Guide to Living in Ashburn, VA


 

In its early development, Ashburn in Loudoun County, Virginia was open farmland. Its original name was Farmwell, named after the mansion that was owned by George Lee III, who inherited it from his father Thomas Ludwell Lee II. In 1841, a section of the land was purchased by Quaker lawyer and Vice President of the United States candidate John Janney. He named his summer home “Ashburn Farm”, the name Ashburn likely taken from family friends. Today, Ashburn is a bustling and thriving commercial and residential community. Seventy percent of the world’s internet traffic travels through Ashburn and its neighbor Sterling. Whether you are considering the area as your new home or will be moving there in the future, we hope that this guide to Ashburn lends some insight into the area.

There are many options when looking for entertainment, dining and shopping in Ashburn! Ashburn Icehouse is located at 21595 Smith Switch Road inside the Cameron Chase Village Center. It is an indoor skating rink that offers public sessions, lessons, a pro shop, and hockey leagues. TopGolf at 20356 Commonwealth Center Drive offers use of their high-tech golf range, food, drinks, and party packages. It has something for everyone and can be a fun date night or family night.

Looking for a truly unique activity? Check out iFLY Loudoun! They offer safe, fun indoor skydiving for all ages. At iFLY, there is no flying or jumping from a height but rather, you fly gently on a cushion of controlled air. Skilled, trained instructors will guide you through the process. Check out their location at 20315 Commonwealth Center Dr!

In search of some outdoor fun? The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad trail is a 45-mile long paved multi-use recreational trail that spans from Shirlington to Purcellville. It was built on what used to be the W&OD Railroad. There is also a pathway adjacent to it specifically for horseback riding – this runs from Vienna to Purcellville. Walk, hike, jog, skate, or bike the paved trail! There are also playgrounds suitable for kids of all ages.

If you are moving to Ashburn, Virginia or Loudoun, County, contact the American Moving & Storage team to manage your move! As a family-owned and operated business, our priority is to deliver an efficient, organized and trouble-free move. Call us at 703-870-7975 or fill out our Moving Quote form.

Moving to and Living in Leesburg, VA

Moving to Leesburg, VA
 

The town of Leesburg, county seat of Loudoun County in Virginia, was established by European settlers in 1758 and was originally 60 acres with a variety of domestic, commercial and governmental buildings. The area was originally occupied by various Native American tribes – Doeg, Siouan, Algonquian Piscataway, and others. The town was originally named Georgetown, after King George II, but the name was later changed to Leesburg, in honor of Thomas Lee and his influential family (his son Francis Lightfoot Lee signed the Declaration of Independence). Its tree-lined streets are arranged uniquely into a grid-shape, and the central court square is where the historic courthouse and county offices are located. Today, Leesburg is a picturesque community with a historic downtown made up of restaurants, coffee houses, stores, breweries, and unique retail options.

King Street in downtown Leesburg is filled with lively bars and eateries. Have a small bite and libations at the King Street Oyster Bar or try a charcuterie board with a wine flight at Wine Kitchen. Grab a taco from Señor Ramon Taqueria and then head over to Tarbender’s Lounge for speakeasy vibes. Also on King Street, China King’s Restaurant has been serving delicious Chinese food to residents and businesses in the Leesburg area since 1989. If you and your family are craving something sweet, be sure to stop by Gruto’s Soft Serve for ice cream and desserts!

What is shopping in Leesburg like? Discover the Leesburg Premium Outlets, located next door to the historic district. The outlets feature 110 upscale designer and brand name stores that offer amazing deals each day. The shops are family friendly and walkways are accessible. Whether you’re in search of a gift for a loved one or something for yourself, you’ll certainly will find it at the outlets. Leesburg also has a variety of locally owned boutiques and gift shops: Lou Lou Boutiques, 27 South Interiors, Madisonbelle, Ashby Mae Childrens Boutique, and more!

Are you and your family moving to or around Leesburg, VA? We hope that our guide to the area is useful! If you are in search of reliable movers, schedule the big day with American Moving & Storage! Family-owned and operated, we’ve made personalized moving services our priority to residents and business owners in the Loudoun, Fairfax, and Arlington County community for over 30 years. Contact us at 703-870-7975!

