Living Arcadia Blog

Arcadia Communities is a family-owned company with over 50 years experience in the new home building industry in the Mid-Atlantic and the San Francisco Bay area. - See more at: http://livingarcadia.com/

[livingarcadia-blog]

Our models are open daily from 11am - 6pm. Come in and see our model homes such as the Harrison at Arcadia Springs. We’d love to have you in! #getusedtogettingmore

[livingarcadia-blog]

Escape the cold and enjoy touring our beautifully decorated model homes, open daily at each of our #newhomecommunities! After seeing all of the unique features and finishes included as standard in each of our new homes, you'll find yourself saying, "I guess I'll just have to 'Get Used To Getting More!'"

[livingarcadia-blog]

"Get Used To Getting More" this holiday season at Arcadia Communities! MORE features and finishes, MORE for your investment, MORE energy efficiency...it’s all part of our passion and commitment to building you a better home!

[livingarcadia-blog]

The Best of the Holidays in Northern VA

What better place to spend the holiday season than in Northern Virginia – in a newly built luxury home in Arcadia at Willowsford, no less?  In no time at all, this entire area will be buzzing with seasonal cheer, bringing neighbors together to celebrate the most wonderful time of year.  And, if you’re lucky enough to call this incredible region home for the holidays, you will certainly be pleased with all the fun to be had!

From events right here in Ashburn, Virginia, to the bigger attractions in nearby Washington D.C., every family will find a festivity that they will find joy in.  Here’s what we’ve got lined up for our very own holiday season!

1. Light Displays 

After Thanksgiving, we’re bound to see some truly impressive and unique light displays throughout the area.  Pack a thermos with hot chocolate, tune in to the holiday music station, and take the whole family for a drive around town viewing the labors of Christmas light displays.  Festive lights are even prettier on a beautifully designed new home in Northern Virginia!

2. Shop Local

This time of year, when we find ourselves stocking up on gifts for our loved ones, gives us a great opportunity to support local businesses.  And, shopping local doesn’t have to end with Small Business Saturday – we can show our love for our small businesses any day of the week!

2. Holiday Magic in the Nation’s Capital

No matter which holidays you’ll be celebrating this time of year, heading into D.C. to view the National Christmas Tree and National Menorah, along with tons of other holiday displays, will leave you and your family in awe.

3.Candlelight Tours

Thanks to the rich historic value of our region, there are plenty of candlelit tours to enjoy.  This resource provides a list of the various sites you can explore – make sure to bundle up, it’ll be chilly!

4. First Night

Skip the crowds of Washington D.C. and ring in the New Year right here in Northern Virginia.  You’ll be happy to find various New Year’s Eve events happening locally – take a look at this list here to see for yourself!

And there you have it – the holidays are so much fun for the whole family, especially when living in one of our new Arcadia Communities’ homes in Northern Virginia!

[livingarcadia-blog]

With 2 x 6 construction our homes are sturdier than the typical new home built using 2 x 4 construction, and those extra two inches allow for thicker insulation - which keep our homeowners nice and warm during the cold months of the year!

[livingarcadia-blog]

Visit www.livingarcadia.com for more information about our two newest communities, coming soon to Aldie, Virginia and Stephens City, Virginia!

[livingarcadia-blog]

Townhome Living in Winchester, VA!

If you’re not yet familiar with Winchester, Virginia, you should be!  This charming town in northern Virginia is home to our townhomes at Arcadia Fieldstone an extraordinary development providing homeowners with remarkable living experiences in the Shenandoah Valley.

Founded in 1744 by Col. James Wood, Winchester boasts countless sites of historical happenings.  Residents can explore the many nearby battlegrounds, Civil War-era attractions and classic qualities that can only be found in a small town.  Not to mention, one of Winchester’s biggest assets is the bustling downtown scene.  With favorite bars, family-owned shops, small businesses and more, strolling along the streets of Old Town Winchester is everything you’d imagine it to be.

Additionally, this great city was recently named among 10 cities in the DC Metro area to exhibit incredible walkability and urban features – a growing trend that homebuyers are seeking in their next communities. Greater Greater Washington, the creator of this list, praised Winchester for the successful pedestrian mall, as well as “the most gorgeous library in Virginia.”

Winchester may be small, but it certainly isn’t lacking in town pride and sense of community.  The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, held every year since 1924, is an excellent example of the homegrown lifestyle found here.  The festival includes parades, dances, competitions and activities for the whole family – it definitely can draw a crowd!

When a town is as great as Winchester, there’s no question as to why more families would want to live there.  And, it’s the small, charming details of this city that brought Arcadia Communities to Winchester in the first place.  Our townhomes at Arcadia Fieldstone exhibit the best of home design, creating roomy and bright spaces within a unique townhouse floor plan.  With 10-foot ceilings, four-car garages and included features and finishes that go beyond what other builders provide, as well as reasonable pricing, townhome living doesn’t get any better than this.

If your ideal community is one that’s tucked away in the breathtaking Virginia countryside with a busy downtown just minutes away, while also offering stunning newly built townhomes, you’ve found just that with Arcadia Fieldstone!

