West Falls Church offers suburban charm outside of Washington, D.C.
West Falls Church is a suburban community with a central location inside the Capital Beltway, just over 10 miles from Washington, D.C. “The location is excellent. The road system is great, so it never feels like you’re dealing with D.C. traffic,” says Brenda Ureke, a real estate agent with Re/Max Xecutex with more than 40 years of experience. “If you want to go to the city, you can easily take the metro, but with so much to do in Fairfax County, everything you need is right here.” Offering a blend of urban convenience and suburban comfort, West Falls Church gives residents the ability to commute to D.C. and return home to a quiet community with tree-lined streets, traditional homes, and neighborhood parks — all within the highly rated Fairfax County Public Schools district. “Families will move here specifically for the schools,” Ureke says.
Housing options range from Cape Cods to condos, with a big price range
The community features a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and condos, reflecting its growth over time as Northern Virginia’s population increases. In more established subdivisions, Cape Cod, Colonial Revival and ranch-style date to the mid-1900s and sit on quiet, residential streets. Newer construction embraces elements of contemporary design, including a handful of custom-built properties. Prices for single-family homes typically range from $550,000 for smaller Cape Cods to $1.9 million for larger homes. Townhouses in West Falls Church generally sell for $600,000 to $860,000, while condo prices range from $270,000 to $520,000. Certain communities may require residents to pay HOA fees, although quite a few subdivisions don’t have HOAs.
Highways and Metro stations connect residents to D.C and beyond
While sidewalk-lined streets make it easy to walk to neighborhood parks, residents typically rely on cars for travel beyond West Falls Church. Arlington Boulevard provides a direct route to Washington, just over a 10-mile drive away, although rush hour traffic can complicate the commute. Those looking to escape the traffic can head to West Falls Church Station or East Falls Church Station, both less than 5 miles away, and take the Washington Metro into the city. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is within 10 miles of West Falls Church, and Inova Fairfax Hospital is less than 5 miles away.
Year-round recreation with parks, trails, and a local rec center
According to the Trust for Public Land, 85% of West Falls Church residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. “The people here are active and into exercising,” Ureke says. Local favorites include Roundtree Park, which features a rocket ship-themed playground, tennis and basketball courts and a picnic pavilion. It also has paths connecting to Holmes Run Trail and Holmes Run Stream Valley Park, where residents can go hiking or walk their dogs. For indoor recreation, the Providence Rec Center has a gym, racquetball courts and a heated pool where the county offers swimming lessons and aquatic exercise classes. Some subdivisions have their own community pools and parks. West Falls Church is also home to the Thomas Jefferson Library, and golfers are about 3 miles from the public Jefferson District Golf Course.
The Fairfax County Public Schools district serves the community
All residents live in the Fairfax County Public Schools district, though student pathways may vary based on their location within West Falls Church. One possibility is for kids to attend Westlawn Elementary School, which earns a B-minus from Niche, before moving on to the B-plus-rated Jackson Middle School and B-rated Falls Church High School. “The teachers at Falls Church High care; you can tell they really want to see the kids succeed,” Ureke says. Football is a big part of the community, and the annual Bell Game is a longstanding football rivalry between Falls Church High School and Justice High School. The tradition began in 1959, and each fall, the two schools compete to see who can take home a physical bell from a U.S. Navy battleship. Grace Christian Academy is a private school in the area, serving prekindergarten through eighth grade with an A-plus from Niche.
Access to some of the biggest retail destinations in Northern Virginia
Shopping centers along Arlington Boulevard offer access to everyday essentials. Graham Park Plaza includes a Giant and casual eateries like Latino Chicken Place and Celebrity Delly, known for its sandwiches inspired by movies, TV shows, and pop culture icons. Just under 5 miles away, the Mosaic District features a mix of retail and dining options, including Target, bartaco, and the Angelika Film Center. Residents are also less than 10 miles from Tysons Corner Center, one of the country’s largest malls.
Events in the City of Falls Church include a weekly farmers market
Residents live just outside the City of Falls Church, known for its vibrant community events. “There’s this great farmers market in the city on Saturday mornings,” says Susan Tull O’Reilly, a Realtor with Corcoran McEnearney who has nearly 30 years of experience selling homes in Northern Virginia. Held year-round in the city hall parking lot, the Falls Church Farmers Market features local vendors offering everything from fresh produce and pastries to artisan-crafted goods.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
