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Fairfax City, VA, Real Estate
The City of Fairfax is an independent city separate from Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. It's a small enclave that also goes by the names Old Town Fairfax, Downtown Fairfax, and Fairfax City. It sits only 17 miles away from Washington D.C, which makes houses for sale in Fairfax City a great option for those who have to commute. It has several beautiful parks and well-laid-out bike trails for getting around. The city also has a rich history and blends the old with the new. In the middle of Fairfax City is Old Town Square, where the community gets together for events and celebrations throughout the year.
Fairfax City History
Fairfax City was once known as the sleepy town of Providence. It wasn't until its dairy industry took off that the town was transformed into an exciting commerce hub during the late 19th century.
Fairfax City gets its name from Thomas Fairfax, who was given 5 million acres of land in the northern Virginia area by King Charles. What has now become Fairfax City was originally settled by farmers from the Tidewater region in the 18th century. The first land battle to take place in the Civil War took place in the city in 1861, also known as the Battle of Fairfax Court House. Two years later, a second battle took place that saw the defeat of Union troops and caused a delay to the movements of the Confederate cavalry, which affected Gettysburg a few days later.
In 1859, Fairfax was officially designated as the Town of Fairfax. In 1874, it was incorporated as a town and then incorporated as a city in 1961, when it was separated from Fairfax County and became an independent city.
One of the oldest historic buildings in Fairfax is what used to be the Fairfax County Courthouse, first established in 1742. The courthouse was moved to Alexandria in 1752, where they built a new courthouse. From there, the old courthouse building in the city changed hands a few times during the Civil War.
The Fairfax Public School building is the oldest two-story site in the city, having been built in 1873. It has been the home for elementary, special and adult education, as well as being used to train cadets in the police academy. In 1992, it was turned into the Fairfax Museum. There is also a town hall building that was built by Joseph Edward Willard in 1900 and gifted to the town and is now known as Old Town Hall, home to the Fairfax Art League and Huddleston Library.
Living In Fairfax City
The Fairfax City real estate market has a fairly dense suburban vibe with most of the residents owning their homes in Fairfax City. There is also a nice variety of parks, restaurants and shops, and the public schools are rated above average.
Fairfax has been rated 11 of 165 of the best suburbs for young professionals, 38 of 281 of the best places to retire in Virginia, and 57 of 165 of the most diverse suburbs of Virginia. In 2009, it was also voted third out of the 25 best places to live by Forbes Magazine. Homes in Fairfax are peaceful and just a short drive to D.C., where you have access to all the amenities you would expect to find in a cosmopolitan area.
With one of the best-ranked public school systems in the U.S., leading-edge facilities for healthcare, high rates of employment, a low crime rate, and many beautiful open green spaces, it's no wonder homebuyers love the houses for sale in Fairfax City and all they have to offer.
There is a wide variety of homes for sale in Fairfax City, including modern condos, single-family detached homes, large luxury estates, and townhomes. You can enjoy contemporary life living near the heart of the city or the peace of living in communities with lovely tree-lined streets and suburban lots that are beautifully landscaped. There is something in the Fairfax City real estate market for every budget and lifestyle.
Fairfax City has a livability score of 76 out of 100, with easy-to-access commuter options and public transportation, well-made lanes for bicycling, and grocery stores, restaurants, shops and other amenities within walking distance. You can easily visit popular sites such as the Center for the Arts and the National Air and Space Museum.
Getting Around Fairfax City
Fairfax City is served by the Metro Orange Line at Vienna Station, which is just a mile from the city limits. It's 17 miles from Washington D.C and has easy access to major roads, such as I-95, I-66, 395 beltway, and 495 beltway. Three miles south of the city is the Virginia Railway Express at Burke Center station. These routes give you convenient access to other areas of Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland. Homes in Fairfax City are also served by the Washington Metrobus and the city's own CUE (City-University-Energysaver) bus service.
