If You Lived Here
North Arlington
Season 1 Episode 9 | 28m 14sVideo has Closed Captions
The series hosts explore North Arlington with realtor Veronica Seva-Gonzalez.
Series hosts John Begeny and Christine Louise and realtor Veronica Seva-Gonzalez explore North Arlington, Virginia. In their travels, the hosts connect with a historian to learn about Arlington’s place in music history, and County Natural Resources Specialist Jennifer Soles shares her passion for Arlington’s outdoor offerings.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
If You Lived Here is a local public television program presented by WETA
If You Lived Here
North Arlington
Season 1 Episode 9 | 28m 14sVideo has Closed Captions
Series hosts John Begeny and Christine Louise and realtor Veronica Seva-Gonzalez explore North Arlington, Virginia. In their travels, the hosts connect with a historian to learn about Arlington’s place in music history, and County Natural Resources Specialist Jennifer Soles shares her passion for Arlington’s outdoor offerings.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch If You Lived Here
If You Lived Here is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship♪ ♪ JOHN: Hi, I'm John Begeny.
CHRISTINE: And I'm Christine Louise.
We're producers at WETA and best friends.
JOHN: We love living in the DC area.
But finding a place to live here can be tough.
CHRISTINE: Join us as we go house hunting and explore neighborhood options across the region.
JOHN: And find out what it would be like...
BOTH If you lived here.
(doorbell) CHRISTINE: Today, we're here in North Arlington, Virginia.
A neighborhood and a community we know very well.
JOHN: We sure do.
Like Clarendon Ballroom or Spider Kelly's.
CHRISTINE: Don't forget, WETA.
JOHN: Absolutely, WETA.
CHRISTINE: Folks who live in and around Arlington have easy access to Metro stations.
JOHN: Well that's because there are five of them.
But the people of Arlington don't always rely on the Metro.
That's because they have a reputation to maintain.
CHRISTINE: Arlington was declared one of the healthiest cities in America.
Due to the large number of public parks, hiking trails, and bike paths.
JOHN: In fact, just as many people in Arlington commute by bike or Metro as drive into the city.
CHRISTINE: For our house tours today, we're off to meet Arlington realtor, Veronica Gonzalez.
JOHN: We're going to tour three properties at three different price points.
CHRISTINE: And try to guess the listing price, without going over.
JOHN: Veronica also lives in the area.
So she really has her finger on the pulse.
CHRISTINE: Shall we go?
JOHN: The first place is just blocks away.
Let's go.
(doorbell) CHRISTINE: I know you're more familiar with this building.
JOHN: I am!
I remember when they built it.
Hello Veronica!
VERONICA: Hi!
John and Christine.
CHRISTINE: Hey, Veronica.
VERONICA: Welcome to North Arlington.
JOHN: It's so good to be back!
CHRISTINE: This guy has lived everywhere.
So I think you have an unfair advantage.
(John groans) CHRISTINE: But I'm not as familiar with North Arlington.
VERONICA: I love Arlington!
I live here.
My kids go to school here.
I work here.
It reminds me to Spain.
That's where I'm from.
Because you can kind of walk everywhere.
But don't forget the Metro is only like 0.2 miles from here.
JOHN: So tell us a little bit about this building.
VERONICA: I love this building!
It's one of my favorites in Arlington.
Because of all the glass and steel.
I think it's beautiful.
JOHN: Yeah.
VERONICA: It was actually built in 2008 and it was actually a luxury hotel.
In 2014, they converted into condos.
So I can't wait to show it to you.
CHRISTINE: Well, Veronica, after we've toured a home, we like to come out and guess the listing price.
JOHN: Right and the one who gets closest to the listing price without going over, wins.
VERONICA: Okay, we have three homes today.
So I can't wait to see who wins the first round.
JOHN: Well, you can start polishing my crown, my corona.
VERONICA: All right.
So, I'll wait here for you.
Make sure you look at the details.
JOHN: We will.
VERONICA: Very important for the price, okay?
CHRISTINE: Okay.
JOHN: Let's go to it.
(doorbell) CHRISTINE: Oh wait, let me get that.
JOHN: It's me, just me.
CHRISTINE: It feels like home already.
So we walk in, dining area right off.
But I do have to check, because I see the light pouring in.
JOHN: Oh, yes.
CHRISTINE: Oh!
Okay.
So this is what's around the corner.
JOHN: And these beautiful floor to ceiling windows!
CHRISTINE: Wow!
Look at the view!
JOHN: It's a great view.
If you think about where we are, it's really one continuous, you know, corridor of shops then stores and I really miss living here.
CHRISTINE: You know what?
I also noticed and what I love, that you don't see in many high rises.
These windows open and there's a screen.
So you can just open those up and let the breeze come through.
JOHN: Well, the first thing I noticed, is this exposed ductwork.
