Fairfax & Alexandria Similarity
Fairfax County & Arlington County Comparison
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Moving to the Fairfax County area can be very confusing, especially when a lot of different places share the same name.
To give you a little more understanding, within Fairfax County is Fairfax and in the center of Fairfax, there’s actually a small city called the City of Fairfax, which is just six square miles.
Similarly, there’s also Alexandria, Fairfax County, which is not to be confused with the City of Alexandria. Besides being larger, Alexandria, Fairfax County was actually established first.
The City of Alexandria seeded to the District of Columbia and became Alexandria County of the District of Columbia. Then, it reseeded and became the City of Alexandria. All the while, Fairfax County existed and so did Alexandria, Fairfax County, or Alexandria in short.
Fairfax & Alexandria Comparison
Since now you have an idea about the similarities between Alexandria and the City of Fairfax, or simply Fairfax, it’s time to further talk about their comparisons.
Median Income & Median Sales Price
Some of the biggest factors to be taken into consideration when choosing where to live are the median income and median sales price of an area, not to mention its property and vehicle taxes. Even though the home sales price in Fairfax is more expensive than in Alexandria, Fairfax still offers a higher household income.
Fairfax Median Income & Median Sales Price
The median household income in Fairfax is $116,979, while the median home sales price is $666,198. In Fairfax, you can expect to find various property types such as townhomes, condos, duplexes, villas, and single-family homes.
Alexandria Median Income & Median Sales Price
The median household income in Alexandria is $100,939, while the median home sales price is $605,295. There are different home types in Alexandria including townhouses, single-family homes, and condos.
As for property taxes, the base tax rate in Fairfax County is 1.15% or $1.15 per $100 of assessed property value. To keep the math simple, if your property has an assessed value of $600,000, you’re looking at a $6,900 annual property tax bill.
Moreover, Virginia is one of 27 states in the country that charges an annual tax on personal vehicles, which goes for all motor vehicles. Although, there are some exceptions. Most notably, there’s a reduced tax rate for qualified disabled veterans.
If you want to know your vehicle’s assessed value, Fairfax County uses the National Automobile Dealers Association’s used car guide to determine your car’s value. Note that your car’s value never reaches zero, so you’ll always have this tax as a privilege to drive a vehicle in Virginia.
Commute Time
In Northern Virginia, there’s lots of traffic, and it continues to become worse as the area grows. Let’s take a look at how you can manage traffic when living in Fairfax and Alexandria.
Fairfax Commute Time
Fairfax is located about 20 miles to the west of the White House and has a population of just under 25,000 residents. No matter where you are in Fairfax, the commute is going to be quite an issue.
Honestly, you just never know how long it takes to get to places with the traffic in the area. It’s solely going to depend on where you are within Fairfax because it is the biggest area in Fairfax County.
Distance-wise, Fairfax is 20.1 miles from Fort Belvoir, 22.1 miles from Capitol Hill, 18.6 miles from The Pentagon, and 7.7 miles from Tysons Corner.
If you’re out far west or in Fair Lakes, the commute time is going to be different from those who are in Merryfield or Mantua, so it’s a good thing to keep that in mind.
Nonetheless, one great thing about Fairfax is it comes with various public transportation modes like the orange line metro and about a dozen bus lines. These options will surely be helpful for people who don’t want to drive in every day.
Alexandria Commute Time
Alexandria is approximately 17 miles from the White House with a population of about 167,000 residents. When living in Alexandria, your commute time will vary depending on which part of the area you’re in.
Distance-wise, Alexandria is 13.2 miles from Fort Belvoir, 8.5 miles from Capitol Hill, 6.3 miles from The Pentagon, and 20.1 miles from Tysons Corner.
So, there are a total of three metro stops that you have access to in Alexandria such as the Huntington stop and the other two metro stops just right outside the area, the Van Dorn stop, and the Franconia-Springfield stop.
Although, if you live in the southern part of the Alexandria area, you are most likely to just use the George Washington Parkway to travel up to the King Street stop.
In addition to having access to the metro, you also have access to the Springfield Interchange, aka the Mixing Bowl, if you live in the northern part of Alexandria.
The Mixing Bowl will give you access to all of the interstates that service the Northern Virginia area, minus the I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road.
Also, you have access to an easy on-ramp to the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, which shortens the commute time by reducing the volume of traffic.
