Living in Centreville and Chantilly, VA: Value, Space and Route 28 Access

Living in Centreville or Chantilly means trading a longer trip into DC for more interior space, larger lots and easy access to Dulles, Route 28 and I-66. Both are unincorporated parts of western Fairfax County with established subdivisions, plenty of townhouses, big regional parks and a busy employment corridor along Route 28. If your work is in Tysons, Reston, Herndon or near the airport, or you are comfortable with a park-and-ride commute, they are worth a serious look.

Where Centreville and Chantilly are

Both communities sit in the western part of Fairfax County, roughly 20 to 25 miles west of downtown DC. Chantilly runs along Route 50 and Route 28 just south of Washington Dulles International Airport. Centreville is south of Chantilly, centered on the junction of I-66 and Route 29, and reaches west toward Bull Run and the Prince William County line.

Neither is an incorporated town, so there is no separate town government or town tax. Owners pay Fairfax County real estate taxes and deal with county agencies for permits and services. One quirk to know: ZIP code 20152 carries a Chantilly mailing address but covers communities in Loudoun County, such as the South Riding area. A Chantilly address does not automatically mean Fairfax County.

Quick facts	Centreville	Chantilly
Jurisdiction	Fairfax County (unincorporated)	Fairfax County (unincorporated); ZIP 20152 is in Loudoun County
Common ZIP codes	20120, 20121	20151 (Fairfax); 20152 (Loudoun)
Main roads	I-66, Route 29, Route 28	Route 50, Route 28, Fairfax County Parkway
Metro station	None; nearest Orange or Silver Line stations are a drive away	None; Silver Line stations near Dulles are a drive away
Typical housing	Townhouses, 1970s to 1990s colonials, condos, some newer infill	Townhouses, 1960s to 2000s single-family, condos, newer communities near Route 50
Big nearby parks	Bull Run Regional Park, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park	Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Sully Historic Site, Cub Run area

Housing stock: what you will find

Most of the housing here was built in waves from the late 1960s through the 2000s, as Route 28 and Dulles grew into a major job center. That gives buyers a broad mix:

• Townhouses are everywhere, from 1970s and 1980s two-level homes to larger three-level garage townhouses from the 1990s and 2000s. They are often the entry point for buyers who want ownership without a condo.
• Single-family subdivisions such as Greenbriar in Chantilly (1960s and 1970s split-levels and colonials) and Little Rocky Run, Virginia Run and Sully Station in Centreville (1980s and 1990s colonials) offer quarter-acre style lots and HOA-maintained common areas.
• Condos are mostly garden-style buildings from the 1980s onward, often near Route 28 and Route 29.
• Newer construction appears as infill townhouse communities and small single-family enclaves where older parcels redeveloped.

HOAs are common, especially in the planned subdivisions. Expect architectural guidelines for exterior changes and a resale disclosure packet when you buy. With homes of this age, pay attention to original windows, roofs, HVAC systems and decks during the inspection.

Getting around

Driving is the default. The key routes:

• Route 28 (Sully Road) runs north and south from Centreville past Chantilly to Dulles and Loudoun. It is toll free and largely limited access.
• I-66 connects Centreville to the Beltway, Tysons and DC. The Express Lanes outside the Beltway opened in late 2022, offering a dynamically priced option alongside the free general lanes.
• Route 50 and the Fairfax County Parkway link Chantilly to Fair Lakes, Fairfax City and Reston.
• Route 29 runs through Centreville toward Fairfax and Gainesville.

For transit, commuters typically drive or ride a bus to an Orange Line station or to Silver Line stations near Dulles, or use park-and-ride lots served by Fairfax Connector and commuter buses. VRE’s Manassas Line is reachable from nearby stations in Burke and Manassas Park. If daily rail access matters to you, read my guide to living near Metro in Northern Virginia and our relocation guide before deciding.

Parks, history and things to do

• Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville has trails along Bull Run, campgrounds, a summer water park and, in winter, a popular drive-through holiday light show.
• Ellanor C. Lawrence Park offers woodland trails, ponds and a historic house that serves as a nature center.
• Sully Historic Site in Chantilly preserves an early 1800s home and grounds and hosts seasonal events. The surrounding area is part of a county historic overlay district, which matters if you own property inside one.
• The Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center sits just off Route 28 near Dulles and houses large aircraft and space artifacts.
• Cub Run RECenter and the Sully area athletic fields provide indoor pools and sports space.
• The Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly hosts regular consumer shows throughout the year.

For shopping and dining, Route 29 in Centreville and Route 50 in Chantilly are lined with shopping centers, grocery stores and a wide range of international restaurants and markets. The larger Fair Lakes shopping area is just east of Chantilly.

Things owners should know

• Data centers and flex space. The Route 28 corridor and the area around Dulles have significant commercial and data center development. Look at what is planned near any home you are considering; my post on data centers near homes explains how to research it.
• Airport noise. Parts of Chantilly are close to Dulles flight paths. Visit at different times of day and check the county’s airport noise overlay information.
• Electric utility. Depending on the street, power may come from Dominion Energy or NOVEC. Ask the seller for recent bills.
• Schools. Assignments follow Fairfax County Public Schools boundaries, which can change. Verify any address with the FCPS Boundary Locator rather than relying on a listing.

What this looks like in practice

An illustrative comparison, not a real transaction: a buyer working in Reston is choosing between a two-bedroom condo closer in and a three-level garage townhouse in Centreville at a similar price. The townhouse adds a bedroom, a garage and a small yard, but the drive to Reston grows and the HOA plus a garage door, deck and older HVAC add maintenance. The condo is closer and simpler but smaller. Neither choice is wrong. Run both through the mortgage calculator with real HOA dues and taxes, then drive the commute at rush hour before you decide.

Common mistakes buyers make here

• Assuming a Chantilly address is in Fairfax County without checking.
• Testing the commute on a weekend instead of a weekday morning.
• Skipping a look at nearby zoning and planned development along Route 28.
• Overlooking the age of roofs, windows and decks on 1980s and 1990s homes.
• Not reading HOA rules on parking, fences, sheds and rentals before making an offer.

Frequently asked questions

Is Centreville, VA part of Fairfax County?

Yes. Centreville is an unincorporated community in western Fairfax County, so owners pay Fairfax County real estate taxes and there is no separate town government.

Is Chantilly in Fairfax or Loudoun County?

Both, depending on the ZIP code. Most of Chantilly (20151) is in Fairfax County, but ZIP 20152 uses a Chantilly mailing address and is in Loudoun County. Check the county property record for any specific address.

Is there a Metro station in Centreville or Chantilly?

No. Residents typically drive or take a bus to an Orange Line station or to Silver Line stations near Dulles, or use park-and-ride lots and commuter buses.

What types of homes are in Centreville and Chantilly?

Mostly townhouses and single-family subdivisions built between the late 1960s and 2000s, plus garden-style condos and some newer infill. Many communities have HOAs.