How often are you asked, "Where are you from?" Until I started my own family in McLean, Virginia, I always answered, Oklahoma City, OK. Having spent the first 18 years of my life there, it was (and still is) something I wanted everyone to know about me because I was so proud of my heritage. I always got such varied reactions: "You are? Did you grow up on a farm?" Or, "Oh, that's why you're so nice." Or, "Why did you move to Washington, DC?" And I answered the same every time, "No, I grew up in a neighborhood not that different from McLean." And, "Everyone from Oklahoma is nice because we don't have any traffic." And, "I moved to DC to attend college. I met my husband who is from Maryland. We married, and we moved to McLean to start our family.
I love McLean, Virginia. I have built my life in a community that reminds me of home but on a much larger scale - more people, more cars, more buildings and more houses. But, just like in Oklahoma City, I see my friends out at all the neighborhood spots - the McLean Giant, Greenberry's, the Community Center, church and Pulcinella. (And in a few years, McLean Little League!) In fact, as time goes by, the town seems to get smaller and smaller. Just like in Oklahoma City, everyone in McLean seems to know everyone else in McLean. For me, this is what makes McLean such a great community.
Of course there are other great benefits to living in McLean: some of the best schools in America; a location equidistant to both Regan and Dulles Airports; easy access to the beltway; 15 minutes to Georgetown in no traffic; a wide range of housing choices from town homes to starter homes and condos to historic estates; great Community Centers with endless activities for children and adults; Clemyjontri, one of the best public parks in America; Tysons shopping only minutes away; a fantastic Little League park; and a new Silver Metro Line in the works. Whenever a friend of mine outside of the area considers moving into the DC metro area, I implore them to consider McLean. There is no other close-in suburb better!
Of course, Great Falls, Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, Oakton, Reston and Herndon are all wonderful communities in which to live and work. I could probably argue for any of them - Great Falls for its bucolic and picturesque setting, Arlington for its culture and diversity, Falls Church and Vienna for their history, Oakton for its sense of community, Reston for its Town Center and Herndon for its business community. But I'm partial to McLean because that's where my family and I live.
If you live in McLean, tell me what you love some much about this or the many other surrounding communities. I want to make sure I'm not missing anything!
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