Diversity
One of the most important things to know about the area you’re planning to live in is its diversity. Throughout Fairfax County, there’s an ongoing pattern where the least expensive areas are more diverse, while the more expensive areas have the least diversity.
Diversity in Fairfax
Being located within Fairfax County, Fairfax is one of the most racially diverse areas in Virginia. According to the statistics, Fairfax is much more diverse than other cities in the country.
The most diverse neighborhoods in Fairfax include Fair Lakes and Kings Park West, while the least diverse community is Mantua.
Diversity in Alexandria
Based on the statistics, Alexandria is one of the most diverse areas in Fairfax County. The recent census stats showed that Alexandria is actually more diverse than it was ten years ago.
The most diverse areas in Alexandria include Kingstowne, Franconia, Groveton, and Mount Vernon, while the least diverse one is Fort Hunt.
If you want more information about the diversity in Fairfax or Alexandria, you can check out City-Data where you can input a specific ZIP code, and it’ll give you a breakdown of the diversity numbers for a certain area.
One leading indicator for the diversity in a neighborhood is its schools, so it would be helpful to know the demographics of each individual school.
Public Schools
Speaking of schools, if you’re moving to the Fairfax County area with your family or thinking of starting one, you’re probably going to be interested in knowing what type of schools are available in the area. As a whole, Fairfax County has a high graduation rate, and the high schools in the area that do really well also have highly rated schools on the lower levels.
This is because all of the schools in the Fairfax County area are in a pyramid. At the top of each pyramid is one high school followed by a few middle schools and various elementary schools wherein each feeds into the one above.
However, all schools are different, and some are just not as highly rated as others. This is why it’s important for parents to do their research before seeing any property by using the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Boundary Locator System.
Here’s how the public schools in Fairfax and Alexandria differentiate in terms of ratings.
Fairfax Public Schools
When it comes to public schools that service the Fairfax residents, Niche.com has given these schools a B overall rating. The high school pyramids that serve the area include:
Chantilly Pyramid
Address: 4201 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151, USA
Phone: +1 703-222-8100
Chantilly High School has an A-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 7/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. U.S. News rates them as the 6th best public high school in Fairfax County.
Chantilly High School offers both Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses that are open to all students who seek academic rigor, and they also have a Secondary Transition to Employment Program (STEP), which brings job opportunities to students.
Additionally, this school has an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program to support students’ English language development needs as well as a World Language Program of Studies that includes Spanish, French, and Latin.
Address: 4200 Lees Corner Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
Phone: +1 703-814-8700
Brookfield Elementary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Spanish Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Address: 3300 Lees Corner Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
Phone: +1 703-904-5100
Franklin Middle School has an A overall rating on Niche.com and a 7/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and World Language Courses that include Spanish and French.
Address: 13006 Point Pleasant Dr, Fairfax, VA 22033, United States
Phone: +1 703-633-6400
Greenbriar East Elementary School has a B overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Global Plus Program for the Spanish language.
Address: 13300 Poplar Tree Rd, Fairfax, VA 22033, United States
Phone: +1 703-633-6700
Greenbriar East Elementary School has a B overall rating on Niche.com and a 6/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Global Plus Program for the Spanish language.
Address: 13500 Hollinger Ave, Fairfax, VA 22033, United States
Phone: +1 703-227-3500
Lees Corner Elementary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 6/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and PTA-sponsored after-school activities.
Address: 3210 Kinross Cir, Herndon, VA 20171, United States
Phone: +1 703-467-3500
Oak Hill Elementary School has an A overall rating on Niche.com and a 7/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Chinese Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Address: 13440 Melville Ln, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
Phone: +1 703-633-7400
Poplar Tree Elementary School has an A overall rating on Niche.com and a 9/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Spanish Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Address: 4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
Phone: +1 703-802-7700
Rocky Run Middle School has an A overall rating on Niche.com and a 7/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers after-school programs, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and World Language Courses that include Spanish and French.
Robinson Pyramid
Address: 5035 Sideburn Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032, United States
Phone: +1 703-426-2100
Robinson Secondary School has an A overall rating on Niche.com and a 7/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. U.S. News ranks them as the 10th best public high school in Fairfax County.
Robinson Secondary School offers the Advanced Placement Program (APP), International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP), and International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP).
This school also has an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program and a High School World Languages Program that includes Chinese, French, German, Latin, and Spanish.
