2022 Best Places to Buy a House in the Washington, D.C. Area

Stone Ridge

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  21 reviews

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 21 Reviews

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• 14,220 Population

Loudoun Valley Estates

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

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• 8,020 Population

Brambleton

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 4.39 out of 5  23 reviews

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 23 Reviews

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• 21,358 Population

South Riding

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  72 reviews

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 72 Reviews

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• 31,515 Population

Broadlands

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 4.4 out of 5  20 reviews

Current Resident: Community, landscaping are beautiful ,good public schools , have nice entertainment area , overall environment is really good for a family friendly atmosphere!Read 20 Reviews

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• 13,576 Population

Belmont

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  21 reviews

Niche User: I grew up in this area, and have watched it developed from quiet, rural suburbia to progressively up-and-coming town. It'll be interesting to see how the Ashburn, Virginia, area ends up in 3-5 years.Read 21 Reviews

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• 6,632 Population

Poolesville

• Town in Maryland
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  Rating 3.95 out of 5  19 reviews

Current Resident: Poolesville is a small town in Montgomery County. It has a welcoming atmosphere. As it is a small town, there are fewer shops and places to eat but our small business owners are friendly and resourceful. The only issue is that Poolesville is isolated by agricultural land and requires a short commute (30-45 minutes) to a nearby town...Read 19 Reviews

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• 5,191 Population

Waycroft/Woodlawn

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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• 2,796 Population

Clarksburg

• Suburb in Maryland
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  Rating 3.97 out of 5  67 reviews

Current Resident: The Clarksburg community is a very diverse and friendly area to live in. The community is new, the neighborhood is clean, and the schools are okay. Clarksburg is conveniently close to many shopping centers some even within walking distance. Neighbors are close-knitted and I've always felt safe in the area...Read 67 Reviews

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• 24,767 Population

Cascades

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 4.36 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived here all my life. Granted, that is not a very long time in the grand scheme of things. However, I do not believe I would have wanted to live anywhere else. This town is so welcoming. The high school is phenomenal, and the community is so loving. There are so many places to have fun, as well. I love to go to Cascades Overlook with my friends, even if the restaurants are closed, we love the atmosphere of that area and feel safe there. This town is very family friendly. There are so many different types of living areas such as traditional family houses, townhouses, and apartments. In every neighborhood I have seen in this area there is a nice park or playground nearby. I love being so close to Algonkian park. It is a staple when visiting this area. I bring friends from outside the area to the river. It is so nice to be so close to such an amazing regional park. I am so grateful to have lived here all my life and would not want it any other way...Read 14 Reviews

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• 11,389 Population

Franklin Farm

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 4.18 out of 5  22 reviews

Current Resident: Franklin Farm is an amazing place to raise a family. Our children are constantly outside playing with other neighborhood children. There are lots of community events include ice cream socials, an egg hunt, breakfast with Santa, fall festival and food trucks! The neighborhood has 2 very nice pools (with a great swim team), lots of trails, playgrounds and ponds. The schools (Oak Hill, Franklin and Chantilly) are some of the very best! The shopping plaza has a grocery store, a few restaurants and other fun stops for kids (game store, ice cream shop) within walking distance. You can’t beat the location. It’s easy to see why year after year it is ranked as one of the top places to live in VA!...Read 22 Reviews

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• 18,321 Population

McLean Gardens

• Neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Nearby Resident: By far, one of the most beautiful and safest neighborhoods in all of DC. In an extremely wealthy area, surrounded by ambassadors and Congresspeople, McLean Gardens is an ideal place to live for anyone at any age...Read 2 Reviews

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• 1,481 Population

Old Dominion

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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• 3,619 Population

Lowes Island

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, it is a very peaceful neighborhood and it has a lot of friendly people who are willing to step forward and help each other out. It is also very clean and organized, and there are a lot of dogs in the neighborhood!...Read 6 Reviews

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• 10,860 Population

Newington Forest

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 4 out of 5  17 reviews

Current Resident: Newington Forest is a neighborhood with good homes, but they are a little overpriced. Of course it is close to D.C., so that is sort of to be expected. The schools in the area are pretty good. The high schools and middle schools are markedly better than the elementary schools. The closest elementary school, Newington Forest Elementary, is very close and can be walked to from most houses in the area. It is currently being renovated. The neighbors are generally friendly, but there are some drug problems. We are close to many shopping centers, a few libraries, lots of parks, and a recreation center. There is a small playground in the neighborhood for children. Overall it's a good area...Read 17 Reviews

