One of the great things about having lived in Northern Virginia a good part of my life is getting to know communities from a variety of perspectives. Growing up it was watching homes being built, later as a homeowner is was being involved in school and community activies and and now as a Realtor® showing and selling houses in these same neighborhoods. Orange Hunt Estates
Orange Hunt Estates neighborhood that has always attracted military families due to its great commuting location to Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon and the other Military District of Washington installations. Metro Bus Service to the Pentagon runs through the neighborhood and both the Sydenstricker and Rolling Valley slug lines and commuter lots are close by.
The neighborhood is part of the West Springfield HS Pyramid and Northern Virginia Community College NVCC) in Annandale and George Mason University GMU) are easy to get to from the neighborhood. If you are looking for shopping the Huntsman Shopping Center features a Giant Food Store, Starbucks, Subway Sandwich Shop and Baskin Robbins.
You can ride your bike to the South Run Recreation Center and take the path to Burke Lake Park. Years of experience of weekend bike rides I can tell you that the hardest part of the ride is coming home up the hill back to recreation center. Round trip from our house and around the lake was 11 miles. If you like to swim residents have the choice of joining a number of pools including Orange Hunt Swim Club, Rolling Valley, Cottontail and Fox Hunt.
Charlestown
Another popular neighborhood is the Williamsburg style neighborhood of Charlestown. Featuring all brick townhouses ranging in size from 1200 SF to 2500 SF with brick enclosed courtyards this neighborhood is a surprise to many who find it. The HOA is responsible for all of the exterior maintenance of the homes, including a three year paint cycle for trim, brick courtyard wall, roofs, front yard mowing and trash removal.
Commuters can step outside their door and catch the Metro Bus (18G) directly to the Pentagon. Often drivers looking for slugs will pass by the bus stop and pick up a rider directly from the stop. However you can also head to the Cardinal Forest Shopping Center or Daventry for pickup. Bus service to the Franconia-Springfield Metro is available on the Fairfax County Connector and a drive to Fort Belvoir is less than 30 minutes.
Also located in the West Springfield HS Pyramid the neighborhood also offers the same proximity to NVCC and GMU. Owners can walk to the Cardinal Forest Plaza or Old Keene Mill Shopping Centers which feature a Giant Food Store, Whole Foods, CVS Pharmacy, Starbucks, Austin Grill and Washington Sport and Health Club.
If you are looking to get out and enjoy a run, walk or bike ride you can head to to Lake Accotink Park. The park is accessible through a back entrance off of Carleigh Parkway. Also close by is the Hidden Pond Nature Center, South Run Recreation Center and Wakefield Park with its skateboard park and top class dirt bike trails.
These are just two neighborhoods in West Springfield that offer a buyers great ammenities, ease of commuting and nearby shopping. For information on more West Springfield neighborhoods give me a call to talk about your needs and I'll introduce you to the wide selection of homes and neighborhoods that will be a match for you.
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