Which gives this place a really cool, like, loft-industrial feel.
Which I like.
CHRISTINE: That is so popular right now.
It makes me wonder, when Veronica said, "This was originally planned as a luxury hotel."
I wonder how much redesign or reconfiguration they did?
JOHN: Yeah.
CHRISTINE: I know this is your favorite place.
JOHN: Well, you know, I cook every day.
CHRISTINE: I know you do.
Every time I call you, you're cooking, so.
JOHN: This island is huge!
CHRISTINE: Well, normally I like to be on this side of the island.
JOHN: Mm-hmm.
CHRISTINE: But because we have such a great view.
I don't mind being on this side.
JOHN: No, no, no.
Well, this is a great cook's kitchen.
Has everything you need.
Tons of prep space!
You can entertain four friends, right here.
And I love these cabinets.
They really do remind me of something from Europe.
CHRISTINE: We've seen so much subway tile in homes.
JOHN: Mm-hmm.
CHRISTINE: I love it too.
JOHN: Yes.
CHRISTINE: And I know a lot of people do.
But this is something a little different.
JOHN: Okay.
Well, I'm taking one last look at this beautiful living room, kitchen combo.
I can see a lot of parties here.
CHRISTINE: Good, I hope I'm invited.
JOHN: Sure.
Here is bedroom one of two.
CHRISTINE: Okay.
So when we first walked in, I thought it felt a little small.
But now that I see this little area here, it's a perfect space for a dresser.
So it does make it more spacious.
JOHN: Absolutely.
This must be the hall bath?
This is nice.
Very hotel-like.
CHRISTINE: Yeah.
It's bigger than what I thought it was going to be.
JOHN: It's huge.
Nice big tub.
CHRISTINE: Yeah, but you're right.
It does remind me of a hotel.
Okay, so... JOHN: This is the owner's suite.
CHRISTINE: Owner's suite.
Lots of natural light.
So plenty of room.
This must be the master bath.
JOHN: Very large.
CHRISTINE: Oh, this is nice!
JOHN: Yeah!
You and I were just talking about this trend of using black paint.
CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.
JOHN: And pure black tile.
CHRISTINE: Right, right!
JOHN: This is very dramatic.
CHRISTINE: You often think it's going to be too dark in the room.
But this actually works well!
And look at the size of this tub.
JOHN: Yeah, that's huge.
CHRISTINE: What a great soaking tub.
JOHN: All righty.
So now it's time to play the game.
CHRISTINE: Well, do you have a listing price in mind?
JOHN: I do have a listing price in mind.
CHRISTINE: Okay.
So let's go talk to Veronica.
JOHN: Come on.
CHRISTINE: Oh wait, we didn't check this out.
JOHN: Bonus room.
CHRISTINE: There you go!
Your washer and dryer!
JOHN: Your washer and dryer!
CHRISTINE: All right, Mr. Confidence.
Let's see how close you... JOHN: I would have missed that, too.
Veronica!
That was a beautiful place.
CHRISTINE: We have to talk about that view.
That is the star of that unit.
JOHN: And it was really quiet.
Because, you know, we're in the hustle and bustle of this neighborhood.
But it was a bit like a little haven.
VERONICA: Before you go.
I want to make sure you have all the details.
JOHN: Okay.
VERONICA: Okay.
Two bedroom, two bath.
JOHN: Yes!
VERONICA: 1,130 square feet, so it's big!
Is that real second bedroom.
JOHN: Mm-hmm.
VERONICA: It has space for a dining area, right?
You don't get that all the time.
JOHN: Mm-hmm, no!
VERONICA: In Arlington, by the way.
You're only two blocks from the Metro.
All the parks, the shopping, the grocery stores.
And then the luxury details.
JOHN: Yes!
VERONICA: The tile, the counter.
JOHN: So pretty.
VERONICA: Wood floors, right?
JOHN: Mm-hmm.
VERONICA: They are floor to ceiling windows.
JOHN: It has an industrial feel.
VERONICA: It's like a loft.
JOHN: It's like a loft.
CHRISTINE: It is.
VERONICA: Any questions before you decide on a price?
JOHN: How about parking?
VERONICA: There is one assigned parking, underground.
JOHN: Check.
CHRISTINE: That's always important.
JOHN: Yeah.
CHRISTINE: When factoring in our guess.
JOHN: Okay, I'm going to make a guess of, $635,000.
CHRISTINE: Okay.
VERONICA: Okay.
CHRISTINE: I'm going to go at $645,000.
VERONICA: Whoa!
That's close.
CHRISTINE: It's close.
JOHN: That's very close!
VERONICA: That's very close!
And the winner is, Christine!
CHRISTINE: Yes!
Mr. Confidence, "I know the area."
VERONICA: Hmm.
JOHN: Well, what is the actual price?
