Several of Northern Virginia’s communities take top honors for best places to live in the nation in a recent report by CNN. Now, for those of us that live here, this likely comes as no surprise! There are a handful of reason that I think we’re second to none:
- Our schools are some of the best in the nation. Thomas Jefferson High School ranks #4 in the nation overall and Northern Virginia secures all 10 of the top 10 rated schools in the state!
- Our state parks system has been recognized in the past as the best in the nation;
- We’re driving distance from the mountains, the beaches and ocean, and if that isn’t enough, hop on a jet at one of the busiest international airports in the world!
- Loudoun County has world renowned wineries!
So, when CNN Money rated so many of our communities in their Best Places to Live, I can’t say that I was at all surprised!
- Ashburn takes a top spot as CNN notes: Even if you’ve never been to Ashburn, chances are some of your data have. It’s estimated that more than 50% of the world’s Internet traffic runs through Loudoun County, where Ashburn is located. The area is home to data centers for major companies like Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft. Ashburn has a high median income thanks to its abundance of well-paid technology jobs, but housing in the area is still relatively affordable.
- “Reston cracks the Top 10 with CNN saying, “Reston may be a planned community, but don’t expect cookie-cutter homes here. Thanks to famed master planner Robert Simon, houses of all shapes and sizes sit next to one another. Activities come in all stripes too, from an uber-urban downtown to 55 miles of bike paths, 52 tennis courts, and 15 pools. Thanks to Reston’s growing reputation as a technology hub near Washington Dulles International Airport, major firms have large offices here. Those who do commute to D.C. contend with traffic, but next year’s completion of the Washington Metro’s extension to Reston will help alleviate the pain.”
- Centreville sees some of CNN’s top billing, as they report “Centreville strikes the right balance for those who want to escape big-city life without sacrificing big-city job opportunities. Though the commute to Washington, D.C., can be lengthy due to traffic, Centreville is within reasonable driving distance of both mountain and beach getaways (it’s even easier to get far away: Dulles International Airport is minutes down the road). That’s not to say there’s no such thing as local traffic too — Centreville’s Little League team, recent state champions, has been known to draw quite a crowd.”
- Loudoun County takes the #1 spot for Best Job Growth! As CNN reports, “Got data? Loudoun County does. Lots of it. With its expansive fiber networks and a swarm of tech workers, it’s a major traffic hub on the East Coast. Major employers include Verizon Business and AOL, but the latest boom to hit this pocket of Northern Virginia’s high-tech economy? Data centers, which now occupy 4.3 million square feet in the county, earning Loudoun the nickname ‘Data Center Alley.’ Easy access to the nation’s capital and Dulles International Airport also creates opportunities for government and the airline and freight servicing industries. The planned extension of the Washington Metro into Loudoun, which recently got a green light for funding, is expected to lure more young professionals to the region.”
- Prince William County also boasts Top 10 ranking in Best Job Growth
To find out more about Northern Virginia’s housing market boom, check out Alex.LiveLoudoun.com and feel free to see what the area has to offer!
Alex Bracke, Realtor
Alex@E4Realty.com
(571) 393-1003
The E4Realty Group Partnered with RE/MAX Gateway – 42365 Soave Drive, Suite 200, Ashburn, VA 20148
