The Best Places to Live Near Inova Fairfax Hospital
If you are currently working or considering an academic or employment opportunity at the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus in Annandale, VA and thinking of buying a home, you are probably wondering which area suits you best. Those who reside in the cities surrounding the Inova Fairfax Hospital enjoy a high standard of living, and there are single-family homes, townhomes, and condos to fit a variety of tastes and budgets. Northern Virginia is perfect for active families and young professionals. No matter where you choose to live, you’ll have access to the best school systems, three major airports, an abundance of food and shopping options, historical sites, cultural experiences, professional sporting events, and endless outdoor activities. At VStar Real Estate, we help clients find homes in Northern Virginia and can show you some of the best places to live near Inova Fairfax Hospital.
The Inova Fairfax Medical Center Campus
Inova Fairfax is the largest hospital campus in Northern Virginia, and the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the region. The campus consists of three hospitals - Inova Fairfax Hospital Proper, Inova Children’s Hospital, and Inova Heart & Vascular Institute. Voted among the Best Hospitals in the US, Inova Fairfax is known for cancer and cardiac treatment, geriatrics, gastroenterology, urology, neonatal intensive care, and its organ transplant programs, to name a few. The hospital is one of the largest employers in Fairfax County.
It is also a highly respected teaching hospital. Inova Fairfax offers a wide range of programs for undergraduate and graduate medical education, nursing education, pharmacy education, residency programs and fellowships, and professional development opportunities. As an independent academic medical center, the hospital serves as a regional campus for the University of Virginia and VCU’s School of Medicine and pharmacy and partners with Georgetown, GWU, Howard, George Mason, VCU and numerous other organizations to provide training for students.
Because the Hospital Campus is located just off the Capital Beltway, you’ll have many great living options in the surrounding communities. Some are a short drive away, a few are within walking distance, and others require a longer commute. Check out the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Station, as riding the train to the hospital is even a possibility. Of the many accessible communities near Inova Fairfax Hospital, some of our favorites include Annandale, Mantua, Fairfax City, Alexandria, Springfield, and Woodbridge.
Annandale
Annandale surrounds Inova Fairfax, so the location is convenient for those working at the campus. While the median home value in the area is $489,100, it is still one of the cheaper suburbs of Washington D.C. With a population of 43,295, living in Annandale offers residents an urban-suburban mix feel. Most of the communities in Annandale are of older construction, which means newly built homes are in short supply.
A large variety of home types exist in the area. The area surrounding Inova Fairfax is brimming with older, yet beautiful townhomes. Raintree Townhomes, Strathmeade Townhomes, and Jefferson Park Townhomes are a short walk to Inova. A few condominium complexes are also a convenient walk to the hospital campus and perfect for those looking for smaller homes that require less maintenance. In fact, Woodburn Village is directly adjacent to the hospital.
You can walk to the hospital from Holmes Run Acres, a subdivision of mid-century modern homes. Most of the neighborhoods containing single-family homes are just a short drive from the hospital. Inova Fairfax is a quick commute from Canterbury Woods, another mid-century modern community. Camelot is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the area and features larger homes that are competitively priced.
From boutiques to coffee shops, Annandale has plenty to offer its residents. There are numerous restaurants throughout, and the city is actually known for its Korean dining options. You’ll also find family-friendly outdoor recreation, numerous parks, a nature center, and outdoor performance venues. The public school system in Annandale is considered well above average, and there are also numerous private school options. Annandale is also home to the largest branch of the Northern Virginia Community College system.
Mantua
Mantua is a community of more than 1,500 homes in the center of Fairfax County and just four miles from the Inova Fairfax Hospital. It has a small population, and is a haven for both retirees and families. The median home value is $780,000, so Mantua is one of the more expensive areas to live near Inova Fairfax Hospital.
The neighborhoods in Mantua consist mostly of single-family detached homes. The architecture showcases split-level, colonial, and ranch-style homes. While older homes are available, the area is also full of new construction, and larger lots are prevalent. The most sought-after neighborhoods include Mantua Hills and Chesterfield Mews. You’ll also find several new townhome communities located near the Metro station, some of which cater to adults over the age of 55.
Mantua features its own Swim and Tennis Club, an Army-Navy Golf Club, as well as beautiful parks and walking trails for residents. Boutiques, grocery stores, and plenty of dining options are conveniently located in the center of Mantua. Furthermore, public schools in the area have an excellent reputation. The town has a natural charm, a strong sense of community, and an active Civic Association.
Fairfax City
While Inova Fairfax Hospital lies within Fairfax County, it is approximately a twelve minute drive from the City of Fairfax. It is also worth noting that George Mason University is within the city limits. Because George Mason is one of the universities that Inova Fairfax Hospital partners with, living in the City of Fairfax may be a perfect option for those who commute to both.
