Merrifield

Eat, drink and be merry in Merrifield, a Fairfax County community known for its Mosaic District, an urban shopping and dining complex that allows you to sip while you shop and features high-end apartment homes and town houses.

Home shoppers in Merrifield can choose from a mix of single-family homes, condos and town houses. At the lower end of the price range, you can get a two-bedroom unit in a condominium tower for about $550,000. Three-bedroom town house units tend to range from $630,000 to almost $900,000 depending on age and style of the building, as well as proximity to the highly desirable Mosaic District. Single-family homes, such as four-bedroom ranch styles from the late 1960s can run about $950,000. You’ll also see new construction in the area, including some contemporary-style estate homes and modern residences with farmhouse-style accents that are fetching $1.5 million and more.

Students residing in Merrifield are part of the highly rated Fairfax County Public Schools system, a district with an A rating from Niche and a student-teacher ratio of 14 to one. Fairhill Elementary School, rated A by Niche, has an active parent teacher association that welcomes students back to school with “popsicles on the playground”, a meet and greet event. The organization also sponsors an annual fall festival, bingo night and heritage night. Luther Jackson Middle School’s curriculum includes traditional core courses, world languages such as Spanish and Chinese, and CTE classes. At Falls Church High School, students can take traditional academic classes or sign up for the more rigorous dual enrollment and AP options. There are also many extracurricular activities available including special interest clubs in the areas of architecture, film making and astronomy. Additionally, the high school is currently under renovation and the Jaguars expect to return to a new building in the fall of 2025.

Merrifield is home to several outdoor recreational areas including Penny Lane Park, an urban-style park in the Mosaic District that offers outdoor seating, fire pits and foosball. If you’re looking for something a little more rustic, head over to Armistead Park, a small but well used space that is popular for walking pets. There are several other parks peppered throughout the neighborhood and Hannah Hutton with the Fairfax County Park Authority notes that all county park amenities are available to anyone regardless of residence. “Fairfax County Park Authority has 420 parks and 325 miles of trails,” she says.

For an afternoon or evening out, head over to the Mosaic District for a specialty red or white pizza from Pupatella or enjoy flame-grilled chicken from Nando’s. You can also sip your favorite cocktail from a participating restaurant while browsing popular stores such as Sephora, Bloomie’s and Barnes & Noble. You can also pick up a few essential items while you’re here at Mom’s Organic Market, a locally owned natural store, or restock the pantry at Target. Throughout Merrifield, you’ll find several other shopping and dining options including Safeway and Aldi and Glory Days Grill, a popular sports bar chain.

Another big draw for the Merrifield community is its accessibility. Washington is 15 miles away; Arlington is only nine miles away, and the Capital Beltway runs right through the area. Plus, Metro service is a short drive away at the Dunn Loring-Merrifield station. If you’re looking for a convenient community that offers a great school system and plenty of places to shop and dine, you’ll find a lot to be merry about in Merrifield.

Written By

Tina Davis

Video By

Jacob Cardwell