Reston, Virginia Property Management Services

Location of Reston

The town of Reston is located in Fairfax County, Virginia’s most populated county. Reston is close to Dulles Airport (just six miles away), and it makes an excellent home base for exploring the Washington DC region (Downtown D.C. Is about 20 miles away). The Silver Line station of the Washington Metro ends at the Reston-Weihle stop, and the metro is a convenient way to commute to work or visit downtown D.C.

Neighboring communities include Great Falls to the north, Wolf Trap to the east, Herndon to the west, and Dranesville to the northwest. Reston has a total area of 15.7 square miles.

Population and Demographics

 Reston had a 2020 population of 61,147, which increased by 4.70% since the most recent census in 2010. US-born citizens make up 72.94% of the populace in Reston, while non-US-born citizens account for 16.57%. Additionally,10.49% of the population is comprised of non-citizens.

The average household income in Reston is $151,186. The median rental costs in recent years have averaged about $1,860 per month, and the median home value is $525,000. The median age in Reston is 39.8 years.

Area History

During the Colonial America era, the land on which Reston now sits was part of a substantial grant to Lord Thomas Fairfax from King Charles II. The property extended from the Potomac River to the Rappahannock River, and it remained in the Fairfax family until they sold it.

In 1886, William Dunn and Carl A. Weihle purchased approximately 6,500 acres of the property in the northern part of Fairfax County, along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad line. Eventually, they divided the land between themselves, with Weihle retaining the acreage north of the railroad line until he died in 1901.

Weihle’s heirs eventually sold the land, which changed hands several times before being purchased by the A. Smith Bowman family, who built a bourbon distillery on the site. In 1961, Robert E. Simon used funds from his family’s recent sale of Carnegie Hall to purchase a massive piece of the property, except for about 60 acres on which the Bowman distillery continued to operate until 1987.

On his 50th birthday in April 1964, Simon officially launched Reston and named the community using his initials. He laid out 7 “guiding principles” that would express the quality of life he desired for the residents and also serve as a strong foundation for Reston’s future development. His dream was for the town’s residents to live, work, and play in their own community, sharing its common grounds and scenic beauty, regardless of social status.

Simon envisioned Reston as a model for huddled residential development, putting a premium on conservation and preserving open space, landscapes, and wildlife habitats. 

Reston was the first 20th-century private community in the U.S. to explicitly incorporate natural preservation in its planning. To date, Reston has maintained and integrated its beautiful landscapes, recreational facilities, cultural centers, commercial hubs, and historical sites. 

Education

 As a part of Fairfax County, Reston is served by the Fairfax County Public Schools District. The town contains ten elementary schools, and there are also nine private schools to choose from.  

Reston has one high school within its boundaries, South Lakes High School, which serves most of Reston; students who live in the far northern part of Reston attend Herndon High School.

Adjacent to South Lakes High School is Reston’s only middle school, Langston Hughes Middle School. 

Things to Do

The Reston Museum at Lake Anne Village Center is the perfect place to get oriented and learn the backstory of this planned community. 

Lake Anne is a great place to start if you plan to spend the day exploring Reston. On Saturdays, from spring to fall, the plaza hosts an excellent craft and Farmers Market. In addition, numerous special events are held there, like the annual Founder’s Day and Multicultural Festival, attracting both residents and visitors.

Lake Fairfax Park is a popular spot for weekend gatherings, hiking, biking, fishing, and camping. Visitors enjoy a network of trails, a large wooded picnic area, a small fishable lake (license required), sports fields, a skateboard park, and an excellent campground.

For urban fun, the Reston Town Center is a combination outdoor mall, residential area, and community gathering spot. It offers a mix of shopping and dining, and hosts concerts and events for the community.

Home Prices and Trends

In March 2022, Reston home prices were up 11% compared to the previous year, selling for a median price of $525,000. On average, homes in Reston sell after seven days on the market compared to 20 days in 2021. There were 120 homes sold in March 2022, down from 140 the prior year.

 Many homes for sale in Reston receive multiple offers, with the average home selling anywhere from 3% to 7% over the asking price. 

Is Reston the Best Place for You?

Reston is a great place to live if you:

 Love to walk: As the largest planned community in America, Reston has over 55 miles of connected and well-maintained trails. They’re wide and paved, with plenty of room for pets and bikes. Many residents enjoy walking from their homes to nearby shopping and restaurants.

Want interesting work: Located in the Dulles Technology Corridor, Reston is home to many multinational corporations such as Rolls-Royce, General Dynamics, Leidos, Learning Tree International, and more. Reston and the surrounding area are also home to many large technology companies.

Love the performing arts: Reston has been home to the Reston Community Players, a theatre troupe, since 1966. It has also been home to the Reston Chorale, a choral group providing a stage for amateurs and professionals since the late 1960s.