Moving to Reston, VA: Cost of Living, Commute, Reston Association and Things to Do
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Quick Answer: What Should You Know Before Moving to Reston, VA?
Last updated November 2, 2026
Short answer: Reston is an unincorporated planned community in western Fairfax County, founded in 1964 around five village centers (Lake Anne, Hunters Woods, Tall Oaks, South Lakes and North Point), with Reston Town Center as its urban core. Plan your budget around three costs: the home price (Redfin median $629,700, three months ending September 2026), Reston Association dues ($890 for 2026, $900 for 2027) plus any cluster or condo fee, and real estate tax of $1.167 per $100 of assessed value (Fairfax County $1.12 plus Reston’s Small District 5 levy of $0.047).
Two Silver Line stations, Wiehle-Reston East and Reston Town Center, connect Reston to Tysons, Arlington, downtown Washington and Dulles Airport. RA membership covers 15 pools, four lakes, more than 55 miles of pathways and over 1,300 acres of open space.
Reston quick facts:
- Founded: 1964 (Lake Anne was the first village)
- Government: no town government; Fairfax County services, Reston Association common land
- Reston Association assessment: $890 for 2026, $900 for 2027
- Real estate tax: $1.12 per $100 (Fairfax County, FY 2027) plus $0.047 per $100 (Small District 5)
- Pools: 15 outdoor RA pools, open in stages from May to September
- Lakes: Lake Anne, Lake Thoreau, Lake Audubon and Lake Newport (no swimming)
- Metro: Wiehle-Reston East (about 2,300 parking spaces) and Reston Town Center (no commuter parking)
- Schools: Fairfax County Public Schools, assigned by address
Buying or selling? Nikki Lagouros has closed 539 Reston home sales since 2016 (Bright MLS). See Reston, VA realtor Nikki Lagouros for her Reston sales data, fees and reviews.
Jump to: Cost of living | Living in Reston | Villages | Market | Reston Association | Lakes and pools | Commuting | Trails and parks | Food | Events | Schools | Development | FAQ
Sources: Redfin Reston housing market (September 2026); FFXnow, October 26, 2026; Fairfax County, FY 2027 budget adopted May 5, 2026; Reston Community Center, Small District 5.
Cost of Living in Reston, VA: Housing, Dues and Taxes
Short answer: on a home assessed at Reston’s $629,700 median, expect about $7,350 a year in real estate tax, plus $890 in Reston Association dues for 2026 ($900 for 2027), plus any cluster or condominium fee.
| Cost | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median home sale price | $629,700 (all home types, three months ending September 2026, up 5.2% year over year) | Redfin |
| Reston Association assessment | $890 a year for 2026; $900 for 2027 | Reston Association; FFXnow, Oct 26, 2026 |
| Fairfax County real estate tax | $1.12 per $100 of assessed value (FY 2027, down from $1.1225) | Fairfax County, May 5, 2026 |
| Reston Small District 5 levy (Reston Community Center) | $0.047 per $100 of assessed value | Reston Community Center |
| Example: tax on a $629,700 assessment | About $7,350 a year ($7,053 county plus $296 Small District 5) | Calculated from the rates above |
| Cluster or condominium fee | Varies by community; ask for the exact figure on any home | Each cluster or condo association |
Do all Reston homes pay Reston Association dues?
Nearly all of them. RA membership comes with the property, and dues pay for the pools, lakes, pathways, courts, open space and Walker Nature Center. Cluster and condo fees are separate and cover your own building, parking or common areas.
What does the Small District 5 tax pay for?
It funds Reston Community Center, including its theater, indoor pool and classes. Residents of the district get discounted RCC program rates and priority registration.
Is Reston more expensive than other Northern Virginia towns?
It depends on the home type. Reston has studio condos under $300,000 and lakefront homes over $1.5 million; in Nikki Lagouros’s own Reston sales since 2016, prices ranged from $148,500 to $2,350,000. Compare the same home type and fees, not just the overall median.