VERONICA: The listing price is, $689,900.
JOHN: Okay.
CHRISTINE: Oh, okay... VERONICA: Congratulations, Christine!
CHRISTINE: Thank you!
JOHN: I'm going to try to better next time.
CHRISTINE: The first win!
JOHN: I promise.
VERONICA: Two more tries.
JOHN: Okay, I'll do my best.
VERONICA: We're not done.
JOHN: Uh-huh.
VERONICA: Are you ready?
JOHN: I'm ready.
CHRISTINE: Ready.
VERONICA: I'm excited to show you your next two homes.
Let's go?
JOHN: Let's go!
CHRISTINE: Let's go.
Oh, that loss must have hurt.
JOHN: Okay, so before we head to house number two, we're taking a quick little jaunt through the heart of Clarendon.
I cannot believe how many restaurants are on this street now.
CHRISTINE: Oh, there's a lot of great places to hop in and have a bite to eat, isn't there?
JOHN: There really is something for everyone.
I used to party here in like the early '90s.
Back then, the Whole Foods was just a parking lot.
CHRISTINE: Well, it's hard to imagine it not hustling and bustling.
JOHN: Yeah!
It was so dead and quiet.
But there was one thing here, Galaxy Hut.
CHRISTINE: Hi.
You must be Ken Avis.
Music historian extraordinaire.
KEN: Great to meet you.
JOHN: Great to meet you.
Well, here we are in Clarendon.
This is one of my old haunts.
Actually, the public-access station right around the corner, is where my career really began in television.
KEN: That's at Arlington Independent Media.
Still there with WERA Radio.
I have a show there every Tuesday.
JOHN: You have a show, there!
That's fantastic!
CHRISTINE: Enough of the John Begeny story.
I want to hear more about your story and your connection with North Arlington.
KEN: So I moved to North Arlington in 1996.
One of the first places I found, was this exact strip of two or three blocks here.
Which was where all of the really interesting music of the area was happening.
So places like the Galaxy Hut, was one of them.
The IOTA, just a block away, which has now sadly departed.
JOHN: Yeah.
KEN: Was a second home for me.
JOHN: This was like a really underground kind of music scene.
What do think produced that?
KEN: Ian MacKaye of Fugazi.
JOHN: Fugazi.
KEN: Minor Threat.
He moved to a house in North Arlington.
They created what came to be known as Dischord House in that very spot.
JOHN: Yes.
KEN: On North 4th Street.
Around the same time, Positive Force, another kind of punk collective, moved into multiple houses in the Arlington area.
So when the Galaxy Hut opened by 1990, they had this wealth of talent to pick from.
And a wealth of customers who wanted to come and hear that kind of music.
Because this had become a kind of a scene and a community.
JOHN: Yes.
KEN: Of its own right.
That was affordable.
JOHN: You see that, Tina?
Arlington was affordable at one time.
Ken, thank you so much for meeting us.
I learned more than a few things from you today.
CHRISTINE: And I like hearing stories from other people outside of this guy.
So, thank you very much.
JOHN: Oh, I've got more that I want to tell you... CHRISTINE: I know.
JOHN: I want to tell you about this... CHRISTINE: I know.
Thank you so much, Ken.
KEN: Okay.
Bye.
(doorbell) VERONICA: Can you believe we're in Arlington?
CHRISTINE: It feels like hidden this gem in the middle of the forest.
JOHN: Well, we basically are in the middle of a forest... VERONICA: We are.
CHRISTINE: Feels like it.
We're right next to the Potomac.
So there's a story behind this house.
This house was actually designed by the famous architect, Charles Goodman.
JOHN: We know Charles Goodman.
I'm a big fan.
CHRISTINE: He's a fan.
VERONICA: You're a big fan.
JOHN: Yeah, I'm a big fan.
I didn't know he had homes in Arlington.
So this is a super big surprise.
VERONICA: So the original owner, named the house Faith Quarter.
Because he had faith that he was going to pay his mortgage of these four other acre lots.
JOHN: Ah.
CHRISTINE: Oh!
What a great story.
JOHN: That's sweet.
VERONICA: You guys ready?
JOHN: Yes.
CHRISTINE: Yes.
VERONICA: All right!
Let's go in.
JOHN: Thank you.
Welcome to Faith Quarter.
CHRISTINE: Ooh.
JOHN: Oh my gosh!
It's just as good as I thought it would be.
CHRISTINE: I know.
This is your dream completely!
JOHN: It is.
I'm geeking out.
CHRISTINE: You are geeking out.
JOHN: Yeah.
First the hallway closet, so cool.
Which is also a room divider.
CHRISTINE: That's probably original wouldn't you... JOHN: Original.
CHRISTINE: Okay.
JOHN: Absolutely and then this living room.
CHRISTINE: Oh this wall of windows!
