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2021 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

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Best for Families
839 results

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  1. Bluemont

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    • 1 review
    #1 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Former Resident: I lived in Bluemont between 1985 and 2007. I walked to Ballston Metro station and rode in to DC for work. I liked being nearby to parks, a swim club and local stores. When we moved in, we had neighbors who worked as restaurant cook, laundry machine repair, and print shop. But within 10 years after moving in, we could have never afforded to buy there, and the population changed toward lawyers and techies.
    Read 1 Review

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 8,439 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  2. Waycroft/Woodlawn

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    #2 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 2,796 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  3. Broadlands

    • Suburb in Virginia
    • 19 reviews
    #3 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Current Resident: Community, landscaping are beautiful ,good public schools , have nice entertainment area , overall environment is really good for a family friendly atmosphere!
    Read 19 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 13,576 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  4. Dominion Hills

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    • 1 review
    #4 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Niche User: The only crime I am really aware of that is visible in the area is adolescent pranks and vandalism, which only happens rarely
    Read 1 Review

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 1,681 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  5. South Riding

    • Suburb in Virginia
    • 71 reviews
    #5 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Former Resident: We lived in South Riding for a time and if we ever moved back to the metro DC area we would choose South Riding again. Excellent pediatrician, close by to two hospitals and many other medical centers, great playgrounds scattered around, half of the properties on lining the South Riding golf course, two excellent daycares (Goddard and Primrose), Food Lion, Harris Teeter, and Giant to grocery shop at, excellent library close by in Stone Ridge, and good HOA. My only complaint is many of the properties are the biggest house you can get with almost no yard.

    Extremely diverse neighborhood, even within our little townhouse square, all neighbors were very friendly. The housing cost of this area is going up. We cannot afford the townhouse we sold a few years ago!
    Read 71 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 31,515 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  6. Donaldson Run

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    • 2 reviews
    #6 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 5,425 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  9. Woodmont

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    • 1 review
    #7 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Niche User: Arlington is a great area but it does have that snobby "typical nova" attitude about it.
    Read 1 Review

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 1,633 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  10. Riverwood

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    #8 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 1,633 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  11. Arlington Forest

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    #9 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 5,713 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  12. Arlington/East Falls Church

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    • 5 reviews
    #10 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Current Resident: I've lived here for about three years now and being the pessimistic and boredom prone person that I am, I have to admit that I love it here. It's a very nice and calm place (despite being so close to the metro station) with a very welcoming community. There are lots of stuff to do, too; the area is surrounded by cool stores.
    Read 5 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 7,132 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  13. Old Dominion

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    #11 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 3,619 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  14. Brambleton

    • Suburb in Virginia
    • 22 reviews
    #12 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Current Resident: I love living in Brambleton. It's a beautiful community decorated with landscape, but also has a modern hint to it. The houses range in vast building styles. There's a town center filled with coffee shops, restaurants, and even dentist offices. The people in Brambleton look out for each other, and are friendly and connected. There are multiple events, such as the fall fest, and farmer's market. The town center even decorates for Hanukkah and Christmas. Something I would like to change is bringing back the dog park and community garden. A couple of years ago, it used to be there, but people didn't use it a lot. Now, the land is being used for more houses. I would like to designate another area for dogs and a community garden, because I think it ties people of all ages together. Also, Brambleton's population has increased significantly, meaning more people will visit those areas if they were there. Overall, I love living in Brambleton with my family and friends.
    Read 22 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 21,358 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  15. Cherrydale

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    • 8 reviews
    #13 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Niche User: Although traffic may be a little rough during rush hour, this area is amazing! As a student I was able to network and volunteer with the EU and NIAF, as well as other non-profits, like PAVE. When my school had to perform at the Kennedy Center, I was just a metro ride away. Simply wonderful to live in an area so convenient, safe, and clean.
    Read 8 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 5,620 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  16. Stone Ridge

    • Suburb in Virginia
    • 19 reviews
    #14 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Current Resident: I Have lived in Stone Ridge for the past 3 years and it's a great place to raise a family and live without worry. There is a lot of growth and progress and many professionals that love living in the area. The trip to DC is not too bad as you have the Dulles toll road, routes 50 and 66. There is a bit of traffic but it's worth the travel.

    Stone Ridge safety is amazing and very happy to live here!
    Read 19 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 14,220 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  17. Short Pump

    • Suburb of Richmond, VA
    • 49 reviews
    #15 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Current Resident: Short Pump is friendly and a beautiful area to live in. It’s a peaceful and safe town to start a family and make friends. There are great quality schools from elementary to high schools. In addition, Short Pump is a lively community filled with a mixture of enjoyable activities, distinguished restaurants, and well-known stores. Most, if not all, neighborhoods are very family-friendly and have extremely low crime rates. If I had to name one flaw of the town it would be the lack of diversity; its, not the best place for meeting a variety of people and witnessing different aspects of life. However, Richmond City is only about a 20-minute drive from Short Pump, and the city is a growing area with an abundance of diversity. Overall, I enjoy living in Short Pump and there is never a dull moment.
    Read 49 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 28,328 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  18. Highland Park/Overlee Knolls

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    • 1 review
    #16 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Current Resident: Having lived in Highland Park/Overlee Knolls for 30+ yrs, I've enjoyed the "peance & quiet" and "walkability" of the area. Sadly, an increasing number of the original brick ramblers and 2-story colonial style homes built in the late 1940s/early 50s ... all sturdy & well-built ... are being sold off to developers for 'tear down' and replacement by HUGE McMansions taking up the entire lot size & selling for $1.5 million plus...making the neighborhood's affordability to first time home buyers problematic at best. The attendant cutting down of mature, 30+ yr old trees has also degraded the 'environmental' aspect of the neighborhood.
    Read 1 Review

