Loudoun East
One Loudoun
Next to Ashburn is the newer development of One Loudoun, designed to provide a walkable lifestyle with an array of community activities and events. “The idea of One Loudoun that’s tempting buyers is that you can park your car and walk everywhere,” says Robyn Burdett, an associate broker with Re/Max Living.
The community has new restaurants, a new bookstore, a movie theater, a hotel, a fitness center and concerts all summer, says Jackie Lawlor, an associate broker at Jack Lawlor Realty in Ashburn. There’s a Top Golf location and an indoor skydiving center nearby, too. Community events are planned all year at One Loudoun, including a farmers market.
The mixed-use community, meant to be “Loudoun County’s downtown,” includes indoor and outdoor spaces that appeal to families as well as young people and to empty-nesters. Central Park Plaza has seating, a fountain and entertainment. The community has miles of walking trails, an amphitheater for concerts, outdoor fields at the sportsplex and a community recreation center with a pool, fitness center, playground and tennis and basketball courts.
A variety of home types are available in the community, including condominiums, townhouses and single-family homes. The condos and townhouses often include a private rooftop deck. Lawlor says prices start in the $500,000s and up.
Stats:
Median Household Income: $119,090
Average Commute Time: 29 minutes
Schools: Steuart Weller Elementary, Farmwell Station Middle, Broad Run High
Zillow Forecast: Up 1.8 percent in 2018
Ashburn Village
The 30,000-square-foot Sports Pavilion in Ashburn Village, an amenity included in resident’s homeowner association fees, is the big draw for buyers in this planned community, says Lawlor.
“There’s nothing like it offered in any other community in this area, since it includes everything from indoor and outdoor swimming pools to indoor tennis courts, sauna and steam rooms and racquetball,” says Lawlor.
Community activities are abundant in Ashburn Village for all ages and interests, including Fourth of July fireworks, summer concerts, a Halloween party, visits from Santa, a fiesta night and a comedy night. The fitness activities attract families as well as young professionals to the community, says Lawlor. Highly regarded schools also bring in families to the neighborhood.
The development, which opened in the late 1980s, is well-established with mature trees, miles of walking trails and even some waterfront property. The Ashburn Village Center provides shops and restaurants within walking distance for many residents.
Another draw is that there is a mix of housing types and prices.
“You can find anything from a condo priced in the $200,000s to a townhouse to a single-family home at almost any price, up to as high as $750,000 for a waterfront property,” says Lawlor.
Stats:
Median Household Income: $119,090
Average Commute Time: 29 minutes
Schools: Ashburn, Steuart Weller or Dominion Trail Elementary, Farmwell Station Middle, Broad Run High
Zillow Forecast: Up 1.8 percent in 2018
Willowsford
Willowsford, a planned community in Ashburn, has earned national attention for its farm-to-table lifestyle. The community, designed around 300 acres of agricultural land, has 2,000 acres of open space. And, 90 percent of its homes back to parkland.
“The thing that makes Willowsford special is that each neighborhood within the development has different amenities and different home styles,” says Lawlor. “Each section feels unique.”
There are four villages at Willowsford, each with miles of walking trails, parks, sledding hills and dog parks. Among the many amenities at Willowsford are a farmer’s produce stand, educational events at the farm, cooking classes and nature trails. The Willowsford Kitchen has classes for kids and adults, cooking demonstrations and pop-up restaurants in the community.
A lifestyle coordinator works with residents to organize activities such as a wine club, concerts, movie nights, block parties and neighborhood gatherings. Community swimming pools and a fitness center include classes and a swim team. Residents can canoe and fish on Willow Lake or enjoy the yoga lawn, bocce courts or a zipline.
Nearly a dozen builders are building homes at Willowsford, where the single-family homes range in price from the $600,000s to over $1 million, says Lawlor.