I have stepped into an oasis.
JOHN: I can't even...
I love this so much.
It's so perfect for this house.
It really is a haven.
What I love, especially is the grade of the yard as it comes down to the patio.
Which looks like it's original to the house.
These are the original windows, you can tell.
Can I just say I'm in love with that room back... Oh!
But then there's this.
CHRISTINE: So I love when the outdoor space becomes part of your indoor space!
JOHN: Charles Goodman did it oh so well!
He designed Hollin Hills in Alexandria... CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.
JOHN: Which I've loved for 30 plus-years.
That's definitely a neighborhood where the entire plan is just that.
Bringing the outdoors in, through beautiful glass rooms.
CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.
JOHN: Then also, he designed the airports.
I'm glad the owners have kept it... You know, the original floors.
These paneled walls.
CHRISTINE: Exactly.
Veronica said, "The kitchen has been remodeled."
JOHN: Yes!
CHRISTINE: But the way they've done it, it just blends right with the house.
JOHN: It's true to the style.
Again, this is perfection in my mind.
Did you see the countertops?
Just a sliver.
CHRISTINE: It is a little thinner than what we normally see.
JOHN: It's so cool.
These cabinets... Now, why don't you pull out one of these drawers?
CHRISTINE: Oh my gosh!
This is so nice!
JOHN: How can you go back to stretching for plates?
CHRISTINE: I don't think I can go back.
JOHN: Add that to the new must-have checklist.
CHRISTINE: Checklist!
JOHN: And a Blanco sink.
I like the back splash and I like this floating counter.
And I love this paneling and I love that light!
CHRISTINE: Okay.
I knew right from the get go, you would love this light!
Because that is restored.
JOHN: Yeah, I collect them.
CHRISTINE: Calm down.
Okay.
Take a deep breath.
JOHN: I'm going to pace myself.
CHRISTINE: We've only seen two rooms.
Let's move on.
JOHN: Okay, let's do it.
CHRISTINE: Just pace yourself!
JOHN: We got to keep this moving here.
CHRISTINE: Pace yourself.
JOHN: Okay, so we're going back into the bedroom wing here.
CHRISTINE: Okay.
JOHN: This is the hallway bathroom.
CHRISTINE: It really keeps the whole feel of the house.
Natural stone and the sunlight coming through.
The natural light.
JOHN: Floating sink, which I know you love.
CHRISTINE: I do love those.
JOHN: Mm-hmm and then this is bedroom one of three.
CHRISTINE: Okay, dibs!
This is my room!
JOHN: Okay.
Slow your roll.
Who needs to calm down now?
CHRISTINE: No, this really... JOHN: "I love this room."
Yeah.
CHRISTINE: It's just nature all in.
No, I do love it.
I do.
JOHN: I do love it, too.
CHRISTINE: Yeah.
JOHN: So this is the den.
Bedroom number two, den.
Very nice.
CHRISTINE: That's a nice space.
JOHN: Nice office space.
Then, oh my gosh!
Look at this!
CHRISTINE: This is the new addition?
JOHN: Yeah, this is new addition.
CHRISTINE: Okay, all right.
JOHN: Big master closet!
And look at this space.
Okay, so talk about another wall of windows!
CHRISTINE: It feels like you're in a tree house.
JOHN: It certainly does.
What I appreciate, is that this wall of windows matches the wall in the living room.
CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.
JOHN: Overlooking the side yard?
It has that same architectural integrity.
Even though it's a new addition.
CHRISTINE: Yeah.
So this is the en suite.
JOHN: Which is so sweet.
CHRISTINE: Very!
JOHN: Mm-hmm.
CHRISTINE: You know what I love?
Is this fixture.
Because it feels like a waterfall.
JOHN: This place comes with a steam shower.
CHRISTINE: Oh!
You have been wanting... JOHN: That's major checklist.
That's like checklist-plus.
CHRISTINE: You've been wanting a steam shower.
You know, we only have one more spot in this home.
JOHN: Then it's time to... CHRISTINE: I know.
But you're going to be disappointed.
JOHN: Why?
CHRISTINE: Because our tour is going to be coming to an end before long.
JOHN: That's okay, I'm just going to come back and stalk this family.
CHRISTINE: Not really, right?
JOHN: Yeah, no.
CHRISTINE: Wow!
JOHN: Wow!
What a great little space with beautiful bar with a fridge!
Wine cellar!
CHRISTINE: Oh!
JOHN: Gas fireplace!
CHRISTINE: Fireplace!
JOHN: Big TV!
CHRISTINE: To watch our favorite channel...
BOTH: WETA!
CHRISTINE: Well, I think what's nice is that this was another renovation by the owners.
Again, they did the whole feel of Goodman's vision.
This one's tough.
JOHN: It is tough and you guess first.
CHRISTINE: I do guess first.
