Neighborhoods in Fairfax, VA


 

The city of Fairfax in Virginia received its name from Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, who was awarded the land (5 million acres) by King Charles. In the early 18th century, it was settled by farmers that came from the Virginia Tidewater region. The first land battle of the Civil War took place in Fairfax Court House in 1861. A second battle also ensued in 1863, where Union soldiers were overpowered. In 1859, Fairfax was renamed the “Town of Fairfax” and in 1961, it was incorporated as a city.

Fairfax has many sites that are officially on the National Register of Historic Places: Ratcliffe-Allison House (built 1812), Fairfax Public School (1873), Old Fairfax County Jail (1891), Old Fairfax County Courthouse (1800), City of Fairfax Historic District (1800), Blenheim (1855), and 29 Diner (1947). Are you and your family moving to Fairfax, VA soon or in the upcoming future? Check out our guide on neighborhoods in the Fairfax area!

Two miles south of George Mason University lies the community of Fairfax Club Estates, consisting of 272 homes. For residents, there is a common area with a swimming pool, basketball courts, tennis courts, a playground, and picnic area. The local public elementary school is Bonnie Brae Elementary and the middle/high school is James W. Robinson Secondary School.

In the heart of Fairfax County, the Fairfax Villa neighborhood has 460 homes with varied styles – from mid-century architecture to those that were built in the 1980s. The subdivision was developed with a harmonious theme in mind, with its curved roads mimicking that of a path through the woods. Residents love the calm atmosphere, the large wooded park nearby, the community pool, and the close proximity to Fairfax County public schools. The schools nearby are: Fairfax Villa Elementary School, Robert Frost Middle School, and W.T. Woodson High School.

Located on Fairfax Boulevard, the Foxtrot Colony Condominiums has 312 homes, swimming pools for adults and toddlers, basketball courts, tennis courts, 2 tot lots/playgrounds, community grills, picnic areas, and plenty of common areas for residents to use.

We hope that our guide to neighborhoods in Fairfax, VA gives you some insight into the community that you will be moving to! For your future move to Fairfax, VA or nearby, contact the American Moving & Storage team at 703-870-7975.

Things to Do in Oakton, VA


 

Located in central Fairfax County, Oakton in Virginia is accessible from Interstate 66 and VA State Route 123. Simply fifteen miles southwest of Washington DC, it is bordered by Fairfax in the south, Fair Oaks in the west, Vienna in the east, Merrifield in the southeast and Wolf Trap to the north. There is a variety of housing for families and single residents – condominium complexes with amenities, town homes with shopping centers close by, and single-family homes with ample yard space. Are you moving to Oakton, VA this Spring and looking for more information on the area? Check out our list of activities!

Oakton Community Park is right next door to Oakton Town Center! It’s the perfect place to take the kids to after an errand run at the shops nearby. Residents enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and the well-maintained playground equipment.

Have a pet and looking for a large amount of green space? Check out Blake Lane Park! It features a soccer field, dog park, and many grassy areas.

Oak Marr RECenter has everything for the family to get their exercise in! Their facilities and amenities include a fitness room, an Olympic sized heated pool, a childcare program, room rentals for private events, racquetball courts, golfing, and soccer fields. There are also group fitness and aquatic exercise classes available. A variety of camp programs are available for children ages 3-14.

Scenic walks are easy to come by in Oakton! The Gerry Connolly Cross Country Trail runs adjacent to Difficult Run. The trail is accessible from many neighborhoods and features flora and fauna native to Virginia. It’s a perfect place to jog or take a nature walk with your family with its beautiful, tranquil scenery of the stream valley.

If you’re moving to Oakton, VA or to a Fairfax County community, don’t hesitate to call American Moving & Storage! Our moving team will provide: free estimates, moving and storage, competitive pricing, packing, and shipping to anywhere in the US. Let us deliver a move that is efficient, organized and a trouble-free experience. Contact us here or call 703-870-7975.

Moving in Gainesville, VA


 

In western Prince William County in Virginia, the town of Gainesville was once known as “Middle Grounds” in the colonial days, due to it being located between Broad Run and Bull Run. In the early creation of the Warrenton-Alexandria Turnpike, a stable was set up at the part of it that passed through Middle Grounds. Stagecoach drivers had the opportunity to switch horses at this stable. Businesses developed from this new foot traffic, and this settlement was called “New Stable”.

Thomas Brawner Gaines was the one credited with bringing the railroad through the village, and he also was a major landowner in the area. He sold the right-of-way through his land along the Warrenton Turnpike (US Route 29) to the Manassas Gap Railroad. After completion of the railroad, he sold more land that would be used as a train depot and the rail stop was named after him – Gainesville. It was a shipping point for grain, timber, and cattle until the early 1960s. In the Civil War, it was occupied by both Confederate and Union troops and Thoroughfare Gap in the Bull Run Mountains was used as a footpath for the First and Second battles at Bull Run. The first townhome community was built in 1994, and with it came more development to the flourishing town that it is today.

