Four Winds of Oakton
In an area crisscrossed with high volume commuter routes and heavily-trafficked Interstates, it's inevitable that some folks are going to live in close proximity to a highway. It's great to be near the Beltway or Route 66 because this can take a serious bite out of your commute. But the downside is that the highways can generate a lot of noise. In most areas, there are towering concrete walls to dampen sound in the neighborhoods in close proximity to the Beltway, I-66, I-395 and other highways.
Beltway traffic at speed
In the picture above the wall has been taken down as work crews expand the road. Once the expansion is completed, they'll reassemble the wall. There's not much you can do about construction, but once the wall is back up, the neighborhood should be relatively quiet. In the homes and condos closest to the walls, I find that the noise sounds a bit like a waterfall---a wooshing white noise that is not particularly offensive. The noise is perhaps worst near an exit. Exit ramps create noise because every so often a trucker exiting the highway will use his "jakebrake". That is to say, the truck will gear down and emit a loud, low growling noise not unlike a Harley Davidson's loud pipes.
Here's a thought to consider if you are purchasing a condominium near the highway. In my travels I've found that the condos at the ground floor are much quieter. This is because the condos on the top floor are often just above the sound-break and therefore get the full brunt of the highway noise. Some folks like the noise ... it sounds like busy and they like being in the city. Some folks can't stand the noise and find out the hard way ... after they've purchased ... that they could have gotten a first or second floor unit.
The lower floors hear little traffic noise in this diagram but the upper floors hear traffic all day.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.
Weltman Estates is a great place to find spacious homes on large lots with reasonable commutes along the I-66 corridor. Homes here have listed in the lower $600's. Here's what's currently for sale.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Potomac River.
From homes along the Potomac, to homes around Lake Fairfax, there are many homes in Northern Virginia with pleasant and in some cases spectacular views of the water. Below is a list of some of the finest of these homes.
There is seating at the front of the shop to take a cup of coffee.Grape and Bean is just another example of an Old Town artisan boutique. Shops like Grape and Bean, or as they call themselves Grape + Bean, are community assets and part of what makes Old Town so special. Long-time Alexandria residents David Gwathmey and Sheera Rosenfeld opened Grape & Bean in 2008. Together they have managed to create a place that is comfortable, warm and welcoming, while offering excellent service and high quality products.
Grape and Bean is a retail wine shop, coffee shop and a wine tasting bar. Along with wine by the glass and coffee by the cup, Grape and Bean offers a food menu with cheese plates and other items that are tailored for sharing. As a wine and coffee shop, Grape and Bean of course retails wine by the bottle and coffee by the pound. I find that they are an excellent resource for gift baskets, and they'll really put the time in to help you make your best selection.
Grape + Bean offers a well-stocked wine inventory.Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Old Town South.
