Living In:
Vienna
Located in Fairfax County, Vienna is located 17 miles from downtown Washington, D.C. Living in Vienna offers its residents a relaxed, suburban lifestyle within easy access to the businesses and government agencies located in and around the nation’s capital. With highly rated public school options and a myriad of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks, Vienna is the perfect location to raise a family. It is often recognized as one of the best places to live in the nation by various publications, including Money magazine.
Europeans first settled the area in the mid-1700s. Prominent landowners included Colonel Charles Broadwater and John Hunter. In 1859, development spurred on by the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad (W&OD) reached the area and provided the impetus for growth into what would become the village of Vienna. Today, several historical markers in the town detail its Civil War history. Located in the heart of Vienna, the Freeman House was the polling place for the secession vote and was used during the Civil War by both sides as a hospital. Today, the house is a museum and gift shop.
Demographic data collected ahead of the 2020 census shows that Fairfax County is becoming a more diverse community. The number of Hispanic, Asian, and African American residents is steadily climbing. In 2020, Vienna-based Navy Federal Credit Union made the Forbes‘ Best Employers for Diversity 2020 list. The list was compiled based on key components such as employee input, board diversity, executive diversity, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. It was the highest Virginia-based company to make the list. Overall, Fairfax County had 13 companies make the list, which accounted for half of the DC metro area companies recognized
In addition to employee diversity, business is thriving in and around Vienna. Located in close proximity to the Dulles Technology Corridor, the area is known as a magnet for telecom and high-tech companies. Global companies such as SAIC, Hilton Worldwide, Capital One Financial, and Northrop Grumman are headquartered in nearby towns.
Retail remains strong as well. According to a recent report, nearby Tysons shopping mall (the largest in the DC metro region) has managed to weather the challenges many retail malls face by remaking itself into an “entertainment and lifestyle center with restaurants instead of just food courts, “experiential” stores like L. L. Bean or Apple, and a presence from upscale lifestyle brands like Lululemon and Peloton.”
The local housing market is primarily made up of single-family homes, including Craftsman, Colonial, ranch, farmhouse, modern contemporary, and Dutch Colonial styles. Luxury apartments, townhomes, and condominiums are also available. Whichever style of home you choose, the compact size of Vienna means that you are never far from a favorite local restaurant, business, or community area.
If you do need to travel by car, Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road/Maple Avenue) runs through Vienna and Interstate 66 and the Dulles Access Road are both easily accessible. Public transportation is provided by the Metro’s Orange line (the terminus is the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU station) as well as numerous Metrobus routes. The 100-foot-wide W&OD Trail provides 45 miles of paved trail ideal for bicycling, walking, running, and skating.
Would you like to learn how you can make Vienna your home? Please contact me today.