Things to Do in Manassas, VA


 

Thirty miles south of Washington DC, the city of Manassas in Prince William County is not only the site of several historic places but is also a burgeoning community in the DC Metro area. The first major land battle of the Civil War, the First Battle of Manassas/Bull Run, took place near the area in July of 1861. The Second Battle of Manassas also occurred here in August of 1862. During this time in history, Manassas was simply a railroad crossing, where rails going to Richmond, DC and Shenandoah Valley all met up. It developed more into a town in the late 1800s but it wasn’t until 1975 when Manassas became an independent city. Today, it is a mixture of historic sites, museums, and commercial and residential development.

Are you looking for new active things to do? Explore Vertical Rock Indoor Climbing! It’s a large rock climbing venue for anyone at any skill level. They also have instructional classes, whether you’re just beginning to learn the ropes or are looking to learn more as an advanced climber. There are also a variety of youth programs which include clubs and camps.

Plan an educational day with your family and visit the Manassas Museum! Learn about the history of Manassas, Native American through 20th Century periods, with a focus on its role in the Civil War. Exhibits are routinely updated, so there’s always a piece of history that can be newly learned. Baldwin Park is an area of green space just behind the museum. Pet-friendly and family-friendly, you can have a pleasant picnic here. It features a tot lot, playground, picnic tables, many benches, and a garden path.

Only a hop, skip and a jump way from the Manassas Museum is the City of Manassas Farmer’s Market. Virginia Living and Prince William Living magazine voted the market as one of the best in the area. Come and grab your fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, bread, baked treats and more! You can also find local artist and artisans selling their wares here. Open on Saturdays from 8 AM – 1 PM in the Prince William Commuter Lot across from the new Baldwin Elementary School. There is also a Thursday market at the Harris Pavilion, open from 8 AM – 1 PM.

If you’re moving into Manassas, VA or nearby, contact American Moving & Storage at 703-870-7975! For over 30 years, our moving crews have delivered customer-oriented, personalized moves for homes and businesses. We look forward to helping your transition to a new place be as stress-free and easy-going as possible!

Parks and Entertainment in Burke, VA


 

Burke, VA is a desirable community for those who like the quietness of a town, but accessibility to the city. Washington DC is only 20 miles from Burke. If you’re more about the green space and nature, then you’re just in luck! There are a variety of parks in the area that offer nature trails, hiking, biking paths, playgrounds, water activities, and more.

The American Hiking Society deemed Burke Lake Loop Trail in Burke Lake Park as one of the best 10 fitness trails in the United States. A full 888 acres, this park has an activity to offer for everyone. Catch the miniature train and/or carousel with your little ones, have a few rounds of mini golf, or host a picnic by the lake. For those who love the water, there’s boating, fishing, and kayaking. Walk, jog, or bike around the scenic lake’s 4.7 mile trail loop. There are even campgrounds there, for those who want to stay through the entire weekend.  There is no charge for Fairfax County residents to enter, but if you are a non-resident, it is $10 per car.

Lake Barton Park is a clean, well-maintained lake with a short trail for walking, biking, and jogging, along with picnic tables. It also has a playground and areas for fishing.  Parking is available at Burke Center Parkway.

Have a family that is into field sports? Rolling Valley West Park has field and playground space for softball, tennis, soccer, basketball, and baseball! Visitors love how well-maintained the fields are and there are benches where parents can sit down and watch their kids play.

The Pohick Stream Valley Trail has a paved path and is right near the VRE tracks. The trail is perfect for biking, walking, and jogging. Kids will have fun crossing the creek – there are raised stepping stones that you can use to hop over the water. The perfect place to bring family and pets!

If you’re moving to Burke, VA or anywhere in Fairfax County, you can call the professionals at American Moving & Storage at 703-870-7975! Punctual, professional, and with competitive prices for your moving – our clients can attest to positive moving experiences with our team. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Moving to Aldie, VA


 

Nestled between the Catoctin Mountains and Bull Run Mountains with the Little River running through, the community of Aldie is considered the gateway to Loudoun Valley. In 1765, James and George Mercer set up a mill at Belhaven Road between Winchester and Alexandria, and by 1809, Little River Turnpike was developed from Alexandria to the mill. The creation of this major road led to Charles Fenton Mercer, James Mercer’s son, to use the 30 acres of land on the western side of the road to develop the town of Aldie, named after Castle Aldie which was his Scottish clan’s ancestral home. The village was the site of the Battle of Aldie during the Gettysburg Campaign. Also, President James Monroe had his private residence in Aldie in Oak Hill in 1822.

Aldie has two annual festivals. In May, there is the Treasures on the Turnpike. It is a village-wide flea market yard sale, where people can participate in the rummage sales at The Church of our Redeemer. There’s family-friendly activities such as Aldie Mill tours, live music, food, and games. In October, there is the Harvest Festival, also known as the Fall Festival. This event includes food, wine, music, antiques, historical re-enactments, and more!

Aldie is one of the fastest growing communities in the DMV and has many residential areas that are either recently built or are in the midst of being completed. If you’re moving into Aldie, VA this summer, give American Moving & Storage a call at (703) 870-7975! With over 30 years of experience moving families in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC metropolitan area, you can count on us to provide quality service, dependability, and competitive rates for your move.

Living in Centreville, VA

Twenty miles west of Washington DC, Centreville resides in Fairfax County, Virginia. It was established in 1792, when local landowners petitioned for there to be a town centrally located to other Northern Virginia cities such as Alexandria, Dumfries, Middleburg, Georgetown, Warrenton, and Leesburg. It later developed from a small town into a modernized city with a mixture of retail and residential spaces, as an influx of companies and corporations entered the area in the 1990s and 2000s. Three major roads serve Centreville: US Route 29, Virginia Route 28, and SR 620 (Braddock Road). Interstate 66 also interchanges with these routes.

Need to find things to do in Centreville? There’s Cox Farms, which has a Fall Festival, filled with family-friendly entertainment, attractions, and opportunities to learn more about agriculture and animals. There is also Bull Run Regional Park, 1,568 acres of multi-use space with waterslides at Atlantic Waterpark, picnic areas that can be booked in advance, scenic and historic hiking trails – including the trailhead for the 19.7 mile Bull Run Occoquan Trail, and various community events throughout the year. You and your family will not run short of activities to do in the area.

If you’re considering moving to or are already in the middle of your transition to Centreville, VA, let the team from American Moving & Storage help! For over 30 years, we’ve provided the Northern Virginia area with residential and office moving services. Schedule our movers at 703-870-7975.

Moving in Dulles, VA


Covering the southwestern part of Sterling in Loudon County, Virginia, Dulles, VA was officially named as a community by the United States Postal Service when Sterling businesses lobbied for an alternative address, led by economic development officer Pam Treadwell. Partially located in Dulles but with a Sterling address, the Washington Dulles International Airport is a major hub of a travel in the Washington DC Metro area and also where the Dulles community derived its name from.

Looking for STEM work in the Dulles, VA area? Dubbed “The Silicon Valley of the East” by Atlantic Magazine, Dulles Technology Corridor is known as host to many defense and technology companies. Headquarters of many notable technology companies reside here, including Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Radiant Solutions, ODIN Technologies, and more in the nearby communities of Tysons Corner, Reston, Herndon, Sterling, and Ashburn.

Dulles Town Center covers 1,400,000 square feet, the largest enclosed shopping center in Loudoun County. With 2 levels and filled with 150 stores and services, the mall has anything that you or your family may need.

If you’re considering Dulles, VA or other communities in the Loudoun County area to move to, let the American Moving & Storage team help! For over 30 years, we’ve made personalized service our priority. For a free estimate for our services on your moving day, give us a call at 703-870-7975.

Living and Moving in Haymarket, VA

The area of Haymarket was once hunting grounds for the western Iroquois nation, who used the paths until 1722, before moving to the Blue Ridge Mountain region. After the American Revolutionary War in 1799, the town of Haymarket was developed by William Skinker, who drew up the plan to include 13 streets and 140 lots. Later, a clerk’s office and jail were built and aided in the town’s early development from the business and trade surrounding the court.