Sources: Redfin Reston housing market, three months ending September 2026; FFXnow, Reston Association approves new budget, October 26, 2026; Fairfax County News Center, Board of Supervisors adopts FY 27 budget, May 5, 2026; Reston Community Center, What is Small District 5; Bright MLS. Tax example assumes the assessed value equals the median sale price; actual assessments differ.
What It's Like to Live in Reston
Short answer: Reston feels like two places sharing one association: wooded, lake-and-pathway neighborhoods built from the 1960s on, and a newer, taller Metro corridor along the Dulles Toll Road.
The older Reston follows Robert E. Simon’s plan: village centers within walking distance of homes, paved pathways running through the woods behind houses, and small “clusters” of townhouses or houses with their own cluster association on top of Reston Association. Lake Anne Plaza served as old Reston’s town center long before Reston Town Center existed. The newer Reston, around Reston Town Center, Reston Station and Halley Rise, is mid-rise and high-rise: condo towers, offices, garages and wide sidewalks next to the two Metro stations.
Walkability depends on what you mean. Recreational walking is excellent almost everywhere thanks to the pathway network. Daily errands without a car are easiest near the Metro corridor and the village centers; many cluster neighborhoods still rely on a short drive for groceries.
Reston has no town government. Fairfax County provides public services, Reston Association manages common land and recreation, and the county-run Reston Community Center offers arts, aquatics and classes funded by a special tax district covering Reston.
Reston's Five Villages and Popular Neighborhoods
Short answer: pick a village first. Listings name the subdivision or cluster, but daily life is shaped by which village center, lake and Metro station you are closest to.
Lake Anne
Reston’s first village, built in the 1960s on the shore of Lake Anne, with a waterfront plaza, the Heron House tower, shops, restaurants and the Saturday farmers market. Lake Anne Village Center is a Fairfax County Historic Overlay District and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2017, so exterior changes inside the district go through the county’s Architectural Review Board. Nikki’s Forest Edge guide covers one of the earliest townhouse clusters nearby.
Hunters Woods
In south Reston on Colts Neck Road, Hunters Woods Village Center holds the main Reston Community Center building, with its theater and indoor pool. Nearby neighborhoods mix townhouse clusters, condominiums and single-family homes, with trail links toward the Glade and Lake Audubon.
South Lakes
South Lakes Village Center sits on South Lakes Drive beside Lake Thoreau, near Lake Audubon and South Lakes High School. Streets such as Purple Beech Drive include lakefront single-family homes on Lake Thoreau.
Tall Oaks
The smallest village, off North Shore Drive in north-central Reston. Its aging village center was approved for redevelopment in 2016, mostly as new homes with a small amount of retail, and demolition began in 2018.
North Point
North Point Village Center, at Reston Parkway and Baron Cameron Avenue, serves north Reston, where single-family neighborhoods are more common and Lake Fairfax Park and Lake Newport are close by.
Reston Town Center and the Metro corridor
Reston Town Center, Reston Station at Wiehle-Reston East and newer mixed-use areas such as Halley Rise and Sunset Station hold most of Reston’s high-rise condominiums and newer townhouses. This is where to look for walk-to-Metro living.
Reston Homes: Housing Stock and Styles
- Townhouse clusters from the 1960s through the 1990s, many with contemporary or modernist designs and shared courts and parking.
- Single-family homes, mostly colonials and contemporaries, concentrated in North Reston and around the lakes.
- Condominiums, from garden-style buildings near the village centers to high-rise towers at Reston Town Center and Reston Station.
- Newer construction, mainly townhouses and condos near the Metro stations, where Fairfax County’s plan directs most growth.
Neighborhood guides: Living in Forest Edge, Reston VA and Living in Reston Association neighborhoods (North Reston, Chestnut Grove and The Mercer). Nearby towns: Herndon and Vienna.
