The Westerlies CondominiumsLocated on Westwind Way at the corner of Magarity and Anderson street in McLean, Virginia, the Westerlies is a 200 unit condominium complex situated near Tyson's Corner Shopping Center. The Westerlies are known as a contemporary and fresh community of townhouses throughout the McLean neighborhood. The Westerlies condominiums feature a variety of floor plans including 2 to 3 bedrooms as well as 1 to 2 full bathrooms. The layout of these townhouses offer an abundance of natural lighting and in many units most of the rooms are flooded by daylight. At the Westerlies, all of the exterior maintenance is included in the owner's monthly condo fees which is a money and time saving bonus for buyers who may not want to deal with the upkeep of a house. Other features include quick and easy access to all major highways such as I-495, Route 7, and the Dulles Airport Toll Road; and the West Falls Church Metro is approximately a mile away. Condo units feature high windows, kitchens with granite countertops, soaking tubs in the bathrooms, private decks, and most units are 2 levels. Finally, the Westerlies property also includes an outdoor pool, a children's playground, and a basketball court. Between the size, features, and floor plans of the Westerlies condominiums, as well as the great neighborhood that surrounds them, this condo community is a highly desirable place to live in Northern Virginia. View Larger Map Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||
The McLean House CondominiumsThe McLean House Condominiums are located in the heart of McLean, Virginia, and are one of the areas most sought after condo communities. Located at 6800 Fleetwood Road in McLean, this condominium community is a premier location in a unique area of Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. The McLean House Condominiums are located conveniently close to both the Langley and McLean Shopping Centers, and the surrounding neighborhood is home to a wide variety of restaurants, parks, banking centers, and grocery stores. The McLean House feature gourmet kitchens with granite countertops, specialized track lighting, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, walk-in closets, balconies, and a washer and dryer in each unit. Other facilities include basketball and tennis courts, a beauty salon, an exercise room, an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour security desk in the main lobby. The McLean House is located within a short driving distance of many of the areas major highways including I-495, the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and Chain Bridge Road. The McLean House Condominiums provide quick and easy access to a multiplicity of business and retail centers while also maintaining a calm, suburban appeal, making this condo community an ideal residential location in Northern Virginia. View Larger Map Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||
Alden Theatre hosts evening of free classical musicThe Alden Theatre in Mclean VA is an intimate performing arts center known for nearly perfect acoustics. The Alden Theater, located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue in McLean, VA, welcomes visitors. Some of the favorite programs at the Alden Theater include:
Alden Theater is hosting its 34th season of free classical music featuring professional
musicians who have won international recognition for their artistry. Don't miss the
Young Soloists Recital on Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. At this recital alongside
artists from the National Symphony, these performance that will showcase the talents
of local school-age musicians who are destined for musical greatness.
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||
Clemyjontri Park and Carousel
Clemyjontri
Park is a very unique public park. Like any other park, kids at Clemyjontri can
enjoy playground fun. But Clemyjontri is unique in Fairfax County because this is
a place where children with and without disabilities can play side-by-side. The distinctions are subtle: Clemyjontri Park is like any other playground, with swings, slides and fun play-equipment. But this park is design with simple changes such as swings with high backs for children who need extra support or nice wide colorful pathways. Most of the grounds are non-slip and with a porous design that provides a greater level of access for children. The playground has two acres of STUFF! Stuff to climb on, stuff to touch, stuff to read, do or create. Kids love stuff like the Rainbow Room; the Schoolhouse; the Maze, Picnic Area, Movin' and Groovin' Transportation Area; and the Fitness and Fun Zone. The pride of Clemyjontri is at the center of the park: the carousel! The kids that visit love the racetrack. The playhouses have crawling nooks and places to explore. Many children enjoy the balance beams. There are community areas, and places where kids can play alone. There are bright sunny places to play and shaded benches and play areas as well. An asphalt trail connects the site to trails that encircle the park. This playground is for all children. Help us keep it clean and safe.
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Clemyjontri
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About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria and Will Nesbitt Realty. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County. |
Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC
Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County ·
George Washington Parkway
The
George Washington Memorial Parkway, often called the GW Parkway by locals, meanders
through parks on both sides of the road and is usually within close proximity to and
sight of the Potomac River. The US Park Service maintains this and all parkways. Parkways
are designed to be scenic meandering roads with light traffic. Despite finding a path
through the most urban parts of Northern Virginia, the GW Parkway largely accomplishes
these goals.
Top posted speed on the Parkway is 50 mph, and cruising speeds rarely exceed this limit. On the other hand, even during the worst of rush hour, speeds are rarely less than 45 mph. Those who are unfamiliar with traffic in the national Capitol region might not fully appreciate what an accomplishment this is.
To put these numbers in perspective, posted speeds on I-495 (the Beltway) are generally 55 mph. Traffic on the Beltway often exceeds 65 mph, but during rush hour, there are several points where the traffic slows to less than 25 mph. The Beltway is bumper to bumper madness squeezed between concrete sound-walls, while the GW Parkway is an easy cruise along the Potomac. Is it any wonder why I love the GW?
