5 Reasons People Want a House in Vienna

Although you read that housing is in a state of limbo or sluggish, home buyers are still aggressively searching for a house in Vienna that is going to fit the bill.

There is only so much room, and plenty of demand.

In fact the pressure is so intense that some homeowners who have outgrown their 1950’s ramblers are tearing them down and building new homes on their own lots rather than move to the exurbs. And that construction craze is now replacing over thirty five homes a year.

1. Vienna is a walkable town

All you need to do is pull down Church Street on a Saturday and you will see people going to the Farmers’ Market, crossing the street at the W&OD bike trail, getting coffee or pizza, or heading off to an event like the Oktoberfest celebration (October 1, 2011).

2. Vienna is close to work

At a recent conference on the regional economy, local guru Stephen Fuller PhD. discussed how Northern Virginia is the economic engine for the region and that is why so many companies relocate here. The McLean, Tysons Corner, Reston and Dulles Corridor are major employment areas, and are close to Vienna.

3. The local schools are well respected

Anyone with kids is always concerned about the local schools, and Fairfax County Schools have a good reputation. There are plenty of private schools too, but Vienna is in close proximity of George Mason University, UVA and VT extension programs, and a well regarded community college.

4. The Metro

The Vienna Metro station is the end of the Orange Line which runs into Washington DC. So a lot of people walk, ride bikes or get dropped off at the “Kiss & Ride” stops every day. Dunn Loring station serves the south eastern side of Vienna. And the future Silver Line is under construction and will serve the Tyson’s Corner side of town (north eastern) sometime around 2013.

5. Sense of community

There are always things going on in Vienna that give you a sense this is a community people care about, and that it is not just a place where people sleep after a day at the job. The Town has a Mayor and Town Council, there are annual events like the Halloween Parade down Maple Avenue, historic re-enactments like last summer’s Civil War battle, a town library, and plenty of good shopping and interesting dining. It is easy to recognize that people are here for the “long haul” with vested interests in participating with the community.

It would be easy to add the importance of a top hospital network, airports like Dulles or Reagan National, sports teams like the Nationals, Redskins, Capitals and United, outdoor activity on the Potomac River or National Parks, and the history and culture available in nearby Washington D.C.