8 Things to Know Before Moving to Falls Church, VA

The unique character of Falls Church, Virginia, lies in its modest size and strong sense of autonomy. Beautiful residences abound in this neighborhood, which boasts a low crime rate, excellent schools, and convenient access to a wide range of amenities ideal for raising a family. 

Falls Church may be seeing slower rates of urban development than neighboring places, but that hasn’t stopped the city from providing plenty of exciting opportunities for its inhabitants. Here are eight things to know before moving to this small city!

1. The city is served by the largest public school system in the state

There are a total of 26 schools in the Falls Church area, including 14 public elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 4 high schools, and 5 private institutions, all of which are part of the Fairfax County Public School system, the largest public school system in Virginia.

Some of the schools in the town include Beech Tree Elementary School, Belvedere Elementary School, Lemon Road Elementary School, Longfellow Middle School, Jackson Middle School, Falls Church High School, George Mason High School, and Grace Christian Academy, among others.

2. George Washington and George Mason once lived here

Falls Church is a place that any student of U.S. history will be familiar with. The town was held by Union troops during the American Civil War and was formerly home to both George Washington and George Mason. Birch House, The Falls Church, and Mount Hope are just a few of the six locations in town that have been included in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on the steps of the Falls Church religious institute in 1776, making it one of the city’s most famous historical events. Two of the ancient boundary stones for the District of Columbia can be found in the town, in Andrew Ellicott Park and Banneker Park.

3. Arlington and Washington D.C. are close by

Falls Church is conveniently located near the state lines of both Virginia and the District of Columbia, and it is surrounded by larger cities that offer plenty of job opportunities. The city’s proximity to several main roads and highways also makes it a great spot to live if you need a quick commute to nearby Washington or Arlington.

The job market is more robust in Arlington, which is only a 10-minute drive away and has a population of 236,000 (compared to Falls Church’s 14,000). You’re also in luck if you’re seeking employment in the nation’s capital. Washington, DC, is only a 19-minute drive away, so you can be in the heart of the activity and ready to get to work in no time.

4. Try out Cyber Raccoon’s escape rooms or catch a show at The Creative Cauldron

When it comes to exciting entertainment, Falls Church doesn’t lack options.  

You’re in for a real treat if you’ve never tried an escape room. There’s room for two to ten players in each of Cyber Raccoon’s escape rooms, and it’ll take everyone working together to figure out the room’s theme and get out as quickly as possible. 

The Creative Cauldron, which is a nonprofit theater group, is a resident favorite because of the many exciting events it hosts and the comfortable seating options it provides. 

5. The cost of living is 57% higher than the national average

Even though Falls Church consistently ranks among Virginia’s top places to live, the city is not exactly cheap. The cost of living in Falls Church is 157.7 on the overall index, which is 57.7 points higher than the national average. 

Housing costs in Falls Church are higher than in many other cities. One-bedroom rent in Falls Church could cost $2,000 to $2,500 a month. The median home price in the city is $695,812. So yes, living here comes with quite a price tag.

6. Get a job in the hospitality sector or commute to nearby Washington for work

Residents of Falls Church tend to work in well-paying fields, including public administration and professional services, with many making the short trip to Washington, D.C. Approximately one-fourth of Falls Church’s total jobs are in the retail and hospitality sectors. 

If there aren’t many chances in your field in the Falls Church region, you’re still within driving distance to Washington, DC, where there are potentially hundreds of jobs available. 

7. The city has an effective transportation system

While having a car can make getting about Falls Church more convenient at times, it may not always be necessary. The small size of the city—just 2.2 square miles—makes getting around on two wheels or by foot a breeze. 

Falls Church is serviced by the subways and buses of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), making it convenient to get to and from the city. Those aren’t the only public transportation alternatives in the area. In addition to the Fairfax Connector, you can use Arlington Transit (ART).

8. Winters are quite cold in the city

The Falls Church metropolitan region is located roughly in the middle of the country. You can expect hot, muggy summers and cold, snowy winters, but not as much snow as you might see in the far north because of the semi-continental climate. 

In the depths of winter, temperatures typically hover around freezing (into the low 30s and upper 20s). During the hottest part of the summer, temperatures often hover around the high 80s.

To Sum It All Up

Falls Church consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Virginia, and its closeness to the nation’s capital provides access to countless more professional and recreational options. 

The city has a lot of historic appeal and a good selection of things to do, places to go, and things to buy. However, living and housing costs in Falls Church might be very exorbitant, so you may need to increase your income before making the move there.