke
Dunn Loring
Fairfax Station
Vienna

We have 3 small children who will be in the public school system, and since both my husband and I have advanced degrees, education is very important to us - along with being in an area that values education. We would like to be in proximity to a cultural and vibrant area yet still live in a "family-friendly" locale, i.e. someplace with backyards and playgrounds.

We love old home construction, so would like to be in an area that has some pre-1950's era housing.

Can I ask some of you seasoned posters to let me know which areas (out of those I have listed above) I should really be concentrating on? Thank you so much in advance.

Out of those choices i like Burke the best. Throw West Springfield in there also. Both are great family areas with good schools that have good express bus transportation to the pentagon.

[claremarie]

You didn't indicate your housing budget, which will be the single most important factor. But based on the rest of your post, I'd suggest Arlington. The schools are great, particularly in North Arlington (South Arlington is home to a number of lower-income immigrant communities, which tends to drag down test scores in those schools), there is a TON of older housing, and your husband's commute would be very short. If you live near the Metro, you might even be able to get by with one car. Arlington is full of highly-educated families, so there are many parks, playgrounds, and pools. Arlington is also very diverse -- your neighbors will be from all over the country and the world, which makes for great restaurant options. You can buy a SFH for about $600K (and up, of course).
Burke and Fairfax Station are much newer communities, mostly built after 1970. Alexandria has the older housing stock, but the schools get mixed reviews.
Vienna is very nice, but the pre-1950s housing stock is more limited.

[Flamingo13]

I think Alexandria and/or Arlington (Annandale as well) - there are many various styles of homes. I commute to Pentagon City for instance (from West End Alex.) - I do the bus/Metro. I leave my house, walk to the bus and am at Pentagon City w/i 1/2 hr. to 45 mins. (depends if the bus is on time, etc.). I used to drive but it's way more hassle.

[springfieldva]

There aren't very many historic homes in the Burke area, but there are a few really nice ones (I believe in the at least 600K+ range). But the vast majority of Burke was built in the 70's and 80's. West Springfield started going up in the 60's & 70's.

I love the historic homes in Old Town Alexandria, but I'm not sure about the quality of the schools there.

[irvine]

North Arlington probably has what you're looking for. Older homes in a range of styles ("colonial", craftsman, 30s/40s era contemporary, etc.) Schools are excellent and the county's high schools are currently being rebuilt for a grand total exceeding $300 million.

There are plenty of parks/playgrounds, and many homes' backyards border on some very attractive forested areas (Donaldson Run, Woodmont, Bellevue Forest, Dover Crystal, Cherrydale, etc.) There are also some popular private pool/recreation associations, and the Washington Golf & Country Club.

Upper Northwest DC also has plenty of old, attractive homes and very good elementary schools, but mixed results for the public junior highs and high schools.

[minson]

Hi,

If you end up looking in Burke let us know. Good luck with your move!

-Mark

Moderator Cut: Real Estate Advertising

[5stones]

if you can afford it...north Arlington.

All the Areas are good though and I too would throw Burke and West springfiled in...but as someone said not too many pre 1950's in htere.