Are there any neighborhoods where kids play anymore? (Alexandria, McLean: houses, buy)

[vasteph]

Hi. I live in Falls Church (fairfax county part), and I am wondering if there are any neighborhoods in Vienna, Falls Church, McLean area where kids actually get out and play with each other anymore (houses in $500-$600k range)? I'm frustrated, because my son's school is about 80% esl, and I can't even set up playdates with other parents because I don't speak Spanish or Vietnamese. I'm looking to move to a neighborhood with lots of elementary school kids who actually play together, parents who socialize, etc... Does it exist here anymore? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

[Caladium]

This thread might help you:

do-kids-play-outside-in -their-neighborhoods

[Bigbluelandrover]

No. That is why child obesity is so high. I cannot get my kids outside for anything. if they do go out then no other kids are outside to play with them.

[lovekels]

I don't think kids get out enough at all anymore! BUT I do think we live in a neighborhood where the kids are outside all the time. We are right across the Fairfax border in Loudoun County. We live in Lowes Island / Cascades (great schools!). You can find a really nice house in your price range. And you see kids riding their bikes, out at the playgrounds and playing at the schools after school and on the weekends! Good Luck!!

[michgc]

Come to the Town of Vienna. Kids play outside all of the time here.

[tgbwc]

OMG, my 9 yr old son plays outside a lot! Sometimes we have a hard time getting him to come in. We come home and he's like, "I'm gonna go see if ---- is home!" He is outside a lot more here than he ever was in our Manassas neighborhood, but I'm not sure why. I'm glad though! A lot of playing army in the woods and around the houses, kicking balls, shooting hoops, that kind of stuff.

[The Dissenter]

The last time I saw kids out playing was back in Southern VA last June, even then they were mostly HS kids. I never see kids playing outside in Alexandria.

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

OMG, my 9 yr old son plays outside a lot! Sometimes we have a hard time getting him to come in. We come home and he's like, "I'm gonna go see if ---- is home!" He is outside a lot more here than he ever was in our Manassas neighborhood, but I'm not sure why. I'm glad though! A lot of playing army in the woods and around the houses, kicking balls, shooting hoops, that kind of stuff.

About 6:00 tonight two kids came to our door asking if my son could come outside. We were just finishing dinner and it was getting dark, so he didn't go out this time. btw we are in W. Springfield, not in an area the OP mentioned.

[Amber Lamps]

80% ESL? Wow.. just wow... In most areas of the country, 600k will buy a home in the best school district in town. Here it will barely get students english speaking peers. I need to get the hell out of here.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Bigbluelandrover

No. That is why child obesity is so high. I cannot get my kids outside for anything. if they do go out then no other kids are outside to play with them.

Most of the kids here in my neck of NoVA are pretty healthy and definitely not obese. Many play organized sports from a young age that keep them in good shape. Part of the problem right now is the weather. They're definitely out and about when it turns warmer. Parents are more involved nowadays with their kids so kids do tend to spend more time every day with them than when I was a kid.