Did you know that Vienna has bragging rights as one of the best places to live in Virginia?

In this episode of Give, Work, Play, Lindsey Harrington and I are going to give you the pros and cons of living in Vienna, Virginia. We’ll look at everything from the lifestyle to traffic so you know exactly what to expect.

Welcome To Vienna, Virginia

In Vienna, Virginia, you're going to find high-ranking public schools (depending on where you're looking), quaint neighborhoods, shopping, music, craft beer events, dining, history, and so much more. Additionally, this town is only about 15 miles west of Washington, D.C.

Lindsey grew up in Vienna; she loves it because you truly get the small-town feel with big city living. There's so much to do there, between the Halloween parades and float parades down the town’s main street. Vienna takes holidays very seriously, and the community always shows out. It's so much fun.

An Ideal Location

While you get that small-town, Midwest feeling, Vienna is super close to D.C and anything else you could want. If shopping is important to you, Tyson's Corner is literally right next door to Vienna at about a five-minute drive. You’ll have all the shopping you need right there at your fingertips.

Another amazing thing is the proximity to both airports. Just about 20-25 minutes away you can be at either Ronald Reagan or Dulles International Airport—with the latter being the easiest to access of the two. Both are international airports, so whether you want to go to Atlanta or Athens, you have easy access right there.

For those that work or plan to work in D.C, the best way to commute (and escape the 395 or 495 traffic) is to take the metro. The Orange Line goes to D.C, with other lines running west out to 66. If you don't want to take the metro and you don't want to drive a car, there are also carpool options and a bus system. You don't actually have to get behind the wheel if you don't want to.

Outdoor Activities & Music

Another thing that is amazing about Vienna is all the outdoor activities. There are so many bike trails and parks, allowing you to ride your skateboard or bike all around. Some of these trails are really long, stretching up to 185 miles up into Maryland. One of the trails is along the train tracks, while the other one is along a canal. This provides really great scenery regardless of whichever trail you choose.

Another awesome thing about Vienna is Viva Vienna, a festival held in the summer. You can sit outside, bring your dogs, and enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of craft beer. Additionally, with sidewalks everywhere around town, you can walk your dog or ride your bike to enjoy Vienna’s amenities.

One thing that's really cool about Vienna is the music. If you want to see big concerts or catch a show that’s a little bit more intimate, there are options for both. Jammin Java, located in Vienna, is one of the top 100 clubs in the world based on worldwide ticket sales, according to Pollstar. This premier concert venue in the United States remains a staple of the Washington, D.C music community. Wolf Trap is another amazing music venue that you’ll want to check out.

Town Taxes

Now that you know about the pros of living in Vienna, Virginia, we’re going to give you the real deal about some of the cons. These are things that you may want to consider that aren’t so great about living in Vienna. The first con that you definitely might not know about—but you really should pay attention to if you're living inside the town limits—is that you may have to pay town taxes as well as Fairfax County taxes.

Not every Vienna address actually is in the town limits. Depending on your address, you might only be subject to paying Fairfax County taxes. We had a listing with a Vienna address but that wasn't in the town limits, so they didn't have to pay double tax. This is a really important tip that you need to make sure you know before you buy in Vienna.

Traffic

Another thing to be aware of when moving to Vienna—and anywhere in Northern Virginia—is traffic. Of course, Vienna has so many other options that you don't have to commute always by car, as we mentioned before. From carpooling and the metro to taking the bus, you have ways to commute in Vienna that you might not have somewhere else.

We call sitting in your car “windshield time,” and it’s something that happens regularly. However, if you need to get to the airport or anywhere else, Uber is another great option.  I would recommend that you download that app and consider that as a way to get around.

Fun Fact

Other than these few cons, Vienna is a great place to live in Virginia. Here’s a fun fact: Vienna was originally called Ayr Hill. Back in 1850, a doctor that lived in Vienna, New York said he was going to move to the town because they were looking for a doctor—but he had one requirement. They had to name the town Vienna, Virginia.

Make Vienna, Virginia Your Home

Vienna is a great place to live, work, and play. It gives you a lot of options to be able to go west to D.C, south to Richmond, or get on a plane and go to Vienna, Austria. While there are a few cons to living here, the pros far outweigh any of the not-so-great things.

If you want more information on Vienna, Virginia, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.