What Differences I See From MO to VA
I have only recently found myself a new resident of the state which boasts that it is 'For Lovers'. I hail from the 'Show Me' state and I am truly looking forward to learning more about this beautiful land that I now find myself.
The fist thing to note as far as differences from Missouri to Virginia is the way the roads are laid out. A few things you won't ever see in Missouri are: EZ -Pass lanes, red curbs or pink roadside signs. But, the character of this state is enhanced with the way the roads are cut into the landscape. The personality of the land is not lost on the roadways. Driving around is not something that will put me to sleep, it is, instead an enjoyable passing of the time, except in rush hour of course.
Secondly, the air seems different to me. Although more people reside in Virginia, it strangely seems easier to breathe here. I'm not sure if that is just a state of mind that I am experiencing, but it sure feels real to me. Maybe it has something to do with all the beautiful greenery around us here in Virginia. There are so many trees all over that it seems like driving from one place to another is just a jaunt through a forest (sometimes, that's exactly what it is).
A third obvious difference, to me, that jumps out right away is the distant scenery. The lush mountains that seem to surround me in certain places, like Front Royal, are beautiful to behold. The mountains are also not like others that I have seen around the country. They are alive and vibrant. The mountains in Virginia are home to many, many species of animals, insects and other wildlife. These mountains are the first thing that attracted me to this area of the country as a small boy. When we would take family summer vacations out here, I would stare in wonder at the majestic mountains and hope that the day would come when I could move here on my own.
Show me that Virginia is for lovers!
That day has come and I appreciate every moment I have in this state of wonder and beauty.
What is the NVAR?
The Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR) was established in 1921. This association was initially called the Alexandria-Arlington-Fairfax Real Estate Board and began with around forty charter members.
The NVAR today has more than 11,000 members, who are responsible for about $11 billion in housing sales. This is a local association which is one of hundreds of local and state associations as part of the NAR (National Association of Realtors). The NAR currently boasts more than a million members.
The NVAR makes available to its members services such as: educational opportunities, professional standards enforcement, reviews of legislation, multiple listing and services for lock boxes, to name a few.
Another fascinating fact about the NVAR is that it assists, by sharing knowledge about how the industry functions, leaders in real estate from several foreign countries.
Tucked away on the one of the five plots of land that comprises George Washington's Mt. Vernon Estate, you will find the waterfront community of Yacht Haven. Traditional, colonial and custom homes are sited on 1/2 to 3/4 acre lots.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Yacht Haven.
Situated on the Potomac River, Yacht Haven is the home of boating enthusiasts and the Mount Vernon Yacht Club. As a member of the Mount Vernon Yacht Club, I have come to enjoy the camaraderie and activities of this wonderful club. The entrance to Yacht Haven Estates is on Ferry Landing Road and is approximately one mile from Fort Belvoir.
The Yacht Haven community is a gem for those seeking the best of tranquil nature and beautiful waters.
The MRIS in a Few Words
The Metropolitan Regional Information System (MRIS), which was founded in 1993, is one of the nation's largest Multiple Listing Service (MLS) systems. The MRIS is respected for its customer service and powerful data base.
Nesbitt Realty serves Mount Vernon VA
The MRIS also routinely keeps up with a changing market with their growing portfolio of technical solutions and software, including apps, designed to assist the broker and agent in their pursuit for excellence.
The MRIS serves more than 46,000 real estate professionals and has over 69,000 listing that are active today. The MRIS provides our local MLS. What is an MLS?
Aubrey Nesbitt and Kelly Nesbitt in BallstonFirst Impressions of the DC Metro
This week I had the opportunity to ride the DC Metro for the first time. After recently moving to the area and previously experiencing other mass transit systems, I was curious. I rode the Metro from Huntington to Ballston, transferring from the Yellow to the Blue rail at Pentagon and then from the Blue to Silver at Rosslyn.
Keeping in mind the numerous trips I have taken on the L in Chicago, the subway in New York and the Metro in St. Louis, I reached a couple of conclusions:
First of all, the rail cars themselves are pretty much the same on all four, New York being more used and St. Louis Metro being the newest. The ease of purchasing a card here on the DC Metro and transferring from one rail car to the other seemed to be easy enough for even me to figure out.
The next thing that I did notice was that the amount of time I spent waiting for the next rail car to come was longer than I expected. One thing that slowed things down that day was the shutting down of an area of the rail due to a fire response team reacting to some non-disclosed issue. Other than that, the waiting was not horrible and the rail cars were not over-crowded.
The last thing worth mentioning is the price that was paid to travel there and back. I paid $2.00 for the card and it cost me $7.15 for the round trip. After returning to the origination of my trip I realized that this price was a good deal, because I didn't have to pay to park my car.
The DC Metro seemed to be safe and without a doubt was a good deal for the wallet.
Nearby amenities are the Mt. Vernon Recenter (which has a pool, ice skating rink, gym, aerobics classes, party room, etc.), Westgrove dog park, and the Martha Washington Public Library. This trail enjoys backwoods outdoors that weave through the inside of forested woods of what is now surrounded by Bucknell, Belle View, and Marlan Forest. There is an entrance to deeper into the woods at Dartmouth Drive and Swarthmore Drive, as well as through the Recenter, near the parking lots, facing alongside the library and also inside the top of the hill of the Mt. Vernon Recenters property.
