Get to know Fairfax

The city of Fairfax, Virginia, is located at the geographic center of Fairfax County, the most populous county in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Washington metro overall. However, the region often referred to as “Fairfax” stretches far beyond formal city limits, extending westward towards Centreville and Chantilly. The latter area is largely suburban, sharing its real estate with a mix of retail developments and office space. The Fairfax County Government Center, an expansive compound housing the official county offices and Board of Supervisors, is located in the center of Fairfax and also serves as the grounds of the annual Fairfax Fair — a countywide celebration featuring a carnival and wide array of live entertainment. There’s also a vibrant Old Town district, offering many historic landmarks and cultural festivals to suit all kinds of interests throughout the year. Several major commuter arteries also pass through Fairfax, including Lee Highway, Route 50, I-66, and the Fairfax County Parkway.

Nearby Neighborhoods:

Living in the Washington Metropolitan Area

The Washington Metropolitan Area starts with the District of Columbia proper and radiates out to the inner suburbs of Virginia and Maryland and stretches all the way to the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Colloquially, many locals refer to the region as the DMV, an abbreviation for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, but will often just say they live in D.C. when they technically have an address in one of the states. Each town has its own specific atmosphere and residents — even the newly transplanted — often display fierce loyalty to their own suburb of choice. Generally, towns that are closer to D.C., especially those inside the Beltway, have more access to public transportation and more pedestrian-friendly downtowns, while towns on the far reaches of the metropolitan area like Charles Town, West Virginia, will have a more rural feel and fewer daily commuters to D.C. and its immediate environs.