Are you ready to move to Reston? Great choice! This Washington, DC suburb with an urban feel has repeatedly landed on Money magazine’s list of Best Places to Live in America based on criteria including healthy economy, housing prices, low crime rate, and quality of life. We compiled this list of things you need to know when moving to Reston to ease the transition.
- Reston neighborhoods are diverseUnder the umbrella of the Reston Association, Reston’s diversity of housing options include 134 cluster associations, 30 condo associations, 4,800 single family homes and 17 apartment buildings. Neighborhoods include Lake Anne, Tall Oaks and the Uplands, Hunter Woods, South Lakes, North Point, and Reston Town Center. For each neighborhood, grocery stores, restaurants and retail stores are nestled in nearby Village Centers within walking distance of many homes.
- Education is excellentReston is part of the Fairfax County Public School system, considered among the best school systems in Virginia. FCPS schools in Reston include 8 elementary schools (Aldrin, Terraset, Sunrise Valley, Lake Anne, Dogwood, Hunter Woods, Forest Edge, and Armstrong), Langston Hughes Middle School and South Lakes High School. Graduation rates are above 85%.For higher education, Northern Virginia Community College’s Reston Center is part of the Loudon campus, offering things like classes, labs, and workforce training. Marymount University also has a satellite campus in Reston.
- Transportation is convenientReston gets high marks in walkability, not surprising since walkability was a key component in the development of this planned community. Bikers can also take advantage of the multiple paths that weave throughout Reston, including the W&OD trail, a 45-mile trail that stretches from Shirlington to Purceville. Reston residents needing to commute to other areas of Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC have access to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station and the upcoming Reston Town Center station. For air travel, Dulles International Airport is about 6 miles away. Reagan National Airport and Union Station are accessible by Metro.
- Shopping and dining choices are plentifulThere is no shortage of grocery stores around town. Large chains like Target, The Container Store, Best Buy, and Office Depot are just minutes from most residences. The centrally located Reston Town Center is the place to go for a one-stop shopping, dining, and entertainment experience. Here you’ll find restaurants like Morton’s the Steakhouse, Clyde’s of Reston, and McCormick & Schmick’s, and a host of retailers including the Apple Store, Victoria’s Secret, Sephora, Anthropologie, and Davelle Clothiers.
- Health care is easily accessibleWhether you need a general practitioner, specialist, eye doctor or dentist, Reston has it all! Practitioners have offices throughout the area, as well as on and around the campus of Reston Hospital Center. Reston Hospital is a full-service medical and surgical hospital, with 187 beds and a 24/7 emergency room.
- Spiritual pursuit is available Many religions are represented in Reston. You will find houses of worship for denominations including Presbyterian, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Jewish, Buddhist, Episcopal, and non-denominational.
Reston is a planned community established in 1964 and has evolved into a hip hub in Northern Virginia that combines a walkable downtown area along with parks, lakes, golf courses, and paths. Reston also features top-notch shopping, dining, and entertainment options, along with easy accessibility to the Nation’s Capital. We think you will enjoy your new home here!