Have you visited the Conway Robinson State Forest? It is a 444-acre forest providing for the surrounding fauna and flora. There are scenic, maintained trails for bikers, joggers, and walkers. The trees provide great shade so it’s a nice spot to take the family to in the Summer.

Next door to Gainesville on I-66 is Manassas National Battlefield Park. Perfect for history buffs or if you’d like to plan a light hike, the fields take you through the First Battle and Second Battle of Manassas between Confederate and Union armies in the Civil War. Explore the museum, hike the battlefield, or book a guided tour!

Golfers in your family looking for a place to tee off? Stonewall Golf Club provides golfing and hospitality next to Lake Manassas! They also provide rentals for private events, weddings, holiday parties and meetings. The Brass Cannon offers indoor and outdoor dining, overlooking the golf course and lake.

Are you moving to Gainesville, VA or the surrounding area in Northern Virginia? Let the American Moving & Storage team provide the services you need to complete a stress-free, seamless move! Schedule your move-in date with us at 703-870-7975.

Living in Ashburn, VA


 

The original name of the town of Ashburn, Virginia was Farmwell – named after the 1,236-acre plantation owned by George Lee, great-grandson of Thomas Lee. In 1841, John Janney, a Quaker lawyer who was a candidate for Vice President of the United States in 1839, purchased a section of the land and called it Ashburn Farm. Today, Ashburn is considered part of the Dulles Technology Corridor, the location of many technology companies and data centers.

Ashburn is served by Loudoun County Public Schools. There are 6 private schools: Ideal Schools High School, St. Theresa Catholic School, Virginia Academy, Leport School, The Loudoun Country Day School, and County Christian School. George Washington University and Strayer University have campuses located in Ashburn.

Ashburn attracts many in the STEM industry. Verizon Business, Equinix, Wikimedia Foundation, and Amazon Web Services have locations in Ashburn. The National Transportation Safety Board, the regional headquarters of the NTSB Aviation Eastern Region, is located in the Ashburn Aviation Field Office. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus also resides in Ashburn. There are also government contractors such as Telos and the second location of Airbus Group, Inc.

Broadlands Village Center features 35 restaurants, services and specialty stores. It is easily accessible from the Dulles Greenway and Claiborne Parkway. No need to run all over the town for your errands, everything you need is there! There are a variety of food options along with a grocery store, the post office, salons, an auto shop, a day care, and more. Another shopping center is the Shoppes at Ryan Park, which has a variety of retailers, residences, offices, and entertainment. Cameron Chase Village Center is another plaza with dining and shopping options.

Whether you’re moving for school, work or family, we hope that our guide gives you the inside look you were looking for in Ashburn, VA. For a personalized moving experience, you can trust in the American Moving & Storage team! For over 30 years, we’ve delivered efficient, professional services for our customers’ home and office moves. Schedule with a representative at 703-870-7975!

Neighborhoods in Herndon, VA


 

Inside what is considered the Dulles Technology Corridor, the town of Herndon is located in Fairfax County. In its early history, it was a small portion of the “Northern Neck” land that King Charles II granted to Thomas Culpeper in 1688. In the early 19th century, a mill, the first sign of settlement, was constructed in what is now the intersection of Elden and Locusts Streets in Herndon. A railroad depot was established in 1857 and when deciding on the name of the burgeoning community, residents agreed on Herndon, after William Lewis Herndon, the heroic commander of the S.S. Central America who went down with his ship to save the lives of its crew and passengers.

The construction and use of the railroad furthered Herndon’s development. The railroad was initially used to transport milk to the city for distribution, but it also was used by those who lived in the city to go to their vacation homes in Herndon. On March 22, 1917, there was a large fire that ravaged businesses and homes in the downtown area of Herndon.The area was later re-built. The last job of the railroad was for transport of construction materials for the Washington Dulles International Airport, and the last train to leave Herndon Depot was in August 1968.

Hiddenbrook is a community in Herndon that was built in the 1970’s with 393 homes of traditional and modern styles. Residents can purchase membership to the community swim and tennis club, along with access to the Hiddenbrook clubhouse, which members can rent for events. The clubhouse also has a pool with a diving board, toddler wading pool, and a vortex slide. There is a playground and two tennis courts. Dranesville Elementary School is adjacent to the community. Folly Lick Park is close by and has a nature trail that follows Folly Lick Branch.

