Hey everyone, Military spouse here. Household incomes average around $139,515 in Reston. It's a a smaller city city with about 63,542 people. Poverty rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Thoughts? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The city has invested a lot in new development.
9 upvotes
10 Replies
henry_local
underrated comment
39 upvotes
Isabelle
not my experience at all
37 upvotes
Mia Murphy
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Maple Ridge area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
32 upvotes
Everett M.
I've lived in Old Town for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Lots of new development happening
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. Definitely worth checking out..
22 upvotes
colton_walker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 5 years. Moved from Atlanta for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is tough - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Dating scene is rough. Bugs and humidity in summer. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
19 upvotes
Leonardo Torres
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely decent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Midtown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
17 upvotes
Scarlett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 11 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Nevaeh Thomas
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
13 upvotes
Audrey W.
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
12 upvotes
Angel F.
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Meadowbrook area are solid. Kids love it here.
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