Source: City of Winchester, Greater Greater Washington  

[livingarcadia-blog]

Whether it be the landscaping or natural surroundings, each of our communities features its own distinct beauty that serves as the perfect setting and backdrop for every new Arcadia home. "Get Used To Getting More" at Arcadia Communities and come see the difference for yourself! 

[livingarcadia-blog]

COMING SOON! A new Arcadia Community with #singlefamilyhomes priced from the mid $200's. Say hello to Arcadia Green!

[livingarcadia-blog]

Get used to getting more in your kitchen! With Arcadia Communities you can enjoy your kitchen to the fullest with it's upgraded kitchen appliances, 42″ designer cabinets, granite countertops, and more features and finishes that are included as standard. See the difference for yourself!

[livingarcadia-blog]

Arcadia Communities (livingarcadia)

Arcadia Communities offer residents more value in their homes than any other builder in the area- you’ll just have to get used to getting more!

We've just updated all of our boards on Pinterest, including new Arcadia community photos, new #fallhomedecor ideas, fall #familyfun activities, delicious #fallrecipes, and more! See what's new- http://www.pinterest.com/livingarcadia/

[livingarcadia-blog]

Why Buying a Home in Loudoun County Makes Sense

Loudoun County, Virginia is the perfect location to purchase your new luxury home. Located in the northern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia, just thirty minutes from our Nation’s capital, Loudoun has a growing business climate with low unemployment. The high standard of learning at the many schools, colleges and universities in the area is also a perk for families migrating to the region. It’s reasons like these and so much more that brought Arcadia Communities to this thriving area in the Arcadia at Willowsford community.

Due to its close proximity to the Capital, Loudoun County has experienced a high-tech boom and rapid growth, which may contribute to making it the most affluent county in the country.  Additionally, the convenience of the Washington Dulles International Airport provides an added perk to businesses and corporations in the area.  These many major corporations provide many jobs and employment for the local economy.  The recent job growth in Loudoun County is on the rise at a rate almost twice that of the national average, and unemployment figures are well below the national averages, making our county a perfect one to live and work.

Especially appealing for families, the Loudoun County Public School district is proud of its achievements in education and has continued to grow over the past several years.  The district had an on-time graduation rate of 97.5% for the class of 2013, which is 7.1% higher that the rest of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Students have obtained SAT scores higher than both the State and the Nation, exhibiting the quality of the county’s education system.

Because of the great economic and educational climate in Loudoun County, there has been a demand for new, quality built homes. Arcadia Communities answers to these demands with our luxury homes in the Willowsford community. Arcadia at Willowsford is a farm community that incorporates the scenic Virginia countryside while keeping sustainability in mind.  Planned communities such as Willowsford provide homes that are both luxurious and expansive, and are built with the utmost quality and standards, giving families plenty of room to grow.

Loudoun County is the perfect place to live, work, receive an education and raise a family.  Buying a home in this area puts you and your family in the center of history, commerce, recreational activities and the most scenic and spectacular countryside in Virginia, if not the country!  Take a look at the incredible home models Arcadia Communities offers in the Grant and Grange neighborhoods at Willowsford.  With expansive and open floor plans, luxurious finishes and finishes, upgraded appliances and so much more, owning a home in a community like this is an extraordinary living experience!

[livingarcadia-blog]

Take in the beauty of the fall season at Arcadia Fieldstone, a gorgeous new townhome community surrounded by nature and outdoor adventures throughout the idyllic landscape of Winchester, VA. — in Winchester, VA.

[livingarcadia-blog]

Hear first-hand from, Tara, about her experience with Arcadia Communities and what it is like to be a homeowner at the beautiful community of Arcadia Fieldstone in Winchester, VA.

[livingarcadia-blog]

10 Reasons We Love Farmer’s Markets

Autumn is known as time for chunky sweaters, pumpkin patches, pecan pies, apple picking, hay bale rides and farmer’s markets. Farmer’s markets in particular are an autumn tradition for many in Northern Virginia and West Virginia, and a belovedfall activity of many Living Arcadia residents. Read on to see why we love shopping at local farmer’s markets this fall!

1. Fresher Food, Healthier Life!

At farmer’s markets you’ll find the freshest food around. Produce at Farmer’s markets specifically is able to grow until it is perfectly ripe, because it is only going down to road to be sold—at times hours after it is picked! Locally grown food tends to have superior levels of protein, vitamins and minerals—meaning you are getting healthier, higher quality food than you would find at your local grocery store or supermarket.

The mindset and produce itself at farmer’s markets tend to encourage shoppers to buy smarter, better quality foods, however they are also buying more fruits and vegetables than they would be at the supermarket. With farmer’s displays of bins and baskets full of fresh, ripe higher quality produce, it’s hard not to find yourself eating more fruits and vegetables!

2. Shop Organic and Boost Your Nutrition

Farmer’s Markets tend to draw vendors who grow organic product. In addition to organic vendor’s produce being fresh, their food is also free of synthetic pesticides and minimally processed. On the other hand, a large portion of food found at grocery stores and supermarkets is highly processed and grown with hormones, pesticides and more.

