Leesburg (downtown) - living there? (Reston, Chantilly: apartments, for rent, townhomes)

[walked]

I currently live in historic downtown Fredericksburg. I love the feeling of the historic buildings; having restaurants right next to me, foot traffic, all that.

I have received a job offer in Ashburn (intersection of Rt 7 and 28) that I cannot pass up. Simple as that.

So I've been looking at options, and commuting looks out of the question.

1) How is downtown leesburg compared to downtown fredericksburg? The pictures look similar; and I'm going to go check it out this weekend. But additional insight would be VERY helpful.

2) Assuming theyre similar:
- What do apartments run in HISTORIC downtown? Not a bike-ride to downtown, but akin to living above a shop or similar (which is what I do in Fredericksburg).
- How is the community? Fredericksburg has an actual community feel, outside of just looking cute. Is this present in downtown leesburg?

Finally, any resources for finding a place and/or apartments that I should AVOID AVOID AVOID?

[mdcrim]

I don't think there are any apartments above the shops or in the historic area of downtown in Leesburg but I could be wrong. You probably wouldn't want to live in the apartments on Plaza Street or up Edwards Ferry Road (or at least I wouldn't want to live there). There are cute townhomes near downtown but you'd have to find someone renting them out. It is a cute little town but it is very small. I'm not familiary with Fredericksburg but this historic part of Leesburg is about 10 blocks square and that's being generous. I don't find that the town of Leesburg has a community feel but I could be wrong. They do have a lot of functions (First Friday, parades, etc).

[stpickrell]

I've seen a few apartments above the shops along Market and King, and some of the older historic homes have been split into apartments. I don't know about availability or rents, though.

http://www.leesburgva.org/Modules/Sh...ocumentid=2141

is the outline of the historic district. It's more than 10 square blocks.

[mikebnllnb]

The one great thing about downtown Leesburg is the restaurants. Some very, very good restaurants.

[Mr Idealism]

There is NO comparison to a restaurant like Volt to Lightfoot or Tuscarora Mill. I like Leesburg for what it is, but it pales in comparison to Frederick. Good luck in your search.

[South Jersey Styx]

OP, have you done a search for apts in downtown Leesburg? I was down there the other day and when we drove out (west on the Rte 7 Business bypass), we passed some apts on the left. Can't remember the name but they were no more than 3 stories up, older but well-maintained (fr the outside) and brown.

Another suggestion is finding a room to rent in a house. Or someone might have a basement apt or 3rd flr loft-attic (a finished space oftentimes called a "bonus room), or finished room over a garage.

Since you're visiting, you might take a look at the places that have signs posted. I live in Winchester (which has a huge historic downtown) and some landlords out here advertise by posting "Rent" signs with nothing on Craig's List or the internet. Good luck!

[walked]

That's how I found my apartment in Fredericksburg - it was posted with a sign; no online listing or anything.

So I'm going to go seek that out when I visit this weekend - maybe just maybe I'll find what I'm looking for.

Winchester is also on the list; definitely a commute I'd do and the historic downtown appeals. How is the community? Close knit? Somewhat lively? Etc.

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by walked

Winchester is also on the list; definitely a commute I'd do and the historic downtown appeals. How is the community? Close knit? Somewhat lively? Etc.

You'd love it out here. I think it resembles Fredericksburg more than Leesburg (historic area is huge). It's a different world from NoVA (where we used to live). But your commute would be an hour or more (if the weather was bad).

It's doable though - we have one friend who commutes to Herndon every day. He leaves around 6:00am though.

Rent will be lower out here. And if you're interested in buying (esp a historic home), you could probably afford one out here.

[stpickrell]

Originally Posted by South Jersey Styx

You'd love it out here. I think it resembles Fredericksburg more than Leesburg (historic area is huge). It's a different world from NoVA (where we used to live). But your commute would be an hour or more (if the weather was bad).

It's doable though - we have one friend who commutes to Herndon every day. He leaves around 6:00am though.

Rent will be lower out here. And if you're interested in buying (esp a historic home), you could probably afford one out here.

I would not commute further in than Herndon/Chantilly from Winchester.

If you're ok with the Greenway and paying the Aussies $8 a day, then I'd consider Reston even up to Tysons if you get a decent schedule.

And yes, Winchester's historic area is larger than Leesburg's.

Leesburg is a historic core, with a surrounding ring of nice 60s/70s homes and strip malls, then vast oceans of subdivisions and big box malls.

I love working out in Leesburg, and getting to explore the town during lunch hours ... I think I will love living there even more.

[walked]

Thanks everyone for the insight.

There are definitely some above-shop apartments in Leesburg; but didnt see a single sign up for rent. Struck out there.

Going to go check out Winchester tomorrow. I can handle an hour long commute, no big deal.

Any other suggestions for places to live out that way (Ashburn job locale) if I like a little bit of charm/history where I'm at?