Reston Housing Market Snapshot
Reston market data, September 2026 (Redfin):
- Median sale price: $629,700, up 5.2% year over year (three months ending September 2026)
- Homes sold in September 2026: 245, down 13.5% from a year earlier
- Median days on market: 36, up 1 day from a year earlier
These medians mix condos, townhouses and single-family homes, so the figure for one home type in one village can be far from the overall number. Ask Nikki for a Bright MLS breakdown by home type and neighborhood before you make an offer or set a list price. Source: Redfin Reston housing market, accessed November 1, 2026.
Seasonal tips for Reston buyers: winter showings reveal sightlines, lake views and how close neighbors are once the leaves are down; spring rain is a good time to check drainage on wooded and sloped lots; and a weekend visit in summer shows how busy a home near a pool, lake or tot lot gets compared with a quiet weekday showing.
How Nikki’s listings compare with the market (Bright MLS, see Rankings & Data):
Is Reston a Good Place to Buy a Home?
Short answer: it depends on your budget, commute and appetite for association rules, and each one is easy to check in Reston.
Price: Redfin reports a median sale price of $629,700 for the three months ending September 2026, up 5.2% from a year earlier, with a median of 36 days on market. Condos, townhouses and single-family homes sit far apart within that number.
Fees: nearly every home pays Reston Association $890 for 2026 and $900 for 2027, and most also pay a cluster or condo fee. Budget for both.
Commute: two Silver Line stations, Wiehle-Reston East (about 2,300 parking spaces) and Reston Town Center (no commuter parking), run to Tysons, Arlington, downtown Washington and Dulles Airport.
Amenities: RA membership includes 15 pools, four lakes, more than 55 miles of pathways and over 1,300 acres of open space.
Rules: most exterior changes, including tree removal, need RA approval before work starts.
If those costs and rules fit your plans, ask Nikki for a Bright MLS breakdown by home type and village before you make an offer. Sources: Redfin Reston housing market, RA Pay Assessment, FFXnow: 2027 RA budget, Fairfax County park and ride. Updated November 2026.
*Bright MLS data for Nikki’s 36 closed Reston listings compared with the Reston market average. See Rankings & Data for the method.
Reston Homes for Sale
Current Reston listings from Bright MLS, newest first. Use the map to search by village or near a Metro station.
Reston Association: Dues, Rules and Cluster Fees
Short answer: almost every Reston home pays Reston Association (RA) $890 for 2026 ($900 for 2027), plus, in most cases, a separate cluster or condominium fee. RA dues buy free recreation passes; cluster and condo fees cover your own building or neighborhood.
- What RA covers: 15 pools, tennis and pickleball courts, four lakes, more than 55 miles of pathways, over 1,300 acres of open space and the Walker Nature Center. The 2026 rate is up from $848 in 2025.
- Renters: RA says renters living in RA properties are also members, with residency verified each year to get member rates on passes and programs.
- Exterior changes: most exterior alterations, including tree removal, need approval from RA’s Design Review Board or Covenants staff before any work starts, and applicants must notify at least three affected neighbors. Clusters can also have their own approved design standards.
- Courts: Autumnwood (11950 Walnut Branch Rd) has four lighted pickleball courts, and in August 2026 RA asked for feedback on converting its two tennis courts to pickleball.
Ask for both the RA and cluster or condo figures on any home. Nikki’s Reston Association guide goes deeper on dues, passes and cluster life. Sources: RA 2026 recreation passes, RA Design Review FAQs, FFXnow on Autumnwood courts. Updated October 2026.
What the 2027 increase pays for: Reston Association dues rise to $900 in 2027.
Reston's Lakes and 15 Pools
The four lakes
Can you swim in Reston’s lakes? Officially, no. Reston Association prohibits swimming in all four lakes, which are managed stormwater lakes. Locals will tell you plenty of people take a dip anyway on hot summer days, but it’s against the rules, so if you want to swim, Reston’s 15 RA pools are the way to go (RA lake swimming FAQ).
