Living in Reston

What it's really like to live in Reston

Reston is a planned community in western Fairfax County, about 20 miles west of Washington, D.C., between Tysons and Dulles Airport. Founded in 1964 by Robert E. Simon, it was designed so people could live, work, shop, and play in the same place, and that idea still shapes it today. Homes range from mid-century modern townhouses and wooded single-family streets to high-rise condos near the Metro. Neighborhoods are tucked among trees, four man-made lakes, and village centers, so it rarely feels like a typical suburb.

The heart of the social scene is Reston Town Center, a walkable downtown with restaurants, shops, a movie theater, and an outdoor pavilion that hosts concerts and an ice rink in winter. Historic Lake Anne Plaza offers waterfront cafes and a Saturday farmers market. More than 50 miles of paved paths connect neighborhoods to pools, tennis courts, and the Walker Nature Center, and the W&OD Trail runs through the middle of town. With two Silver Line stations, getting to Tysons, Arlington, or downtown D.C. without a car is easy.