Why McLean Is Its Own Bracket
McLean 22101 and 22102 sit inside the Beltway with Route 123 and GW Parkway access and larger lots than most close-in neighborhoods. That combination of privacy, tree cover, and short drives to Tysons sets the ceiling here more than square footage alone.
Housing Stock: Original, Expanded, and New
The base stock is 1960s and 1970s brick colonials and split-levels, many expanded over time, plus newer builds from 2018 onward on wider lots. Original-condition homes trade on lot usability and renovation scope. Finished homes trade on layout and whether systems and permits are clean.
Lot Size, Privacy, and No-HOA Pockets
Lots north of Chain Bridge Road and near Swinks Mill and Ballantrae often run larger than Vienna or Arlington equivalents, with many streets carrying no HOA. That privacy is the appeal and the diligence item. Verify plat, conservation buffers, and outbuilding rules through Fairfax County GIS before you price plans.
Langley vs McLean High School: Why It Moves Price
Feeder matters here more than ZIP. Langley and McLean high schools draw from both 22101 and 22102, and assignment is by address through Fairfax County Public Schools boundary locator. Finished homes often see demand based on assignment, lot, and condition — verify by address and comps.
Access to Tysons and Downtown Without the Toll Road
Daily access is why buyers tolerate higher entry. Tysons is a short drive without the Toll Road, and the Silver Line at McLean serves Tysons and downtown. Timing varies by headway and time of day, so test your route at 5:30 p.m. and check WMATA trip planner for current schedules rather than relying on a fixed-minute rule.
Buying and Selling Checklist for 22101 and 22102
If you are buying, decide your strategy early. Buy finished when feeder and sewer status matter for resale. Buy original only with budget beyond purchase for renovation and a realistic view of Fairfax County permit timelines. Many pockets north of Chain Bridge remain on septic or well. Get a sewer availability letter from Fairfax County DPWES before you write.
If you are selling, price to feeder and sewer status, not ZIP median. Prove lot usability, sewer connection, and any conservation area in photos and remarks. Appraisers flag unpermitted additions and finished attics without permits. Pull HOA docs on day one if applicable, and lead media with lot shape and usable yard.
McLean rewards specifics over general claims. Walk the street for PM rush noise on Georgetown Pike and Route 123, verify feeder by address, and compare live inventory by block rather than county average.
Explore McLean Homes — See Live Inventory and Feeder by Block