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• 12,373 Population

Dranesville

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 3.65 out of 5  26 reviews

Niche User: Not a lot of crime happens in our area, but whenever something does come up the police are very responsive and reliable.Read 26 Reviews

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• 11,661 Population

Alcova Heights

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Niche User: Love the area because there are plenty of attractions, restaurants, biking trails, and scenic waterfronts and other communities. Historical areas all around and you can easily get away from the area to nature...Read 4 Reviews

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• 2,002 Population

Darnestown

• Suburb in Maryland
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  Rating 3.88 out of 5  16 reviews

Current Resident: Great area. Quiet and friendly. Really enjoy nature and everything that the suburbs has to offer! Great food, great people and great schools.Read 16 Reviews

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• 6,462 Population

Independent Hill

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 3.74 out of 5  27 reviews

Current Resident: I love it, I've lived there my whole life. It's kind of like being secluded but still around a lot of things. 15 minutes in either direction is Woodbridge and Manassas/Gainesville which both have plenty of things to do. There are a lot of family friendly activities around the area. The schools are some of the best and newest in the county. I met a lot of good people and I have plenty of space to play with my siblings outside. It's a great place to live and I would recommend it to any family...Read 27 Reviews

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• 9,204 Population

Damascus

• Suburb in Maryland
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  Rating 3.88 out of 5  64 reviews

Current Resident: Damascus is a small town, with an inclusive community feeling. The community takes care of itself. I believe it is a safe community as it has a number of police officers living within the community; there are a number of educators that live and work within the local schools. Therefore the families are invested to ensure that the schools work. The rate of volunteerism is high within the schools and with volunteers to community organizations. Damascus has many families that have been present for generations. This is both positive and negative. It is positive in that there is generational wealth of traditions, and relationships, and commitments to maintaining the social and political landscape. This also has negative impacts to those of us that are first generations in Damascus. People do not openly and sincerely invite you to actively participate. This lends itself to not having a sense of belonging. The benefits far out way the negatives...Read 64 Reviews

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• 15,250 Population

Claremont

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA

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• 4,014 Population

Four Corners

• Suburb in Maryland
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  Rating 4 out of 5  12 reviews

Niche User: It's pretty safe. You do have a few crimes here and there, but nothing to be too concerned about.Read 12 Reviews

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• 8,246 Population

Farlington/Shirlington

• Neighborhood in Arlington, VA
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  Rating 4 out of 5  13 reviews

Current Resident: Fairlington (built 1940-'45) is just up the hill & walking distance from Shirlington restaurants, library, movie & live theater, shops & grocery store/pharmacy. F'ton has 2 distinct areas, North & South. Both extremely walkable, dog friendly (leashed), w/ abundant tree coverage & parking. So. Fair. units have more families, North more diversity. North was built taller & later than South. Red brick bldg. interiors often updated. North is 1 condo association; South, mult. associations.Negatives: condo dues $300-$400+ p/mo.; older construction; assoc. financial issues bear watching; increasing car traffic w/newer dev's.Additional Positives: Bradlee Shopping Ctr. nearby, new Alex West dev.; good access to public transit.Read 13 Reviews

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• 12,715 Population

North Potomac

• Suburb in Maryland
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  Rating 4.04 out of 5  78 reviews

Current Resident: The environment created within the North Potomac area is very welcoming and safe. The atmosphere in the neighborhood is friendly as all neighbor experiences I have had, have been positive. Furthermore, it is very close to grocery stores and main attractions, in fact it is less than a ten minute drive to the nearest CVS. I would recommend living in North Potomac to anyone, as the homes are beautiful and it is in an amazing school district...Read 78 Reviews

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• 23,914 Population

Kings Park

• Suburb in Virginia
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  Rating 3.55 out of 5  11 reviews

Nearby Resident: Quiet and nice neighborhood. Schools are great. There are several parks for children and a pool. Neighbors are friendly and helpful.Read 11 Reviews

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• 5,109 Population