The CUE bus service is a separate service from Fairfax County's Fairfax Connecter service. It's unique because it runs off of electricity, consuming much less fuel. It has two looped routes that run between the Vienna Metro station and George Mason University. On the east side of the city, you have Green Loop routes 1 and 2, which run counterclockwise, and on the west side, you have Gold Loop Routes 1 and 2, which run clockwise.
The CUE service also serves all of Fairfax City's major activity centers, such as Kamp Washington, downtown, Fairfax City Mall, the historic Old Town Fairfax, and Fairfax Circle.
Fairfax City Neighborhoods
There are many neighborhoods to call home in the Fairfax City real estate market, giving you a mix of suburban and urban options to live in. Houses for sale in Fairfax City have convenient access to the city center and its variety of amenities.
Fairfax City
To start off, we have homes for sale in Fairfax City, which has become one of Virginia's most loved places to live for all-ages households and young professionals alike. It has a diverse and vibrant community, bustling nightlife, historic and recreational parks and sites, coffee shops, restaurants, and convenient access for those who have to commute to work each day. It's also been rated as one of the best high school neighborhoods in the Fairfax City real estate market.
Houses for sale in Fairfax City are a mix of residential properties with elegant architectural styles, such as contemporary, colonial, ranch and split-level homes. A majority of the homes for sale in Fairfax City are located in single-family home neighborhoods, but you will also find condos and townhomes located in some of the mixed-use developments.
Residents can enjoy the small-town, laid-back atmosphere that City of Fairfax real estate has to offer, along with its amazing destinations that blend the old with the new. It's also an area where you can find many government-based jobs due to its proximity to D.C. Whether you are living in the heart of the city itself or just outside of its downtown section, there is a lot to enjoy and do, from its nightlife to its rich history.
Comstock
Comstock is a well-established townhome cluster in the Fairfax real estate market. In fact, it is one of the original quintessential townhome communities in the City of Fairfax. This small community is home to about 250 townhomes that were built during the 1970s. Homes here consist of two above-ground levels and a basement. There is a nice variety of home sizes and affordability options.
This neighborhood of the Fairfax real estate market is only two and a half miles from both the Annandale Campus of Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University. With the neighborhood being just outside of downtown, it gives you convenient access to one of Fairfax City's most eclectic shopping centers. It's also a few minutes away from I-495.
Cambridge Station
Cambridge Station was given the first Better Living Design Award in 1968. It consists of mid-sized family homes and townhomes for sale in Fairfax. This well-established community in the Fairfax real estate market is surrounded by parks, playgrounds, trails for hiking, large open fields, and sports courts. What you can't find in the neighborhood, you can find a short distance away in downtown Fairfax. Residents love that this neighborhood is clean and well maintained, and it has large yards, woods, trees and fabulous architecture.
Great Oaks
Great Oaks has many larger-sized family homes for sale in Fairfax and is a well-established community that was first built between 1973 and 1983. The 130 homes in this neighborhood have lot sizes between 3,400 to 4,800 square feet. While many don't have large yards, they do have a lot of outdoor space in the form of multi-level decks and patios. This community in the Fairfax real estate market is nestled among towering mature oak trees, giving it a feeling of living in the woods. Homes are earth-toned and made of brick and wood to blend in nicely with the green spaces.
Fairfax homes here are contemporary and come in 15 styles and a range of sizes. Great Oaks also sits across from the Army Navy Country Club and has been home to a number of military households through the years. The neighborhood has one road in and out of it, with cul-de-sacs branching off, so there is no through traffic to worry about.
One thing many of the residents love is how close Great Oaks is to downtown Fairfax, which is within walking distance. The location provides a nice blend of living in a suburban wooded area while still having access to the amenities that a city has to offer.
Ardmore/Joyce Heights
This is an urban neighborhood in the Fairfax real estate market with homes being primarily medium to large townhouses and single-family homes. The neighborhood was built between 1940 and 1969. Twelve percent of the residents are enrolled in college courses, so things tend to be quieter in the summer months. Ardmore/Joyce Heights has been listed as one of the best Fairfax real estate choices to live for college students.
