The City of Fairfax is a charming, historical place with lush tree-line streets. It has a population of over 21,498 residents. It has an independent administration and is separate from the jurisdiction of the county with its own schools, government, and police.

The city has numerous planned housing complexes. Many of the housing options available are cost effective and people looking towards houses for purchase or rent will absolutely love them.

The Fairfax city first became a part of Greater Washington in 1904 when an electric trolley line ran from Fairfax to downtown DC. Since then the Fairfax city has only been prospering with the median household income within Fairfax County almost double compared to the rest of the state at $81,050 per year. A glance at the real estate pricing would reveal that in the year 2005, the median resale price for single family detached houses was $425,000. However the cost of new home construction is substantially higher new home prices averaged more than $408,600. In general the trend is of high disposable incomes and affordable housing costs. This factor makes Fairfax an outstanding choice for relocation.

With the rapid development of George Mason University, Fairfax has become one of the most sought after centers for higher education. Its central location also makes it a most favored option for tourists who have discovered Fairfax as the place to stay while visiting Washington.

The city has two pleasant neighboring areas Oakton and McLean. Oakton, Virginia was recently named by the Money Magazine, as one of the "Best Places to Live". Its closeness to places such as Washington, D.C. and the Technology Corridor offer residents a vast variety of employment opportunities. It also lies within a short drive's distance from the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains, which is most favored by locals for its impressive array of recreational activities.

The town of McLean provides a similar atmosphere, with excellent schools and a family-focused environment. Most of the residents in this region are a well-educated group of professionals. They enjoy living in the area for the traditional American setting it provides. McLean also happens to be rich in history. It hosts plenty of fairs and festivals, some of which have their roots in the nation's founding. One of the most popular among locals and tourists is the McLean Day festival, offering residents such diverse entertainment as a tennis tournament, fun-run, battle of the bands, and a family carnival.

Other much anticipated events at McLean include the epicurean Taste of McLean and the Fall Cultural Festival.

Fairfax city is full of unique and interesting historic places. It has a total of 109 historic properties within the city limits. The National Register District and the Old and Historic Fairfax District are both listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register. The Fairfax Public School, which is now the Fairfax Museum and Virginia Visitors Center, the 1805 Ratcliffe Allison House, the 1850 Blenheim estate and even the 1947 Tastee 29 Diner are all on the National Register.