Looking for some place to settle down and Fairfax is in your radar, wondering what it is to be in Fairfax, VA? No worries! Here are the top five things that you should know before moving to Fairfax.
Before anything else, story time about me -- my husband and I moved to the Fairfax County back in the 90s, making us residents of Fairfax for more than two decades. I remember renting a small apartment which cost us about $700 a month at the time. Since then, we've been enjoying all the perks and conveniences Fairfax had to offer.
Without further ado, here are the things that you should know about Fairfax:
1. Location
I call Fairfax the heart and center of the DMV area. You will be about 20 miles away from the two major airports in the area (Reagan Airport and IAD), and about 20 miles to Washington, D.C. You will have easy access to all major roads and highways, too. You also don't have to worry as you are minutes away from the iNOVA Hospital, where my eldest was born.
2. Education
You can look up at any school ranking website, and you will find Fairfax schools highly ranked. Aside from academics, Fairfax schools are very strong in sports, and excel in competitive actives like Odyssey of the Mind, Science Olympiad, and coding competitions that my kids compete against the Fairfax kids.
Fairfax is also home to George Mason University. It is a state owned university and offers not just bachelor and graduate classes but also summer camps and adult education classes. The George Mason University may also sound familiar to college basketball fans as they had their miracle run at in becoming one of the Final Four teams of the NCAA back in 2005. It was a real-life Cinderella story; since then, the George Mason University has cemented itself in the academic and athletic scene as one of the best.
3. Real Estate
The best part about Fairfax is is that you have a wide range of options when it comes to the style of home that you'd ultimately get. We have ramblers, which are all around Greenbriar or Fairfax Villa, and contemporary style homes in the Great Oaks neighborhood.
Condos can range from $190k to about $1 million dollars and above, with townhomes at a starting price of $400k. On the other hand, single family houses cost about $500k to $2 million and above. Keep in mind, though, that if you buy within the city limits of Fairfax, you will have to pay a slightly higher tax rates compared to the county real estate tax rate.
4. City of Fairfax
If you like the old town charm mixed with some modern features, the the City of Fairfax is for you! It has this urban chic look that reminds me of the nostalgia when I first came in here. Some of the establishments did change, but the feel is the same. One of which that I remember visiting a lot of are the boutique stores, then eating at the Mom and Pop restaurant later in the afternoon. There has been a lot of development since the 90s, but the old city charm is still there.
5. Mosaic District
If you're not exactly into the old city type of scenery, then the Mosaic District is for you. Fairfax makes sure to offer a variety of options, and the Mosaic District is a prime example. It is one of the highly urbanized areas in Fairfax that offers a lot of fine restaurants, street side shopping, an open garden area for the kids, and movie theaters for all the latest releases in the silver screen. One of my favorite places to hang out are the Sisters Thai and Jinya -- they serve the best dishes in the Mosaic District in my opinion.
Here's a BONUS TIP: You might've heard about the traffic horror story along the 66 -- the horror of heavy, congested traffic. Nothing to worry, as the Fairfax Connector bus service is available in the area! New buses are added just over the recent years to cater to more commuters, and is sure to take you to the main stations, including the Vienna Metro Station.
I hope you enjoyed a lot in this relocation guide! What are the things that you'll be checking out in Fairfax once you settle? Do you have any questions about Fairfax that is not on this list? Let's talk! Call me at 703-625-4949 or visit my website at www.RituDesai.com for more information. Make your move today!
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