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Is Reston VA a Good Place to Live?

Is Reston VA a Good Place to Live?

Reston is one of the most dynamic and enjoyable places to live in Northern Virginia.

I can tell you as a former resident and real estate specialist that this has a lot to do with it.

Should you be considering settling in Reston, I have put together some of the major reasons why Reston should be home to you whether you are moving from nearby towns or across the country.

Accolades

However, before we delve into what makes Reston so great, I’d like to let you know that I am not alone in acknowledging this.

Ever since its establishment as a community – officially founded in 1964 – Reston has been honored with various awards including:

  • • In 2018, Money magazine voted Reston Best Place to Live in Virginia.
  • • CNN and Money magazine rated it among the top eight best places to reside in America for 2012.
  • • Virginia Living Magazine ranked it second best tennis community in Northern Virginia
  • for 2012.
  • • US News and World Report named it among the greatest “brainiest” retirement sites nationally
  • in 2008

So What’s All The Fuss About Reston? Let’s Keep Going!

Over fifty-five miles worth of walk trails

This is at Walker Nature Center along a walking trail.

Being the largest planned community in America, there are more than fifty-five miles of interconnecting and well maintained trails within Reston. They are wide and paved with enough room for pets and bicycles hence one could walk from home to one of several shopping centers around here.

While on these paths, I have found parks, food or drink spots, private areas where I could feel close to nature as well as several friendly faces that needed no introduction whatsoever.

Forests Covering Over Two Hundred And Fifty Acres

If you’ve visited Reston, then you must have seen how wildlife encompasses every part of this neighborhood.

As members of Biophilic Cities Organization, Reston community is committed to saving wildlife. Restonite has nature as part of their daily lives.

Reston Town Center

There are lots of things to do and places to chill in the Reston Town Center.

An entire article could be written about the Town Center alone. And that’s not even enough!

It offers a number of luxurious restaurants with locals spots as well large staples. These include several high-end retail outlets, which feature great brands too. It also doubles up as a sculpture garden and central park among other acreages of greenery.

Even in winter it has a movie theater and an ice skating rink! Moreover, the Reston Town Center organizes several functions every year. For those interested in details about the town center I recommend they visit their website.

Jobs

Rolls-Royce, General Dynamics, Leidos, Learning Tree International and many others have set up shop here making it home for them because it is located within Dulles Technology Corridor. Also around the area there are large tech companies having offices in Reston.

This means you can live, work and play right here! However if you would like to move outside this expansive community there are many options available.

Take Metro

Wiehle metro station is significant for users who want to go somewhere else.

Reston has its own stop on DC Metropolitan area’s Silver Line at Wiehle-Reston East; however public transportation is also provided through RIBS bus system

The Silver Line has built a stop at Reston Town Center, meaning that one can move from Reston to other parts of Northern VA and DC very easily.

The Dulles Toll Road passes centrally through Reston with Route 7 crossing it as well thus you can drive your car, walk or use a trail by bicycle, bus or train to the place and out of it.

Pools, Tennis Courts, and More

Reston boasts of 15 community pools, 52 community tennis courts, and 1,350 acres of open-space public land. For kids there are also smaller “Quickstart” tennis courts for ages 10 and under.

It is also home to many other playgrounds and sports field facilities such as soccer fields, basketball courts like park and recreation areas where one can enjoy picnics. Moreover, living in Reston and being a member of the master HOA entitles you all these facilities! Visit the Reston Association for more info.

Nightlife in Reston

Who remembers Town Center? It’s not just fun during the day but the best place to spend your night out too especially if you live in the whole contentment area of Northern Virginia.

Reston has some of the best bars with best food around bar none.

So when you get tired of all those many bars throughout town center; go down to some other shopping centers or community malls where you will find a casual sports bar hanging around somewhere nearby or even take a trip down to historic Lake Anne for a late night walk on foot between bars which won’t be so bad after all!

Speaking about Lake Anne..

Activities at Lake Anne

Lake Anne houses both residents and businesses surrounded by its scenic environment.

Sometimes driving or walking through Reston feels like walking into one big forest because every forest has its own river.

That’s where Lake Anne comes in! Nestled among residential dwellings within Reston’s city, Lake Anne is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the US. In fact, townhomes and condos at Lake Anne were the first developments in Reston.

It offers a cozy village by the beautiful waterfront; its numerous shopping and eating places are all around it as well as its kind people.

Vernon J. Walker Nature Education Center

The forested area has 72 acres of trees here which make this nature center one of only 13 buildings in the world that have been granted such certification.

In addition, it is furnished with a picnic pavilion plus an open fire space, a Nature House whose walls carry various exhibits besides having a naturalist within, and children’s programs. As Reston has been known for its efforts to conserve forests by developing nature conservatory initiatives, Vernon J. Walker Nature Education Center is situated right at their heart thus making this small district very rich.

A few of them include:

  • • Induction into Biophilic Cities Network (2018)
  • • Tree City USA Designation (Reston)
  • • Fairfax County Land Conservation and Tree Preservation Award (2012)

Performing Arts

Performing Arts are treasured by Reston very much.

Since 1966 Reston Community Players have called this place home as for The Reston Chorale group it was founded sometime during late 1960s to provide amateurs and professionals alike with a platform to showcase their musical talents on stage.

All these groups plus many more offer free summer concerts at Town Center or Lake Anne!

Unique Architecture

Lake Anne townhomes have contemporary flair.

There are many types of properties in Reston, and there is something for everyone. If you walk along Lake Anne, you will find contemporary dwellings made of cement.

Examples include the Hickory Cluster by Charles Goodman with 90 townhouses.

Sense of belonging

I enjoyed living in Reston.

And I am not alone. Between the active HOA, unique things to do and places to see, quaint clusters of homes and it’s woodsy natural feel, Reston residents enjoy a strong sense of community.

In short, many of the Restonites with whom I have spoken about this love staying here.