Fairfax City is an independent city of about 24,000 residents that sits within (but is politically separate from) Fairfax County. With a walkable Old Town, the George Mason University campus on its southern edge, and an unbeatable hub location at the intersection of Routes 50, 29, 123, and I-66, Fairfax City has its own distinct identity, lower property tax rate than Fairfax County, and a tight-knit community feel. The Bailey Team has been a family-owned real estate team since 1970, and we’ve served Northern Virginia since 1988 — with 7,500+ closed transactions and detailed working knowledge of Fairfax City’s historic and newer neighborhoods.
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Neighborhoods of Fairfax City
Fairfax City is small in footprint — just over six square miles — but the neighborhoods are distinct, with their own price tiers and feel:
- Old Town Fairfax — walkable historic core, restaurants, farmers market, Old Town Hall
- Farrcroft — master-planned community with tree-lined streets, community pool, walkable
- Mosby Woods — established mid-century neighborhood, mature trees, family-friendly
- Westmore — established single-family neighborhood, walkable to Old Town
- Country Club View — established homes near Country Club of Fairfax
- Cobbdale — quieter residential pocket, mature homes
- Sager Avenue / Old Lee Highway corridor — mix of older and renovated single-family
- Random Hills — condos and townhomes, accessible price point
- Fairchester — established neighborhood near GMU
Fairfax City Schools
Fairfax City contracts with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) for K–12 education — the city does not operate its own school district. Most Fairfax City addresses feed Daniels Run or Providence elementary schools, Katherine Johnson Middle School (formerly Lanier), and Fairfax High School. Each pyramid has its own quirks and culture — we’ll send specific school assignments for any address you’re considering.
Private and parochial school options nearby include Paul VI Catholic, Flint Hill, and several Catholic and independent schools throughout Fairfax County.
Getting Around Fairfax City
- Major highways: I-66, Route 50, Route 29 (Lee Highway), Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) all converge here
- Express Lanes on I-66 east into Arlington and DC
- Metro: Vienna Metro (Orange Line) is the closest Metro station, ~5 minutes drive
- CUE Bus: Fairfax City’s own bus system connects to Vienna Metro and key destinations within the city
- VRE commuter rail: Burke Centre and Manassas stations are 10–20 minutes away
- Major employers: George Mason University, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, federal contractors, professional services
- Airports: Dulles International (IAD) is 20–25 minutes, Reagan National (DCA) is 25–35 minutes
Typical commute times from Fairfax City: 25–40 minutes to Tysons, 40–60 minutes to downtown DC, 25–40 minutes to the Pentagon.
Why Fairfax City Sellers and Buyers Choose The Bailey Team
Three things set us apart:
Three generations of Northern Virginia experience.
The Bailey Team was founded in 1970 and has been serving Northern Virginia since 1988. Fairfax City is a unique market — small enough to know neighborhood-by-neighborhood, with property-tax and assessment dynamics that differ from surrounding Fairfax County. We’ve closed across every Fairfax City submarket.
Licensed in VA, DC, MD, and WV.
Many Fairfax City buyers are weighing the city against Fairfax County addresses, plus DC-adjacent options. Having one team licensed in all four jurisdictions lets us compare apples-to-apples across the DMV.
Family-owned, small enough to actually care.
We’re not a 200-agent megateam. When you call (571) 240-4495, you reach Gayle, Jenna, or Valeria — every time.
What Fairfax City Clients Say About The Bailey Team
Recent Fairfax City client testimonials coming soon — we’ll add fresh 2024–2026 reviews from this market as they come in.
“Gayle is super professional, savvy, and responsive. I never had to worry about following up because he always gave updates. He provided lots of good data on comps and the market which helped make my decisions easier. I would recommend him and have!”
— Shelly Price, Northern Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions About Fairfax City Real Estate
What’s the difference between Fairfax City and Fairfax County?
Fairfax City is an independent city of about 24,000 residents with its own government, lower property tax rate than Fairfax County, separate trash service, and its own city services. Fairfax County is the surrounding 1.15M-resident jurisdiction. Schools are shared (Fairfax City contracts with FCPS), but everything else is separate.
Is Fairfax City more affordable than Fairfax County?
Not always — Fairfax City prices vary widely by neighborhood. Old Town and Farrcroft command premium prices, while Random Hills condos are accessible. The city’s lower property tax rate often makes the all-in cost of ownership lower than comparable Fairfax County properties.
Best Fairfax City neighborhoods for walkability?
Old Town and Westmore offer the strongest walkability to restaurants, shops, the farmers market, and the historic Old Town Hall. Farrcroft has internal walkability with its master-planned tree-lined streets and community pool.
How is Fairfax City for commuting?
Excellent for car commuters — the city is a hub where Routes 50, 29, 123, and I-66 converge. Metro requires a 5-minute drive to Vienna station (Orange Line). The CUE Bus system provides convenient local circulation and connects to Vienna Metro.
Does Fairfax City have lower taxes?
Yes. Fairfax City’s residential real estate tax rate is typically lower than Fairfax County’s, and the city offers separate services like trash collection, a separate police force, and its own parks. We’ll quote the current rate when discussing any specific home.
Do you handle commercial real estate in Fairfax City?
Yes. The Bailey Team handles commercial real estate (office, retail, mixed-use, investment sales), business brokerage, and assisted living facility transactions across Fairfax City and the broader DMV. We’re the official My ALF Consultant representative for VA, DC, MD, and WV. Visit our Commercial page and Assisted Living Facilities page for more, or call (571) 240-4495.
Ready to Make a Move in Fairfax City?
Or call us directly: (571) 240-4495. Family-owned since 1970. Serving Northern Virginia since 1988.