- Ice: skating, ice fishing and walking on frozen lakes are prohibited.
- Boats: hand-carried boats such as kayaks, canoes and paddleboards need a free General Lake Access Permit, available only to RA members. Gas motors are not allowed; electric motors are.
- Fishing and picnics are open to RA members and their guests.
The 15 RA pools
Autumnwood, Dogwood, Glade, Golf Course Island, Hunters Woods, Lake Audubon, Lake Newport, Lake Thoreau, Newbridge, North Hills, North Shore, Ridge Heights, Shadowood, Tall Oaks and Uplands. In 2026 the season opened May 9 with only North Shore and Ridge Heights (both heated), more pools opened on weekends from May 23, all 15 ran June 20 to August 21, and pools then closed in stages, with eight open through Labor Day and three into mid-September (RA 2026 pool schedule).
Swim team Saturdays: the Reston Swim Team Association (RSTA) runs a summer league at RA pools, and on meet Saturdays in June and July the host pools open late, at 1 p.m. (RA 2026 pool exceptions).
Commuting From Reston: Metro, Parking, Bus and Roads
Short answer: drive to Wiehle-Reston East if you need to park; walk or bus to Reston Town Center, which has no commuter parking.
Metrorail Silver Line
On WMATA’s weekday schedule for October 12, 2026, eastbound trains leave Reston Town Center at 7:00, 7:12, 7:24, 7:36 and 7:48 a.m. (Wiehle-Reston East two minutes later) and run through Tysons and Arlington into downtown Washington. Westbound trains continue to Dulles Airport and Ashburn. Monday through Thursday, the first eastbound trains leave Wiehle-Reston East at 5:02 a.m. and Reston Town Center at 5:13 a.m.
Parking at the stations
- Wiehle-Reston East: a county-owned garage with about 2,300 spaces at $4.95 a day (Fairfax County park and ride).
- Reston Town Center station: no commuter parking (WMATA).
- Reston Town Center garages (shopping, not commuting): first hour free, free weekdays after 5 p.m. and all day on weekends (Reston Town Center).
Bus
Fairfax Connector’s RIBS routes (Reston Internal Bus Service) circulate within Reston, and Route 559 links Reston Town Center and Wiehle-Reston East along Center Harbor Road and Wiehle Avenue. Route 552 was discontinued June 27, 2026 (Fairfax Connector schedules).
Driving
The Dulles Toll Road (Route 267) is the main east-west commuter road. The free Dulles Access Highway in its median is restricted to airport traffic by federal law and MWAA regulation, and using it to skip tolls (“backtracking”) can bring a fine and license points (MWAA). Residents have raised congestion and safety at Wiehle Avenue and Reston Station Boulevard during recent development hearings. Sample drive times, measured with Google Maps in October 2026 in light traffic and longer at rush hour: from the Reston Town Center area to Dulles Airport’s main terminal, about 7 miles and 12 minutes; from north Reston to Wiehle-Reston East, about 2.5 miles and 7 minutes.
Trails, Parks and Nature in Reston
- RA’s five named trails: the Blue, Green, Pink, Red and Turquoise trails, part of more than 55 miles of RA pathways, each with a guide and map on the RA Trails page.
- Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Dr): 72 wooded acres bordering Lake Audubon, with trails open dawn to dusk and the LEED Gold certified Nature House.
- Twin Branches Nature Trail: a dirt trail along a creek from Twin Branches Road to the W&OD near Sunrise Valley Elementary, continuing as the paved Glade path.
- Brown’s Chapel Park: fields, courts and a playground beside Lake Newport, around the 1879 Brown’s Chapel that was moved to Reston in 1968.
- Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Dr): a Fairfax County park with a lake, campground and The Water Mine family swimmin’ hole.
- W&OD Trail (NOVA Parks): the paved rail trail through Reston to Herndon, Vienna and Arlington.
