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NoVA Communities

North Arlington: Ballston, Clarendon, and Rosslyn

North Arlington is a sought-after community for living because it has loads of amenities, culture, shopping and restaurants. And there is always something to do here.

There is the Rosslyn Jazz Fest at Gateway Park; Quarterfest–a two-day food and culture festival; plus numerous events happening at Arlington Arts Center and multiple places to catch live music and theater. 

But North Arlington’s big draw is the many top-notch restaurants that dish up a plethora of delectable bites from all over the world. And the nightlife scene includes not only great places for imbibing but also spots that host games, comedy, live music and more.

North Arlington offers places to live such as the communities of Westover, Bluemont, Yorktown, Cherrydale, Lyon Park, Rivercrest, Virginia Square, Rosslyn, Williamsburg, Bellevue Forest, Woodmont, Clarendon and Ballston that sit above the Arlington Blvd. (Rt. 50) line. There are options for all kinds of living–from apartments and condos to townhomes and single-family homes. 

Shirlington and Parkfairfax, Arlington County

Shirlington is a popular community that sits on the south edge of Arlington and west edge of Alexandria. At the intersection of historic charm and modern day amenities, the Shirlington area is made up of the communities of Shirlington, Fairlington and Parkfairax.

The center of Shirlington, Village at Shirlington, is the heart of the area with a town center atmosphere that holds restaurants, bars, the Shirlington Library, award-winning Signature Theatre and shops. A quick stroll brings you to this entertainment spot by simply crossing a pedestrian bridge. 

Just west of the Village at Shirlington is the Skyline area with big box stores and numerous eateries with local fare. 

Clifton, Fairfax Station, Lorton, and Burke, Fairfax County

Exploring the southern portion of Fairfax County with Clifton, Fairfax Station, Lorton, and Burke. The housing market in Clifton mainly has large 5-acre or more lots for residential housing. Fairfax Station, like Clifton, has large lots but also has more traditional suburban neighborhoods. Lorton is one of the southernmost points of Fairfax County, is more suburban, and has a mixture of detached, townhouses and condominiums. On the north western side is Burke, Virginia home to Burke Centre Conservancy.

We’ve grouped these areas together as they all have amenities that capitalize on the Occoquan River and water activities. Locations like Fountainhead Park and Hemlock Overlook Regional Parks in Clifton, Burke Lake Park in Burke, and Occoquan Regional Park in Lorton. Historic Clifton offers top-notch dining and shopping all topped with a does of history. Don’t’ forget to visit Paradise Springs Winery. Annual events are the Clifton Haunted Trail and Clifton Days. Fairfax Station offers the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum and the history of Clara Barton, America’s “Angel of the Battlefield” in the Civil War. Lorton’s Workhouse Arts Center offers classes, community events, and artists in action year-round. A real treasure.

Fairfax City and Fairfax, Fairfax County

The City of Fairfax, Virginia, is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was, and still is, at the crossroads of Northern Virginia. It’s just 20 minutes from Washington, DC, with an attractive blend of commercial, office, retail, and residential properties. It combines the charm of a small town with the opportunities of a thriving urban area.

Recognized for receiving the nationally prestigious gold medal for the parks and recreation programs, achieving the coveted AAA bond rating for our financial strengths, and placing twelfth among all jurisdictions nationally for the percentage of city occupations in the “creative class,” the city has a reputation for achievement, as well as a place of enjoyment and fun for its residents and visitors.

Every year the city sponsors world-class events such as Fall for the Book, Spotlight on the Arts, and a fun weekend-long Chocolate Lovers Festival. This is in addition to three annual flagship events: the day-long Independence Day celebration, recognized as the best parade and most colorful fireworks in the area; the Fall Festival; and the Holiday Craft Show, which fills Fairfax High School with amazing handcrafted wares that bring shoppers from surrounding states.

The City of Falls Church and Falls Church, and Mosaic District, Fairfax County

Per the City of Falls Church website, the City of Falls Church is a unique and historic city. Besides featuring quick access to renowned museums and art galleries in nearby Washington, D.C., almost every neighborhood is a treasure of its own with a variety of restaurants and shops that reflect the city’s great ethnic and cultural diversity. Falls Church is easily accessed by Routes 66 and 50, the East and West Falls Church Metro Stations (Orange Line), and by several bus routes. Interestingly, neither Metro station lies within the City’s boundary.

The city is an independent municipality, separate from the surrounding Arlington and Fairfax Counties with its own school system. (Some Falls Church mailing addresses are in Fairfax County. Also, the City contracts for select services with the counties.)