Address: 5420 Sideburn Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032, United States
Phone: +1 703-321-3900
Bonnie Brae Elementary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 6/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and PTO-sponsored programs.
Address: 5815 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station, VA 22039, United States
Phone: +1 703-503-3700
Brookfield Elementary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 6/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Spanish Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Address: 10110 Commonwealth Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22032, United States
Phone: +1 703-426-3700
Laurel Ridge Elementary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a partial Spanish Immersion Program that involves a lottery process for students from K through 6.
Address: 5004 Sideburn Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032, United States
Phone: +1 703-764-7100
Oak View Elementary School has an A overall rating on Niche.com and a 6/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and PTA-organized activities.
Address: 6000 Burke Centre Pkwy, Burke, VA 22015, United States
Phone: +1 703-249-1400
Terra Centre Elementary School has an A overall rating on Niche.com and a 7/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Spanish Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Fairfax Pyramid
Address: 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Phone: +1 703-219-2200
Fairfax High School has an A overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. U.S. News rates them as the 13th best public high school in Fairfax County.
Fairfax High School offers the Advanced Placement Program (APP), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and World Languages Program that includes Spanish, French, Korean, American Sign Language (ASL), Chinese, Latin, and German.
Address: 3705 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Phone: +1 703-279-8400
Daniels Run Elementary School has a B overall rating on Niche.com and a 4/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Spanish Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Address: 4500 Dixie Hill Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Phone: +1 703-322-3100
Eagle View Elementary School has a B overall rating on Niche.com and a 4/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and PTA-sponsored after-school programs.
Address: 3801 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Phone: +1 703-934-2400
Katherine Johnson Middle School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers an English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program and World Language Courses that include French, Spanish, Latin, and Korean. They also have after-school programs and summer camp opportunities.
Address: 3616 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Phone: +1 703-460-4400
Providence Elementary School has a B overall rating on Niche.com and a 4/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Chinese Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Address: 5400 Willow Springs School Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Phone: +1 703-679-6000
Willow Springs Elementary School has an A overall rating on Niche.com and a 7/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Spanish Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Falls Church Pyramid
Address: 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church, VA 22042, United States
Phone: +1 703-207-4000
Falls Church High School has a B-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 2/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. U.S. News rates them as the 21st best public high school in Fairfax County.
Falls Church High School offers both the Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors Courses, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and World Languages Program that includes Spanish, Japanese, French, and Vietnamese.
Address: 8100 Guinevere Dr, Annandale, VA 22003, United States
Phone: +1 703-645-7000
Camelot Elementary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 7/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services and an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. They also have PTA-sponsored after-school programs and a Chess Club.
Address: 3001 Chichester Ln, Fairfax, VA 22031, United States
Phone: +1 703-208-8100
Fairhill Elementary School has an A overall rating on Niche.com and a 6/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Chinese Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Address: 2831 Graham Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042, United States
Phone: +1 571-226-2700
Graham Road Elementary School has a C-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services as well as a Spanish Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES). They also have after-school academic support and enrichment activities.
Address: 3020 Gallows Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042, United States
Phone: +1 703-204-8100
Luther Jackson Middle School has a B-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, after-school programs, and World Language Courses that include Spanish, French, and Chinese.
Address: 3705 Crest Dr, Annandale, VA 22003, United States
Phone: +1 571-226-2600
Mason Crest Elementary School has a B overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and before, during, and after-school activities.
Address: 7607 Willow Ln, Falls Church, VA 22042, United States
Phone: +1 571-226-4400
Pine Spring Elementary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 4/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Spanish Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Address: 3200 Westley Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042, United States
Phone: +1 703-241-5100
Westlawn Elementary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and music programs.
Address: 3401 Hemlock Dr, Falls Church, VA 22042, United States
Phone: +1 703-641-8200
Woodburn Elementary School has a C-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 2/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Spanish Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Alexandria Public Schools
As for public schools that service the Alexandria residents, Niche.com has given these schools a B-plus overall rating. The high school pyramids that serve the area include:
Edison Pyramid
Address: 5801 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310, United States
Phone: +1 703-924-8000
Edison High School has a B-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 4/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. U.S. News rates them as the 16th best public high school in Fairfax County.
Edison High School offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for its advanced students. They also have a Global STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Challenges Program (GSCP).
In addition, this school has an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program and a World Languages Program that includes Spanish, Chinese, Latin, and French.