The interior of the woods along and near the Mt. Vernon Recenter trail has wildlife, such as deer, foxes, various birds, etc. The trail around the Recenter woods is paved and connects from two points, Fort Hunt Road side walks, and Quander Road side walks, which can be made into a circle by adding Belle View Boulevard into the equation. This run can be transcendental. The nature is showcased by tall, aged trees.
Fairfax County's Alexandria suburbs
Starting at Bucknell Manor the sidewalks are endless. A straight shot to Fort Hunt is possible, though some roads may not be as accommodating along the journey. Cutting through suburban blocks can be a pace that is weathering on the stamina. With a vision of making it through a 1-10 miles it can be eye opening to one's knowledge of proximity of the region. For example, to know where a nearby shortcut is, can be refreshing.
To see a neighborhood after work and realize and value the wealth of Northern Virginia. For example, the well manicured lawns, the timeless architectures, the paved updated roads, the suburban landscape, and so on. Jogging into a different thoroughfare pays in exercise and appreciation to the Real Estate viewed. Fairfax County's Alexandria suburbs are vast, and connect to businesses and amenities, amongst other things.
Richmond Highway
Not for those unwilling to do a long go through into a circuit that can connect to different tracts. The different tracts past history (in your round-trip physical activity) is useful in going around to see where you are in regards to geography. Richmond Highway has renowned marketplaces that sell from large stores, boutiques, grocers, dining establishments, and so on. Passing these by foot shows the jogger an accomplishment in completing a long run.
The stretch of commerce offered from this Highway, with sidewalks, is immense. One time I literally ran from my home to Verizon for a cable, while passing other businesses such as: Thrift Stores, Walmart, Lowe's, Pet Smart, Michaels, TJ Maxx, Shane's, Noodles and Company, McDonald's, Home Depot, National Guard Recruiter, Pop Eyes, Home Goods, Marshalls, Panera, Subway, Target, Walmart again, Pizza Hut, Dunkin' Donuts, Chinese food restuarant, Juliano's, Planet Fitness, McDonalds again, Tobacco store, Giant, Safeway, Starbucks, Starbucks again, Subway again, bodega, bodega again, Costco, Tacos El Costalilla, Old Country Buffet, Autozone, Wells Fargo, Petco, Ford / Lincoln dealership, dealerships again, Cintron lock and safe. . . and many more. Going this way is is nice to go witness Alexandria from a different perspective.
Duke St. along City of Alexandria
It is nice to appreciate the history produced from centuries of traffic through Northern Virginia's City of Alexandria, via Duke St. Duke St. has side walk openings and mostly safe roads for going for a run that can lead to many choices for a route. For example, Duke St. can lead to Eisenhower Valley and back. Running on Duke St. affords the opportunity to experience Old Town's culture.
Duke Street has a side street link towards King St. Metro. Duke Street has a Whole Foods that is nice for healthy food. Running this goes towards West End. The advantage to this land is the residential luxury.
The Potomac River is next to the Mount Vernon Trail
Old Town's waterfront
The Potomac River is tranquil. Along the waterfront there are good views of the Potomac River and distant Maryland. Running next to the water is pleasant, due to the breezes. In Old Town there are several parks, including Founders and Oronoco that have trails that go parallel to the waterfront.
Additionally, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge offers dramatic panoramas of Real Estate in Maryland and Northern Virginia. Furthermore, Old Town's waterfront specializes through delicious foods and drinks at many locations that can be smelled as one transitions through the tract. This passage tells of Potomac River influence upon the touching land; Captains Row and the brides dowrys. Potomac River ease in style is timeless.
Mount Vernon Trail
All the way to George Washington's museum, home, farm, restaurant, etc, leads a treacherous run on the energy level. The Mount Vernon Trail is serene due to the George Washington Parkway. Traffic is placid and parallel to Potomac River water that is good for a boat. Real Estate around here offers easy exits which have roads that lead to inner Alexandria.
The Mount Vernon Trail run is paved. The Mount Vernon Trail is lavish in extent, grooming, consistency to life in health for someone who runs, etc. There are other activities that can be conducted on this location; fishing for bass or catfish or carp or snakeheads, etc, watching birds such as Osprey, bald eagle, hummingbird, nighthawk, etc, picnicing, beach bumming, taking a sailing lesson from the Belle Haven Marina, land sports.
Secondly, the air seems different to me. Although more people reside in Virginia, it strangely seems easier to breathe here. I'm not sure if that is just a state of mind that I am experiencing, but it sure feels real to me. Maybe it has something to do with all the beautiful greenery around us here in Virginia. There are so many trees all over that it seems like driving from one place to another is just a jaunt through a forest (sometimes, that's exactly what it is).
A third obvious difference, to me, that jumps out right away is the distant scenery. The lush mountains that seem to surround me in certain places, like Front Royal, are beautiful to behold. The mountains are also not like others that I have seen around the country. They are alive and vibrant. The mountains in Virginia are home to many, many species of animals, insects and other wildlife. These mountains are the first thing that attracted me to this area of the country as a small boy. When we would take family summer vacations out here, I would stare in wonder at the majestic mountains and hope that the day would come when I could move here on my own.