JOHN: It's hard... CHRISTINE: This one's harder because of the history behind it.
JOHN: Yeah, yeah.
CHRISTINE: So, let's go talk to Veronica.
JOHN: This wins my award for best yard.
VERONICA: What did you think?
CHRISTINE: Amazing!
JOHN: It's a "Wow" house.
CHRISTINE: This was John's dream home!
JOHN: Yeah.
VERONICA: It's amazing.
CHRISTINE: We have been admiring this yard from the inside.
JOHN: The inside, yeah.
CHRISTINE: Now that you're out and you hear the birds and you can just feel the breeze, this made it harder.
VERONICA: So are you guys ready?
CHRISTINE: We are.
VERONICA: It's a three bedroom, three bath.
JOHN: Mm-hmm.
CHRISTINE: Okay.
VERONICA: 2,4000 square feet.
JOHN: Yep.
VERONICA: Built in 1950.
JOHN: Yes!
VERONICA: Remodeled almost completely!
Right, beautifully.
They kept the mid-century modern style.
CHRISTINE: Mm-hm, this is one of the harder ones.
VERONICA: Yeah.
CHRISTINE: Because the design.
A well-known architect.
VERONICA: Mm-hmm.
It's very unique.
It's a very, you don't find these very often.
JOHN: No, it stands as a jewel.
CHRISTINE: So I'm going to take a stab at it.
JOHN: Okay.
CHRISTINE: I'm going to go with $1.3 million.
VERONICA: Okay!
John, what do you think?
JOHN: Excellent choice.
I'm going to give you my choice of $1.345 million.
VERONICA: So, the actual listing price is $1.350 million.
JOHN: Wow.
CHRISTINE: So close!
JOHN: Wow, I... VERONICA: I can't believe it!
I may hire you as realtors, actually.
You guys are so good at guessing.
CHRISTINE: Well, we have one more place to look at.
So you have one more shot.
JOHN: One win.
One win.
VERONICA: Are you guys ready?
JOHN: Yes.
CHRISTINE: Ready.
VERONICA: Let's do it.
JOHN: Okay.
CHRISTINE: Okay, let's go.
JOHN: After you.
CHRISTINE: Since we were completely surrounded by nature at house number two, we've got to see what else is nearby.
MAN: If you live here, you'd know about this wonderful park.
Which, if you walk through the park for 20 minutes, you're going to reach the Potomac and it's wonderful.
JOHN: Lucky for us, Arlington County's Natural Resources Specialist, Jennifer Soles, is just around the bend.
CHRISTINE: Hey Jennifer.
JENNIFER: Hey!
How are you?
CHRISTINE: Good, good.
JOHN: Hi Jennifer.
CHRISTINE: So I have to say, I do a lot of hiking off the GW Parkway.
JENNIFER: Mm-hmm.
CHRISTINE: I didn't even know this existed.
What a hidden treasure!
JENNIFER: It is.
A lot of these stream valley parks, people driving by, just see a wall of green.
They don't realize there's a trail inside and a way to get to the river... JOHN: I'm one of those people.
I've driven down this road so many times, and I didn't know the extent of this park.
So what made you want to be a naturalist?
JENNIFER: I grew up actually, not that far from here about a mile or so that way and I got to spend a lot of time in the woods playing when I was a kid.
CHRISTINE: Wow.
JOHN: You're still playing in the woods.
JENNIFER: I'm still playing in the woods.
JOHN: That's great.
JENNIFER: Exactly.
Yeah.
CHRISTINE: It's amazing that this still is here for everybody to enjoy.
JENNIFER: Yeah.
If we hadn't established these parks back in the '60s, most of them.
They wouldn't be here now.
So here we are at Gulf Branch.
JOHN: Wow!
This is charming!
JENNIFER: This is the nature center where I worked for many years.
This house was originally built as a private home.
CHRISTINE: Okay.
JENNIFER: It was the first nature center in Arlington.
JOHN: You have a famous resident here.
Raptor House, right?
JENNIFER: Yes, we do.
We have an owl, a Barred Owl living up there.
She's been there for about five or six years now.
CHRISTINE: So do you know what a barred owl says?
JOHN: What?
CHRISTINE: They say "Who, who cooks for you?"
JENNIFER: That's true.
CHRISTINE: "Who cooks for you all?"
JENNIFER: Yes!
So here we are at the pond.
JOHN: Well, to quote the owl, "Who knew?"
JENNIFER: "Who knew."
CHRISTINE: Having grown up in Arlington, what do you like about it so much?
JENNIFER: It's a combination of two things.
I really value that Arlington is a very international community.
That there's people from all over the world.
There's restaurants from all over the world.
It's very international and urban in that sense.
But then for me, it's also that I can get to an environment like this.
I can kind of be lost in the woods by myself, exploring the creek.
CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.
JENNIFER: Have that immersion in nature.
Feel the... Not have to drive, I can bike to it.
JOHN: Thank you for sharing your slice of Arlington today.
The beautiful nature and the parks.
CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.
JOHN: Just so cool.
I never knew.
CHRISTINE: Hey, one more time.
What does the barred owl say?
JOHN: "Who, who cooks for you?"
CHRISTINE: See.
JENNIFER: Very good.
JOHN: I think she's talking back up there.
(owl hoots) (doorbell) VERONICA: So John and Christine, welcome to a dream house.
CHRISTINE: You can tell, just walking up that it's a dream home.
JOHN: And this is new construction.
VERONICA: It is!
So we are at Country Club Manor.
It's a very desirable neighborhood.
Residential, but you can kind of like be everywhere in like five, 10 minutes driving.
JOHN: Yes!
CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.
JOHN: Yes.
VERONICA: There's no Metro here.
But also it's only one light to DC.
JOHN: Right across Chain Bridge.
CHRISTINE: Right and that's what I noticed coming up.
You could really go anywhere you wanted at a short distance.
But these tree-lined streets.
JOHN: Well, that's the thing about North Arlington.
It's so lush.
As you get away from that center, where Wilson Boulevard and then you move out here.
It's just so residential.
VERONICA: Let me tell you about the home.
It's 6,750 square feet.
Big house.
It's going to take you a while, by the way.
It's got six bedrooms, six baths.
(whistles) It's like a surprise after surprise in this house.
And two mud rooms.
JOHN: Two mud rooms.
VERONICA: Not one, but two.
JOHN: It's great If you have filthy, filthy children.
CHRISTINE: Well with almost 7,000 square feet, if you don't see us in an hour, send a search party.
Because we might get lost.
VERONICA: I'll be waiting here for you.
CHRISTINE: Okay.
VERONICA: I may need a coffee or two, I don't know.
JOHN: Okay.
Or three.
CHRISTINE: You might need three.
JOHN: Yeah.
CHRISTINE: Let's check it out.
JOHN: Let's do it.
VERONICA: I can't wait to see what you guys say.
JOHN: So, where do we begin?
CHRISTINE: Well, obviously this is a home office.
JOHN: Nice den.
CHRISTINE: But I have to say, my eye is drawn this way.
JOHN: Yeah, you are drawn straight over here.
But you have... CHRISTINE: Oh!
Here's mud room number one.
JOHN: Mud room number one.
Very nice with the custom woodwork and the bench.
CHRISTINE: Let's talk about this dining room.
JOHN: It is big!
CHRISTINE: It's gorgeous.
This window with the seat, you don't see these a lot.
When you look around the whole room.
JOHN: Mm-hmm.
CHRISTINE: Look at the wainscoting, the molding.
JOHN: Casings above the windows.
Just really beautifully done.
You can tell these are master craftsmen that did this room.
CHRISTINE: You can, you can.
JOHN: Just, as this room is calling you, something's calling me over here.
Oh, look, it's the butler's pantry.
CHRISTINE: I didn't hear anything.
JOHN: Yeah, isn't that strange?
Well, every good house like this, needs to have a butler's pantry in between the kitchen and the dining room.
So that you can stage food here.
CHRISTINE: Oh, of course.
JOHN: It has a great wine fridge built in.
You must have a big pantry for a big kitchen.
Holy moly!
CHRISTINE: Wow!
On a scale from one to 10, this is about a 20.
JOHN: Yeah.
CHRISTINE: Look at the size of this island, alone!
You know what I love?
We joke, because I don't do a lot of cooking.
But I do-do a lot of baking.
Because you know, I'm messy too...
So I have everything out.
JOHN: This quartz would be perfect to roll out dough on.
CHRISTINE: Wouldn't it?
JOHN: Because it's nice and cold.
CHRISTINE: That's what I envisioned.
JOHN: Nice and cold.
Keep your dough cold.
CHRISTINE: That's exactly what I envisioned, was doing that.
JOHN: Mm.
You have a six burner Wolf range.
CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.
JOHN: With the griddle.
You have a Wolf oven and Sub-Zero fridge.
CHRISTINE: But you know what I love?
I love the farm sink.
It's not because I grew up on a farm.
JOHN: No?
CHRISTINE: I knew you were going to say that.
JOHN: You can take the girl off the farm.
CHRISTINE: I just love...
Okay, but I do have to point out my favorite.
JOHN: Mm-hmm.
CHRISTINE: Two dishwashers.
JOHN: Well for a house this big, you need two.
CHRISTINE: Two dishwashers.
JOHN: This is an entertainers house.
CHRISTINE: Right.
If you have a big family.
JOHN: These are those inset cabinets.
Look at this.
Even the interior of these shelves is wood.
