Recommendations for Loudoun County or other areas (Arlington, Alexandria: apartment, HOA)

[rlb71]

Hi all, I'm hoping for any recommendations or thoughts on where we should explore as a potential place to move in Loudoun. We're 30 year old soon to be married couple currently living in Arlington but hoping to buy a house early next year depending on the market. While we love Arlington for the convenience and being able to walk/metro to most things, living in an apartment has gotten old. We moved to VA from the west coast earlier this year and Loudoun looks like it could be a nice area to have more space and be close to bigger parks, while maybe being slightly cheaper for being further out from DC.

A bit about us in case it's helpful: Night life isn't a big concern, we do more happy hours than late night bar trips but nearby restaurants would be fun. We usually do some sort of hike/walk most weekends and like to do things like mini golf, board game bars, escape rooms, etc. We don't have kids but are tentatively planning on trying in the next few years, so good schools would be a plus.

At this point we're just looking to drive around and explore before really getting serious about house hunting. I've seen Brambleton and areas around One Loudoun mentioned, but any input would be much appreciated! Also open to thoughts on other areas to consider as well! Thanks in advance!

[Veritas Vincit]

The number one question is - where do you work? do you work from home?



It's impossible to give any advice without this piece of information because if you do have to go into an office it will be by far the single biggest thing about the move affecting your quality of life.

[BOS2IAD]

Also, are you looking for a townhouse or a single family home? What is your home buying budget like?

[rlb71]

Sorry I can't figure out if there's a way to edit my original message, but we work from home so commute isn't a problem. When I do have to go into work, it's in Arlington but that's rare.

Sfh would be ideal, but a townhouse would work (particular on sound and would love to not hear neighbors). Budget is around $850-900k, but we could go up to $1 mil if that's more realistic.

[DAXhound]

Something like Franklin Farm in Oakton pyramid..or you could get on the west Springfield country club for that..and no need to join or pay hoa.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by DAXhound

Something like Franklin Farm in Oakton pyramid..or you could get on the west Springfield country club for that..and no need to join or pay hoa.

asking for Loudoun recommendations, and you are suggesting Fairfax County. Curious as to why?

[Middlin]

At this stage in your life, I would take a hard look at Vienna over Loudoun. Great restaurants in Vienna, W&O trail, Meadowlark Gardens and other parks. Close to Tysons, Falls Church, Wolf Trap and not horrible to get to DC in non rush. You might even get within walking or biking distance to town. Good metro access, etc. Depends on what your housing priorities are.

[Flamingo13]

Originally Posted by spencgr

asking for Loudoun recommendations, and you are suggesting Fairfax County. Curious as to why?

They also asked about other areas

[ersatz]

You mentioned what kind of interests you have outside of the property. You seem flexible on what kind of property you would accept, and your budget should allow you to make a competitive bid, especially the further west you go. You are in a position to be somewhat choosy. We can give you more specific advice if you can give us an idea of the sort of dwelling/property you would like best. Do you want a recent build in a recent development with an HOA (with amenities such as trash disposal, snow removal, tennis courts, swimming pool)? Would you appreciate an older non-HOA house with a yard and/or gardens? Do you want to be within walking distance of multiple shops and restaurants, or would you be ok in or near a small town?

Since you don't have to worry about daily commutes and are interested in Loudoun County, I suggest you also look around the Leesburg area and at anything within a couple miles of Route 7. Route 7 will give you a straight shot back to the Dulles area through to Alexandria, though traffic can be problematic at times. If you are already looking in the Ashburn area, then the area west of Leesburg can be a pretty drive and features several pleasant small towns such as Hamilton and Round Hill. There's also Purcellville, which would have more businesses than the small towns but is not as big as Leesburg. This stretch of Loudoun is an attractive area which may be at its best in the fall and doesn't have as much dense sprawl as areas further east on Rt 7.

[NOVAmtneer82]

Originally Posted by Middlin

At this stage in your life, I would take a hard look at Vienna over Loudoun. Great restaurants in Vienna, W&O trail, Meadowlark Gardens and other parks. Close to Tysons, Falls Church, Wolf Trap and not horrible to get to DC in non rush. You might even get within walking or biking distance to town. Good metro access, etc. Depends on what your housing priorities are.

Agree but their budget doesn't go as far in Oakton as it does in Loudoun so that is something to consider. There are tons of large communities in Loudoun such as Lansdowne, Ashburn Village/ Ashburn Farm, Countryside, Broadlands, Brambleton, etc. All fit the bill just really depends on the house you want. Schools will likely have far more similarities than differences in any of those communities. A lot of the brand new construction is in places like Hartland, Willowsford, etc in and around Aldie down the Route 50 corridor or farther out Route 7 in Leesburg but prices in many of those communities are easily $1 mil and above at the moment for new single family.