A lakeside community in northern Virginia
Residents don’t have to wait for the weekend to go fishing or boating in the northern Virginia suburb of Lake Barcroft. Originally meant to be a drinking water reservoir for the city of Alexandria in 1915, the land around the lake was developed into an enclave of mid-century modern homes in the 1950s. Strong community engagement led to the development of homeowner and management associations, which ensure the lake is well-maintained. HOA fees are kept relatively low, at about $41 per month, due to the community volunteers who are dedicated to maintaining the lake. “We all contribute to regular beach clean-ups where we muck out the lake and remove leaves,” says Katie Musser, the Lake Barcroft Association Manager. “We also make an event out of sand delivery day by hiding pennies for children to find, which helps spread the sand out on the beaches.” The neighborhood is only 10 miles from Washington, D.C., but locals enjoy peaceful lake life in Lake Barcroft.
Swimming, boating and fishing on Lake Barcroft
The namesake Lake Barcroft is the centerpiece for outdoor recreation in the neighborhood and is accessible only to residents who pay dues. “It’s one of the only swimmable lakes in the area, so it’s a rare attraction in Northern Virginia,” Musser says. The 115-acre lake has five sandy private beaches for lounging or swimming, and there are always lifeguards in the summer. Residents can fish for largemouth bass from lakeside docks or kayak across the freshwater. Power boats are also allowed, so lake days spent fishing, grilling and hanging out on pontoons can be frequent in the neighborhood. If they want to stay on land, locals head to Justice Park to play tennis or basketball. The park also has a baseball field with a batting cage and a picnic area close to the playground.
Mid-century modern homes on the lake
Waterfront properties and homes with shaded lawns fill most of the neighborhood, though there are condos to the north. Condos from the 1960s cost between $185,000 and $320,000. Many homes were designed by famous architect Charles Goodman in the 1950s, so Lake Barcroft has one of the largest collections of mid-century modern homes in the DMV area. These properties, along with ranches and Colonial Revivals built around the same time, cost between $750,000 and $1.5 million. Lakefront properties naturally run higher and are often priced between $1.6 million and $2.8 million.
Fireworks, games and beach clean-ups on Lake Barcroft
The community comes together for beach clean-up and sand delivery days and celebrates holidays with seasonal events. There’s an egg hunt for Easter in the spring and Independence Day fireworks over the lake on July 5th. The Labor Day Games are an all-day event with swimming and wheelbarrow races, sandcastle building, tug-of-war and a fishing contest. In the fall, costumed kids gather for the neighborhood’s annual Halloween parade, and the holiday season brings a Thanksgiving turkey trot and pictures with Santa. The association also has a newcomer’s club, which welcomes new residents with gift baskets and organizes an event for new members to mingle on the lake.
Restaurants in Annandale or Seven Corners
While Lake Barcroft does not have stores or restaurants, locals only have to drive 3 miles southwest to downtown Annandale or 2 miles north to shop or dine around Seven Corners. Fajitas on fresh tortillas and ribeye steak are favorites at Silverado, which immerses diners in a rustic Western experience with eclectic décor. Annandale also has several Korean barbecue joints, including Honey Pig BBQ and Kogiya Korean BBQ. Seven Corners has a plethora of recognizable chains, but there are also local spots like Bawadi Mediterranean Grill, which has a buffet where residents can fill their plates with falafel, hummus, kabobs and more. The Seven Corners shopping plaza has retail stores like Ross, Burlington, Barnes and Noble and Target, as well as Giant, a large regional supermarket. Nearby is Good Fortune Supermarket, an Asian grocery store stocking fresh seafood and produce.
Community engagement at Justice High
Kids can begin learning at Sleepy Hollow Elementary and advance to Glasgow Middle. Both schools earn B ratings from Niche. Older students can learn at Justice High, which is B-minus-rated and encourages community engagement with service-learning projects. Musser notes that high school students often provide concessions at some of the neighborhood’s annual events. “We have a good relationship with the high school and the other schools in the community,” she adds.
State routes connect to metro lines and interstates
The neighborhood is about 10 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., and commuters can drive about 3 miles north to get to the East Falls Church Metro Station. The station has a large parking lot, so residents can park before boarding either the Orange or Silver Line to head to downtown D.C. There aren’t bus stops in the neighborhood, but there are stops serviced by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to the north, along the Leesburg Pike. Though residents can usually expect traffic, driving around the DMV area is very common. The neighborhood is right next to Seven Corners, an access point where five roadways meet and form seven corners to route drivers throughout northern Virginia. Commuters can merge onto state and U.S. routes to make their way to major interstates, like Interstate 395, Interstate 66 and the Capital Beltway.
Wildlife and flood insurance
Though the neighborhood is situated in a dense suburban landscape, it’s not insulated from the features of lake life. “We do have a lot of wildlife. You’re immersing yourself more in nature when you live on the lake, so you’ll see deer, foxes, birds, frogs and turtles,” Musser says. She also notes that flooding is also a consideration. Residents are advised to invest in flood insurance, especially if they live on the lake.