The Reflection Homes community in Herndon includes 586 homes, 388 townhomes and 198 detached homes. It is a family-friendly area with a community pool, parks, and trails. Close by is Hutchison Elementary School and Hutchison Park. Your choice of grocery stores, retail shops, and restaurants are easily accessible from the neighborhood.

We hope that our guide to Herndon, VA gives you some insight into the community. Are you moving soon in Fairfax? Contact the American Moving & Storage team to deliver your family’s local or remote move! Schedule by calling us at 703-870-7975 or fill out our moving quote form here.

Churches in Vienna, VA


 

Vienna is a town located in Fairfax County in Virginia, 12 miles west of Washington DC and 2 miles east of Fairfax, the county seat. Interstate 66 is its main highway, with VA Route 123 going through its downtown. The first recorded home built in the area was in 1767 and called Ayr Hill, named after John Hunter’s birthplace in Ayr, Scotland. The surrounding community was called this until in the 1850s, when William Hendrick moved in the area and named the land after his hometown in New York – Vienna (but the one in New York is now known as Phelps). Today, you can still find several historical landmarks that are from the Civil War and Vienna’s history and role in it. Are you moving to Vienna, VA and looking for a resource for  churches in the area? Explore our guide

Considered the first and oldest church in Vienna, Virginia, the First Baptist Church of Vienna (FBCV) was founded in 1867 and the original structure was built using the lumber from a Civil War Barracks, through the Freedman Bureau. The building served as a school, along with a meeting place for religion and civil use. It was relocated to its current location at 450 Orchard Street NW and later expanded to meet the needs of its focus on Christian worship, missionary activities, evangelism, community, and Christian education. Today, the FBCV community keeps growing in membership and has a large, diverse outreach.

Vienna Presbyterian Church (VPC) was organized with 9 members in 1871 and was considered a tiny village church, with less than a hundred members and sharing a pastor with another church. With the growth and development of Vienna, today it is a growing congregation of more than 2,600 members and is the largest Presbyterian church in the Washington DC area. The church’s mission is to serve those in need, follow Christ’s mission, and reaching out to the community with hope, love and faith.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church focuses on faith, education, and outreach. The church used to be part of St. James Parish in Falls Church, but due to growing membership, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish was established in 1955. Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School was established in 1957. In 1973, a new building for the church was built, along with a 3-bell tower to welcome worshipers.

We hope that our guide to churches in the Vienna area is helpful to those who are moving to the community soon or plan to in the future! Need someone to execute your moving plan? Trust in the moving specialists at American Moving & Storage! We offer services for local moves, long distance moves, packing, shipping, and more! Schedule with us today at 703-870-7975 or fill out our contact form here.

Guide to Living in Burke, VA


 

Burke is a town nestled between Springfield and Fairfax Station in Virginia. It is served by the Fairfax County Public School System, which in the top range of Virginia’s best school districts. Burke was named after Silas Burke, a farmer, merchant and local politician who held land in the area and allowed part of his land to be used by the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, which was built in the 1840s. The community grew around this station and a post office was added in 1852. The area was predominantly rural until after World War I, when federal government workers began to move into the area and commute to DC. Today, Burke, Virginia is a community filled with vibrant neighborhoods, green space, lakes, and historic sites.

Have you visited the Pohick Stream Valley Trail next to Burke Road yet? It is a paved path and charmingly placed alongside the VRE tracks and Pohick Creek. It’s the perfect place for families and all residents to walk, bike, picnic, and stroll through nature. There are stepping stones in the middle of the creek that kids love to hop across.

Looking for public spaces for your sports? Explore Rolling Valley West Park! Well-maintained and with newly paved tennis courts, the park hosts a variety of public spaces for sports: a basketball court, soccer/football field, baseball field, and a playground. It is also right next to Pohick Regional Library, making it an easy outing for the whole family – whether you’re an indoor or outdoor kid.

Oaks Community Center is a great space with an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and rentals for events available. It is part of a network of community centers under the Burke Centre Conservancy HOA. Other community centers are: Commons Community Center, Landings Community Center, Ponds Community Center, and Woods Community Center.

Interested or planning on moving to Burke, Virginia? Let American Moving & Storage manage your entire move with quality service, reliability, and dependability. We always strive to make the moving experience for our customers to be as stress-free and efficient as possible. For a quote for your upcoming move, contact us at 703-870-7975!

Neighborhoods in Haymarket, VA


 

In 1799, the town of Haymarket began with a plan for 140 lots and 13 streets – a plan that was laid out by William Skinker, who owned the land, and the Virginia General Assembly. In 1801, the town developed and added a courthouse, clerk’s office and jail.  Haymarket was chosen as the location for the new District Court, which would serve Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier and Prince William County. When the District Court system was abandoned in 1807 for the Circuit Court system, the Courthouse still remained an integral part of the Haymarket community as a multi-purpose building until ownership was transferred to the Episcopal Church and later known as St. Paul’s in 1833. In 1882, Haymarket was incorporated into Prince William County and today, many of the original buildings in the center of the town have remained.

