Fairfax Station

Few think of Northern Virginia as a rural place to live. Most picture the sky-high office towers and modern constructions typical of places like Arlington or Reston. But Farrs Corner, located in southern Fairfax County, offers a forested escape less than 30 miles from the nation’s capital. Here, a dense tree canopy lines two-lane roads, wooden picket fences surround multi-acre lots and there isn’t a strip mall for miles. Branching waterways and small ponds cut into backyards, and the sun shines onto long grass fields with scattered trees. While several parks are nearby and the Occoquan River encompasses the neighborhood’s southern border, it’s a short drive to the Burke Center VRE station or major roadways leading to D.C. “It’s convenient for families that have someone working in D.C. or on a military base down south,” says Realtor Wendy Wright with KW Metro Center, who has sold homes throughout Virginia, D.C. and Maryland. “You have the overall sense of being close to the city but still have greenery and grass.” Several public parks are within driving distance of Farrs Corner. The largest, by far, is Fountainhead Regional Park, covering 2,000 acres to the south along the Occoquan River. This forested expanse is home to the eastern stretch of the Bull Run Occoquan Trail, a nearly 20-mile riverside path for hikers and equestrians. “We also have mountain biking trails, but usually you want to check to see if those are open,” says Senior Ranger at Fountainhead Regional Park Noah West. “Our main attraction, however, is our marina, where we sell Jon Boats, kayaks, paddle boards and more.” That’s not the only spot in Farrs Corner where boating is popular. Sandy Run Regional Park has three boathouses and serves as a scholastic rowing facility. On its 2,000-meter racecourse, young rowers learn the sport, and high school teams compete. One must hike a long trail with roots jutting into the path to watch a regatta. Nearby, Burke Lake Park covers 888 acres to the north. Almost 5 miles of trails feature shimmering views along the shore of the eponymous lake. Park visitors can also set sail on the water, enjoy a ride on a miniature steam-engine train, grab a cone from the park’s ice cream parlor or play mini or disc golf. Those seeking a more traditional golf experience can head next door to the Burke Lake Golf Center’s 18-hole, par-three course and driving range. Farrs Corner occupies about 25 square miles of southern Fairfax County, north of the Occoquan River. Single-family homes from the mid-to-late 20th century are scattered around the area, including 1950s red-brick ramblers, 1970s contemporary constructions, sizeable Colonial Revivals and Tudor Revivals with timber-and-plaster exteriors. Some new builds featuring transitional and Craftsman designs are also popping up here and there. Many homes sit on generously sized, multi-acre lots. “Farrs Corner isn’t as congested as other Fairfax locations,” Wright says. “It gives you a little more elbow room with the average. Many neighborhoods have sidewalks or cul-de-sacs.” On average, Farrs Corner homes cost a little over $1 million. While older, smaller properties start in the low $600,000s, sprawling estates — say, a nearly 7,300-square-foot home on a gated, 7-acre lot with a pool and tennis court — can approach $3 million. Farrs Corner is zoned for Fairfax County Public Schools. Students can attend Sangster Elementary School, which receives an A from Niche, before Lake Braddock Secondary School, which serves seventh to twelfth-grade students. Niche gives Lake Braddock an A-plus and ranks it No. 2 in Best Magnet High Schools in Virginia. Their renowned theatre program has been regularly nominated for Cappie awards. A few commercial areas lie just outside Farrs Corner. Along Ox Road, there’s Huntsman Square, a shopping center featuring Starbucks, Baskin Robbins and a Giant grocery store. Several locally-owned businesses also operate here, including laid-back pizza and Chinese food joints. A few minutes south, the Shoppes at Fairfax Station offer big-name businesses like CVS Pharmacy and Orangetheory Fitness. Nearby Paradise Spring Winery is the closest winery to D.C., and Wright says, “It draws a lot of people from surrounding areas.” This 36-acre winery is family-owned and features a 1700’s log cabin. Farrs Corner is a car-dependent neighborhood. Virginia State Route 123, which links with U.S. Interstate 95, allows locals to reach Washington, D.C., in about 28 miles. The nearest VRE station is at Burke Center, about 6 miles north in Burke, Virginia. And when it’s time to fly, the Dulles International Airport is about 23 miles north.