Many farmers who sell at farmer’s markets are committed to taking the additional steps necessary to grow the most nutritious, healthy food possible using sustainable, organic techniques.

3. Knowing Where Your Food Comes From

Farmer’s markets are a great place to learn more about your food than anywhere else. Markets like this give you the opportunity to meet and talk to the farmers themselves that grew your food. You can learn more about how the food you are buying is made, where it’s from and much more!

4. Always Locally Grown

As previously mentioned, farmer’s markets are home to local farmers looking to sell their produce. Their fruits and vegetables are able to fully ripen and have no need for added preservatives, as there is no long distance shipping or sitting for weeks in storage involved! Food at farmer’s markets are as real as it gets—it’s fresh from the farm.

5. Enjoy the Seasons

Another great thing about farmer’s markets—the food is always in tune with the season. Since farmers are local and only sell fresh, quality food they can only offer food that can be grown that time of year. Shopping at farmer’s markets also help shoppers reconnect with the seasons and find produce native to their region.

6. Help the environment

Buying locally is better for the environment, simply because there is less effort involved in getting food found at a farmer’s market from the farm to the market. Since the food found at farmer’s markets doesn’t have to be shipped long distances the only fuel used is by the farmer to drive to the market, compared to the fuel wasted to ship food to supermarkets around the world.

All in all—buying local requires significantly less fuel and produces less CO2 emissions. Not only are you improving your family’s health by buying fresher, healthier food from farmer’s markets, but you are making a positive impact on the environment as well!

7. Save Money!

As previously mentioned, when shopping at farmer’s markets you are dealing directly with the farmer. This model eliminates the middle man, so there are no additional mark-ups to account for long-distance shipping, storage, supermarket expenses, etc. Between the higher nutritional value at farmer’s markets and irritating grocery store mark-ups, you clearly get more bang for your buck at farmer’s markets!

8.  Support Local Farmers, Your Local Economy

Nowadays, farmers (especially sustainable farmers) are struggling to survive. When you shop at your local farmer’s market you are paying the farmer directly, which not only keeps small farms alive, but also strengthens the local economy!

9. Find New Recipes

When shopping in a chain grocery store, you will rarely find a cashier or produce stocker who will give you tips on how to cook the ingredients you buy, but at farmer’s markets that is not the case. Those who shop at farmer’s markets find a number of farmers eager to share recipes they have found work well with their produce! Especially for those new to farmer’s markets and not as adapted to buying in-season foods, farmers are helpful resources for finding which in-season foods pair well together.

10. Discover new foods!

Farmer’s markets offer a significantly wider array of produce than most supermarkets, which makes the chance that you will discover new, exciting foods while shopping even more likely! Whether you are browsing the produce or conversing with farmers and others in the market, you’ll find something new at your local farmer’s market every week!

Local Farmer’s Markets

Residents of Living Arcadia communities are fortunate to live near a number of well-known, local farmer’s markets. Below you can find a few farmer’s markets in close proximity to each of our communities.

Arcadia Chase (Charles Town, WV)

Charles Town Farmer’s Market (Charles Town, WV)

They offer a wide variety of fresh local produce items, baked goods, meats, honey, coffee, dairy and much more.

Arcadia Fieldstone (Winchester, VA)

Freight Station Farmer’s Market (Winchester, VA)

Open year round at least two days a week, and offers a wide selections of fruits, vegetables, dairy and more.

Arcadia Springs (Martinsburg, WV)

Shepherdstown Farm’s Market (Shepherdstown, WV)

This farmer’s market is open every Sunday with 18+ vendors.

Inwood Farmer’s Market (Inwood, WV)

Features locally grown food, West Virginia jams, BBQ Sauces, and apple butters. This market is also home to one of the largest selections of West Virginia wines in the area, and is open year-round Monday through Saturday.

Arcadia at Willowsford (Ashburn, VA)

Cascades Farmer’s Market (Sterling, VA)

Offers only local, organic foods every Sunday through the end of November.

Leesburg Winter Farmer’s Market (Leesburg, VA)

Offers only the best local food and runs year-round, open every Saturday and Sunday.

Being able to take advantage of the fresh produce at local Virginia and West Virginia farmer’s markets is one of the many benefits of living in a Living Arcadia community. For more information about the local farmer’s markets in your area, visit Local Harvest. Enjoy all that the region has to offer and check outLiving Arcadia’s communities in Virginia and West Virginia today!

Sources

http://www.cuesa.org/learn/10-reasons-support-farmers-markets 

http://inspiyr.com/local-farmers-market/ 

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/04/18/top-10-reasons-to-buy-food-at-farmer-market/ 

[livingarcadia-blog]

Get used to getting more in your townhome at Arcadia Fieldstone in Winchester, VA!

[livingarcadia-blog]

Get used to getting more- even when it comes to the club level! Come by Arcadia Chase and tour the beautiful and spacious Randolf model home!