Ask Val: Neighborhood Series — Town of Vienna

This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Val Sotillo, Northern Virginia-based Realtor and Falls Church resident. Please submit your questions to her via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!

Question: I work in Tysons and often drive through the Town of Vienna. How’s the housing market in Vienna and what it’s like living there?

Answer: Vienna is a suburban neighborhood located about three miles from Tysons. The Town of Vienna has been changing and improving over the past years while still maintaining its original charm and “small town” feel. It’s beautiful, full of friendly people and rich with life.

Here’s What Makes Vienna A Great Place To Live:

Location — It’s located minutes away from Tysons. It has its own Metro Station (last stop in the orange line) with 2 large parking garages, and it is located just a few minutes away from I-66 which provides quick access to 495 and can take you to D.C. in 25 minutes. You can get to Dulles Airport in 20 minutes. Overall, a great location!

Active Community — I lived in Vienna for a few years and I loved the great community atmosphere. The town holds parades and festivals throughout the year on Maple Avenue and Church Street. Viva Vienna! and Oktoberfest are my favorite. Here’s the full calendar.

There are parks and community facilities to meet citizen’s recreational needs. The Vienna Community Center is under renovation but it will reopen this fall.

Cyclists can take the W&OD Trail, a 45 mile trail that goes from Shirlington to Purcellville. Located right off the trail, you’ll find Caboose Tavern serving great beer made on site and delicious bites.

We can’t forget the amazing Wolf Trap for outdoor concerts! And of course, there’s a dog park.

Shops and Restaurants — Perfect place for foodies!

Must try: Taco Bamba (2 tacos and a draft for $12, yes please!), Yama (Sushi), Red Galanga; Vienna staples like The Vienna Inn, and Amphora; Date night places like Bazin’s on Church, Maple Ave (awesome brunch, and check their daily specials), and Clarity.

The Pear Tree Cottage, my favorite shop for antiques and design, has been in business for 5 years and it contributes to the community’s charm. There’s Bard’s Alley for books (and café and wine bar); and Whole Foods with the best fresh seafood selection. Vienna truly has it all.

Housing

There are many different options for detached homes, townhomes and condos. There is a lot of construction for new single family homes going on around Vienna. Within one mile from the Town of Vienna there are 36 properties for sale, ranging from a 2 bedroom condo for $259,900, to a 6 bedroom single family home for $1,975,000. You can see the active listings here.

Twelve properties are under contract, ranging from a 1 bedroom condo at $275,000, to a new custom built, 5 bedroom single family house at $1,895,000.

In the past 6 months, 20 condos were sold for a median price of $294,500; 6 townhouses were sold for a median price of $569,500; and 79 single family homes sold for a median price of $980,000.

What’s Next For Vienna?

Other than Wawa taking over an old gas station, a new developer has acquired the old Marco Polo Restaurant site in Vienna and will move forward with a mixed-use development.

Also, Hekemian & Co. Inc. would like to develop 160 apartments and more than 19,000 square feet of retail space on the site now occupied by the Vienna Wolf Trap Hotel and Tequila Grande restaurant. The proposal, which is in its early stages, would include 160 apartment units with one or two bedrooms each, 19,237 square feet of pedestrian-oriented retail space and “village” architecture featuring varied façades.

I’ll keep you posted!

If you’d like more information, or would like a question answered in my weekly column, please reach out to [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon.

Val Sotillo is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland with Real Living At Home, 2420 Wilson Blvd #101 Arlington, VA 22201, 703-390-9460.