Address: 5927 Westchester St, Alexandria, VA 22310, United States
Phone: +1 703-924-5600
Bush Hill Elementary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and before, during, and after-school programs.
Address: 3434 Campbell Dr, Alexandria, VA 22303, United States
Phone: +1 703-329-2100
Cameron Elementary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and engaging activities.
Address: 5720 Clermont Dr, Alexandria, VA 22310, United States
Phone: +1 703-921-2400
Clermont Elementary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Chinese Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Address: 6301 Beulah St, Alexandria, VA 22310, United States
Phone: +1 703-822-2200
Franconia Elementary School has a B-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 4/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and after-school programs.
Address: 6116 N Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22303, United States
Phone: +1 703-721-2100
Mount Eagle Elementary School has a C-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 2/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services as well as before, during, and after-school programs.
Address: 6301 Rose Hill Dr, Alexandria, VA 22310, United States
Phone: +1 703-313-4200
Rose Hill Elementary School has a B overall rating on Niche.com and a 4/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a two-way Spanish Immersion Program that involves a lottery process for students from K through 6.
Address: 4700 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310, United States
Phone: +1 703-313-3700
Twain Middle School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and World Language Courses that include Spanish and Chinese.
Hayfield Pyramid
Address: 7630 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA 22315, United States
Phone: +1 703-924-7400
Hayfield Secondary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. U.S. News rates them as the 17th best public high school in Fairfax County.
Hayfield Secondary School offers the Advanced Placement Program (APP), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and World Languages Program that includes Arabic, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Latin.
Address: 10100 Gunston Rd, Lorton, VA 22079, United States
Phone: +1 703-541-3600
Gunston Elementary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 6/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, a Japanese Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES), and after-school programs.
Address: 7633 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA 22315, United States
Phone: +1 703-924-4500
Hayfield Elementary School has a B-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 6/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and World Language Courses that include Arabic, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Latin.
Address: 7855 Morning View Ln, Alexandria, VA 22315, United States
Phone: +1 571-642-6300
Island Creek Elementary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and before, during, and after-school programs.
Address: 7137 Beulah St, Alexandria, VA 22315, United States
Phone: +1 703-924-7700
Lane Elementary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 6/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and music programs.
Address: 9298 Lewis Chapel Rd, Lorton, VA 22079, United States
Phone: +1 571-642-6000
Lorton Station Elementary School has a B overall rating on Niche.com and a 4/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and before and after-school enrichment programs.
West Potomac Pyramid
Address: 6500 Quander Rd, Alexandria, VA 22307, United States
Phone: +1 703-718-2500
West Potomac High School has a B-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. U.S. News rates them as the 23rd best public high school in Fairfax County.
West Potomac High School offers the Advanced Placement Program (APP), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and World Languages Program that includes Spanish, French, and Latin.
Address: 6701 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria, VA 22307, United States
Phone: +1 703-660-8300
Belle View Elementary School has a B-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, a Spanish Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES), and PTA-sponsored enrichment programs.
Address: 6925 University Dr, Alexandria, VA 22307, United States
Phone: +1 703-660-2900
Bucknell Elementary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, special education, and after-school activities.
Address: 8832 Linton Ln, Alexandria, VA 22308, United States
Phone: +1 703-619-2600
Fort Hunt Elementary School has a B-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 4/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, after-school programs, and extra-curricular activities.
Address: 6900 Harrison Ln, Alexandria, VA 22306, United States
Phone: +1 703-718-8000
Groveton Elementary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a mentor program.
Address: 2310 Nordok Pl, Alexandria, VA 22306, United States
Phone: +1 703-718-8300
Hollin Meadows Elementary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Chinese Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Address: 3415 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22306, United States
Phone: +1 703-718-7000
Hybla Valley Elementary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 5/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, after-school programs, and PTO-sponsored activities.
Address: 8428 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria, VA 22308, United States
Phone: +1 703-799-6100
Sandburg Middle School has a B overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and after-school programs and clubs.
Address: 8484 Riverside Rd, Alexandria, VA 22308, United States
Phone: +1 703-619-3600
Stratford Landing Elementary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 6/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a number of school-wide activities and events.
Address: 1205 Waynewood Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22308, United States
Phone: +1 703-704-7100
Waynewood Elementary School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and an 8/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and before, during, and after-school activities.
