Living in the desirable and nature-filled suburb of Newington Forest
Situated 20 miles south of Washington, D.C., Newington Forest offers a shady respite full of wooded walking trails away from the bustle of the big city. “You feel like you are nestled into a neighborhood, but not far from anything you would need,” says Fairfax County Chief of Staff Frank Anderson. “It doesn’t feel like you’re 20 miles from D.C. You really get the feeling that you are out in nature.” Two large outdoor spaces, Middle Run Stream Valley Park and South Run Stream Valley Park, serve the community, offering miles of trails along creeks and through wildlife habitats. In addition to this tranquil atmosphere, Newington Forest has a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of a possible 10, lower than the national average. While residents are never far from green escapes, they are also within reach of other suburban amenities. Retail centers and highways surround Newington Forest, allowing for both shopping and commuting benefits. As per the 2020 census, this Fairfax County suburb is home to about 13,000 residents, split into several single-family subdivisions and townhome communities.
Retail centers like West Springfield shopping center have a variety of restaurants and carry out options to fuel your evening in Newington Forest.
Middle Run Stream Valley Park offers walking and biking trails for Newington Forest to enjoy.
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Wooded trails and the Newington Forest Community Center
Newington Forest, true to its name, provides plenty of local forested walking and biking trails that give the community a sense of rurality in the middle of a suburb. The trail through Middle Run Stream Valley Park can be accessed from the cul-de-sac at the end of Wild Spruce Drive or from the Fairfax County Parkway Trail that runs parallel to Route 286. The 28-mile paved Fairfax County Parkway Trail extends from Great Falls to Fairfax County. Centrally located in town, South Run Stream Valley Park has a 4-mile trail that is part of the countywide trail system, meandering through the woods and along a creek. Nearby, South Run Ballfields hosts Little Leagues, and Newington Heights Park has a playground and tennis courts.
On the east side, Newington Forest Community Center has an outdoor pool where residents can become members and even join the neighborhood’s swim team, the Neptunes. The community center is also home to the Newington Forest Social Committee, which is part of the Newington Forest Community Association. The social committee plans and hosts events throughout the year, including an Easter Egg Hunt and regular bingo nights.
Middle Run Stream Valley Park offers Newington Forest residents a serene outdoor getaway for some recreation.
South Run Park in Newington Forest is a popular place to take your furry friends for a walk in nature.
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Townhome communities and Colonial-style subdivisions
Newington Forest offers a blend of housing styles, from townhomes to million-dollar single-family properties, most with HOA fees. Anderson notes that the homeowners association has been around for a long time and puts money back into the community. Residential lanes typically end in cul-de-sacs, and leafy trees provide shade, giving the community a quiet, secluded atmosphere. Common single-family styles include 2,000- to 3,000-square-foot split-levels and bi-levels built around 1980 and larger 3,000- to 4,000-square-foot Colonial-inspired Traditionals with attached garages built closer to 2000. Prices generally vary from $600,000 to upwards of $1 million. Buyers can also find Traditional-style townhomes built in the late 1980s or newer builds with Victorian elements and attached garages. Sizes range from 1,000 to 3,000 square feet, while price tags start around $450,000 and rise to almost $1 million.
Spacious townhomes with attached garages are sprinkled throughout Newington Forest.
Colonial-inspired single family homes line the streets of Newington Forest.
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Diverse student clubs in Fairfax County Public Schools
Students living in Newington Forest are served by Fairfax County Public Schools, which, according to Niche, receives an A and is ranked the No. 6 best school district in the state. “Fairfax County public schools are well known,” says Anderson. “The district is one of the 10 biggest in the nation, but the schools are constantly getting high marks for performance.” Students can begin at Newington Forest Elementary, which receives a B-plus, before progressing to South County Middle, which has an A. South County High School, which holds an A rating, offers a diverse array of almost 100 student clubs, including Bollywood Dance Club, Multicultural Student Union and Minority Arts Appreciation.
Find an engaging and inspiring educational journey at Newington Forest Elementary.
South County High School strives to give its Newington Forest students the best education they need to succeed.
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Saratoga Shopping Center and the town’s worship offerings
On the east side of Newington Forest, a popular retail area surrounds the area where Interstate 95 meets Fairfax County Parkway. Residents can run errands at Saratoga Shopping Center, which features a Giant, salons, banks, medical clinics, fast-food eateries and the family-owned Saratoga Pizzeria. A bit further east, Cerventes is a coffee roastery and espresso bar in wooded warehouse digs, and Bethak is a popular corner spot that serves Pakistani cuisine. Also in this area are Costco and Fair Winds Brewing Company, a spacious industrial brewery where the craft beer is made in-house. For more shopping and dining options, Springfield Town Center is about 5 miles away. There’s a shopping mall with department stores and chain restaurants, a Trader Joe’s and a Walmart.
Newington Forest is home to a diverse community, which is reflected in the variety of houses of worship throughout the area. The mosque, Masjid Noor, offers community programs and four Jummah Prayer services each day. St. Raymond of Penafort, a Catholic church with modern Roman Revival architecture, underwent interior renovations in 2021. Durga Temple of Virginia is a Hindu temple and the first of its kind in the country to be dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga.
A local favorite, Saratoga Pizzeria in Newington is a great place for lunch.
Springfield Town Center offers shopping, dining, and a lively night life for Newington Forest residents.
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Commuting on Fairfax County Parkway and Interstate 95
Residents can take Route 286, more commonly called the Fairfax County Parkway, to get to Dulles International Airport 25 miles north, or merge onto the Franconia-Springfield Parkway on the east side. Interstate 95 is also accessible from the east side of town, making the 20-mile commute into Washington, D.C. more manageable. Fairfax County Connector bus route 305 services Newington Forest, and there are several bike lanes throughout the community. At the south end of the area on the interstate, the Lorton Station provides Virginia Railway Express service. Passengers can head north to get to D.C. in forty minutes or south to reach Fredericksburg in an hour and a half.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
Video By
Maurice Boone
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