The community of Green Hill Crossing is located in historic Haymarket and Gainesville. It includes 118 single family homes and town houses. There are two village greens and a gazebo, along with many other amenities: a clubhouse, fitness room, swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, multi-purpose field, playgrounds and more.

Consisting of 2400 homes in Haymarket, the Dominion Valley community consists of gated single family and town homes. It is just off of Route 15 (James Madison Highway) and two miles away from I-66, making it a perfect location for those who need to commute for work in the DC Metro area. The amenities include: outdoor and indoor pools, tot lots, tennis courts, volleyball courts, fishing piers, and a clubhouse. The Waverly Club is open year-round with a fitness room, rooms available to rent for events and conferences, pools, and entrance to nature trails. In October 2018, Dominion Valley made the Top 25 Hottest Neighborhoods list in the Washington Business Journal.

Moving to Haymarket, VA this year and preparations for the transition are making your head spin? The American Moving & Storage team has years of experience and skill moving families and businesses in and out of Northern Virginia. With us, you can have peace of mind during your move. Schedule with us at 703-870-7975.

Parks and Recreation in Leesburg, VA


 

The county seat of Loudoun County and established in 1740, the town of Leesburg is located at the base of the Catoctin Mountain and next to the Potomac River, making it one of the most scenic areas in Virginia. Highly accessible from US-15, VA Route 7 and VA SR 267,  Leesburg is 33 miles from Washington DC and many of its residents commute to DC for work. Over the years, Leesburg has transformed itself from a rural area to a sprawling suburb. Moving to Leesburg, Virginia and looking for activities for you and the family? Check out some of our suggestions below!

Olde Izaak Walton Park is a 21-acre public park that features a pond with fishing pier, trails, and an off-leash dog park. The dog park is split into two areas and has ample space for neighborhood dogs to play. Residents love it as an option for an outdoor family day at the park with the dogs.

Looking for an activity for the family that has interactive, learning elements for your little ones? Check out Leesburg Animal Park at 19246 James Monroe Highway! Family-owned and operated, the zoo hosts a variety of animals for everyone to meet! Roam with farm animals such as goats, llamas, and sheep in the designated “Contact Area”, take a pony ride or watch a live animal show… there are many activities for the inquiring mind and fun things for the entire family to enjoy.

Ida Lee Park Recreation Center offers a fitness center, two indoor pools, basketball courts, raquetball courts, tennis courts, and fitness classes. Some of the organized programs include Summer camps, community outreach, sports classes, a football league, aquatics, personal training & wellness, arts & crafts, cooking, dance, music and more! Outside of the center are walking trails and large open fields. Residents love that it offers diverse options of outdoor activities and fitness for the whole family.

Whether you’re moving into or away from Leesburg, VA, the American Moving & Storage team is ready to deliver a personalized service for your move! Family-owned and operated, our crew of punctual and professional movers has provided moving services for residents in the area for over 30 years. For an estimate on your home or office move, call us at 703-870-7975!

Guide to Living in Sterling, VA


 

Located in Loudoun County in Virginia, Sterling is 29 miles west of Washington DC. The area used to be a collection of large farms which made up the Sterling Park area. The development of the Dulles International Airport changed the landscape of the community in 1959. The Broyhill family developed the area around the airport, keeping Route 28 development-free for easy commuting. Sterling has three sites that are on the National Register of Historic Places: Broad Run Bridge and Tollhouse, Vestal’s Gap Road and Lanesville Historic District, and Arcola Elementary School. Whether you’re moving to Sterling for work or family, we hope that our guide to the area is helpful!

Dulles 28 Centre is a huge outdoor shopping mall that includes many major retailers, dining and entertainment. It is just off of Route 28/Sully Rd and is easily accessible to residents. It features a large playground area that is perfect for entertaining your little ones. Adjacent to the plaza are car dealerships, making it a convenient spot if one were needing to run a variety of errands. The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail also runs close to the plaza.

Another shopping plaza where you can purchase items needed for your home or business is Sterling Plaza and also has many dining options. It is just off of N Sterling Boulevard and is across from Sterling Middle School. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is also close by. After finishing your shopping, you can then take your family to the Sterling Community Center. It features an outside playground area and inside the center are rooms that you can rent out for groups and events: a gym, conference room, classroom, kitchen, and more.

Stressed about your upcoming move in the beginning of next year? For over 30 years, American Moving & Storage has provided our moving services for both regional and long distance moves. For an efficient, organized and trouble-free moving experience, schedule our team at 703-870-7975.