Mount Vernon Pyramid
Address: 8515 Old Mt Vernon Rd, Alexandria, VA 22309, United States
Phone: +1 703-619-3100
Mount Vernon High School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 2/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. U.S. News rates them as the 25th best public high school in Fairfax County.
Mount Vernon High School offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for 11th and 12th graders, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and World Languages Program that includes French, Spanish, and German.
Address: 5970 Meeres Rd, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060, United States
Phone: +1 703-781-2700
Fort Belvoir Primary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and before, during, and after-school activities.
Address: 5980 Meeres Rd, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060, United States
Phone: +1 571-982-1300
Fort Belvoir Upper School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 4/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and before, during, and after-school activities.
Address: 4015 Fielding St, Alexandria, VA 22309, United States
Phone: +1 703-619-2800
Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School has a C-plus overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Spanish Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
Address: 8410 Old Mt Vernon Rd, Alexandria, VA 22309, United States
Phone: +1 703-799-6000
Riverside Elementary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 4/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services as well as an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program.
Address: 9100 Cherrytree Dr, Alexandria, VA 22309, United States
Phone: +1 703-619-2500
Washington Mill Elementary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a two-way Spanish Immersion Program that involves a lottery process for students from K through 6.
Address: 2500 Parkers Ln, Alexandria, VA 22306, United States
Phone: +1 703-660-2400
Whitman Middle School has an A-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 2/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers after-school programs, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and World Language Courses that include French and Spanish.
Address: 8505 Highland Ln, Alexandria, VA 22309, United States
Phone: +1 703-619-4800
Woodlawn Elementary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 3/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and before, during, and after-school programs.
Address: 8718 Old Mt Vernon Rd, Engleside, VA 22309, United States
Phone: +1 703-799-2000
Woodley Hills Elementary School has a B-minus overall rating on Niche.com and a 2/10 summary rating on GreatSchools.org. This school offers advanced academic services, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, and a Spanish Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES).
New Construction
The downside of living in Fairfax County is there isn’t really a place to buy new construction since most of the county is already developed. Every now and then, there is new construction, but it’s mostly just existing properties being torn down by builders or investors.
So, if you’re interested in new construction and you’re willing to be a part of a neighborhood that’s undergoing transition, there are a few options in Fairfax and Alexandria that might work for you.
Fairfax New Construction
There are nearly a dozen new construction sites in Fairfax that are either in the middle of construction or coming soon. Just keep in mind that these new constructions are not going to be as big as the established communities in the area.
One example of a community with new construction is Pender Oaks, which is located in the heart of Fairfax and near the Penderbrook Golf Club. There are also single-family homes being built close to Penderbrook with a price range of about a million dollars.
Pender Oaks is a small area with just a few streets and has condos that start at $500,000 and townhouses that start at $800,000. Smaller areas like this wouldn’t have a lot of green space, but some may have amenities like a swimming pool, which is the case for Pender Oaks.
Alexandria New Construction
If you’re looking for new construction, you’re really not going to have a lot of options in Alexandria since everything in the area is kind of built out already.
As mentioned, there is new construction, but it’s either just a builder that purchased a preexisting farm or somebody who tore down an existing property.
So, if you prefer new construction and you don’t mind being a part of neighborhood revitalization, it’s best to look in the Mount Vernon, Belle Haven, and Fort Hunt areas in Alexandria.
Parks & Trails
If you’re someone who likes spending time outdoors, Fairfax and Alexandria both have plenty of parks and trails you’d surely appreciate.
Fairfax Parks & Trails
Having around 258 acres of parkland comprised of 25 parks with rentable pavilions, playgrounds, and athletic fields plus 28 miles of trails, Fairfax’s parks provide a lot of amenities for everyone to enjoy. Some of the parks and trails in the area include:
Daniels Run Park. This park has four entrances (Embassy Lane, Estel Road, Heritage Lane, and Tedrich Boulevard), and it features 48 acres of wooded parkland, a bike/hike/jog/walk trail, a picnic pavilion, and a small tot lot.
Providence Park. This park is located at 10715 West Drive, Fairfax, and it consists of 20 acres of parkland, a bike/hike/jog/walk trail, 3 grills, a rentable picnic pavilion, a playground, seasonal portable toilets, a large multipurpose field, and a tennis court.
Van Dyck Park. This park is located at 3720 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, and it has 36 acres of parkland, an exercise trail, 3 grills, 2 rentable picnic pavilions, a gazebo, 2 playgrounds, a skate park, a lighted outdoor basketball court, 4 lighted outdoor tennis courts, and 3 sand volleyball courts.