There are a number of row houses and attached homes, giving many of the neighborhood's areas charm and ambiance. The styles of homes can change from one block to another, so there is a lot of variety.
Areas Just Outside Fairfax City
These are popular neighborhoods located just outside Fairfax City:
Mantua
Mantua is worth mentioning because it sits just on the outskirts of the Fairfax real estate market. Many residents love the area for its sense of community, making it a much sought-after place to live. It sits between Little River Turnpike and Route 50 and consists of single-family homes and midcentury architecture. It has a mix of styles, such as split-levels, ramblers, modern and colonial homes, many of which rest on a large lot of land. Being a much older neighborhood, everyone here knows their neighbors and the schools are highly rated.
Vienna
This is a lovely picturesque town just outside Fairfax. It's considered to be very walkable and also great for biking. It hosts yearly events, such as Oktoberfest, and has a lot of other great sites to visit. Everything you need can be found within walking distance, including restaurants and shops in the Vienna Shopping Center. You can also find many locally-owned shops throughout the area, and Fairfax is about seven miles away.
Vienna offers a lot for nature lovers. From ornamental gardens in the Meadowlark Botanical Garden to its sprawling gardens and walking paths, there are many breathtaking views you can enjoy. Homes here are primarily mid- to large-sized single-family homes.
Vienna has some of the best schools, including community colleges and universities. It's very community-oriented and has been rated as one of Virginia's safest towns. It's also good for commuters because it is only 15 minutes outside of D.C.
Fairfax City Housing Market
Most of the neighborhoods in the Fairfax real estate market are experiencing a competitive seller's market right now. Fairfax homes are ideally located close to D.C., and the population here has grown, so you will find home prices in some areas are on the higher side while still being cheaper than homes in D.C. Homes for sale in Fairfax include single-family home communities, as well as condominium communities and mixed-use developments.
Fairfax City Schools
If you buy a home in Fairfax City, you will have access to high-ranking schools, supported by their hometown communities and educational programs of the Fairfax County Public School District, which include:
- Fairfax High School
- Lanier Middle School
- Providence Elementary School
- Daniels Run Elementary School
Fairfax Academy for Communications and the Arts
Fairfax Academy is a school within a school, being part of Fairfax High School. Here you can take specialized courses alongside your regular school curriculum. Courses are taught by industry professionals and the focus is on getting students ready for college and preparing for a career in fashion, dance, photography or music. It has its own working television studio, a lab for editing and composing music, a language lab, and the county's only digital photography course. Facilities at the academy include:
- A professional lab for television production
- A professional photography studio
- A professional actors studio/music theater
George Mason University
This is one of the biggest universities in Virginia, home to more than 37,000 students from 130 countries. George Mason is known for its high-standard programs in law, business, economics, creative writing, and computer science.
Virginia International University
This university aims to offer a learning environment that is positive and of a high standard for students worldwide. The programs were created to allow for flexibility in order to help students create their own study path.
Real Estate Taxes
The property taxes in Northern Virginia can vary depending on what county and city you are in. There are situations where you may pay both city and county taxes. Property taxes for Fairfax homes tend to fall around the national average of 1.08 percent.
Are You Ready to Move to Fairfax City?
We've only touched on a few of the wonderful things you can do and enjoy living in a Fairfax City home. There are so many amenities that are within walking distance or a short drive away from Fairfax real estate, including gorgeous parks with walking trails, playgrounds and picnic areas, a thriving nightlife in Downtown Fairfax, and a rich history that will make any history lover happy. The Fairfax City real estate market has many neighborhoods and homes that will fit any budget. Its highly ranked education system and closeness to D.C. and other larger cities in Virginia make it a great option for households of all ages. If you're ready to make your move to a Fairfax City home, give our expert team a call today at 703-462-0700. We'll help you find your dream house for sale in Fairfax.