The GW Parkway winds along the banks of the Potomac River, starting near Great Falls in Mclean and then travels downriver all the way to Mt. Vernon, George Washington's Mansion. The parkway is an ideal drive for a tourist or visitor who would like to see some of the best views and sites the area has to offer.
A broad well-maintain bike and jogging trail runs the length of the GW Parkway, and is well used by residents and tourists alike.
The GW Parkway runs from Mt. Vernon to Mclean and Great Falls through the Alexandria and Arlington. At it's southern end it meets Old Mount Vernon Highway. Upriver, it is connected by the American Legion Bridge to a continuation in Maryland on the Clara Barton Parkway. The GW Parkway provides excellent views that are impressive to even a jaded commuter.
A commuter will find this is one of the best routes around the nation's Capitol. As a result of this, or because of this, some of the priciest and most exclusive neighborhoods in Northern Virginia are found along the GW Parkway. Here's a sampling what's currently on the market in some of these neighborhoods along the Parkway.
- Mount Vernon
- Belle Haven, Belle View, New Alexandria
- Old Town Alexandria
- Rosslyn, North Arlington
- Mclean
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Northern Virginia's Roads
Northern Virginia's traffic is shaped by its proximity to Washington DC and proximity to several important job centers. The world famous Capitol Beltway (Interstate 495) circles DC like a wheel around a hub. The Beltway links Northern Virginia's suburban communities such as Springfield, Kingstowne, Braddock Road and Vienna to the transportation network. The Beltway generally moves at or above the speed limit most times and most days.
In Virginia, the Beltway travels from the American Legion Bridge upriver to the newly-rebuilt Woodrow Wilson Bridge downriver. At each bridge the Beltway enters Maryland. In Maryland the Beltway loops around DC creating a complete route.
There are several important job centers along 495, such as Tysons Corner. Tysons Corner is poorly served by mass transit and there are regularly scheduled traffic jams at Tysons every rush hour. In addition, the bridges are choke-points for traffic entering and leaving Virginia at the American Legion Bridge and at the recently re-built Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
Traffic into Maryland at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge favors Virginia commuters heading into Maryland. Commuters from Virginia generally won't have much trouble reaching Andrews AFB, the Census Bureau, etc. Conversely, the evening approach to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge backs up with Maryland residents heading home from jos in Virginia. This problem should soon be alleviated greatly as the new bridge comes completely online.
The American Legion Bridge serves many Virginia commuters headed for Rockville, Silver Spring, etc. This burden, coupled with its proximity to Tysons Corner causes the Beltway to slow during rush hour.
The Beltway loops around DC like a wheel around a hub. Many roads and rails in the area link to DC like spokes on that wheel. There are many of these spokes, but in Virginia there are three primary corridors from DC: I-66, I-395, and US 1 together with the GW Parkway.
66 Corridor and Orange Line
I-66 is HOV only during rush hour, but other routes (such as 50, 29 & 28) parallel the interstate as it approaches DC. Taken as a whole this road system can carry a tremendous amount of traffic, but it slows considerably during rush hour.
The 66 corridor is also served by the Orange Line, with Metro stops in Arlington at Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston (and more). The Orange Line continues through West Falls Church and then into Fairfax County with a terminal station at Vienna. 66 is used by commuters in Fairfax, Centreville, Manassas and beyond to the hinterlands.
In addition to the routes mentioned above, outside the Beltway 66 is supported by the Dulles Tollroad, which links the area to Dulles Airport and outlying suburbs such as Herndon, Reston and beyond.
I-395
Interstate 395 doesn't have a Metro train service but it carries a massive load of traffic none-the-less. In addition to its 8 to 10 lanes of traffic, 395 has an extra 3 lanes of HOV that switch direction depending on the hour of the day. 395 leaves DC between the Pentagon and Crystal City (both in Arlington) and on the way out to I-95 and the Beltway at Springfield, I 395 passes Shirlington, Landmark, East Falls Church and other neighborhoods.
Traffic on 395 is nearly always heavy but only slows during rush hour.
George Washington Parkway, Rt. 1 and the Yellow & Blue Lines
North of the Key Bridge, the 4 to 6 lanes of the George Washington Parkway ties into I-495 at the American Legion Bridge. This route serves Mclean and Northern Arlington County. South of Memorial Bridge, the George Washington Parkway and US Rt. 1 together only carry 8 to 10 lanes of traffic.
Traffic here is relatively light considering the proximity to the city, and the fact that US 1 has several traffic lights. This route follows the Potomac downriver toward the Beltway at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
This route is also supported by the Yellow and Blue Metro Lines. Taken as a whole, this route serves commuters at Crystal City, Pentagon City, Del Ray, Old Town, New Alexandria and Mt. Vernon to the city. At King St, the Yellow and Blue Lines fork with the Yellow Line continuing toward Mt. Vernon, but ending at Huntington. The Blue Line turns south toward Springfield with stops at Van Dorn and Springfield.
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Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County ·