Alexandria Parks & Trails
As an active community with more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, Alexandria offers residents a chance to experience the great outdoors even without leaving the area. Some of the parks and trails in the area include:
Huntley Meadows Park. This park has three entrances with the main entrance at 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria. It’s the largest park operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority that includes 1,452 acres of parkland, a beautiful meadow, a pond for birders, and an entire boardwalk.
Montgomery Park. This park is located at 901 North Royal Street, and it features 2.01 acres of parkland, picnic tables, a water fountain, a shelter, a playground, parking, 4 lighted tennis courts, a tennis practice board, and a fenced dog run.
Mount Vernon Trail. This trail is nearly 18 miles long, which stretches from George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate in Alexandria and the Potomac River to the national monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C.
Recreation Centers
There are a total of 9 recreation centers in Fairfax County, which include tennis courts, football fields, soccer, indoor basketball, ice skating rink, full gyms, indoor swimming, and a whole lot more.
In all of the 9 rec centers, there are also gyms you can join as a Fairfax County resident, especially if your HOA doesn’t have one and you’re looking for a full gym experience. Some of these rec centers are near Fairfax, while three are located in Alexandria.
Fairfax Recreation Centers
Out of the 9 recreation centers in Fairfax County, several rec centers are located just minutes away from Fairfax, namely the Oak Marr RECenter, Audrey Moore RECenter, and Providence RECenter.
Oak Marr RECenter. This rec center is located at 3200 Jermantown Road, Oakton, and it features a new fitness center, 2 racquetball/wallyball courts, a golf course, and an 18-hole mini-golf. There’s also a heated Olympic-sized indoor pool with spa, beach and wading area, a diving complex, a sauna, and showers with fully equipped locker rooms.
Audrey Moore RECenter. This rec center is located at 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, and it has a swimming pool, diving boards, racquetball/wallyball courts, squash courts, a large gymnasium, a cycle studio, a dance room, a pottery lab and kiln, an arts and crafts room, a kitchen, and a senior center/teen zone.
Providence RECenter. This rec center is located at 7525 Marc Drive, Falls Church, and it includes a heated indoor pool, 2 spas, saunas, shower rooms, and locker rooms. There’s also a fitness center, 3 racquetball/wallyball courts, 20-plus cardiovascular machines, a pilates studio, a dance room, an arts and crafts room, and multipurpose rooms.
Alexandria Recreation Centers
Out of the 9 recreation centers in Fairfax County, three rec centers are located inside Alexandria, namely the Lee District RECenter, George Washington Rec Center, and Mount Vernon RECenter.
Lee District RECenter. This rec center is located at 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia, and it consists of a heated indoor pool, diving boards, a spa, locker rooms, a family changing room, saunas, showers, an outdoor sun deck, a grassed sunbathing area, racquetball/wallyball courts, dance/fitness rooms, multi-purpose rooms, a mezzanine, and a preschool.
On top of all that, the center has a soccer field with 2 overlay T-Ball fields, 2 football fields with 2 overlay softball fields, 4 basketball courts, 4 lighted tennis courts, a tennis practice wall, an amphitheater, a playground, and walking trails.
George Washington Rec Center. This rec center is located at 8426 Old Mount Vernon Road, Alexandria, and it comes with a heated indoor pool, a poolside spa, beach and wading area, saunas, showers, locker rooms, a fitness area, lighted tennis courts, and a picnic area.
Mount Vernon RECenter. This rec center is located at 2017 Belle View Boulevard, Alexandria, and it has a heated indoor pool, a poolside spa, a beach area with play features, locker rooms, showers, a sauna, a fitness center, a dance room, multipurpose rooms, and an indoor ice arena.
Restaurants
One of the greatest perks of living in Fairfax County is having close proximity to all the creature comforts you could possibly think of. There are restaurants in the area that are within walking distance or only require a short drive. Both Fairfax and Alexandria have lots of dining options you can try.
Fairfax Restaurants
Whether you’re craving local or international cuisine, restaurants in Fairfax have got you covered. Some of the top-rated restaurants in the area include:
Address: 3260 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Phone: +1 703-273-7600
Artie’s offers lunch, dinner, and drinks with a varied menu of local cuisine, American seafood and meat classics, vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free, and vegan options.
