When faced with long commuting times and high gas prices, many Washington metro-area residents are opting to live in the close-in suburbs of Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, or in the District itself.  This explains the popularity of neighborhoods like Ballston, Rosslyn, and Shirlington.

However is the only choice in these areas condominiums or townhouses, or single family homes on small lots? 

Is it possible to leave behind the hustle-bustle of big city life and vertical living and find a house with land in the D.C. area?  The answer is Yes & No.

In D.C. proper, there are only 5 homes on more than half an acre of land.  Combine that with Alexandria City, Arlington County, and Falls Church City and you can find 21 homes.  However there’s very little land still being developed in these areas so these spacious lots will cost you plenty.  The average price tag runs $3,250,010.  However, if you act quick, you might be able to pick up a colonial home in Arlington Forest for a mere $612,500.  There are also some brand new homes being built in Alexandria at Oak Grove on Janney’s Lane on ½ acre lots for $2 million plus.

At 68.3 square miles, D.C.’s population density is 9,015 people/sq. mile.  Alexandria is 15.4 square miles and has a population density of 8,450 people/sq. mile.  Arlington County is 26 square miles and ranks in at 7,701 people/sq. mile.  Falls Church City is a mere 2 square miles and has 5,214 people/sq. mile.

Moving a bit farther out, Fairfax County comprises 407 square miles with a population density of 2,636 people/square mile.  Larger lots are much more plentiful in Fairfax with 1,017 homes on the market with ½ acre or more.  439 of these are on over an acre.  In Fairfax County, it is possible to purchase homes on 5 acre sites (133 on the market) some for under $1 million, especially in the Clifton area.  However, for those want some space of their own, the 7 homes with 10 acres or more run an average price tag of $4.6 million.

Population in Prince William County is only 40% as dense as Fairfax County and 9 times less than D.C. at about 1001 people/sq. mile.  There are 530 homes on 1 acre or more and the 97 homes on 10+ acres average list price is $1.25 million.

Loudoun County has a lot of land at 521 square miles, a population density of only 504 people/sq. mile despite being one of the fastest growing counties in America.  Loudoun boasts 575 homes currently on the market with over 1 acre of land and 142 with 10 acres or more.  For those who really want to stretch their legs, a beautiful home on 400 acres in Middleburg is available.  It’s only 40 miles from the White House in D.C. and a 20 mile drive to Dulles Airport.

If commuting to D.C. is not an issue, Fauquier County might be the best place for rural living and big sky near the Washington metro-area.  There are 179 five-acre homes on the market and 118 homes on 10+ acres.  Ashland Farm with 340 acres is on the market in Warrenton, 52 miles from D.C. and 37 miles to Dulles Airport.  Fauquier County’s 651 square mile area really offers space with only 101 people/square mile!