FAIRFAX COUNTY Real Estate Market Activity Report
Reston, Virginia considered in Money Magazine's "List of Best Places to Live" (Ranked 7 out of 100).
Fairfax County lies due west just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. and was formed in 1742 from the northern part of Prince William County and named for Thomas Fairfax, the 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. The eastern portion of the county was the first area to be populated and George Washington made his home, Mount Vernon, there along the banks of the Potomac River.
Today, Fairfax is most known for its robust economy. Residents have one of the highest median incomes in the country which makes Fairfax County one of the richest counties in the country and it is second only to its neighboring Loudoun County. The federal government is the county's largest employer. Many of the residents work directly for the government or for one of the many companies located around the county which supply contractors to the government. Fairfax County is home to the CIA, NRO, NGA and is the corporate headquarters for SAIC, Oracle, Booze Allen Hamilton, CACI and many more local, national and international companies.
Near the center of it all is Tyson's Corner, the largest suburban business district in the nation with more than 25 million square feet of office space and soon to be connected directly to Washington D.C. with the construction of the Metro Rail extension that will have two stations there.
Tyson’s Corner is also home of two super malls, Tyson’s Corner Center and Tyson’s Galleria. Tyson's Corner Center is the 5th largest mall in the United States and is anchor by Bloomingdales and Nordstoms and supported by more than 300 specially retailers and a 16 screen, AMC megaplex complete with IMAX. The Tyson's Galleria, which is located directly across route 123 from the Tyson’s Corner Center, offers 120 more shopping options with some of the most luxurious retailers including; Burberry, Cartier, Chanel and Versace and some of the finest restaurant chains including; P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Maggiano's Little Italy, The Cheesecake Factory and Legal Seafoods of Boston.
The planned community of Reston is also located in Fairfax County. Reston was created in 1964 and became the model community for many communities around the country.
Located between Reston and Tyson’s Corner is the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Wolf Trap is a beautiful venue and performances range from country music to opera and juggling acts to Broadway musicals. The Filene Center pavilion is the major performance venue with seating for 7,000 in covered and lawn seating and performances are given nightly from May to September. The Barnes at Wolf Trap is another more casual indoor venue that operates throughout the year.
Fairfax County has an outstanding Park Authority which provides plenty of opportunities and amenities for your fun and fitness. There are nine recreation centers scattered throughout the county. Each with a variety of activities, sports fields and courts including basketball, tennis, indoor swimming, racquetball, squash and soccer. The Fairfax County Park Authority also manages 8 public golf courses, two of which are on the 100 must-play courses from GolfStyles Magazine (March 2006); Laurel Hill Golf Club and the Oaks Course at Twin Lakes. You can also find some overnight fun at the campgrounds located at Lake Fairfax or Burke Lake.
Take a drive around Fairfax County and you will see what makes it so special and why so many live, work and play here.