Washington DC - Maryland - Virginia


Although relocating to Washington DC Area is exciting, it can be overwhelming as the commutable areas encompass a vast geographical space including: the District of Columbia, Northeast Virginia, and Southwest Maryland.

Overall, the United States Federal Government is largest influence but also important are research and development, trade, education, and tourism. Government and commercial offices have spurred high-rise centers in Crystal City, Reston, and Tysons Corner (VA) and Bethesda and Rockville (MD).

The Metro area boasts some of the most successful school systems based on SAT results and is certainly known for some of the top colleges and universities. For example, Fairfax County, Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland school systems are rated among the best in the nation.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates an extensive rapid rail transportation system (Metrorail) and an impressive Metro Bus System. Check out the link below for specific maps and schedules as the system itself is large, servicing most of the surrounding commutable areas.

Washington DC, the nation’s capital, is intersected by the Potomac River, with more than 8 square miles of water within its borders, and abounds with tourist attractions, including the Library of Congress; Kennedy Center for Performing Arts; the Mall; Capitol; White House; Lincoln, Jefferson, and Vietnam Veterans Memorials; Smithsonian Institution; Mount Vernon; and many others. Housing styles within the city limit are typically in condominium apartment buildings or townhouse/row house style homes making up approximately 60% renters and 40% homeowners of its 600,000+ full time residents.

Which popular suburban area of Northeast Virginia and Southwest Maryland your might choose is going to be based simply off of choice as each town has its own charm and appeal. Deciding factors might include state income tax and sales tax rates, educational needs, recreational activities and so forth. Your OneWorld Relocation Consultant will further assist you with narrowing your choices based on your criteria and refer you to a local real estate professional/s in the chosen area/s.

Although we do not endorse any particular real estate website, www.homesdatabase.com encompasses all commutable areas of Washington DC, as we therefore suggest you click on this link to perform a preliminary search based on your own needs. This might give you a better idea of styles and prices before your OneWorld Relocation Consultant refers you to a qualified real estate professional.

Tyson's Corner - Virginia
Please click here to download a printable version of Tyson's Corner.

Although relocating to Washington DC Area is exciting, it can be overwhelming as the commutable areas encompass a vast geographical space including: the District of Columbia, Northeast Virginia which is the focus of this brochure, and Southwest Maryland.

Overall, the United States Federal Government is largest influence but also important are research and development, trade, education, and tourism. Government and commercial offices have spurred high-rise centers in Crystal City, Reston, and Tyson’s Corner, Virginia and Bethesda and Rockville, Maryland.

The Washington DC Metropolitan area boasts some of the most successful school systems based on SAT results and is certainly known for some of the top colleges and universities. For example, Fairfax County, Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland school systems are rated among the best in the nation.

Washington DC, the nation’s capital, is intersected by the Potomac River, with more than 8 square miles of water within its borders, and abounds with tourist attractions, including the Library of Congress; Kennedy Center for Performing Arts; the Mall; Capitol; White House; Lincoln, Jefferson, and Vietnam Veterans Memorials; Smithsonian Institution; Mount Vernon; and many others. Housing styles within the city limit are typically in condominium apartment buildings or townhouse/row house style homes making up approximately 60% renters and 40% homeowners of its 600,000+ full time residents.

Popular neighborhoods to live within a short distance to Tyson’s Corner, VA

The Dranesville District of Fairfax County includes McLean, Great Falls, Herndon, and parts of Falls Church and Vienna. Each neighborhood has its own distinctive profile and charm, making the region one of the most dynamic places to live in Northern Virginia. Three of the more popular neighborhoods in which to live are listed.

Vienna has been named by CNN Money Magazine in 2005 the 4th best place to live in the entire United States. Vienna is valued for its jobs and schools, its high median income, and IBM, Capital One and AOL are among dozens of big-name companies with large operations in the area. And Washington DC is just 12 miles away.

Music, dance and opera run year round in both indoor and outdoor theaters at Wolf Trap, the nation's only national park for performing arts. The major communities that comprise the greater Vienna regional area include Dunn Loring, a residential community; Merrifield, which has a blend of residential and commercial areas; Oakton, which has a variety of housing; the Town of Vienna, which is residential with a small-town atmosphere and central business district; and Tyson’s Corner, an urban area that is the downtown of Fairfax County.
http://www.villageprofile.com/virginia/vienna/main.html

McLean is an area of Fairfax County where there is a warm and heartfelt “family” atmosphere. It is a unique portion of Fairfax County that boasts two of the largest regional shopping malls in the Washington metropolitan area, as well as a picturesque central business center that houses locally owned and operated businesses. The central business center is part of a revitalization area in Fairfax County, and over the last several years, there have been huge strides in achieving the goals set when the project was started.

McLean also hosts a wealth of opportunities for families moving to the area and has some of the finest public and private schools in the country, a local theater and art gallery, a wide-ranging public library system, numerous houses of worship, and a local orchestra and symphony. Also offering a remarkable array of sports and recreational facilities, both public and private. The Fairfax County Park Authority provides eight major parks, eight public recreation centers, seven public golf courses, and nine nature and historical sites (www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks).

