Living in Sterling, VA

Sterling, Virginia, consists of several small communities, grouped together as a census-designated place (CDP). Most residential development of Sterling followed the construction of Dulles International Airport in 1959, as agricultural lands were subdivided to build houses in a flourishing economy. Many homes for sale from that era are in the Arts and Crafts style, located on single-family residential lots along tree-lined streets. Recent growth in Loudoun County has brought more diversity to Sterling real estate, with a range of affordable housing options in each neighborhood, including condominiums, townhouses, and apartments.

Several elementary, middle, and high schools are established in Sterling, and opportunities for higher education are nearby, with the Loudoun campus for Northern Virginia Community College on Route 7. George Washington University has a campus in Ashburn, just a few miles outside of Sterling.

The future looks bright for Sterling commuters, with an expanding rapid transit system promising additional travel convenience to that of the extensive road network. The Silver Line of the Washington Metro recently connected nearby Reston to Washington, D.C., and will be extended to Ashburn in 2019.

Residents who lead an active lifestyle have access to a full range of recreational opportunities in Sterling, Virginia. At the Claude Moore Park and Recreation Sportsplex, fitness, recreational, educational, social, and cultural activities are programmed throughout the year for individuals, organized groups, and families. The complex contains an indoor recreation center that's outfitted with both a competition and leisure pool, gymnasium, rock-climbing wall, and running track, as well as space for special events. Fields for ball games and hiking trails lure residents to the outdoors grounds of the sportsplex.

Golfers can choose from a large selection of 18-hole golf courses, including several award-winning facilities. on the shore of the Potomac River, Algonkian Regional Park has a challenging golf course, boat launch, water park, hiking trails, and pavilions available for picnics.

Sterling residents indulge sophisticated tastes at an array of restaurants, where authentic international cuisine, such as Italian, Asian, and Israeli foods are on the menu; classic and upscale American fare is also available at locally-owned establishments. Sterling also offers a spectrum of shopping experiences, from the friendly neighborhood atmosphere of the Cascades Marketplace to Dulles Town Center, home to 185 stores and boasting "one of the most luxurious movie theaters in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia."