Woodlea Manor

A perfectly quiet and quaint neighborhood to start a family

Full disclosure: I’m biased when it comes to Woodlea Manor. When I moved to Northern Virginia 20 years ago, I looked all over Loudoun and Fairfax Counties, but it took just one visit to Woodlea Manor to realize it was the perfect choice for me.

Woodlea Manor is a charming neighborhood comprising 467 single-family homes. Located just off Route 15 in southwestern Leesburg, Virginia, this town is family-friendly and picturesque. Wide streets are lined with mature trees and walkable sidewalks, and cedar shake roofs add to the neighborhood’s curb appeal. It’s a beautiful place to take a stroll.

Entering Woodlea Manor, you’ll realize right away that this is not your typical Northern Virginia neighborhood. The Woodlea Manor sign is framed by custom brickwork and surrounded by meticulously maintained flowerbeds. Towering river birch trees line the first 100 feet of the entrance, creating a dramatic look; at night, these trees are illuminated, giving Woodlea Manor a glittering, magical feel.

Only single-family homes can be found in Woodlea Manor; there are no attached townhomes or condos. These homes were constructed in the 1990s and are typically center-hall Colonials featuring 9-foot ceilings and spacious layouts. Most include finished basements and two-car garages. Many of the homes have been updated with new kitchens and bathrooms.

Woodlea Manor homes are comfortable, typically covering between 2,500 and 3,500 square feet and situated on lots between .25 and .35 acres. Houses include at least four bedrooms and two full bathrooms on the second level. Frequently, you’ll find a home with a third bathroom. Less likely? Five-bedroom homes, as well as a second level with only three bedrooms.

You can expect to pay between $575,000 and $690,000 for a home in Woodlea Manor.

Just above Woodlea Manor and situated on the ridge is Woodlea Hills, where larger homes are located. Typically, these homes cover 3,000 to 5,000 square feet and sit on between one and five acres of land; some Woodlea Hills lots are as large as 20 acres!

Many Woodlea Hills homes were built by Weatherburn in the Colonial style and include center halls, four bedrooms, and 3.5 bathrooms on the first two levels. Almost all of these homes have finished basements. In my opinion, much of Woodlea Hills’ appeal lies in the way homes are set back from the street, surrounded by scenic woodland.

In my appraisal business, I have inspected almost every neighborhood in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties, and I have come to find that Woodlea Hills is easily the most appealing for its price point.

Woodlea Manor is home to one of Loudoun County’s nicest community pools. The Woodlea Manor pool features a clubhouse, which serves as both the entrance and event space. The clubhouse’s cedar shake roof has recently been replaced, and the bathrooms and changing rooms have also recently been remodeled.

Children can enjoy a tot lot, playground, and a fenced-in kiddie pool, while a larger pool hosts swim meets for Woodlea teams in the summertime. Information regarding the Woodlea Manor Swim Team, the Water Moccasins, can be found here.

A large, private athletic field is located behind the pool and is owned by the homeowners. Common areas are well-maintained throughout the year. HOA fees are typically $72 per month. The Woodlea Manor Conservancy Page can provide further information on the HOA.

Loudoun County is one of the fastest-growing counties in not just Virginia but the entire country. As such, traffic is a major concern for Woodlea Manor residents.

There are two major roadways that take commuters east toward DC and Fairfax County. Route 7 is free, but it’s also typically quite congested during morning and afternoon rush hour. Check out this YouTube video to see how the construction of a new overpass on Route 7 is progressing.

There’s also Route 267, a toll road that runs parallel to Route 7. This highway leads toward Dulles Airport and continues east all the way to I-495, also known as the Washington Beltway. Route 267 has a speed limit of 65 mph and experiences less traffic congestion; however, one downside is the pricey toll. At the time of this writing, a one-way trip from Leesburg to Dulles Airport is almost $5.00. The good news is that Route 267 is conveniently located near Woodlea Manor and can easily be accessed through Masons Lane.

Leesburg’s school district plays a major role in determining the value of local homes. Woodlea Manor children attend Evergreen Mill Elementary, Simpson Middle School, and Loudoun County High School. For more information on Woodlea Manor schools in Leesburg, Virginia, please see my website. You can also view the Leesburg demographics, which provide information on the local crime rate, household incomes, and average levels of education.