- Reston Town Center Pavilion: outdoor ice skating in winter (the 2025-26 season ran November 7 to March 8).
Where Reston Eats: Long-Running Local Spots
- Lake Anne Plaza: Lake Anne Coffee House & Wine Bar (1612 Washington Plaza N); Café Montmartre (1625 Washington Plaza), a French bistro that is closed Mondays and Tuesdays; Kalypso’s Sports Tavern, a family-owned Greek and Italian restaurant on the waterfront; and Lake Anne Brew House (11424 Washington Plaza W), a nano-brewery taproom that opened in 2016.
- South Lakes: Red’s Table (11150 South Lakes Dr), overlooking Lake Thoreau.
- Hunters Woods area: Ariake Japanese Restaurant (12184 Glade Dr).
- Reston Town Center: PassionFish (11960 Democracy Dr) and Makers Union (1811 Library St).
- Just over the line in Herndon: Bobby’s Bagel Cafe at Fox Mill Shopping Center (2571 John Milton Dr). Its Reston North Point shop closed in 2024.
- Opening soon: Ebbitt House, from Clyde’s Restaurant Group, at Reston Station; its website now says early November 2026 (Nikki’s post on Ebbitt House).
Restaurants change hours often, so check each one’s website before you go.
Reston Local Insider: What Residents Talk About
- The golf course debate: the owners of Reston National Golf Course have filed plans to reconfigure the course and build 306 stacked townhouses on about 14 acres at its western edge. The group Rescue Reston opposes the plan, and Reston Association’s board backed expanded advocacy against it in 2026. If you are buying near the course, check the application’s current status with Fairfax County.
- Lake Anne air conditioning: the RELAC chilled-water system that cooled homes around Lake Anne for 60 years shut down in October 2025. On December 11, 2025, RA’s board voted to stop enforcing the deed covenant that barred individual AC units, and by early April 2026 RA had received more than 80 Design Review Board applications for new units. Buyers of older Lake Anne-area homes should confirm exactly how the home is cooled now.
- Who reviews development: RA’s board disbanded its Land Use Advisory Committee in December 2025 and now reviews major land-use issues itself.
- Farmers market: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon, April 25 to November 21, 2026, in the Lake Anne Village Center lot at 1609 Washington Plaza N, run by the Fairfax County Park Authority. No pets except service animals; there is parking along North Shore Drive.
- Airport noise: Fairfax County’s Airport Noise Impact Overlay District, drawn from MWAA’s Dulles noise contours, requires noise mitigation for new homes inside it. Check the county zoning map for any address, and see MWAA’s flight-tracking and noise tools before you buy.
- Library and community centers: Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr (a new library is planned in Reston Town Center North); Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Rd, with a theater and aquatics center; and RCC Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza.
- Stalled projects: the vacant office buildings at 1831 and 1861 Wiehle Avenue, once slated for senior living and apartments with a Fresh Market, were still standing in 2026 after the developer gave up control.
Reston Events Through the Year
- April: Celebrate Reston (formerly Founder’s Day) at Lake Anne Plaza; April 18 in 2026.
- Summer: free concerts from Reston Community Center, including Lake Anne Sunset Concerts on Wednesdays (June 24 to August 26 in 2026), Fab Fridays at Reston Station (May 29 to September 25 in 2026) and Reston Concerts on the Town at Reston Town Center (33rd season in 2026).
- Fourth of July period, 2026: Fairfax County’s drone light show at Lake Fairfax Park on June 27, Reston Station’s fireworks on July 2, and Herndon’s fireworks at Bready Park on July 4.
- September: Reston Multicultural Festival at Reston Town Center; its 25th year was September 19, 2026 (Nikki’s festival post).
- October: Rocktoberfest at Reston Town Center; October 10 in 2026.
- Day after Thanksgiving: Reston Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting at Reston Town Center, Friday, November 27, 2026, with the tree lighting at 6 p.m.