Address: 11901 Grand Commons Ave, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Phone: +1 571-522-6300
Coastal Flats provides lunch, dinner, brunch, and late-night meals featuring local cuisine, American, seafood classics, vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free, and vegan options.
Address: 11880 Grand Commons Ave, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Phone: +1 571-321-8000
Ozzie’s Good Eats is a great spot for pasta, flatbread pizza, and more. This restaurant offers lunch, dinner, brunch, and late-night meals that come with local cuisine, Italian, American, vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free, and vegan options.
Alexandria Restaurants
Regardless of what you’re looking for, there’s a lot of diversity in the types of food available in Alexandria. Some of the top-rated restaurants in the area include:
Address: Center, 5920, Alexandria, VA 22315, United States
Phone: +1 703-971-3202
Bonefish Grill is one of the main restaurants that people remark about in Alexandria. This restaurant serves lunch and dinner featuring American, seafood, and gluten-free options.
Address: 8741 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309, United States
Phone: +1 703-799-6577
Su Pollo is known for its authentic Peruvian chicken, also known as blackened chicken or charcoal chicken. This restaurant provides lunch and dinner with Peruvian and Latin cuisines.
Address: 7601 Fordson Rd, Alexandria, VA 22306, United States
Phone: +1 571-312-6690
Mamma’s Kitchen is a family-owned Italian restaurant that offers lunch and dinner featuring Mediterranean, Greek, Italian, pizza, vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free, and vegan options.
Shopping Centers
As far as shopping options go, Fairfax and Alexandria both have a variety of shopping centers to choose from.
Fairfax Shopping Centers
Whether you’re looking to shop or dine, Fairfax boasts of great shopping options. Some of the top-rated shopping centers in the area include:
Address: 4100 Monument Corner Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Phone: +1 703-222-4200
Fairfax Corner is a high-end mixed-use shopping center with some of the best restaurants in Fairfax, a movie theater, and big chain stores.
Address: 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA 22033, United States
Phone: +1 703-359-8300
Fair Oaks Mall has an upscale mix of more than 160 stores, services, and dining options. This place offers enjoyable special events and seasonal celebrations.
Address: 2910 District Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031, United States
Phone: +1 703-992-7832
Mosaic District is an urban shopping center that features national retailers, gourmet dining, and a movie theater. In Mosaic District, there are a lot of national and local shops along with boutiques, salons, spas, restaurants, cafés, and bars.
On top of all these shopping centers, Fairfax is also home to Cinema Arts Theatres, Army Navy Country Club, and the NRA National Firearms Museum.
Alexandria Shopping Centers
If you’re looking for a wonderful shopping experience, Alexandria has a wide range of shopping destinations. Some of the top-rated shopping centers in the area include:
Address: Kingstowne Center, Kingstowne, VA 22315, United States
Phone: (949) 588-7925
Kingstowne Towne Center features all big-box stores like TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and World Market. This town center also has a lot of small-owned restaurants with different ethnic foods to try.
Address: 6500 Franconia-Springfield Pkwy, Springfield, VA 22150, United States
Phone: +1 703-971-3000
Springfield Town Center provides a quality shopping experience, restaurants, a food court, a movie theater, and an open outdoor atmosphere.
Address: 1961 Chain Bridge Rd, Tysons, VA 22102, United States
Phone: +1 703-893-9400
Tysons Corner Center is one of the largest shopping centers in Fairfax County that comes with a distinctive collection of shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations. This shopping center has upscale stores, eateries, a cinema, and an elevated outdoor plaza.
In addition to these shopping centers, Alexandria, specifically Mount Vernon, was the home of George Washington. George Washington’s Mount Vernon is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Northern Virginia wherein you can tour the estate’s grounds, mansion, and garden while enjoying the view of the Potomac River.
Now that you have learned about the things to do in Fairfax and Alexandria, the next step would be to come to a decision.
All in all, Fairfax and Alexandria both have a lot to offer, but the choice between these areas still depends on your priorities as a homebuyer.
If you’re interested in working with us, fill out our Perfect Home Questionnaire, and we’ll schedule a time to meet online and answer any questions that you have about moving to the Fairfax County area.
Hopefully, when you’re searching for properties online, you’re using our website as well.
Conclusion
Overall, you have learned about the differences and similarities between Fairfax and Alexandria.
Which area do you prefer better?
We’d love to hear from you.