There is also a brand-new Loudoun County high school located between Ashburn and Leesburg. Academies of Loudoun was completed in the summer of 2018 and is now the largest high school facility in Loudoun County. The campus is situated on 119 beautiful and wooded acres. Academies of Loudoun consists of a three-story, 315,000 square foot building which contains the Academy of Science, Academy of Engineering and Technology, and the Monroe Advanced Technical Academy. More than 40 labs can be found inside the Academy, ranging from culinary arts to various engineering labs.

Students from different academies can congregate in various light-drenched sitting areas or one of the four different lunch stations, socializing with friends and meeting new people. The school houses around 2,500 students from local high schools who are selected during the fall and winter admission cycles.

Shopping and Restaurants

Plenty of shopping opportunities are available in Woodlea Manor. In Leesburg, locals can shop at Giant for groceries, as well as typical chains like Starbucks and other fast-food restaurants. Lots of small boutiques can be found in downtown Leesburg, from antique furniture shops to clothing stores; there’s also the Cooley Art Gallery and Leesburg Vintner.

As you drive east along Route 7, you’ll come across more shopping options; new stores and plazas open regularly. Villages at Leesburg offers a town center appeal, anchored by Wegmans on one end and Cobb Cinema and LA Fitness on the other. A divided street with pedestrian traffic connects the two ends.

Few parking spaces are located along the road to encourage walking; however, two large parking garages are located nearby. Many of the restaurants are worth trying, including Smokehouse, BurgerFi, Travinia, and Firebirds. More information on the Village at Leesburg can be found here.

As you drive further east on Route 7, within five minutes, you’ll come across One Loudoun, one of the newest mixed-use developments in Loudoun County. One Loudoun is home to a thriving restaurant scene; some are newer, while others, like the pizza joint Matchbox, have a strong following in downtown DC. Some restaurants I personally recommend include Bar Louie, Uncle Julios, Elevation Burger, and Nando’s Peri-Peri.

One Loudoun is also home to a new upscale golf driving range called TopGolf, which provides a unique experience for both beginners and seasoned pros. With a restaurant, bar area, and heated and covered tee boxes, TopGolf is definitely more than your standard driving range.

When work first began on the One Loudoun development, there were plans for a minor league stadium at the corner of Route 7 and Loudoun County Parkway. Unfortunately, those plans are on hold for the time being. For more information on TopGolf, visit their website. Further information regarding One Loudoun can be found here.

The Dulles Town Center Mall is located five minutes further along Route 7. In typical fashion, the mall features lots of popular retail locations, including Nordstrom and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Golfing

There are multiple golf courses within a 20-minute drive of Woodlea Manor. The closest one is Westpark Golf Course, a public course with very reasonable rates. Many of the homes within Woodlea Manor actually back up to Westpark Golf Course. Other golfing options include Raspberry Falls, Bull Run, and Goose Creek. All are public courses and welcome Woodlea Manor residents.

Two private courses, Rivercreek and Landsdowne, are located in Leesburg. Lansdowne offers two 18-hole courses, one being a very popular Greg Norman design that winds its way along the Potomac River.

If you’re thinking of moving to Leesburg, check out this blog I wrote detailing six reasons why you should! It also features some neat drone video of the downtown area.

The historic town of Leesburg was established in 1758 and maintains a historic feel to this day. Visitors can check out lots of historical sites around downtown Leesburg, including the county courthouse; currently, it’s undergoing renovations, and there are plans for a Victory Brewing Company restaurant.

The downtown area includes several popular restaurants such as Lightfoot, Wine Kitchen, and Tuscarora Mill, as well as antique stores and art galleries. Oatlands Plantation is right down the road from Woodlea Manor and hosts community events throughout the year. Ida Lee Park Recreation Center is the place to go for swimming lessons and fitness training — they even host an Easter Egg Hunt every year for kids. Recently, an outdoor swim park has been added to Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, featuring water slides, a rafting mote, and multiple water features for young kids to enjoy.

Market Conditions

The chart below shows the current and past 12 months of market conditions for Woodlea Manor. The first chart depicts the total number of settled sales in each month. The second chart displays the average sales price in the neighborhood. Finally, the third chart shows the average list to sales price ratio. This number is shown as a percentage. For example, if a home was listed for $100,000 and sold for $90,000, the list to sales price ratio would be 90 percent.