- December: Reston Association’s Winterfest, December 3 to 5, 2026.
Dates come from the organizers’ 2026 listings; confirm each year on the Reston Town Center calendar, Reston Community Center and RA Winterfest pages.
Reston Schools: Fairfax County Public Schools
Short answer: Reston is served by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), and assignments change street by street, so always check the exact address.
Depending on the address, the FCPS Boundary Locator assigns Reston homes for the 2026-27 school year to high schools including South Lakes High and Herndon High, and to middle schools including Hughes Middle and Herndon Middle. Elementary assignments vary even more from neighborhood to neighborhood.
Use the FCPS Boundary Locator before you buy, since the School Board can adjust boundaries. Official school data is in the Virginia Department of Education’s School Quality Profiles, and official crime data is published by the Fairfax County Police Department.
Reston Development Tracker: What Is Changing
Status as of October 2026; Lake Fairfax Business Center added November 1, 2026. “Approved” means a zoning or plan decision; construction can still be years away.
- Reston Town Center North (approved September 15, 2026): about 47 acres north of Reston Town Center, a county and Inova plan for a new Reston Regional Library, a replacement Embry Rucker shelter with permanent supportive housing, a recreation center, an athletic field, a future school, up to 1,000 homes and about 10 acres of open space around a 3.5-acre central green. Individual buildings still need approval (Nikki’s RTCN explainer).
- Crescent Apartments near Lake Anne (plan amendment adopted September 29, 2026): allows up to 30,000 square feet of non-residential space on the 16.5-acre site, opening the door to a larger Reston Community Center facility. It is a plan amendment, not a final approval; no developer has been selected (Nikki’s Lake Anne post).
- Lofts at Reston Station phase 2 (rezoning approved July 14, 2026): Pulte’s plan for about 158 homes (112 condos and 46 stacked townhouses). Residents raised parking, loading and traffic concerns; Pulte expects to start site work no earlier than the third quarter of 2027.
- Sunset Station (under construction): on the former Fannie Mae site at 11600 American Dream Way; the first townhouse building was finished in July 2026 of 82 homes approved in 2022.
- Lake Fairfax Business Center (Planning Commission recommended approval October 14, 2026): EYA’s plan to replace most of the roughly 49-acre office park off Sunset Hills Road with 956 or 1,042 homes and a site for a future school or park; the Board of Supervisors vote is expected November 17, 2026 (Planning Commission agenda, Oct. 14, 2026).
- Reston National Golf Course (proposed): 306 stacked townhouses on about 14 acres plus a reconfigured course; opposed by Rescue Reston and RA’s board.
- Halley Rise (revised plans filed July 31, 2026): a new owner proposed shifting future office space and the hotel site within the roughly 36-acre neighborhood.
- 1831 and 1861 Wiehle Avenue (stalled): senior living and apartment plans halted in 2026.
Official case files are on Fairfax County Planning and Development; news sources are listed below.
Moving to Reston? Work With Reston's #1 Realtor
Short answer: Nikki Lagouros is #1 in Reston by volume and units sold (RealTrends), with 539 Reston home sales since 2016 and 58 in 2025 (Bright MLS).
She lives in Reston, knows the clusters, Reston Association rules and resale paperwork, and helps relocation buyers from out of state tour, offer and close. See her Reston sales data, fees and reviews, or call 703-596-5065.
Reston Guides: Go Deeper
Hiring a realtor? Reston, VA realtor Nikki Lagouros: Reston sales data, fees, reviews and FAQ.
Go deeper with Nikki’s dedicated Reston guides:
- Reston Association fees and rules: RA vs cluster fees, Design Review, renters and the Lake Anne AC change
- Reston’s four lakes: rules, boat permits and buying lakefront
- Reston pools and swim teams: all 15 pools, season stages and swim meet Saturdays
- Reston development tracker: dated status of every major project
- Reston Metro and commute: station parking, buses and roads
- Dulles flight paths and noise: how to check any home with WebTrak
- Reston events calendar: festivals and concerts by month
- Reston Association neighborhoods and Forest Edge neighborhood guides
Next door in Herndon: Living in Herndon, Town of Herndon vs. a Herndon address, the Herndon development tracker, the Herndon events calendar and buying a historic home in downtown Herndon.
