Silver Lake

What do you call vast acres of stunningly preserved natural habitats next to beautifully crafted planned housing communities, a large lake minutes from retail, and custom country estates that can access Wegman’s in a wink? If you’re a resident of Silver Lake in Western Prince William County, you call it home.

The east-to-west migration from Greater Washington to Prince William, Loudoun and Fauquier Counties began like a slow-rolling snowball in the 1970s and has only increased in speed and size ever since. Natalie McArtor, a longtime Prince William resident and Associate Broker with Samson Properties, has been observing the migration for years. “People aren’t just coming from Washington anymore. They’re coming from all over because they want a rural lifestyle with the opportunity to have a larger home and a larger lot for less money. It’s great for those who work remotely, but now that the toll road on I-66 is complete, commuting is easier, too.”

One of the biggest trends McArtor has observed is the arrival of retirees. “These people are downsizing from DC, Fairfax, Alexandria and Arlington. Their kids have already moved out to start families, so they’re following to have a quieter life and be close to their grandkids,” she says.

Carter’s Mill is the perfect destination for this group. This resort-style 55-plus community features low-maintenance living in single-family and attached villa homes with amenities like a clubhouse with fitness facilities, an indoor and outdoor pool, planned activities and shared spaces. Homes here are modern with open floor plans and sell between $700,000 and $800,000 with 2,400 to 3,000 square feet and three spacious bedrooms.

Just to the south, The Villages of Piedmont offer contemporary single-family homes and townhouses. Located on Leopold’s Preserve, a 380-acre nature preserve, the theme of outdoor living permeates the community with two playgrounds, athletic courts, open meadows and a clubhouse that serves two outdoor pools. Plus, wide sidewalks invite a morning jog or bike ride, cul-de-sacs welcome friendly gatherings and trees shade tidy yards. Here, you’ll find modern colonial-style homes in brick, stone and vinyl with up to 4,500 square feet and four or five bedrooms for prices starting in the high $600,000s up to nearly $1 million. For a townhouse, you’ll enjoy 2,000 to 3,000 square feet, contemporary finishings and three bedrooms for prices that start at $500,000 and range up to $675,000.

Last but not least, homes from the 1950s through today are available in Silver’s Lake’s more rural areas to the west and south, including modest ranchers with 2,200 square feet starting at $520,000 and newly constructed estate homes with five bedrooms, 6,000 square feet and acres of tranquil privacy for $1.2 million.

Great schools are also part of the package in Silver Lake. Students attend Prince William County Schools, which receive an A-minus rating from Niche. Your littlest learners can start at Alvey Elementary, Haymarket Elementary or Gravely Elementary, then go on to Reagan Middle, where they can pursue their passions in a wide range of after-school clubs. Battlefield High pulls the community together for Friday night football and builds future leaders in the classroom.

No matter where you live, your best life awaits outdoors. Silver Lake Regional Park shines as the neighborhood jewel, drawing fishermen and kayakers to the 23-acre lake and hikers who want to explore the park’s thick woodlands. Bull Run Nature Preserve holds the region’s rich cultural and natural history close with 2,350 acres that serve as an open-air museum. Even entertainment takes on an outdoor flair at The Farm Brewery at Broad Run. Gorgeous gardens and rustic barns host live music, seasonal festivals, axe-throwing and local brews year-round.

Whether you choose a planned community or a rural homestead, you’ll have access to modern conveniences. I-66 cuts through Silver Lake, making a commute to Greater Washington possible in as few as 45 minutes or putting you near prime retail spots in 10 minutes or less. In Haymarket, groceries are easy at Aldi and Walmart, and you’ll have plenty of dining options from pizza to Thai to caffeine-charged Starbucks. To the northwest, Dominion Valley Market Square offers Giant, Local’s Tacos and Tequila and Tony’s New York Pizza. Or if you’re in the southern part of the neighborhood, the Shops at Stonewall are home to Wegman’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Ross Dress for Less.

With your choice of housing, outdoor activities around every corner and modern amenities mere minutes away, Silver Lake could be called the perfect rural suburb.

Written By

Anna Strock

Photography Contributed By

David MacNeill

Video By

Adam Barkley