CHRISTINE: The craftsmanship and the design in this kitchen is just spectacular!
JOHN: Oh!
It's pretty dreamy.
CHRISTINE: Okay.
JOHN: So here's a breakfast area.
CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.
JOHN: And a porch.
Oh!
Nice.
CHRISTINE: Yeah.
Right off the breakfast area.
JOHN: Yeah.
And you have a patio.
And the backyard is very nice size.
You could have a nice garden out there.
CHRISTINE: And then of course, who wouldn't want to entertain in here?
JOHN: So this is like your living room, family room.
All-purpose room, right on this level.
CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm, it is.
JOHN: Ah!
CHRISTINE: So first bedroom.
JOHN: Yep.
CHRISTINE: So far.
It really does work well for an in-law.
JOHN: Sure does.
Look at this, details.
CHRISTINE: Oh, I love those.
JOHN: Glass knobs.
CHRISTINE: Yeah.
JOHN: So traditional.
CHRISTINE: I'm guessing that that's a closet.
Okay.
JOHN: Into... CHRISTINE: This bathroom.
JOHN: A big bathroom!
CHRISTINE: Is huge!
Love these floors!
JOHN: Me too!
CHRISTINE: But I love, love the shower!
JOHN: This massive shower.
CHRISTINE: This massive shower.
You can even come in and sit.
JOHN: It's like a whole other room.
Hey, this is the best seat in the house.
CHRISTINE: It is.
Look at the size of this shower.
What an amazing room.
JOHN: Mm-hmm.
CHRISTINE: Okay.
Wait, stop, come back.
I did not notice the detail when we walked in.
JOHN: Yeah.
It's a pretty grand entry for this room.
CHRISTINE: It is.
BOTH: Double doors.
Transom.
JOHN: Taking an old concept and making it new again.
Very clean looking.
CHRISTINE: I like!
JOHN: Me too.
Up we go?
CHRISTINE: Up, yep.
So this must be the owner's suite.
JOHN: Well I hope it's not just the guest suite.
CHRISTINE: Well your guests would never leave.
JOHN: No, they wouldn't, would they?
Talk about a grand bedroom.
This is it.
CHRISTINE: I mean, you've got a beautiful sitting area.
JOHN: Yeah.
CHRISTINE: A spacious bedroom!
You know, I think it's bigger than my condo.
JOHN: It is bigger than your condo.
And mine too.
Tray ceilings.
One thing, I don't know if we've mentioned it, but there are speakers throughout the whole house, too.
CHRISTINE: Oh, that's true.
See, you notice all that detail.
JOHN: I'm always looking up, kid.
CHRISTINE: You are.
But we're not even finished with this room.
JOHN: No!
BOTH: Because it goes on and on.
JOHN: You have, ooh, a big walk-in closet here.
CHRISTINE: Walk-in closet here as well.
JOHN: Check, check.
CHRISTINE: Check.
JOHN: Look at this bathroom.
CHRISTINE: Beautiful!
JOHN: Oh it's like... CHRISTINE: Owner's bath.. JOHN: Oh, look at that shower.
Marble on the floors.
Marble in the shower.
CHRISTINE: This home has the biggest showers!
JOHN: It really does.
CHRISTINE: I think I've ever seen.
JOHN: Pure luxury.
CHRISTINE: It is.
It is.
So obviously we have our double vanities.
JOHN: Yes.
CHRISTINE: But I have to point out the tub.
JOHN: That's a gorgeous tub.
CHRISTINE: This is.
JOHN: We've seen some pretty tubs... CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.
JOHN: But this tub.
CHRISTINE: But I love the way it's under the window, in the light.
JOHN: So we've seen the in-laws suite downstairs.
This owner's suite.
CHRISTINE: Okay, so that's two.
JOHN: I see bedroom number three to our right.
With its own private bathroom.
Really cool tile.
CHRISTINE: Okay and this must be bedroom four.
Again with its own private bath.
I can see some really great tile as well.
JOHN: The tally is going up, up, up!
This is bedroom number five, with bathroom number five.
And then, what is this?
CHRISTINE: This is the laundry room.
JOHN: Love this tile.
So that's five bedrooms so far.
Let's go look for number six.
CHRISTINE: Sounds good.
It must be all the way downstairs.
Okay.
This was easy.
JOHN: Mission accomplished.
Yep.
CHRISTINE: Yep.
Sixth bedroom, full bath.
JOHN: Yep.
Then this... CHRISTINE: Game room?
JOHN: Yeah.
CHRISTINE: Perfect.
JOHN: Gym over there.
CHRISTINE: Yep.
It must be with the wine... JOHN: Wine cellar.
CHRISTINE: Yep.
JOHN: Then, this is what we've been looking for in the whole house.
CHRISTINE: Mud room number two.
JOHN: I think this is the last room in the house.
