Long Branch

Living in Long Branch, you can exercise on shady paved trails, walk to pick up the kids after school and run all your errands within biking distance or a short drive. You’re also only a couple miles from George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College and Fairfax Hospital. In addition to its proximity to public resources, residents are drawn to the blend of parks, pools, plazas and high-ranking schools within Long Branch. Commuters can hop on a Metrobus at several convenient stops to head to campus, shopping or destinations throughout the larger metro area.

Established across a well-treed expanse between Routes 236 and 620 in Fairfax, the Long Branch area features a core Long Branch development of 375 homes. Sarah Harrington, Realtor with Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc., says, “Several communities make up the Long Branch area. You have Long Branch, Spring Brook Forest and Rutherford among others. The majority of these homes were built in the mid-60s, but you will see a few newer builds intermingled among the communities.” On wide streets with sidewalks, you can find flat-front colonial styles, some with front-door porticos, others with long porches. Two-story homes with garages and basements are prevalent, and pricing ranges generally between $650,000 and $800,000.

Home options suit various budgets here, from a modest brick town house on shady, curving streets, to simple split-levels, to large multi-gabled homes with elegant brick fronts and soaring foyers. You’ll notice an inviting curb appeal as neighbors treasure their well-kept and colorfully landscaped lawns. This isn’t a homogenous, cookie-cutter community, and each house has its own character and charm, whether it’s a country porch, second-level balcony or bay windows.

Public schools are within the W.T. Woodson pyramid, where Canterbury Woods or Little Run elementary schools, and Robert Frost Middle, feed into W.T. Woodson High. All four of these schools earn a solid A grade from Niche, and U.S. News & World Report ranks W.T. Woodson in the top 10 high schools in Virginia. In 2023, Woodson High drama students won Cappies awards in the featured actor category at the National Capital Cappies Gala — considered the Tony Awards of high school theater programs.

Neighbors can head to Rutherford Park for tennis matches, playground playdates or swim club at the pool. League athletes also play on two baseball diamonds here. Community green spaces are also found in Surry Square Park, or along forested paths in Long Branch Stream Valley Park.

Situated near a wealth of employers and resources, Harrington adds, “Long Branch is great for people who work at the university or hospital or want to live close to Olde Town Fairfax. There’s also a regional library close by, and you’re not too far from the Vienna metro.” Essentials are always within easy reach in the Twinbrooke, Turnpike and Pickett shopping centers. In Twinbrooke, you can grocery shop at Safeway, hit the gym or drop off your dry cleaning. If you love creative sushi rolls, the family-owned Waruku in Twinbrooke satisfies. Pickett features Trader Joe’s, Total Wine, Staples and more.

And if you’re looking for a more robust retail experience, you can drive just a couple miles north to the Mosaic District. This urban hub, which describes itself as a “carefully curated shopping center,” offers more than 30 big-name and boutique stores along with over 40 restaurants from casual to fancy. It’s also home to the Angelika Film Cinema, screening both classic and contemporary films while serving café cuisine and craft beverages. Designed as a residential haven surrounded by urban conveniences, Long Branch offers a suburban home in the heart of Fairfax.

Written By

Lia Girard