In 1862 during the Civil War, Union soldiers set the town on fire, destroying everything except for three small houses and St. Paul’s Church. This led to a period where Haymarket was completely unpopulated and it wasn’t until General Robert E. Lee’s surrender, where it began to recover and re-build itself to its former prosperity. Central Haymarket has retained a lot of the same structures; some are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bordering US Route 15 and served by exit 40 off of Interstate 66, Haymarket has seen a lot of growth in suburban development. Two miles from downtown Haymarket, the largest Pick-Your-Own-Spring-Flower festival in the United States takes place – 3 weeks in late March to April – with 500k bulbs planted in preparation for the picking.

With its rich history and growth, Haymarket, Virginia is a solid choice for your family’s next move. If you need help with your remote or regional move, choose the moving and packing experts at American Moving & Storage! We understand that coordinating a move for your family may seem stressful and daunting, and want to do all we can to alleviate those feelings – schedule our movers at (703) 870-7975.

Neighborhoods in Leesburg, VA

Nestled between the base of the Catoctin Mountains and the Potomac River, the town of Leesburg in Virginia is host to many historical sites, residential areas, shopping, and beautiful parks. 40 miles away from Washington DC, it’s far enough to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, while still within a reasonable distance for commuting. In this blog post, we’re going to explore three of the neighborhoods in Leesburg, VA. We hope that it gives you some insight into the area.

Popular for families, the Kincaid Forest community has a swimming pool, playgrounds, well-maintained picnic areas, single family homes, and town homes. Many homes have garages, decks, and fences. The neighborhood borders the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail, with wooded greenspaces, mature trees, and extensive pathways. It’s a short drive to downtown Leesburg and the Village at Leesburg, with nearby shopping and dining options speckled in the area.

The Beacon Hill community is a 1,100 acre reserve of homes with mountain views. The sunsets and sunrises are absolutely gorgeous here. The landscape was originally owned by 1950s radio and TV personality Arthur Godfrey. Featuring a dinner club, equestrian center, pedestrian and equestrian trails, and a golf course, the homes in this neighborhood have a variety of styles – from continental to modern. This area is perfect if one is seeking a single-family home.

The Spring Lakes community mostly features attached homes. A lot of the newer homes were constructed in 2001 – 2003. Close to grocery stores, shopping, banks, and dining – it is just a short distance away from the Village at Leesburg and the Leesburg Outlets. Family-friendly, peaceful and well-maintained, this neighborhood is a prime area in Leesburg.

We hope that our guide will help give you a peek at what living in the area of Leesburg, Virginia is like. If you’re looking into moving services in Leesburg, VA, need a local or remote move, or looking for commercial moving, let American Moving & Storage know! Schedule your move with us at 703-870-7975.

The Essential Guide to Living in Reston, VA

Sitting on the Dulles Toll Road, between the Washington Dulles International Airport and Tysons Corner, the city of Reston is very accessible to commuters in the DC Metro area. The Whiele-Reston East stop on the Metro’s Silver Line serves the area, with a future plan to open two additional stations – Reston Town Center and Herndon. In 2018, Money Magazine ranked Reston the Best Place to Live in Virginia for its range of parks, lakes, entertainment, and dining options. We hope that our neighborhood guide serves you well.

Owned and maintained by Fairfax County Park Authority, Lake Fairfax Park hosts a wide range of activities for families. It hosts an 18 acre lake, a waterpark, a carousel, picnic areas, campgrounds, trails, playgrounds, and more. It has also hosted music festivals in the past – Lollapalooza and the HFStival. It’s the perfect place to get some fresh air and physical activity for you and your family.

For a more private location for family-friendly recreational activities, consider joining the Hidden Creek Country Club. Hone your gulf game at the award-winning Ed Ault Signature Golf Course or enjoy the year-round indoor and outdoor tennis courts. There’s a fitness center with personal training, pools, a clubhouse, and whole host of activities planned throughout the year. Kids can take golf, tennis, swimming lessons or attend camps in the summer.

Reston Town Center is the hub of the area, hosting a large range of offices, retail stores, bars, and restaurants. With open, spacious walkways and central Fountain Square, it is the perfect place for community members to spend their time relaxing, shopping, and dining. If you’re a young professional seeking city life, with the option of commuting everywhere in Northern Virginia, the high-rise condominiums in the town center may interest you.

If you’re moving in Reston, VA or anywhere else in Northern Virginia, don’t hesitate to call the moving experts at American Moving & Storage at 703-870-7975.