We initially moved here in 1991, moved away in 2000, and moved back in May 2002. We had to move twice in two years to make it all work for us. But life is a journey: it is sometimes by making the wrong choices that you find out what is important to you.
Great Falls has gotten more and more developed, and there are wonderful shops and restaurants that wouldn’t be here otherwise.
But it is still the same wonderful place.
It is such a nice community, with wonderful salt of the earth people. We moved away for convenience, to be closer to a school in Maryland that is a tradition for our family
While living in Maryland was fine, we quickly realized how special Great Falls was. We were only gone about 18 months and then we moved back
Great Falls is a very easy place to live, especially if you have small children. Everything is close by.
There is a great playground at the Grange, a wonderful library, and the Great Falls Swim and Tennis club is right here. Shopping is so convenient. We also love all the Great Falls athletic teams -- T-ball, soccer, basketball, lacrosse -- our kids love playing on these teams.
Not to mention the fact it is aesthetically gorgeous here, with all the huge green fields, the horses, the close proximity to Great Falls National Park and the Potomac River. I really don’t think there is any other town in the Washington area that can compare.
All the children play together here. It doesn’t matter the ages they are. Everyone is so friendly. It is an incredibly wholesome place to live.
This is where we want to raise our children.
--Mimi Mahoney is married to Peter Mahoney, an attorney for Freddie Mac in McLean. They have four children: Caroline, 10; Rosie, 8, Peter, 6 and Ann, 2.