Best Neighborhoods for House Hunting

When it comes to house hunting in Northern Virginia it can be tricky. It seems the housing market and the mortgage market are in perfect alignment at the moment. We at Shirlington Circle are NOT real estate agents and were settled in our home at the moment, so our opinions are less biased than those of some real estate bloggers out there on the "internets." So here are our favorite micro-neighborhoods (all with good school systems) by price range for move-in ready 2+ bedrooms:

0-$350,000
1. Parkfairfax (Alexandria, VA): Great deals for 2 Bedroom 1 Bath units (average $320-350K). On the National Historic Register, more greenspace than Fairlington, walking distance to Shirlington Village restaurants and supermarket. Less than ten minutes to pentagon city metro by bus or car.

2. Kingstowne (Alexandria VA): More suburban, south of Beltway community. Nice option for a little longer commute to DC, but not epic. Newer construction.

$350,000-$450,000

1. Fairlington (Arlington): Another close in neighborhood at the south end of Arlington County. Like Parkfairfax, it's on the National Register, also a few years ago it made Washingtonian Magazine's best neighboroods. Also 5-10 minute commute to nearest metro on public transit or by car. 3 bedroom places start at this level in the Fairlington area.

2. Shirlington Village (Arlington): A mini-town center with great transportation. Short commute times to DC. A bit more urban than Fairlington and Parkfairfax, but you pay for convenience. Fewer families (i.e. with children), but very professional.

$450,000-$750,000

1. Del Ray (Alexandria): A great bedroom community. Diverse housing stock. Very active and proud community. Very family oriented.

2. North Arlington: Another great bedroom community. Great landscaping and very green. Driving through one often forgets their in the DC metro.

$750,000+

1. Beverley Hills/Rosemont (Alexandria): The best bang for your buck in NOVA, if you can afford it. Just Trulia search 22301.

2. Falls Church: Small enclave in the middle of NOVA between tawny Mclean and Alexandria and Fairfax County. A bit militant in terms of outsiders and neighborhood compliance, however.

OVERPRICED NEIGHBORHOODS:

Clarendon/Ballston: Don't get me wrong these are great neighborhoods to live NEAR or RENT in. Homes, for the price, are small and neighborhoods are overrun by visitors.

Old Town: Great place to live, if money is no object, but you pay a lot of money for houses you can barely put your arms across. Again, a great place to live NEAR.

McLean: You're paying for the zip code and a McMansion next to a MEGA-MALL. I'm kind of glad they're getting 2-3 metro stops OVER Ground.