Broadlands - Ashburn, VA

The Van Metre Companies, one of the largest privately owned homebuilders and developers in the D.C. metro area, developed Broadlands. The community originally had primarily detached single-family homes. Apartment buildings, including The Arbors and Broadlands Apartments, were later added. Today the neighborhood better accommodates families at varying income levels.

While no museums exist in the neighborhood, special care goes into preserving the natural landscape. The community has several areas designated as wetlands, as well as a 5,000 square foot Broadlands Nature Center, which hosts multiple events throughout the year.

Numerous special events contribute to the development of this tightly knit community. These include the Broadlands Live Concert Series, family-friendly nature programs, parades and "Flicks in the Sticks" outdoor movies. Holiday events include a Spring egg hunt and Halloween parties.

Most of the restaurants in Broadlands set up shop close to the Dulles Greenway or in the shopping area just off Truro Parrish Drive. Cafe Opera, a casual Chinese eatery in the Truro Parrish Drive area, attracts locals with its health-minded dishes with no trans fats and a wide variety of vegetarian plates. You cannot go wrong with a meal of duck wraps and vegetable spring rolls here.

For more formal dining, head to Saffron on Southern Walk Plaza, where they serve up incredible Indian dishes. Make sure to try the butter chicken and lamb bhuna masala. The daily lunch buffet also competes with any restaurant in the area for bang for your buck.

For a great dining and nightlife experience, head to Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm. The nostalgic decor creates a wonderful atmosphere for dining or drinking at the bar. The addition of live music and trivia nights makes Clyde's a local favorite.

The primary local nightlife option, however, goes by the name Broadlands Sports Bar & Grill. In many ways, this local watering hole feels no different than any other sports bar, but the friendly atmosphere and local patronage continually make this a popular haunt. Like Cylde's, Broadlands Sports Bar & Grill hosts live bands and trivia nights. Several TVs cover all major sporting events, and a pool table and extensive beer menu make this a must-visit.

Neighborhood residents almost always commute by car in this neighborhood. Public transportation options remain nonexistant, and walking simply takes too long to get anywhere in the suburban expanse. Although many residents ride their bikes, they do so more for exercise than for transportation. Still, the streets feel safe for cyclists despite the lack of built-in bike lanes.

Strict rules on where residents can and cannot park create some frustration. Overall, however, residents find driving relatively stress-free in their neighborhood. Access to major roadways also helps. The Dulles Greenway flows into a major international airport in 15 minutes and connects the neighborhood with Leesburg to the north, Reston to the south and even I-495 further down.

Cabs do not typically venture into the neighborhood unless they happen to drop off a passenger, but residents can make use of Uber service across the entire D.C. metro area. With just a few clicks on your phone, you can have a vehicle pick you up at your door step and take you into the District for around $60.

Broadlands features playgrounds, nature trails, three community swimming pools, tennis courts and a winding boardwalk. The Nature Center remains the highlight of the community. The community flows around Stream Valley Park, a 150-acre haven with wooden trails, wetlands and wildlife preserves for the whole family to enjoy.

Classic parks with playgrounds in Hillside Park and Oak Tree Grove remain very popular for families with children. Nature brings the community residents together at Broadloads. Many activities, such as learning to build bluebird houses or gain certification to protect the local wildlife habitat, allow members of the community to bond over their ample outdoor spaces.

The cost of living, especially in terms of housing prices, runs higher than in surrounding areas. Residents pay for the lifestyle the community affords them to the tune of $1,501 per month on average for a one-bedroom apartment. That comes in at 42 percent higher than the $1,060 average for all of Virginia, and 9 percent higher than the Loudoun County average of $1,372 per month.

Other common expenses, such as gas and food, remain relatively on par with surrounding areas. Gas prices sit around 4 percent lower than national averages in this neighborhood. When heading out to a restaurant, you can expect to pay $15 for a decent meal and $5 for a beer.

Shopping opportunities within Broadlands remain limited, but a few local shops have made a name for themselves among the community. Residents of all ages head to the Broadlands Family Barber for haircuts. At Redecorate Today on Glyndebourne Court, owners Suzan and Jennifer do fantastic interior redecorating.

For grocery shopping, the Harris Teeter in Southern Walk Plaza serves the community well. Residents can also head up to the Leesburg Farmers Market for extra-fresh produce on Wednesday and Saturdays.

Locals also head to Leesburg for major retail shopping at such popular stores as Saks Fifth Avenue, Banana Republic, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl's and Target. The popular Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets bring in people from all over northern Virginia.