Exclusive Areas of McLean (Arlington, Woodbridge: how much, townhouse, neighborhoods)

[g55_dc]

My wife and I are trying to determine whether to move to McLean or Great Falls. We currently live in Clarendon but are now looking for an exclusive area to live with privacy and land. We have ruled out North Arlington because it is difficult to purchase any property that is 1+ acres. We have our own consulting firm so work mostly out of the home. so commuting is not a major issue but something we still keeping in mind. My question is what is considered the more exclusive communities in McLean? Is the area code 22101 more exclusive than 22102? The range we are looking at is $2M. Any help would be appreciated. I am going to post a similar thread asking about the communities in Great Falls so any help with McLean in this post would be most helpful. Thank you in advance.

[Margery]

What do you mean by "exclusive"? The only criteria for living in either Great Falls or McLean is "can you afford it?". There is no category that is excluded from living there. Great Falls has more of a rural character once you get off Georgetown Pike and the old timers there are very down to earth. It reminds me of Middleburg, not so impressed with "new money".

[claremarie]

You're probably asking the wrong question by focusing on the "exclusive" issue. Your real constraint is the large lot size. Most of the homes in 22101 will have lots well under an acre, regardless of the price point. Neighborhoods with larger lots in that zip code are Savile Manor, Langley Forest, River Oaks, and perhaps Langley Oaks (all along 123 and Georgetown Pike inside the Beltway). Also Ballantrae Farms, Salona Village, and Evermay. There is a great hidden neighborhood off Merchant Lane, which is across 123 near the CIA entrance. The map calls it Clear View Manor. Lots of privacy there. However, not sure about homes under $2 million. Franklin Park and Franklin Forest have lovely and hilly wooded lots, if you're not into mowing.
Outside the Beltway, The Reserve would qualify as "exclusive," but might be above your price range. Try the neighborhoods along Swink's Mill Road.

But because you live so close by, your best bet would be to get an ADC map (which shows the neighborhood names), and spend a few afternoons driving around.

[g55_dc]

My apologies for not being more clear and for focusing on the exclusive issue. What I meant was if one is willing to spend around $2M, what area is more well known. For example, in Washington, DC one could say Spring Valley, Kent, and Georgetown would be in that group. I appreciate the information from the latest poster. That is a good idea to get the communities map and drive around the areas. We shall definitely do that. Also, do you think there are any drawbacks with the septic versus public in regards to sewer? I see that 22102 is mostly on septic and as you noted, probably due to larger lot sizes. Thank you again for your assistance. It is much appreciated.

[car54]

2 million won't get you into the "exclusive" parts of McLean or Great Falls.

[g55_dc]

I would definitely have to agree with you that it is not possible to get in the Reserves for example at $2M, but any thoughts of what would be a few good options? I appreciate ClaireMarie's response and will defintely be taking that approach and looking in those areas. We originally were focusing in Washington DC in the areas I noted above but decided it wasn't worth the hassle of moving the company and dealing with all the tax/admin changes. Thanks again for everyone's input.

[Espressoo]

Since you don't have to commute, is living there for convenience or work related (being closer to your clients)? I don't know if you can have both a nice large house in an exclusive community and a good 1+ acre size lot for $2M especially in that area. I know areas of Woodbridge that has nice large houses with about 1+ acre and even those are starting at $1M but optioned out, are selling for $1.5M+. I can't imagine how much a similar home would sell for in McLean.

[g55_dc]

That is a good point. Our "wish list" may be too long. When we looked in DC, there was a gated townhouse community called Hillandale where you could get a remodeled townhome for under $2M so we assumed there were similar communities in McLean or Great Falls that were well known and well kept, but from a house perspective and not townhome perspective. Great Falls is as far as we would prefer to live so our focus is on those two areas. We may have to opt for a smaller plot which backs to parkland/woods to get the privacy we are looking for. Thanks for the feedback.

[ChiR]

Instead of McLean, come a little east towards fairfax station. I would especially suggest Clifton if you are looking for an "exclusive" area. Apparently there is some regulation that prevents more than one building from being built on 5 acre parcels of land - might be a little to farmish for your taste though, but exclusive none the less. Caron Butler and Lavar Airington used to live there ...

[g3org3]

Yes, much of the Fairfax Station/Clifton area is zoned "R-C". It's a bit further out than McLean and Great Falls, though. I think Clarence Thomas is a resident, too.