Located just five miles west of Washington, DC, McLean boasts easy access in and out of the community via a host of transportation methods. A number of state and interstate expressways and major airports combine with rail and boating options to make McLean a simple origin or destination for any type of traveling — long or short distance. With a centralized location midway between New York and Miami and less than a day’s drive from anywhere east of the Mississippi River, McLean is a great spot for personal or business traveling.

McLean bisects the Interstate 495 beltway. Connections to other major thoroughfares (including I-270, I-95 and I-66) are simple and useful in accessing the Eastern Seaboard and the rest of the country. Air travelers are served by Dulles International and Reagan National airports, both less than 20 miles away. Each is one connection away off I-495, and both serve millions of travelers each year. The numerous traveling options include Amtrak, Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express train services and an array of bus choices.

Many residents who commute to Washington, DC and elsewhere in the area find that they can take advantage of McLean’s small-town ambiance while receiving a great deal more for their real estate dollar. Here, just west of the U.S. capital, everyone from young families to upscale executives to retirees looking to enjoy comfortable and active lifestyles finds great living in McLean’s pleasant neighborhoods.

Streams and wooded hiking paths leading to the Potomac and into rural Virginia, eclectic shops with a small-town atmosphere, a new Community Center and library, and cultural diversity highlight some of the reasons people desire McLean for their home. The excellent school system, premier athletic facilities, restaurants and night spots for all ages drive the real estate market here. Moreover, close proximity to Washington, DC and the amenities of a metropolitan base make McLean an attractive option for those who prefer the suburbs but occasionally like to venture into the big city.

Herndon is just minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport, the third largest Town in Virginia with a population of 22,000. It has become a hub for information technology with several companies located in Herndon at the forefront. Although Herndon has grown into a major Northern Virginia commercial center from once a charming bedroom community over the last 20 years, the Town has maintained its unique sense of community and small-town charm.

One of the best examples of Herndon's blending of commerce and character is the Herndon Municipal Center complex. The $16 million complex was completed in 1995 after more than a decade of careful planning to revitalize the historic downtown and ensure it would be a thriving "people place," reminiscent of Herndon's early, bustling days as a farming village. Each year, thousands of people enjoy a wide array of free concerts and special events held on the Town Green, including the Herndon Festival, Music Under the Stars, Friday Night Live, Labor Day Jazz Festival and Folk Festival.

Herndon has a variety of other outstanding recreational amenities -- nine parks, the Herndon Community Center, the W&OD Bike Trail and the Herndon Centennial Golf Course. There are more than 100 restaurants offering a delicious selection of international cuisine and hotels that make visitors from across the country and the world feel at home in Herndon.

The most anticipated annual event at the Town Green is the annual Herndon Festival held during the 1st weekend in June. It features a 10-K race, carnival rides, unique arts and crafts displays, fireworks, non-stop entertainment and a wide variety of foods. The Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce hosts a business expo that provides product and service information to the more than 80,000 festival attendees each year. Besides the festival, a July 4th celebration and a September jazz festival bring neighbors together. And it is common to see people sharing picnic blankets and baskets on the Town Square lawn enjoying free concerts on Thursday and Friday evenings from May - August.

Herndon is a vibrant and charming village that has all of the advantages that come with being at the heart of the technology revolution the nation is experiencing. This is a dynamic and exciting place to live, work and raise a family!

Transit

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates an extensive rapid rail transportation system (Metrorail) and an impressive Metro Bus System. Check out the link below for specific maps and schedules as the system itself is large, servicing most of the surrounding commutable areas. http://www.wmata.com/

Public Transportation
Fairfax County operates its own bus service called the Fairfax Connector. The entire Washington DC Tri-State Area is served by the Washington Metro or simply called the METRO. The Orange, Blue, Yellow and the planned Silver lines all serve Fairfax County. In addition, VRE (Virginia Railway Express) also serves Fairfax County.

Both the METRO as well as Metrobus (bus) services are owned and operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

Unlike the subway systems in cities such as Boston or New York, Metrorail fare is not fixed, but instead varies based on the distance traveled and the time of day. Riders enter and exit the system using a stored-value card in the form of a paper magnetic stripe farecard or a proximity card known as SmarTrip. Both methods track the balance paid to Metro, as well as the rider's entry and exit points.

Roads
Several major highways run through Fairfax County including the Capital Beltway (I-495), I-66, I-95, and I-395. The George Washington Parkway, Dulles Toll Road, and Fairfax County Parkway are also major arteries.

Air
Washington Dulles International Airport lies partly within Fairfax County and provides most air service to the county. Fairfax is also served by two other airports in the Washington area, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall
Airport.

Suggested Publications and Websites:

Not For Tourists Guide 

The Not For Tourists Guide to Washington DC divides the city into 46 mapped neighborhoods. Each map is marked by NFT’s user-friendly icons, which help locate the essential services and entertainment venues in the area. From bars, pharmacies, supermarkets, restaurants, pet stores, and parking lots to information on dog runs, airports, public transportation, and city events—NFT puts it all right at your fingertips. The DC guide includes sections on Downtown, the Greater District, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, as well as editorial on Parks & Places, Colleges & Universities, Sports, Transit, General Information, and Arts & Entertainment.