Can I also ask about Leesburg? ;) (Arlington, Fairfax: house prices, neighborhoods, buying)

[checkit579]

Someone just posted a similar question to mine and I didn't want to hijack their thread.

We're also looking at Leesburg, have small children (so good schools are a must), and hope to stay put for many years. The work commute, though, will go into Maryland.

We have NO interest in living in Maryland (BTDT). We prefer Loudoun County to Fairfax or Arlington. The thought right now is to go North through Point of Rocks to Gaithersburg area, which is why Leesburg is more appealing than, say, Ashburn. Not a fun commute, but doable.

The top price range for houses is mid-500s. For our situation, we think we'd prefer being located north of downtown as opposed to south.

Neighborhoods to recommend??

[mac10]

North of downtown Leesburg is quite rural. There are a lot of neighborhoods off of River Creek Parkway, such as Potomac Station, Lakes of Red Rock and Edwards Landing. If you take the back road will bring you to the Costco and back to 15 bypass. 15N can be quite slow in the morning if you get stuck behind a truck or slow car.

[mdcrim]

Do some research into the Limestone Overlay District if you are considering buying north of Leesburg. I haven't been following it a lot but from what I gather, there is a lot of limestone in the region and the area is susceptible to sinkholes and contaminated wells. Google it.

Regarding Leesburg itself, there is a community just south of Leesburg off 15 called Woodlea Manor that is very nice (not sure of house prices there). And mac10 made some good suggestions on other neighborhoods. Those are all very nice.

[checkit579]

I'll check out the neighborhood mentions and through some lurking here was a bit familiar with the limestone district issue. Thanks.

[Ashburnite]

Raspberry Falls is off 15 on the north side of Leesburg. There's another community in that area near Balls Bluff, a bit closer in to Leesburg. You also could try Potomac Station or Edwards Landing. I don't know what the housing selections are like in Lucketts but that is on the way to Point of Rocks from Leesburg.