Stats:
Median Household Income: $119,090
Average commute time: 29 minutes
Schools: Buffalo Trail or Madison’s Trust Elementary, Brambleton or Mercer Middle, John Champe High
Zillow forecast: Up 2.1 percent in 2018
Loudoun West
Belmont Country Club
Among the many golf course communities in Loudoun County, Lawlor says Belmont Country Club is one of the most popular at the moment.
“There are new shops and restaurants right outside the gated community and a private golf club inside,” says Lawlor.
Belmont Country Club’s location off Route 7 and proximity to Inova Loudoun Hospital, Lansdowne Resort and Spa and The Golf Club at Lansdowne make it appealing for more than just what’s inside the gate, says Lawlor.
Buyers are also attracted to the community because of the variety of housing options. Inside the gate are single-family homes priced at more than $1 million, but just outside the gate are condos priced from the upper-$200,000s to the low-$300,000s. Lawlor says residents in the condos can become members of the golf course to gain access to the amenities of those living inside the gate.
The country club includes an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, a fitness center, swimming pool, tennis court and children’s activities, including sports lessons and dance classes. The country club lifestyle for residents of the community extend to formal and informal dining options and take-out to dine at home.
While the golf course and country club attract many buyers, families are also drawn by the excellent reputation of local schools, says Lawlor.
Stats:
Median Household Income: $119,090
Average Commute Time: 29 minutes
Schools: Newton-Lee Elementary, Belmont Ridge Middle, Stone Bridge High
Zillow Forecast: Up 1.8 percent in 2018
Purcellville
Lfestyle and affordability are two reasons first-time buyers in particular are choosing Purcellville, says Lawlor.
“You can find nice townhouses for less than $300,000 and people are happy to be able to get into a starter home,” says Lawlor. “Many commute to Herndon or Reston, not all the way into D.C., so that makes the distance less of an issue.”
Newly constructed single-family homes are available from the $500,000s in Purcellville, along with newly built townhouses priced from the $300,000s. Large single-family homes with plenty of acreage are priced in the millions.
While many people enjoy the rolling hills and scenic views of mountains and trees, Purcellville has experienced growth recently, with more restaurants and shops opening along Main Street in the center of town. Dozens of breweries and wineries are located near Purcellville, many of them with live music on the weekends, says Lawlor.
“People like the small-town, country feel of Purcellville, but they also like that it’s a very community-oriented place with two high schools,” says Lawlor.
The W&OD Trail beckons joggers and bicyclists and throughout the year are community activities such as a music and arts festival and a wine and food festival.
Stats:
Median Household Income: $124,276
Average Commute Time: 32 minutes
Schools: Emerick, Mountain View or Lincoln Elementary, Blue Ridge Middle, Woodgrove High
Zillow Forecast: Up 1.8 percent in 2018
Round Hill
Similar to Purcellville, Round Hill offers a small-town lifestyle with access to nature along with good schools. An abundant number of wineries and breweries are nearby and the community is home to the private Stoneleigh Golf & Country Club.
Yet Round Hill attracts plenty of first-time buyers looking for an affordable starter home, says Lawlor. Townhouses are priced from the $300,000s and single-family homes cover a broad range from the $400,000s to over $1 million. Even newly built single-family homes are available from the $400,000s to the $600,000s.
Round Hill has fewer restaurants and shops than Purcellville, but since it’s adjacent to the town, residents can easily drive a short distance for a little more activity. There are a few restaurants in Round Hill itself, along with the Round Hill Arts Center.
The schools in Round Hill have an excellent reputation, another reason young families are drawn to the area. The extra distance from Purcellville adds to the commute, depending on where buyers work, but for many it’s worth it to live in a quiet, family-friendly area with beautiful views and a strong sense of community.
Stats:
Median Household Income: $114,167
Average Commute Time: 33 minutes
Schools: Round Hill Elementary, Harmony Middle, Woodgrove High
Zillow Forecast: Up 2 percent in 2018