George Washington himself lived and worked in Oakton, so you'll be happy here. Trust us, we can not tell a lie, either.
Ready to escape the crowds of DC? Pack your bags and head east to Oakton, where the grass is green, the houses are big, and the yards are even bigger. Oakton is a place where people enjoy the good life, making the 30 minute commute to the capital when they need to work.
Moving into Oakton
How much will it cost you?
You know you are in a pretty fancy neighborhood when the only place you can find for 'reasonable' rates is in the basement! Be prepared to shell out the shillings in Oakton, where rent doesnt only dent your wallet, it obliterates it. Studio apartments in Oakton usually fetch a good chunk of change. For families, rental homes in Oakton that include a large yard just move up from there.
What you'll need
If you want to live in Oakton, you should have plenty of money, a high-paying job, or preferably both. Dont expect to begin your search for apartments in Oakton without the ability to prove that you can easily afford to pay the rent.
When to Look
There are always people moving in and out of Oakton neighborhoods, so it doesnt really matter when you look. If you are bringing any pets larger than cats and dogs, such as a horse, start your search at least three months in advance. Yes, Oakton is the kind of place where you can move in with your horse.
Oakton Neighborhoods
It can sometimes be a bit tough to tell where the town of Oakton starts and ends as it tends to bleed into neighboring Vienna and Fairfax pretty quickly. Basically, Oakton occupies the space directly north of Fairfax, on the north side of the Interstate 66. This is mostly a residential area, but there are some shops and restaurants sprinkled around for good measure.
Chain Bridge Road: This is the main drag in town, and most of the action is congregated within a couple of blocks of this street. A few of the larger apartment complexes are in this area, so if you are looking for an affordable studio apartment in Oakton, this might be your best bet.
Difficult Run: This is the place to be if you enjoy torturous runs of the same name, but it isnt a prerequisite. This neighborhood has tons of tree-lined streets and access to trails for exercise. Yes, there is a large park here called Little Difficult Run Valley Stream Park. Whoever was in charge of naming the streets didn't stop there you can live on Ox Hunt Road, Lawyers Road, or even Colts Neck Road. Many of the houses here are huge, and often come with a swimming pool in the backyard.
Waples: If golf course livin is for you, head on down to Waples Road. Most of the houses here were designed to abut the golf course, so pour a martini and enjoy the view. Homes here usually come with access to all of the country club amenities such as swimming pool, tennis court, etc. Another advantage of living in Waples is that it is literally right on the other side of the highway from the Fairfax Mall you could probably drive your golf cart there.
Livin' La Vida Oakton
The key thing to remember is that Oakton is so close to Fairfax that you can practically walk there with the only obstacle in your way is the pesky I-66. Most of the residents either work in the surrounding area or commute to Washington DC. People who live here come from all over the map, which makes for cosmopolitan living in the suburbs.
Getting around
Unless you don’t plan on straying too far from the homestead, you will need a car. Fairfax County does have a decent public transportation system, but it won’t venture deep into Oakton suburbia.
Eating out
The Oakton area has some great food choices, which are priced perfectly reasonably considering the kind of money floating around Fairfax County. This is truly an international part of the country, and there is a decent array of restaurants dishing up specialties from the far corners of the world.
Nightlife
You probably wont find a whole lot of action in Oakton itself, but dont let that prevent you from enjoying the wee hours. Fairfax County has a thriving nightlife scene, with everything from trendy wine bars to semi-rowdy sports bars. If that isnt enough, remember that DC is just half an hour away.
Activities and Diversions
One of the best reasons to move to Oakton is to enjoy the outdoor life. You shouldn’t have to go far to reach a park, trail system, or small forested area. Another great benefit of living here is that most of the neighborhoods have great recreation centers, complete with pools, fitness centers, etc, all courtesy of your community association fees.
If watching historical reenactments with canons and the cavalry sounds like fun, you are in the right place. Oakton and Fairfax County are pretty much ground zero for that sort of thing. You can even get in on the battles if you want.