Herndon area Q's...

MLvK · May 2011

Hi ladies, I'm from the Atlanta board but starting to do some homework for a potential move to DC/Virginia area. What can you tell me about Herndon? Where are the good schools? What is centrally located, not a terribly drive to get to major shopping, etc? What areas should I avoid?

Thank you in advance!

smacb · May 2011

We live in Herndon. We just bought here about a year ago. It's Fairfax County schools. I think they're all fine. We like living here. We've found it to be conveniently located, family friendly and unpretentious. Honestly, I think as you srive around Herndon it's obvious which are the most desirable neighborhoods. Herndon isn't that big and any area is pretty close to good shopping. Reston Town Center and Dulles Town Center are close by.

inthewater · May 2011

Hi! And welcome! Are you living in Herndon itself or someplace close by to Herndon? I grew up in a neighborhood called Franklin Farms - when we moved there it was considered "Herndon". When the new Post Office came in, it's now in an area called "Oak Hill". I can tell you that Franklin Farm a great neighborhood. There is a local shopping center with a large grocery store there that can serve all your basic needs - if you're a food snob (which I'll admit I am), the neighborhood isn't too far away from Whole Foods (about 5 or 7 miles or so).

As pp said, there are plenty of great places in the Herndon area to live - I would stay away from anyplace by Alabama Avenue. I don't know if the area has been cleaned up much, but it wasn't too long ago that street was known to be a MS13 hangout. Not to offend any other people from the area but I personally would put a 1 mile radius around that street would be a safe area to stay away from. And again, based on where I grew up, I would recommend looking into the 20171 and 20170 zips.

I will tell you that Atlanta and Herndon are VERY different. My best friend that grew up with me moved to the Atlanta area a couple years ago. According to her, people in Atlanta are friendlier (i.e., the cashier will ask you all about what's going on in your life). People here are a little more private. In the neighborhoods you'll get the occasional good mornings on walks - but that's where it ends. That's not to say we're not friendly - just not as outgoing if that makes sense? She also told me that people here are more "keeping up with the Jonses" than in Atlanta - or at least the suburb she lives in.

Fairfax County Schools are in general fantastic - the county is always rated in the top 10 counties in the US. I have some biases in terms of HS - growing up it was kind of a known thing that you didn't really want to go to Herndon HS or South Lakes HS - perceptions may have changed now though. I can tell you that the number one ranked HS right now is Westfield's - but I think you need to live in the Centreville/Chantilly area for that (again - areas not too far away from Herndon).

In terms of traffic? Well - there's no avoidance of that. Rush hours start around 5:30/6 am and last till about 10 am and then start up again around 3:00 pm to about 7/7:30 pm. Until you know the backroads really well - the main roads are slow - it's not uncommon for a 20 mile commute to take an hour (usually more) to complete. Living in the area you will be really close to a lot of amenities no matter where you are - but you will be faced with traffic no matter where you are too.

Hope all this info is helpful!

MLvK · May 2011

inthewater:
Hi! And welcome! Are you living in Herndon itself or someplace close by to Herndon?
people in Atlanta are friendlier (i.e., the cashier will ask you all about what's going on in your life). People here are a little more private.
In terms of traffic? Well - there's no avoidance of that.
Hope all this info is helpful!

Thanks for the info. Zip codes help. We are not in VA yet. Its a potential move for us and we want to weigh our options. How much difference will the cost of living change make if we don't have to put our kids in private school. (GA boasts the 48th best school system in the US. YAY!)

As far as people being more private, thats ok with me. We moved here from NYC and the niceties down here take some getting used to.

Your traffic sounds comparable to Atlanta traffic.

kirstinanddave · May 2011

I grew up in Herndon, and I made the choice to raise my kids here.

In terms of what zipcode you want to be in--it depends on what kind of person you are. Almost all of 20170 goes to one high school, Herndon High School, and one middle school, Herndon Middle School. 20171 tends to split in to multiple high schools. Years ago some high schools were better than others, but things have certainly changed. Boundaries have been redrawn to make sure that various incomes are going in to each school. South Lakes used to be one of the least desirable, but they've redrawn the lines, and now a lot of 20171 will be going there which is sure to change things. I acutally went to Oakton, and grew up in Fox Mill Estates. You really can't go wrong with any of the schools in the area. Downtown Herndon is super cute, and has a great "small town" feeling. The previous poster is right, you should avoid Alabama, but take a drive around Herndon and look at the various neighborhoods. Franklin Farm and Fox Mill are large neighborhoods, and you're likely to find a lot of kids your children's age there. I've always found Herndon (within the town limits) to have a real sense of community. They have a well established youth sports program, multiple festivals, free concerts, great little restaurants, etc. I've always wanted to live right near downtown Herndon, and be able to walk to Friday Night Live (check out herndonrocks.com). You really can't go wrong in Fairfax County in general, you'll see what we mean.

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