Northern Virginia Real Estate Relocation
Information & Facts about Northern Virginia
Fairfax County / Loudoun County / Northern Virginia Area Attractions
The commonwealth of Virginia was founded in 1607 and was name after Elizabeth I of England, the "Virgin Queen." Virginia has long been nicknamed the Old Dominion.
The first permanent English settlement in America was establish at Jamestown, and some of the most critical and exciting history took place here.
Northern Virginia has always been endowed with special historical and social significance. Alexandria was a primary port city where clipper ships brought booming trade to Virginia. Revolutionary and Civil War history was made here and many notable Americans called the area home, including our nation's first president, George Washington.
Today, one can visit the homes and churches of earlier citizens, tour historic buildings and monuments, and play on lands that were once fierce battlefields. Historic reminders of this rich legacy are everywhere, and Northern Virginians are proud of balancing this heritage with today's dramatic growth.
New high technology industrial parks, modern office complexes, multi-million dollar malls and residential developments are the results of a strong economic base, a growing corporate presence and the relative availability of raw land.
The state has an abundance of natural beauty, with the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, thousands of acres of preserved parkland and pleasant sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean.
From rolling hills and picturesque farms in the country, to modern urban centers, Northern Virginia has it all.
The quality of life is exceptional with not only natural beauty, but also historic, cultural, educational and recreational opportunities. The region has the potential to accommodate virtually any lifestyle, creating an atmosphere where gracious living is not only manageable, but enjoyable.
Annandale / Burke / Centreville / Chantilly / Clifton / Great Falls / Herndon / McLean / Oakton / Reston / Vienna
Originally settled in the 1760's, Annandale was once an Indian trading post. Later, in the early 1800's, it was the site of a toll house for Little River Turnpike, Virginia's first toll road.
No longer a toll road, Little River Turnpike, Route 236, remains the major east-west artery through Annandale. Also serving this diverse community is I-495 (the Capital Beltway). These major commuter routes, coupled with Annandales central location within Fairfax County, provide and easy commute to D.C., Tysons Corner and other urban centers. Dulles International and Washington National Airports are both within a 25-minute drive.
Once a quiet farming community, Burke has grown rapidly since 1976 when Fairfax County approved an 1,400-acre planned community called Burke Center. In the Burke area a diversity of housing styles and prices can be found, from single family homes in one of Burke Center's planned neighborhoods to large estate homes on 5-acre parcels in the Burke Lake Park area; from townhouses to rental apartments in park-like settings.
Because of its easy access to major commuter roads as well as Virginia Railway Express (with a station at Burke Center), this area is a favorite location for commuters to D.C. There is excellent local shopping at Burke Center and two regional malls nearby.
Located just four miles from Dulles International Airport at the crossroads of Routes 28 and 29, Centreville is a quiet, residential community which boast several historic landmarks from the Civil War period.
In addition to a goad road network for commuters, rush hour public transportation is available to the Vienna Metrorail station.
Chantilly is located in the very heart of the Dulles Hi-Tech area amidst the gently rolling woods of Western Fairfax. Adjacent to Dulles International Airport, Westfields International Conference Center, and the Fairfax County Government Center, Chantilly is within an easy commute to the District of Columbia via the Vienna Metro, Interstate 66, and Route 50.
Fair Oaks Mall, one of the region's largest upscale malls, complements the award winning Fair Lakes business campus and the Elizabeth Lawrence Parks.
Clifton is an historic village of white picket fences and Victorian homes. This small, charming town displays strong community spirit as evidenced by its annual Clifton Day celebration when the streets are closed for an all-day festival.
Properties in Clifton are typically in the higher price ranges, especially the spacious colonials on larger parcels of land, sometimes up to five acres.
The commute to Washington, D.C. is approximately one hour via I-66.
This exclusive horse-oriented community which takes its name from the fall line of the Potomac River, is a fast growing, upscale residential area limited to single family homes on lots of at least one half acre. Although it has undergone considerable growth, Great Falls remains rural in atmosphere.
The Early American style village center features quant shops and fine restaurants. Great Falls Park with its visitors center and nature trails offers beautiful views of the Potomac River.
Tysons Corner shopping mall and the Galleria at Tysons II are both nearby.
Located around the intersection of Routes 7 and 28, Herndon residents benefit from the ever improving access to D.C. and the surrounding communities. Commuters can take the Dulles Toll Road to the Washington Beltway.
The historic, restored town center features Victorian style homes and buildings and clusters of townhouses.
One of Fairfax County's most exclusive and sought after communities. McLean has a heritage rich in American history. Captain John Smith's appraisal in 1608 still holds true today, "Heaven and earth never agreed to frame a better place for man's habitation."
McLean lies in the northernmost part of Fairfax County bordered by the natural beauty of the Potomac River, Great Falls, Arlington County, Leesburg Pike and the city of Falls Church.
The Tysons Corner area of McLean is a business district about equal in size to that of downtown Seattle. More than one half of Tysons businesses are high technology firms and government contractors, however Tysons is also home of one of the most booming retail centers in the United States.
Located just off Route 66, Oakton is only 13 miles from D.C. which has made it a popular town with commuters, although a regional office of AT&T provides considerable local employment.
Oakmarr Recreation Center and Park, adjoining Oakton, features a play area, pool, racquetball and athletic fields. Tysons Corner and Fair Oaks Mall are both nearby for convenient shopping.
