Editor’s Note: This periodic sponsored Q&A column is written by Adam Gallegos of Arlington-based real estate firm Arbour Realty. Please submit follow-up questions in the comments section or via email.
Question: I’m moving to Arlington and would like to find a neighborhood with a pool. Do you have any advice?
The majority of single family home neighborhoods in Arlington do not have a homeowners association (HOA), and therefore do not include amenities like swimming pools. I’ve found that this can be a letdown for families moving from Fairfax and Loudoun Counties.
The good news is that there may be other pool options available. The bad news is that it may take a few years to work your way up the local pool’s waitlist. Who knew pool memberships were in such high demand in Arlington?
I’ve put together the following guide to help you out. The information provided is deemed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Please reach out to the individual pools you are interested in to learn more about the waitlist process and the cost details.
Overlee
6030 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA
http://www.overlee.org/
Waitlist: Currently there are 666 families on the waitlist. The estimated wait is 3-5 years. You must be a resident of Arlington, Falls Church or McLean to join.
August passes are available for non-member at a cost of $325 / family.
Cost: A non-refundable initiation fee of $2,000 (as of February 2011 — this amount is subject to change), plus $1,000 construction fee is required. In 2012 the annual dues are $700.
Arlington Forest Club
400 North Harrison Street, Arlington, VA
http://arlingtonforestclub.org
Waitlist: Currently there are over 400 families on the waitlist. Priority is given to applications from residents of Arlington Forest Community, Barcroft, Glen Carlyn, Bon Air, and other area within the priority area boundaries. (see Priority Area Map)
The estimated wait is 4 years for the priority area and at least 8 years for those residing outside the priority area.
The Club also offers August/September memberships to 30 individuals/families on the waitlist.
Cost: The cost of a membership certificate is $975, which is returned (less a $50 transfer fee) when the membership is sold. In addition, when you purchase the membership certificate, you must also pay a non-refundable $200 initiation fee. In 2011 the annual dues were $425.
Upton Hill Regional Park
6060 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA
http://www.nvrpa.org/content_pages/view/pool_passes
Waitlist: none
Cost: One year pass for Individuals are $80 if a residents of Alexandria City, Fairfax City, Falls Church City, Arlington County, Fairfax County and Loudoun County. Non-residents pay $90.
Dominion Hills Area Recreation Association
5960 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA
http://www.dominionhills.org
Waitlist: Currently there are 186 families on the waitlist. The estimated wait is 2-3 years.
Cost: The member share is a one-time purchase of $850, plus annual dues and any member-approved assessments. Annual dues are $660 this year.
Knights of Columbus
5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA
http://www.kofcedw2473.org/facilities/pools.shtml
Waitlist: none
Cost: Single council members pay $225. Council member families pay $400. Non-Member Families pay $850. You can also purchase 20 swim passes for $180.
Yorktown, Washington-Lee and Wakefield high schools
http://www.apsva.us/domain/98
Waitlist: none
These indoor pools offer public swimming facilities, but are are more oriented towards lap swimming.
I hope this helps. Please add to comments any pools that I may have left off of my list.
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