The Mosaic District has the postal address Falls Church but is also called Merrifield and is just 1 mile from the Dunn Loring Metro. Mosaic is an urban shopping center in the heart of Northern Virginia featuring national retailers, gourmet dining, and a movie theater. Additionally it offers condominium and luxury townhouse living.

Old Town Alexandria, Del Ray, Potomac Yard, City of Alexandria and Mount Vernon, Fairfax County

Old Town Alexandria is a hot spot for tourists, entertainment, and living in Northern Virginia. Known for its history, Old Town not only has a storied past that can be learned through places such as Gadsby’s Tavern, Carlyle House, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, Freedom House and many historic tours and historic events that happen throughout the year, it is also a modern destination for boutique shopping and restaurant hopping all up and down King Street and its adjacent streets, and of course the famed Torpedo Factory art center. 

Additional neighborhoods to the north are Del Ray and Potomac Yards, and to the south are Belle Haven, Fort Hunt, and Mount Vernon.

Vienna (Tyson’s Corner, Town of Vienna) and Oakton, Fairfax County

The Town of Vienna continues to be ranked one of the best small towns to live. The postal name Vienna refers to a huge area that includes not only the Town of Vienna, but also Tyson’s Corner. 

Highlights in the Town of Vienna include historical sites, the W&OD trail, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, and the chili dogs at the Vienna Inn.

North Vienna features Tyson’s Corner. With four Metro stops now open in Tysons, massive development has begun and continues to grow. By 2050 Tysons will be home to up to 100,000 residents and 200,000 jobs–with a major draw being that there are currently 7 fortune 500 companies located in Tysons now.  Enjoy shopping at Tysons Corner Mall, the Galleria and The Shoppes at Fairfax Square. There is also a bit of nature that runs throughout the area with Raglan Road Park, athletic fields at Ken Lawrence Park, a place for the dogs at The Mile dog park and Scotts Run Park and the fabulous Clemonjontri Park nearby. Plus, more urban parks and sky parks.

Just south of Vienna is Oakton which offers the Oak Marr Regional Park par 3 golf course, fitness and swim center, Fairfax County Connector Trail, and Blake Lane Dog Park.

Reston and Herndon, Fairfax County

Reston is divided into three separate planning areas: the original Planned Residential Community which consists of five suburban villages; the Reston Town Center District, which includes all of the high-density, high-rise portions of Town Center; and the Transit Station Area on either side of the Dulles Toll Road which includes the two metro stations, office parks and newer communities like Reston Gateway and Reston Station.

From the beginning, Reston’s planning and zoning emphasized the inclusion and integration of common grounds, parks, large swaths of wooded areas with streams, wildflower meadows, golf courses – Reston National is certified by Audubon International as a Cooperative Sanctuary on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, public swimming pools, the Washington and Old Dominion Trail, four lakes (Audubon, Anna, Fairfax and Thoreau, tennis courts, and extensive foot pathways).

Ashburn and Brambleton, Loudoun County

Leesburg, Loudoun County

Loudoun’s county seat is a picturesque little burg with a historic downtown bustling with restaurants, cafes, bars, breweries, boutiques and chic home décor stores. Dine on King Street (restaurant row) and sip craft espressos and lattes at any of a dozen or so artisanal coffee shops that make up the Leesburg Coffee Corridor. There’s a vibrant art and music scene too, with several museums, galleries and a concert venue – Tally Ho – as well as public murals, statues and a sculpture garden.

Aldie and Middleburg, Loudoun County

City of Manassas, Prince William County

The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County. Historic Downtown Manassas is a vibrant collection of historic buildings full of restaurants, bars, shops, and services. In the City Center is the pavilion at the train station which provides residents access to Amtrak and the VRE. The City is also home to Manassas Regional Airport – one of the busiest executive airports in the Washington, DC metropolitan regions.

Occoquan, Prince William County

Woodbridge, Prince William County – Lake Ridge, Potomac Shores, Embry Mills, Stonebridge

According to Visit Prince William Virginia, Woodbridge is probably the most renowned area in Prince William, Virginia due to its location adjacent to Interstate 95, the giant Potomac Mills Sign, IKEA, and other roadside views. Woodbridge offers Potomac Riverfront homes, suburban neighborhoods, and resource protected areas with 5+ acre lots. A wide assortment of destination shopping, dining, and entertainment choices abound. Home to Virginia’s largest outlet mall – Potomac Mills – Woodbridge also has other major shopping choices nearby including Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center and IKEA. Additional attractions include Rippon Lodge, Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, and Leesylvania State Park.