Fairfax Homes for Sale & Real Estate Guide
City of Fairfax is an independent city of 6.3 square miles surrounded by Fairfax County — separate government, police, and courts, with schools operated by Fairfax County Public Schools under contract.
Central Fairfax County — independent city with its own government surrounded by county neighborhoods. Old Town shops, George Mason University next door, and a mix of 1950s ramblers to newer townhomes near major corridors.
Served by Fairfax County Public Schools — verify assignment by address. County: Independent City of Fairfax and surrounding Fairfax County. Verify any address via official GIS and district locator. No commute estimates relied upon.
Why People Consider Fairfax
- Central Fairfax commuters wanting I-66 and Route 123 access to Tysons and Government Center
- Walkable small-city buyers who like Old Town retail and GMU adjacency
- Detached buyers seeking 1950s-2000s homes on 0.3-0.8 acre lots with public utilities
- Metro-adjacent living without living at the Metro — short drive to Vienna station
Housing & Neighborhoods
Subdivision names reflect county plat and HOA documentation — verify specific address via official GIS.
Old Town Fairfax
Historic downtown with Main Street retail, courthouse, City Hall, and Daniels Run Trail — walkable small-city feel.
Consider: Historic overlay requires design review; parking is limited downtown.
Mantua / Pickwick / Country Club Hills
1950s-60s brick ramblers and colonials on 0.3-0.5 acre lots with mature oaks and easy Pickett Road shopping.
Consider: Typically no HOA — verify permit history for additions.
Mosby Woods / George Mason Edge
Mixed detached and townhomes near GMU — convenient, campus-adjacent without high-rise density.
Consider: Student rental pockets — check lease history.
Fair Oaks / Fairfax Corner
Retail-anchored mixed-use with Wegmans, dining, and newer condos and townhomes near I-66 and Route 50.
Consider: Condo HOAs with structured parking and heavier Route 123 traffic.
Getting Around
Major roads: Chain Bridge Road Route 123, Main Street Route 236, Fairfax Boulevard and Lee Highway Route 29/50, I-66, and Fairfax County Parkway. Metro/VRE: No Metro inside the city — Vienna Metro on the Orange Line at Nutley Street is the closest, with CUE Bus connections to Old Town. Check WMATA.com / VRE.org. No commute estimate.
What Buyers Should Know
City of Fairfax is an independent city surrounded by Fairfax County — separate government, police, and courts, with schools operated by FCPS under contract. Many city lots have no HOA; county fringe may have civic or mandatory HOAs. Verify Old Town overlay and check utilities and school assignment by address.
Schools
Fairfax is served by Fairfax County Public Schools — verify assignment by address. Assignments vary by address and boundaries change. Verify via official locator. We do not rank schools.
What Sellers Should Know
Central location sells — Old Town walkability, GMU adjacency, and easy Vienna Metro access. Be clear on City vs County tax parcel up front and highlight Main Street retail and Daniels Run Trail. Keep original build year and permitted addition history handy.
FAQs — Fairfax
City of Fairfax vs Fairfax County — same?
No. The City of Fairfax is a 6.3-square-mile independent city with its own government. Fairfax County addresses with Fairfax mailing are county-governed — different taxes and services.
What defines Old Town Fairfax?
A historic downtown on Main Street with local shops, restaurants, City Hall, and the courthouse complex, plus Daniels Run Trail access.
What roads shape Fairfax?
Chain Bridge Road Route 123, Main Street Route 236, Fairfax Boulevard and Lee Highway, I-66, and Fairfax County Parkway.
Metro access?
No Metro inside the city. Vienna Metro on the Orange Line at Nutley Street is closest, with CUE Bus and Metrobus linking to Old Town.
Parks and shopping?
Van Dyck Park in the city, Daniels Run Trail, and nearby Burke Lake Park for trails and golf. Fair Oaks Mall and Fairfax Corner cover major retail.
Schools?
Fairfax County Public Schools — primarily Fairfax High, Woodson, and Robinson pyramids. Confirm by address via FCPS Boundary Locator.
Looking for current Fairfax market stats? Market stats expire fast — see dated Journal.
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Sources: City of Fairfax — Old Town Small Area Plan and Historic Overlay • Fairfax County GIS and City of Fairfax GIS — Parcel ownership • FCPS Boundary Locator — School pyramids • WMATA — Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Orange Line station • VDOT — Route 123 and I-66 corridor · ZIP 22030 — ZIP does not equal neighborhood; verify address via GIS.
Nearby — Explore Around Fairfax
Comparing areas? These guides break down governance, lot, HOA, and transit at the address level.
Many Fairfax buyers also compare Vienna for Metro walkability and small-town charm and
Ashburn for newer Loudoun planned communities. Each connects to the broader Fairfax County hub for schools, commute, and lifestyle comparison.