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 3,116 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  19. Dover Crystal

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    #17 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 2,429 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  22. Highview Park

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    • 3 reviews
    #18 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Current Resident: Great neighborhood for families with kids. It’s a mix of single family, townhouses and garden style apartments. The schools are excellent. Most kids walk or bike to school which creates a friendly tight-nit community. Plenty of restaurants and nightlife in Ballston (some of which is walking distance).
    Read 3 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 5,035 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  23. Westover Village

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    • 6 reviews
    #19 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Current Resident: With quick access to Rosslyn and DC, Westover has the advantages of the other neighborhoods in Arlington with the added bonus of good restaurants within a few blocks and lots of green spaces. The local community group has worked with the county to avoid the creation of McMansions on small lots which has helped Westover retain the diversity that adds to the community. Arlington schools are great and well supported by the parents.
    Read 6 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 3,804 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  24. Gulf Branch

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    #20 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 3,102 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  25. Maywood

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    • 4 reviews
    #21 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Current Resident: Lovely historic community where everyone knows each other, strong sense of community, very family friendly, lots of front porch gatherings, neighborhood book club, neighborhood sing alongs, safe for kids to run free a little, walkable to grocery, pharmacy, restaurants. I love my neighborhood and my beautiful 1915 farmhouse!
    Read 4 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 1,374 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  26. Madison Manor

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    #22 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia
    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 1,587 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  27. Tara/Leeway Heights

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    • 13 reviews
    #23 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Current Resident: Great to live, raise a family, no crime.... Just perfect. I have lived there for 8 years and not a single complaint. Neighbors are very friendly, take care of their houses, landscape, trees.
    Read 13 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 3,699 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Radnor/Fort Myer Heights

    • Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
    • 2 reviews
    #24 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Former Resident: After living in midtown Manhattan for ten years, we lived in the Belvedere Condominium for five years on Oak Street. If you are making $175K + this is a decent place to live, but not a lot to do at night, but you can Uber to Georgetown or Old Town. There are only a few good restaurants within walking distance but being near the Metro, Safeway, and Target is great. There was a mugging on Oak and I saw a car vandalized - both of which happen in NYC, so rather surprised that the safety rating is so high. The Belvedere is not anything like a Manhattan doorman building (staff is arrogant & rude) but it covered all the amenities we needed: David’s small store/dry cleaners in the building, parking, pool/gym. If you want to get home quickly after work/near DCA this is your location. Getting a job here is extremely difficult for professional women over 45, so it was time for us to go when I hit my expiration date. Neighbors are nice, but expect artificially inflated egos for no reason at all.
    Read 2 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 13,944 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  29. Wakefield

    • Suburb in Virginia
    • 7 reviews
    #25 Best Places to Raise a Family in Virginia

    Current Resident: Wakefield is very small but it is quiet. You have to drive 30 minutes to get into the city. Everyone here is very friendly, when they driver by they honk their horns, smile, and wave. There is also no crime, everyone knows just about everyone.
    Read 7 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 11,554 Population
    View Nearby Homes
  30. Sponsored

    Cortona Academy

    • Private School
    • HERNDON, VA
    • 7-12
    • 22 reviews

    Senior: When I was younger, school was a source of confidence. I felt like I was good at it and could end the day feeling accomplished. As I got older, that changed. School became frustrating. It began to make me feel badly about myself. This was so discouraging and degrading. I started not wanting to go to school, not wanting to even try. My sophomore year I knew things had to change if I wanted to have a good future and go to a good college. We found Cortona Academy and, honestly, my life changed! Cortona Academy made me feel good about learning again and helped build-up my confidence. They made school less frustrating, making sure I understood something before moving on, making certain I had a strong foundation and could successfully tackle any subject put in my path. Cortona Academy helped bring up my GPA and, most importantly, helped me feel ready for college. I no longer feel discouraged; I no longer feel like I can't. Cortona Academy has shown me that I “can,” no matter what.
    Read 22 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 75 Students
    • 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  34. Review Your Area 

  35. Sponsored

    George Washington University Online High School

    • Online School
    • ASHBURN, VA
    • 8-12
    • 25 reviews

    Senior: I have been attending GWUOHS since 7th grade. I am now in 12th, so that's 6 whole years with them! Personally, I'm someone who likes to be challenged, so I have loved the rigorous education system that they've provided throughout the years. I also like having the freedom to go to school without the need to leave the house (of course, that's the situation for the majority of us now during this pandemic). Nevertheless, I appreciate having a much more flexible schedule due to this school's platform.

    I've had a slight issue with this school, however. I would recommend that GWUOHS provides better counseling from advisors regarding courses. I was unaware that the courses I was taking had caused me to advance by 1 year ahead of the other students who were in my same grade. I didn't learn until last year that I was required to return for my senior year for only 2 electives and my final Journeys Symposium class in order to fulfill the missing credits I needed in order to graduate.
    Read 25 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 147 Students
    • 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
  36. Sponsored

    St. Bartholomew Catholic School

    • Private School
    • BETHESDA, MD
    • PK, K-8
    • 28 reviews

    Parent: My son is in third grade at St. Bart's. We moved from an independent Catholic school and the change in his self-confidence was obvious right away. Class size is small, my son has a homeroom teacher and additional teachers for Spanish, Music, PE, library and computer lab. Although we don't need extra help in the classroom, I know resources are available for kids who have different challenges. Extracurriculars are provided through CYO or private companies and include chess, sports, science, robotics. The school body is small and teachers know all the kids by name. Recess is well supervised, and aftercare is fun. Hot lunch is catered and the caterer offers reasonably balanced meals. Uniform is easy, no jacket for the little guys in lower school! We'd love to see more after school activities being offered to the kids.
    Read 28 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 185 Students
    • 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes
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