Ashburn Virginia

            Ashburn is removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown DC, yet it is one of the largest growing areas in Loudoun County.  This neighborhood is home to many large technology companies like AOL and Verizon, has a massive commercial town center in the One Loudoun Center, and many housing options.  Additionally, residents in Ashburn have plenty of recreational opportunities including bike trails, basketball courts, fields, tennis courts, and most notably Redskins Park.  Although it is a bit removed from downtown DC residents enjoy the peace and quiet while still having access to amenities like shopping and recreation. 

History of Ashburn, VA

            Ashburn had originally been named Farmwell until John Janney, a prominent local citizen, bought an area of land with a farm on it and a strange incident happened.  Local folklore has it that in 1896 an ash tree on the Janney residence was hit by lightning one night and burned for several days in a row, hence “Ashburn.”  Ashburn had always been a farming community and even shipped milk to DC every morning on a 45 minute train ride that left from “Farmwell Station” in Ashburn.  The neighborhood has been growing consistently over the last twenty years although it is still a place to be if you would like some peace and quiet. 

Ashburn’s Vibe

            Ashburn is an area that is home to many technology companies and is expected to grow significantly over the next 15 years.  For many residents who work in Ashburn it is very convenient, for others they commute to either Tyson’s Corner or Washington, DC.  Ashburn lies along the Dulles Technology Corridor, which has seen rapid job growth and given residents less reason to commute to DC for work. The area is also home to Redskins Park, where the public can watch open practices by the Redskins.  The recent addition of the World Trade Center at Dulles Airport has helped to increase the activity of the area.

Shopping options in Ashburn VA

         You don’t need to travel far to find shopping options in Ashburn.  There are several places to go including the outlets right down the street in Leesburg, Tyson’s Corner and Dulles Town Center.  The outlet mall is popular with people from near and far because of the great deals to be had and the quantity (over 100 shops) and quality of stores operating there.  Tyson’s Corner is also not too far away in Fairfax, VA and gives residents of Ashburn another major mall within driving distance. An up and coming option will be One Loudoun Center which will have over 600,000 square feet of retail space, as well as housing, office space, a community center, and a hotel. The bottom line is you don’t need to go far to find great shopping around Ashburn and the area is only getting better.

Recreation options in Ashburn Virginia

            Ashburn offers many recreational amenities including gyms, parks, trails, and even an ice rink.  Some of the gym options include Gold’s Gym, LA Boxing, and, most notably, the Ashburn Sports Pavilion which is over 32,000 square feet.  It is one of the largest recreational facilities in the entire state of Virginia and includes several pools, a training center, sauna/steam rooms, full-size gymnasium, racquetball, tennis, and even a marina that lies next to it.  Ashburn is home to several parks including Trailside Park, Fincastle Field, as well as Ashburn Park which is over 16 acres.  Another great recreational activity to try out is the W and OD Bike Trail which begins in Arlington and runs all the way to Purcellville.  The Ashburn Ice House is also a great place to spend an afternoon ice skating.  Sports fans can also check out Redskins Park in Ashburn and watch the team go through practice.  Overall Ashburn is a great place to spend time outside and has some of the finest indoor recreational facilities in the area.

Where do people live in Ashburn?

            Within Ashburn there are many communities including Ashburn Village, Ashburn Farm, Belmont Country Club, Broadlands, Brambleton, Loudoun Valley Estates and more.   There is a decent and growing selection of housing including single family houses, condos, townhouses and apartments.  The growth of business from the technology companies sprouting up in Ashburn has led to further residential development including the One Loudoun Center.  Prices are considerably less expensive in Ashburn than in suburbs closer to DC.  However this might not last for too long as Ashburn continues to grow at a rapid pace thanks to the technology jobs and access to all the amenities that Ashburn residents enjoy. 

Transportation options in Ashburn VA

         Driving your car is the best mode of transportation in Ashburn since it is a more suburban neighborhood.  Parking is not hard and the neighborhood is close to Route 28, Route 7, as well as the Dulles Greenway for commuters.  There is a Loudoun County Commuter bus which can take you into DC.  Dulles Airport is just a few miles away as well. 

Ashburn Virginia Boundaries

         Ashburn is about 30 miles northwest of Washington, DC and sits right between Leesburg and Dulles International Airport.  Some of its surrounding communities include Herndon, Dulles, Leesburg, and Sterling. 

Entertainment and Restaurants in Ashburn, VA

            Some of the noteworthy restaurants in Ashburn include Bonefish Grill, Clyde’s at Willow Creek Farm and Nagoya Japanese Steak and Seafood.  There are several good coffee shops including Sakasa Tea and Coffee, Elim Café, and Robinettes Coffee.  Ashburn does not have the same nightlife as say a Georgetown, but still has a number of local bars and pubs including Finnegan’s Bar and Grill, Ashburn Pub, and Broadlands Sports Bar and Grill. 

Conclusion about living in Ashburn VA

            Ashburn is a thriving suburb located just 30 miles outside of Washington DC and has been growing rapidly thanks to technology companies moving there and being so close to different amenities.  Residents have access to many different parks, recreation, gyms, and activities.  Driving is the recommended mode of transportation in this neighborhood since it is more spread out than the city.