CHRISTINE: So Before Veronica sends out the search party.
JOHN: Yeah.
CHRISTINE: Let's go up and meet her.
JOHN: Let's go.
CHRISTINE: Hi.
VERONICA: Hi!
Welcome back!
JOHN: Thank you.
CHRISTINE: I hope we weren't too long.
VERONICA: A little bit, but I had two coffees.
So, are you guys ready?
CHRISTINE: Yes.
JOHN: Yeah.
I think So.
VERONICA: So let's recap.
JOHN: Please.
VERONICA: Six bedrooms, six bathrooms and a half.
6,750 square feet.
CHRISTINE: Yes.
JOHN: Mm-hmm.
VERONICA: The gourmet kitchen.
JOHN: It's got that center grill.
CHRISTINE: He promised to make me pancakes every Sunday... VERONICA: I'll come.
JOHN: Okay.
CHRISTINE: But I have to say what I appreciated most was having that bedroom downstairs.
My father, it's hard for him to get around and do steps.
VERONICA: Mm-hmm.
CHRISTINE: So a spacious room like that, with its own bath on the main floor.
VERONICA: Mm-hmm.
CHRISTINE: Really, really a smart idea.
VERONICA: Like having your own apartment, you don't have to keep... CHRISTINE: It really is!
JOHN: So again, crazy for this house, all the details.
Six bedrooms.
Six and a half bathrooms.
You could like house a football in team here.
CHRISTINE: I know, you could.
That's why you need the two mud rooms!
See!
There you go!
JOHN: Ah!
I get the mud room thing now.
Okay, so, I am going to make a guess.
VERONICA: Yeah.
CHRISTINE: Mm-hmm.
JOHN: Of, $2.12 million.
2.12 million.
VERONICA: Make it easy for me to remember.
JOHN: You're welcome for that.
VERONICA: 2-1-2.
JOHN: Yes.
VERONICA: Okay, perfect.
CHRISTINE: I am so hoping that you go over by $20,000.
JOHN: I bet you are.
CHRISTINE: But, I don't think you are.
Because I actually think you were a little low.
JOHN: Okay.
CHRISTINE: Okay.
JOHN: Fair.
CHRISTINE: So I was going to go in at $2.3.
But I'm going to channel my inner realtor.
JOHN: Uh-oh.
CHRISTINE: And go in at $2.299 million.
JOHN: Ah, the old 99.
CHRISTINE: 99, yes.
VERONICA: And the price is $2.199 million.
JOHN: That officially makes me the King of Arlington!
All hail John!
CHRISTINE: Oh come on!
VERONICA: Oh!
JOHN: I love you North Arlington.
This has been a great day.
CHRISTINE: It has been.
VERONICA: It's been a great day.
I had fun with you guys.
JOHN: I loved all three places.
It was so nice meeting you.
Maybe we just need some sangria or something.
VERONICA: Oh, I would love that.
Some paella?
CHRISTINE: Oh!
VERONICA: I can have my husband to cook some paella for you guys.
JOHN: That sounds great!
CHRISTINE: That sounds good!
VERONICA: Let's go.
Ready?
JOHN: Let's go.
CHRISTINE: Really?
JOHN: Yeah.
SEBASTIAN: If you lived here, you'd know about the Arlington Loop.
It's basically this trail of bike paths and it circles around Arlington.
It's very effective, where if you want to go to DC, you want to go to Alexandria.
Even want to go to Maryland.
It connects to other local trails.
It's probably the best way to get around, if you don't drive a car.
STELLA: I would describe Arlington as urban woodsy.
You're close to a lot of the malls and DC.
But you're also really in a wooded area.
We'll go to the river and then you can be like, "All right, we'll go have lunch in Ballston."
JENNIFER: If you lived here, you'd know to come in March to hear the wood frogs.
To really enjoy that.
Because they're so fun.
CHRISTINE: Did you live over there?
JOHN: Uh, no.
But I live down the road that way.
CHRISTINE: Oh shocker.
ANNOUNCER: To find out more about living in the Washington Metro area, visit weta.org/if you lived here.
(ribbit)
A Cook’s Kitchen with a Savory View
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S1 Ep9 | 4m 48s | This condo was converted from a luxury hotel -- and plenty of luxury remains. (4m 48s)
Fine Craftsmanship Sets this Huge Arlington House Apart
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S1 Ep9 | 8m 5s | Christine and John are in love with the woodwork in this huge Arlington home. (8m 5s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S1 Ep9 | 6m 7s | John loves every detail in this 3-bedroom Midcentury Modern and you will too! (6m 7s)
When North Arlington Was Hardcore
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S1 Ep9 | 2m 2s | North Arlington’s surprising history as a hub for the 90s punk rock scene. (2m 2s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport for PBS provided by:
If You Lived Here is a local public television program presented by WETA