Vienna is an attractive surburban community featuring a pleasant mix of old and new homes. A town rich in history, the first house was built in 1767. Vienna is one of the original trolley towns. As early as 1903, a trolley provided hourly transportaion into Washington, D.C. Today, modern commuters use Metro for a quick 30-minute trip. Vienna retains its small town atmosphere with local grocers and speciality shops located in the town center. Tysons Corner is nearby.
Ashburn / Cascades-Countryside / Hamilton-Purcellville-Roundhill / Leesburg / Middleburg / Sterling-Sterling Park / Sugarland Run
Nestled in the foothills of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains in the western quadrant of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., historic Loudoun County is one of the fastest growing business centers in one of the nation's largest markets. However, Loudoun is still primarily a rural county with more than 50% of it's land in horse or dairy farms or other agriculturally related farming use.
With growth spurred by the completion of Dulles International Airport, the history and tradion of Loudoun County met the progress and high-tech of it's future. The balance acheived has created a quality of life treasured by the residents - a comfortable community of exciting business and living opportunities amid a setting of historic and natural beauty.
With housing prices and real estate taxes generally lower than closer in suburbs, many people are choosing to live in one of Loudoun County's seven incorporated towns or six planned residential communities and commute to work centers to the east such as D.C. or Tysons Corner.
Services
Loudoun Hospital Center in Lessburg is a 231-bed facility for acute and general care. A satellite facility is in Sterling.
Public Schools enjoy an excellent reputation. A percentage of Loudoun county's students are eligible to attend Northern Virginia's regional magnet scholl of science and technolgy wher subjects such as telecommunications, computer systems, and material sciences can be pursued. Special education classes and gifted and talented programs are offered at every grade level.
Nearly 85% of Loudoun's graduates continue their formal education, many very close to home. Main or satellite campus for George Washington University, Marymoun University, Old Dominion University, Northern Virginia Community College, Shenandoah University and Strayer College call Loudoun County home. Vocational training and adult education classes are offered at several locations around the county.
Quality of Life
Loudoun County's wide open spaces are a natural for all types of outdoor activities. The 500 acres of the Algonkian Regional Park are located along the Potomac River, and feature an 18-hole golf course, swimming pool, pavilion and 12 vaction cottages.
The 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course at the Lansdown Resort and Conference Center offers golf memberships to county residents along with fine dining and spa services.
Nearly 45 miles of hiking, biking, and bridle traid of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park reach into the county.
Loudoun's historical sites attract local residents to special events, as well as many tourist annually. Among these are Morven Park, Waterford, Oatlands, Oak Hill, Ball's Bluff National Cemetery and battlefied and Upperville.
Housing styles and prices vary throughout the county. New detached single family home, and older Victorian-style residences, are available.
Located within the eastern section of Loudoun County, master-planned communities offer neighborhoods built around golf courses, walking paths and recreation centers. Home styles represent a mixture of colonials, farm houses, small carriage houses and townhouses.
Leesburg, the county seat, was named for Francis Lighfoot Lee who signed the Declaration of Independence. Originally a frontier fort, this quiet, residential community has many interesting historical sites. The Loudoun County Museum and the American Work Horse Museum are located here. Antique shops are numerous. Leesburg's Historic District has many beautifully restored 18th and 19th century buildings with wrought iron fences and brick walkways. Most of the homes in town are Victorian style single family residences and townhouses. Newer homes in a variety of styles can be found on the outskirts of town.
There are approximately 600 people currently residing in the town established in 1787 by Revolutionary War Lieutenant Colonel and Virginia statesman, Levin Powell. He purchased the land for Middleburg at $2.50 an acre from Joseph Chinn, first cousin to George Washington. Previously called "Chinn's Crossroads," Powell chose the name Middleburg because of the town's location midway between Alexandria and Winchester on the Ashby Gap trading route (now Route 50).
Since the 1730s, Middleburg had been a staging point for weary travelers along the Ashby Gap Road. The legacy of the colonial era continues today at Middleburg's charming inns that provide first rate accommodations to visitors from around the world.
There are several inns located within the corporate limits, including the historic Red Fox Inn and Tavern. It is billed as the "oldest original inn in America," The Red Fox Tavern was a meeting spot for Confederate Colonel John Mosby and his Rangers. A century later, President Kennedy's press secretary, Pierre Salinger, held press conferences at the Red Fox in the Jeb Stuart room.
Across the street is another gracious reminder of the past, the Windsor House Inn, circa 1824. During the Civil War it was known as the Colonial Inn and was run by Catherine Broun. Although Catherine sympathized with the South, she generously served meals to Union troops at the inn as well when they occupied Middleburg in 1862.
After the turn of the century, Middleburg began welcoming a new wave of visitors that descended on the town for foxhunting and steeplechasing. The charming village soon earned a reputation as the "Nation's Horse and Hunt Capital," attracting prominent visitors from across the United States.
Serving as a host community for more than 250 years, it is no surprise that Middleburg has developed such a high concentration of fine inns, shops and restaurants.
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Vienna Virginia, Oakton Virginia, McLean Virginia, Great Falls Virginia, Alexandria Virginia, Annandale Virginia, Arlington Virginia, Ashburn Virginia, Burke Virginia, Centreville Virginia, Chantilly Virginia, Falls Church Virginia, Herndon Virginia, Leesburg Virginia, Reston Virginia, Springfield Virginia & Sterling Virginia
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