Latest Reston News and Updates
Nikki’s newest posts about Reston appear here automatically: development decisions, openings, events and market updates. See all posts in Local News.
Reston Winter Snow Forecast: Strong El Niño Outlook
WJLA’s Storm Alert Weather team estimates 10 to 20 inches of snow for the DC area this winter, with the best chance
Veterans Day 2026 in Reston: 5K and FCPS School Schedule
Veterans Day is Wed., Nov. 11. See Reston Town Center Run for Valor 5K details, what the 2026-27 FCPS calendar means for school that day and how to plan.
A Reston Office Park Could Become 1,000+ Homes. Here Is What Is Still Undecided
Quick Summary In this post: What is actually being proposed | Why the office park is emptying out | The data center
Watch: What Is It Like Living in Reston, VA?
Moving to Reston, VA FAQ
Is Reston, VA a good place to live?
It depends on your budget, commute and comfort with association rules. Reston offers two Silver Line stations, 15 Reston Association pools, four lakes and more than 55 miles of pathways, with a $629,700 median sale price (Redfin, September 2026) and RA dues of $890 for 2026.
What is the cost of living in Reston?
On a home assessed at $629,700, real estate tax is about $7,350 a year at $1.167 per $100 (Fairfax County $1.12 plus Small District 5 $0.047), plus $890 in Reston Association dues for 2026 and any cluster or condo fee.
How much are property taxes in Reston, VA?
$1.167 per $100 of assessed value: Fairfax County’s FY 2027 rate of $1.12 plus the $0.047 Small District 5 levy that funds Reston Community Center.
How much are Reston Association dues?
$890 for 2026 and $900 for 2027, approved with the 2027 budget in October 2026. Most homes also pay a separate cluster or condominium fee.
What does Reston Association cover?
15 pools, tennis and pickleball courts, four lakes, more than 55 miles of pathways, over 1,300 acres of open space and the Walker Nature Center.
Is Reston a town or a city?
Neither. Reston is an unincorporated planned community in Fairfax County. The county provides government services and Reston Association manages common land and recreation.
Is Reston considered Northern Virginia?
Yes. Reston is in Fairfax County, in Northern Virginia, between Herndon and Tysons along the Dulles Toll Road and the Silver Line.
What are Reston's five villages?
Lake Anne, Hunters Woods, Tall Oaks, South Lakes and North Point, each planned around a village center, with Reston Town Center as the urban core.
How do you commute from Reston to Washington, DC?
Take the Silver Line from Wiehle-Reston East or Reston Town Center through Tysons and Arlington into downtown Washington. Monday through Thursday the first eastbound trains leave Wiehle-Reston East at 5:02 a.m. and Reston Town Center at 5:13 a.m.
Where do you park for the Metro in Reston?
Wiehle-Reston East has a county garage with about 2,300 spaces at $4.95 a day. Reston Town Center station has no commuter parking.
How far is Reston from Dulles Airport?
About 7 miles and 12 minutes from the Reston Town Center area to the main terminal, measured with Google Maps in October 2026 in light traffic. The Silver Line also runs to the airport.
Can you swim in Reston's lakes?
No. Reston Association does not allow swimming in Lake Anne, Lake Thoreau, Lake Audubon or Lake Newport. Members swim at RA’s 15 pools.
What is Reston known for?
Reston is one of the country’s best-known planned communities, founded by Robert E. Simon in 1964. Lake Anne Village Center has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2017.
What schools serve Reston?
Fairfax County Public Schools, assigned by address. For 2026-27, Reston addresses are assigned to high schools including South Lakes High and Herndon High. Check the FCPS Boundary Locator for any address.
