Fairfax has a lot to love

Fairfax has long been a Northern Virginia favorite for a number of reasons.  Great schools, shopping, strong job market, and safe neighborhoods have kept steady residents.  Fairfax is home to George Mason University and top producing public schools.  The county has launched major projects to revive its historic district with great success and the economic vitality is strong as a result.  There are a number of places to choose from if you’re in search of a new home. heart I like that it is minutes away from George Mason University.  Students will find this helpful when trying to save money and avoid hefty parking and commuting cost.  Fairfax has had a long reputation for good schools and strong jobs.  I like that it has a unique mix of old and new homes.  You can tell that the city has evolved to accommodate its commuters by adding public transportation with buses and commuter stations to access the metro. The city itself seems to have easy access to grocery stores, shopping centers, restaurants, and gas stations.  I had an opportunity to ride around the area and I must admit that I felt safe.   That is always a nice feature when selecting a neighborhood to live in.  I saw plenty of families walking down the streets enjoying the beautiful weather.  It’s the kind of city that has a lot to offer and a lot to love.

Reston Town Center

I went here over the weekend and was pleasantly surprised at how much there is to do in such a small area.  Reston Town Center is situated right off the Dulles Toll Road and hidden behind some pretty tall office buildings.  Your first impression would make you think you were in a major officeplex that is designated just for businesses.  In any case, walking up and down the street was pretty impressive.  I spoke to a few people along the way and they said that it was a beautiful place to come during the holiday season.  They have an ice skating rink that is open during the winter season and it ends around mid-March.  Although, I’m not one for skating, the fact that it was outdoors appealed to me. I enjoyed the outdoor shopping experience.  We decided to get a bite to eat and settled on eating at Jackson’s Mighty Fine Food.  I liked the décor of the restaurant and it seemed extremely warm and inviting.  The hostess was real nice and it wasn’t too crowded when we went, so they were extremely attentive.  The menu was uncomplicated and I like how you weren’t overwhelmed with choices.  We started off with a cocktail which was delish.  Since we were starving, I skipped the appetizer and went right for the main course.  I decided on their grouper on top of a cauliflower mash.  The funny thing is that I hate cauliflower!  However, I didn’t even think it was cauliflower, since it appeared like mashed potatoes. It was the best vegetable I had eaten in a long time.  We finished our dining experience with their white chocolate bread pudding.  Let me pause for a moment and have a moment of silence……..for the best desert I believe ever existed in a chain restaurant.  Maybe it was the way the caramel puddled in the center of the mini Bundt cake?  Or perhaps the vanilla bean ice cream melted on the side since the desert is served warm.  In any case, it was an out of this world experience.  OMG, how could I forget the complementary bread basket we received at the beginning of the meal?  It was simply awesome.  Needless to say we left there completely stuffed and satisfied with the $90 bill we received. We left the restaurant and continued our stroll.  People seemed to be pretty excited about what the little strip had to offer and they had every reason to be.  If you are ever in the area and need some place new to try or experience, I would suggest giving Reston Town Center a go.

Reston Homes for Sale

Properties in Reston

Got Duke?

Duke Street is a popular and vivacious street in Alexandria.  It is lined with offices, high-rises, shops, and restaurants.  It is quite the eclectic mix of old and new.  Alexandria is rich with history and full of new life as it has grown to be one of Northern Virginia’s top places to settle.  Local delicacies are easy to find and the adventurer never gets bored. Landmark Mall caters to traditional shoppers with stores such as Sears, Macy’s, and Victoria Secret.  There is plenty to do to pass the time.  Walking down the street you can explore various international cuisines such as Mayur Indian Restaurant.  This is fine Indian dining that any palate could enjoy.  You have a number of choices if you prefer Asian, Italian, or American cuisine.  Whatever your taste buds desire, you will not be disappointed. There is no shortage of history with civil war reenactments, 200 year old buildings, and monuments.  Tourists are amazed at the amount of historic richness that the city itself has managed to preserve and pass on from generation to generation.  Walking down Duke can almost transport you back in time but you are quickly reminded that it is 2011 by all of the modern hot spots available. Located in the heart of one of 2011 Dozen Distinctive Destination winners, this street is sure to leave a memorable impression.  Its year round draw has kept visitors swarming in year after year.

Home town living

Northern Virginia is growing for a number of reasons.  Many have settled here to get away from the city and found that it has a home town feel that is just right.  The area has experienced a significant increase in residents that have families with children.  As a result, many builders have found a way to cater to this desire and spend as much time selling a lifestyle as they do a property.  When driving throughout the area it’s hard to miss all of the schools, shopping centers, grocery stores, and play grounds. Towns such as Leesburg have managed to keep their sense of history while welcoming the expanding county line.  They have had to make adjustments like every other town in the area to accommodate the amount of children that are constantly enrolling.  In Loudoun County alone, they expand by adding at least one or two schools a year.  The interesting thing is that despite the amount of children, families continue to have rave reviews about the class sizes and education that many across the United States would love to experience.  Loudoun has ranked among the top tier school systems in the country. To preserve the neighborhood feel, just about every subdivision has about a five to ten minute drive to the nearest shopping center that is filled with shops, restaurants, and gas stations.  Many small businesses have been able to survive despite the economy due to this concept.  Grocery stores have catered to the areas professionals by adding services like Express Lane and Peapod where they do your grocery shopping for you.  On the weekends, parking lots across the region are filled with Farmer’s Markets. It is possible to live in a great home town minutes away from the city.  In 2005, it was impossible to purchase a house without twenty bids being on the property within the hour of it being listed.   With the softening of the economy and housing market, this area has remained a top preference for those still looking to realize the American dream and raise a family.  Northern Virginia is a great testament to this fact and precisely why it will only continue to grow.

Posh City Charm

Ever wanted to have access to the city without actually having to drive there?  This desire is what has sky-rocketed the real estate market in the area of McLean.  It has been a magnet for established and young professionals who want to escape the city commute and find a retreat for their hard earned cash.  Although, McLean has typically housed old money, its recent growth has encouraged those who have just acquired it or at least desire to, to plant some roots. Locals find that they have a vast number of options for upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment.  With the beltway only a few minutes away, you still have the ability to get to all of the elements D.C. has to offer.  The interesting point is that the area has recently begun to eliminate the need to travel elsewhere to find what you’re looking for.  The Galleria mall has allowed access to upscale shopping.  Restaurants like Ruth Kris, Morton’s Steakhouse, and Capital Grill are all within minutes and are considered local luxuries.  Coincidentally, if you are a lover of the arts, you would be happy to know that Wolf Trap is around the corner.  Perhaps you are looking for a posh location without the hassle of the commute.   Then, McLean just might be the place for you.