The median home value is $560,400, and with a population of approximately 23,500, Fairfax City has a small-town charm but still offers a great mix of property types. There are plenty of new multi-family communities and stunning single-family homes. Little River Hills is a quaint and notable neighborhood of luxury homes in Fairfax City. Home prices generally exceed one million dollars, but the lots are large and many homes line up to parklands and trees.
Downtown Fairfax is one of the most popular neighborhoods to live in and is just five miles from Inova Fairfax Hospital. Also referred to as Old Town Fairfax, homes in the area are a mix of new construction and old historic structures. Living in Old Town can be a bit more costly than other parts of Fairfax. Yet it is a great place to live, because it’s more walkable than many other areas of Fairfax City, and there are a good selection of restaurants and shops to choose from. Public transportation provides a rather simple commute between Old Town Fairfax and the Inova Fairfax Hospital. However, buses only run every 45 minutes, so the transit time may seem long for the distance.
Fairfax City also offers a variety of townhome styles, sizes, and prices. Main Street Residences, Buckleye’s Reserve, Fair Ridge, Metro Row, and Chancery Park offer some of the best. Covington is another likable, yet more affordable townhome community where none of the properties are subject to homeowner’s association fees. Additionally, public transportation allows for an easy 17 minute commute to Inova Fairfax.
There is also plenty of activity in the city. You can immerse yourself in the city’s rich history, walk the trails of the many country parks, visit the Children’s Science Center, or take in the extensive Sally Ormsby Park. There is also no shortage of shopping and dining options in Fairfax - Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center, Old Town Plaza, and Fairfax Corner to name a few.
Alexandria
Alexandria is located 15 miles from Inova Fairfax Hospital. If you choose to live in Alexandria, you’ll probably choose to rely solely on your own vehicle for transportation. The drive is under 25 minutes, and public transportation is a less viable option. With a cost of living index around 150, Alexandria is one of the more expensive places to live in Virginia. The median home cost is $542,000, making homes here double the national average. However, many residents find that the cost is worth the lifestyle in Alexandria.
You’ll find almost all styles of living in Alexandria. The townhomes of Delray, the single-family homes of Seminary Hill, and Old Town’s waterfront condos and charming row houses are particularly sought-after. Old Town is actually the reason many make the move to Alexandria each year. If you choose to live in Old Town, you’ll be within walking distance of some of the city’s best attractions. This historic district is filled with shops and restaurants, especially along lively King Street. Parts of Old Town are situated along the Potomac river, and the outdoor waterfront dining is a local favorite.
With over 50 miles of on-street bike lanes, Alexandria’s charming neighborhoods cater to bicyclists. Access to the Potomac River also makes it a popular area for boating, fishing, and sightseeing cruises. With malls like the Potomac Yard Center and Alexandria Commons, there is plenty of great shopping in Alexandria. There is also no shortage of restaurants, breweries, and farmer’s markets, as well as live music and nightlife, and a unique art scene. Some of the best food, wine, and art festivals take place in Alexandria.
Woodbridge
Woodbridge is an affordable option for homebuyers, and it has one of the lowest costs of living of all of the areas surrounding Inova Fairfax. For example, Alexandria’s cost of living index is 150, while Woodbridge’s index is closer to 119, with a median home cost of $408,000. Woodbridge lies just 17 miles south of Inova Fairfax Hospital. While traffic can be heavy between the two areas, commuters will be happy to know that the drive itself is very easy, as the city is directly adjacent to I-95 and Route 1. It is a perfect place for active families and professionals looking for a departure from even busier areas.
You’ll find almost all styles of living in Woodbridge. The real estate market offers a mix of smaller, single-family houses and newly developed communities with larger homes and townhomes. Some of the best neighborhoods to look for single-family homes include the Meadows of Minnieville, Lake Ridge, Featherstone Farms, and River Falls. Powell’s Landing, the Glen, and Port Potomac are just a few of the great communities that offer spacious townhomes. Additionally, the beautiful riverfront neighborhoods offer a blend of single-family homes, condominiums, and townhomes. The most sought-after properties are on Belmont Bay, and several new-community plans are in the works.
Even though Woodbridge is small, there is still a great deal to do. There are numerous city and state parks that offer waterfront hiking, camping, fishing, and boating. The beautiful Occoquan Bay and Featherstone National Wildlife Refuges offer hundreds of acres of wetlands, grasslands, and forests and are locals’ favorites for birdwatching. Woodbridge is also home to the favored Lake Ridge and Old Hickory Golf Clubs.
Well-known in Prince William County for the abundance of shopping available directly off I-95, Woodbridge is home to Virginia’s largest outlet mall. Potomac Mills and the area surrounding the mall are packed with chain restaurants, big-name stores, a theater, an abundance of restaurants, and other retailers. Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center is another great spot for shopping.
If you’re looking for a place to live near Inova Fairfax Hospital, you have so many great areas to choose from. Contact V Star Real Estate today to check out our listings throughout northern Virginia!
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