Fairfax, Virginia

Beautiful Fairfax is an enclave, or an independent city, that exists politically just outside of Fairfax County, Virginia. It is also the county seat of Fairfax County, making the distinctions just a little bit more confusing. Just sixteen miles southwest of Washington, D.C., Fairfax is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2009 it was ranked third on Forbes Magazine’s “Top 25 Places to Live Well" on the basis of its incredible public schools, high median household income, and large number of sole proprietors. As for transportation, Fairfax is served by Washington Metro’s Orange Line through the Vienna Station. 

Thomas Fairfax, the 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, was Fairfax’s namesake. He was granted five million acres of land in Northern Virginia by King Charles. Farmers from the Tidewater region settled the area now known as Fairfax, which was originally christened the town of Providence. It was the scene of two significant land battles in the Civil War, known as the Battles of Fairfax Court House. It was renamed Fairfax in 1874 and incorporated as a city in 1961. 

George Mason University is located within Fairfax, as is Virginia International University. GMU is Virginia’s largest public institution, with over 33,000 students. In terms of the K-12 public schools, Fairfax’s school system regularly ranks among the best in the country as judged by U.S. News and World Report. 

Fairfax residents enjoy a strong sense of community, and the city has several annual events that bring residents together. There’s the sweetly delicious Chocolate Lovers’ Festival, which is held in early March, and which features the work of multiple chocolatiers, as well as a craft festival and viewing of historic homes. Then there’s Fairfax Civil War Day, a Civil War reenactment that takes place on the Blenheim estate, a city-owned historical property. On the Fourth of July there’s a parade and evening fireworks. There is also a Fall Festival, a Festival of Lights and Carols in December, and pretty much a celebration for every holiday and time of year. 

Significant buildings in Fairfax include the old Fairfax County Courthouse, the namesake of Old Courthouse Road. The old Fairfax Elementary School was built in 1873 and is now a city museum and Visitors’ Center. The Old Fairfax County Jail is also on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Homes in Fairfax reflect a good mix of existing houses, townhomes, apartments, and new construction. They range in affordability, with many homes starting in the $200,000s and ranging upwards to half- or three-quarters of a million dollars. To learn more about homes in Fairfax, talk with your real estate professional today!