Family friendly town near Dulles? (Arlington, Alexandria: low crime, good schools, living)

[CT_trackstar]

I have a job opportunity near Dulles airport. Any suggestions on nearby towns? I've been to the area before and it seems nice, although congested and maybe a little overdeveloped. I'm looking for a fairly quiet town with excellent schools, low crime, and nice town center with dining and shopping (maybe walkable and/or the opposite of strips malls) and parks would be great.

[Caladium]

Sounds like Reston to me. Although, you're going to find mostly chain restaurants there. There's no escaping them if you want to live near Dulles. All the nearby communities are upscale suburbia, which means McMansions, strip malls and chain restaurants. It's nice suburbia (lots of parks, sidewalks, things to do).

Here are some photos of Reston. Town Center area sounds like it would be the most appealing to you.

Reston-South Lakes
Reston-Town Center and Lake Anne

If you want a community that's a little less crowded, Brambleton or Cascades might appeal. Their town centers are much smaller (I'm counting Cascades Marketplace as a Town Center since it has restaurants, stores, farmers market, sidewalks and tiny park, senior center and the library). But they aren't as crowded as Reston or Herndon. Herndon is another town you might like. It has a small historic district you might enjoy.

[5stones]

Ashburn is very close very family friendly and has great schools... But I wouldn't consider it a "quiet little town" It's suburbia. it's conjested and densely populated.
The town center at Bramleton is very nice.

As is Cascades...pretty dense population and pretty busy.

I also wouldn't consider Reston/Herndon as a little town either...but both offer family friendly living with good schools (although I believe Restons schools are better...esp MS/HS) Both are quit conjested with traffic.

For quiet little towns still close for Commute to Airport...try Purceville. it has some resturants, grocery stores library etc... that other smaller places like Hamilton don't...But I would consider Hamilton too...

[Guamanians]

Vienna might be a good fit for you. It's a small town with some old-time charm. Vienna seems to be a little older and laid back than other nearby towns, and you are likely to find more of a local atmosphere there than the other places mentioned.

[krock1dk]

Sterling (lived there in 2004), Centerville, Chantilly and Reston are good. A little further are Leesburg, and Fairfax. Alexandria, Arlington County, McLean (Tysons Corner), Franconia-Springfield and Burke are a bit too far in my opinion.