A significant percentage of those who work within Washington, D.C.'s Beltway leave the city each evening. The reasons they elect not to reside within D.C. range from rising real estate prices and rents, to the preference for a more suburban environment, to the simple wish to escape the "Beltway Bubble." The city of Fairfax, Virginia, offers the perfect solution. It's close enough to D.C. to throw a stone and hit a politician (the Beltway is a mere three miles away to the east); and yet, it's very much an independent jurisdiction.

Although it's just six square miles in size, Fairfax has city status. It sits at the center of Fairfax County in Northern Virginia, approximately 30 from both Dulles and Ronald Reagan International Airports. Strategically positioned at the hub of Northern Virginia's north/south and east/west superhighways, Fairfax is also just one mile away from the nearest Metro station -- that's D.C.'s superb rail system. For D.C. commuters, the Metro is safe, clean, efficient and usually on time. In most cases, the Metro is preferable to driving in the city.

Much like Washington, the city of Fairfax is culturally rich and very well-educated. Nearly 90 percent of its residents are high-school graduates, and nearly 70 percent of them have at least partial college credit. In a sense, however, Fairfax is a bubble much like the Beltway. Its populace of 20,000 is, for the most part, affluent. You won't find the pockets of poverty here as you will in D.C. Fairfax's per capita income is the second-highest in Virginia. The city's population, despite Fairfax's proximity to diversity of D.C., is overwhelmingly Caucasian in its ethnicity. With a major university in its midst (George Mason University) and the continuing growth of local corporations, conditions may be ripe for change.

One of the best aspects of living in Fairfax is its proximity to historical monuments and other well-preserved buildings. Within a six-square-block radius, you'll be exposed to more history than you would in an average metropolitan city. At the center of it all is the Fairfax County Court House, a colonial structure where George and Martha Washington's wills were petitioned and where they remain today. As you venture out into the surrounding streets, you'll walk the paths traveled by some of our nation's most influential leaders, including our former presidents FDR, Davis and Taft.

Also within this small area is the site of one of the Civil War's first major battles (Fairfax is located 15 miles east of the Manassas Battlefields). Historic Fairfax (dubbed "Old Town," much like its historic neighbor, Alexandria, Virginia, just 15 miles away) has been well-preserved. Today, its old structures serve as home to retail shops, art galleries and fine restaurants. The atmosphere is unique, inviting and warm.

Fairfax's housing consists mostly of single-family residences ranging anywhere from the lower $100,000s to $350,000 and up. Townhomes fall within the same price range, from about $150,000 to $300,000-plus. Condominiums on average run from about $50,000 to $80,000 and up. And the average apartment in Fairfax will cost you anywhere from $650 to $1,000 and up, depending upon amenities and number of bedrooms. Relocating families are attracted to Fairfax by its well-to-do population, its generally high quality of life and its low unemployment rate (as of October 1999, that rate stood at .9 percent, the lowest in the state of Virginia). Both residential and commercial real estate are booming in Fairfax. In fact, in both sectors, construction rates are peaking at their highest ever and show no signs of slowing down. A local economy worth more than $2 billion is helping to fuel that fire.

Fairfax's tight community contributed to a dedicated recycling effort. The city's recycling rate hovers just below 50 percent -- the second-highest in the state. In addition, the city has been recognized repeatedly by the National Arbor Foundation with the "Tree City USA" designation for its dedication to preserving parklands and trees.

Fairfax's small size has helped to foster a sense of community and bolster its quality of life. The city has set aside more than 100 acres of land for parks, many of which are used for recreation and athletics. As the city's galleries attest, Fairfax is home to plenty of artists. One of the town's annual events is the Spotlight on the Arts, a tribute to local artists that takes place each spring. Fairfax maintains a full schedule of festivals throughout the year, from its arts celebration to its annual July Fourth bash to its Fall Festival and Old Town Hall Performance Series each fall, as well as its Festival of Lights and Carols in the winter. One of Fairfax's most unique annual events is its Chocolate Lovers Festival, which takes place each February. The festival includes two days of choco-bliss. Chocolatiers sell their delicacies and hand out samples, and during a "Chocolate Challenge," aspiring (and hungry) artists create masterpieces from (you guessed it) chocolate.

A move to Fairfax is a good investment. The economy continues to thrive and prosper, unfazed by the volatility of other cities nearby. Unlike D.C., whose economy has experienced a roller-coaster ride, Fairfax remains stable. Its booming residential real estate market is evidence of that security. A low unemployment rate and close community make Fairfax an excellent choice for families -- particularly those who want easy access to the resources of the Beltway without giving up the American dream of a house in the middle of a comparatively quieter suburbia. In short, Fairfax caters to those who want it all.

Published: May 1, 2000

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