Do I need approval to change the outside of my Reston home?
Usually yes. Most exterior changes, including tree removal, need approval from Reston Association’s Design Review Board or Covenants staff before work starts, and clusters may have their own standards.
What is being built in Reston?
In 2026 Fairfax County approved the Reston Town Center North rezoning, a plan change near Lake Anne for a larger Reston Community Center facility and a second phase of Lofts at Reston Station, while a proposal for townhouses on Reston National Golf Course remains under review.
Who is the best realtor to help me move to Reston?
Nikki Lagouros of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty is #1 in Reston by volume and units sold (RealTrends), with 539 Reston sales since 2016 (Bright MLS). She lives in Reston.
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Reston Real Estate Expert Today
Nikki Lagouros is your trusted partner when buying or selling real estate in Reston, VA. Schedule a personalized consultation and take the first step toward a seamless and rewarding real estate journey. See the full Nikki Lagouros rankings and data.
Sources
Sources (last updated November 2, 2026): Fairfax County News Center, FY 27 budget and real estate tax rate (May 5, 2026); Reston Community Center, Small District 5; FFXnow, Reston Association approves new budget (October 26, 2026); Bright MLS Agent Awards Detail Report for Nikki Lagouros (November 2, 2026); Encyclopedia Virginia: Reston; RA Budget and Assessment Explainer; RA 2026 recreation passes; RA Design Review FAQs; RA open space; RA Trails; RA lake swimming FAQ; RA Boating; RA 2026 pool schedule; RA 2026 pool exceptions; RA Walker Nature Center FAQ; Friends of Reston (Nature House); RA Winterfest; FFXnow: Autumnwood courts; Fairfax County: Lake Anne Historic Overlay District; Virginia DHR: Lake Anne Village Center; Reston Now: Tall Oaks; Reston Now: Purple Beech Drive; Redfin: Reston housing market (September 2026); WMATA schedules; Fairfax County: Wiehle-Reston East park and ride; WMATA: Reston Town Center station; Fairfax Connector schedules; Fairfax Connector June 2026 service changes; Reston Town Center parking and events; MWAA: Dulles Access Highway; Lake Fairfax Park; NOVA Parks: W&OD Trail; Connection: Twin Branches Nature Trail; Fairfax County Park Authority: Farmers Markets; Lake Anne Coffee House; Café Montmartre; Kalypso’s Sports Tavern; Lake Anne Brew House; Red’s Table; Ariake (OpenTable); PassionFish; Makers Union; FFXnow: Bobby’s Bagel Cafe Reston closing; Ebbitt House; FFXnow: Reston National proposal; Patch: RA board and golf course; Rescue Reston; FFXnow: Lake Anne AC unit ban; FFXnow: RELAC shutdown; Reston Review: Lake Anne AC applications; FFXnow: RA land use committee; Fairfax County: Dulles noise contours briefing; MWAA: Dulles aircraft noise FAQ; Fairfax County Public Library; Reston Community Center; FFXnow: Celebrate Reston 2026; RCC 2026 summer concerts; Patch: 2026 July 4 guide; RTC Rocktoberfest; RTC Holiday Parade; FCPS Boundary Locator; Hunter Mill District: RTCN approved; Fairfax County: Plan Amendment 2026-III-UP2; FFXnow: Crescent plan amendment; FFXnow: Lofts at Reston Station phase 2; FFXnow: Lofts traffic concerns; FFXnow: Sunset Station; FFXnow: Halley Rise revisions; FFXnow: Wiehle Avenue Midline; Nikki Lagouros Rankings & Data (Bright MLS, RealTrends). Schedules, fees, events and case status change, so confirm current details with each source.
Header photo: Lake Anne Village Center, Reston. Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, M.D., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
*Bright MLS data for Nikki’s 36 closed Reston listings compared with the Reston market average. See Rankings & Data for the method.