Are you trying to decide which side of Reston feels right for your daily routine? You are not alone. Many buyers ask whether North or South Reston is the better fit for their lifestyle and budget. In this guide, you will compare housing types, commute options, walkability, and amenities so you can focus your search with confidence. Let’s dive in.
North vs South at a glance
Locals often use the Dulles Toll Road (VA-267) as a practical dividing line. North Reston sits closer to Route 7 and the Fairfax County Parkway. South Reston includes the original village-center neighborhoods, lakes, and much of the community core. Key activity nodes across Reston include Lake Anne’s historic village, South Lakes and Hunters Woods, the North Point area, Reston Town Center, and the Reston Station transit district.
South Reston places you closer to the new Silver Line stations and large-format retail around Reston Town Center and Halley Rise. North Reston often offers quieter streets and faster driving access to Tysons via Route 7 or west toward Leesburg.
Housing by area
North Reston
You will find a broad mix of condos, townhomes, and a higher share of detached single-family homes. Many streets include larger lots and a suburban feel that appeals if you want a yard, space, and a quieter setting. Product varies by cluster, so lot size and HOA details are important filters during your search.
South Reston
South Reston includes the original planned neighborhoods, more lakefront single-family options, and clusters of townhomes and garden-style condos. Proximity to village centers and community facilities is a frequent selling point. Near Reston Town Center and Halley Rise, newer multifamily and condo buildings add urban-style choices with walkable access to dining and services.
Transit-oriented core
Closer to the Dulles Toll Road, you will see new high-rise condos, apartments, and townhomes as part of transit-oriented projects like Reston Station. For a sense of what is being built, you can scan an example of the Reston Station development. These blocks offer the most walkable, urban experience inside Reston.
Prices and value drivers
Reston spans a wide range. As general guideposts, single-family homes often trade in the higher-mid six figures to seven figures in sought-after clusters. Townhomes are commonly in the mid-$400Ks to $700Ks. Condominiums often range from the low-to-mid $200Ks to $500Ks depending on building and location. Pricing shifts with interest rates and inventory, so check current medians before you tour.
What drives micro-price differences inside Reston:
- Product type and setting, for example waterfront vs interior and detached vs condo.
- Walkability to Reston Town Center or a Silver Line station.
- Proximity to new mixed-use projects and future transit-oriented amenities. Ongoing buildouts around stations, described in coverage of planned development near Phase 2 Silver Line stops, tend to push premiums in nearby micro-markets.
Commute and transit
The Silver Line now runs through Reston with the Reston Town Center station in the VA-267 median and Wiehle–Reston East as a major park-and-ride anchor. For train details and walking connections, check WMATA’s Reston Town Center station guide. If you plan to park-and-ride or use buses, Wiehle–Reston East’s Fairfax Connector hub is a key node.
First-year ridership at the Phase 2 stations was described as modest, and planners are improving pedestrian and bike links to make the stations more accessible from nearby neighborhoods. If you expect strong walkability on day one, factor in a multi-year buildout. See the local update on early Silver Line Phase 2 ridership and access.
If you drive to Tysons or Leesburg, North Reston offers quick access to Route 7 and the Fairfax County Parkway. For updates that can affect drive times, VDOT’s project page on improvements along the Route 7 corridor is a useful reference.
Everyday amenities
One of Reston’s biggest strengths is shared amenities. The Reston Association manages lakes, pools, programs, and more. Reston is widely noted for over 55 miles of trails, which makes it easy to run, bike, or walk to nearby villages and parks. You can read more background on the community’s scale on the Reston overview page. Before you buy, confirm whether a property is in the Reston Association, its current assessment, and what that assessment covers. RA publishes assessment notices and budget updates on reston.org.
Grocery and errands are spread across both sides of Reston. Examples include Trader Joe’s, Harris Teeter, and Whole Foods around the central blocks, plus the Wegmans-anchored Halley Rise near Reston Town Center. Store location can change how often you drive or walk for everyday needs. You can check locations like Trader Joe’s in Reston as you plan your routine.
If you want maximum walkability, the areas immediately around Reston Town Center and Reston Station score higher on foot access to dining, services, and transit. Use a quick Reston Walk Score snapshot to compare addresses.
How to choose your side
Use these filters to focus your search:
- Commute and travel: If your daily loop leans Tysons or Route 7, start in North Reston. If you want a short walk to Metro and easy Dulles access, look near Reston Town Center or Wiehle–Reston East. For corridor changes, keep an eye on VDOT’s Route 7 project updates.
- Housing product and yard: If you want a detached home with more yard, scan North Reston clusters and compare lot sizes. If you prefer a lock-and-leave condo, focus on buildings near Reston Town Center and Reston Station.
- Walkability and errands: Compare Walk Score by address. Town Center and adjacent blocks stand out for walkable daily needs. Use the Reston Walk Score snapshot to gauge differences.
- HOA and RA costs: Confirm the Reston Association’s current assessment, any cluster HOA, and what is covered, for example pools, trails, and grounds. Start with RA’s assessment and budget notices.
- Future construction: New phases at Halley Rise, Reston Station, and Town Center bring amenities and short-term construction impacts. For context, see coverage of planned development near Silver Line stations.
- Price sensitivity: Compare like to like, condos to condos and townhomes to townhomes. Proximity to water or transit can add a premium.
Quick pros and cons
North Reston
Pros
- More larger-lot single-family options and quieter residential blocks.
- Direct driving routes to Route 7 and Fairfax County Parkway for Tysons or Leesburg commutes.
Consider
- Fewer concentrated, walkable retail blocks unless you live near a village center.
South Reston
Pros
- Closer to Reston Town Center amenities, new mixed-use at Halley Rise and Reston Station, and the Silver Line for a walkable, transit-friendly lifestyle.
- Easier access to large grocery and entertainment anchors.
Consider
- Some areas include older building stock and active redevelopment, plus price pressure near lakes and transit hubs.
Which routine fits you
Picture two weekdays:
- Your loop is early gym, Route 7 to Tysons, groceries on the way home, then a quiet evening on the deck. North Reston’s detached-home clusters close to Route 7 could be your fit.
- Your loop is coffee on foot, Metro at Reston Town Center, dinner near the plaza, then a short walk home. South Reston’s Town Center and Reston Station blocks are likely your match.
No matter your routine, you have great options on both sides of VA-267. If you want help narrowing to specific streets and clusters, our team can line up a focused tour, confirm RA and cluster costs, and flag construction or access changes that might affect your day-to-day.
Ready to compare addresses or prep a home for sale? Connect with Marnie Schaar & Associates for local guidance tailored to your routine and goals.
FAQs
What is the main divider between North and South Reston?
- Locals use the Dulles Toll Road (VA-267) as a practical separator between the two halves, with communities and amenities on both sides.
How does the Silver Line change my commute options in Reston?
- Reston Town Center and Wiehle–Reston East provide rail access and bus links; see WMATA’s station guide and the Connector hub for details.
What does the Reston Association assessment cover for homeowners?
- RA manages shared amenities like trails, pools, and common grounds; verify current assessment amounts and coverage on reston.org.
Where are the most walkable places to live in Reston?
- Homes and condos near Reston Town Center and Reston Station offer strong walkability to dining, retail, and Metro; compare addresses with this Walk Score snapshot.
Which Reston areas have the newest condos and apartments?
- The transit-oriented core near VA-267 continues to add new product, for example projects at Reston Station and other Phase 2 Silver Line sites noted in development coverage.