About:

Located on the northeast tip of Virginia along the Potomac River, Alexandria is a vibrant community home to over 150,000 residents. Only five miles from Washington D.C., living in Alexandria VA balances a unique cosmopolitan feel with old town charm. As the adopted hometown of George Washington, Alexandria also offers rich historical landmarks as well as walkable cobblestone streets with award-winning restaurants and a booming center of arts and culture.

Only a public tobacco warehouse existed in Alexandria until George Washington and his brother decided to establish a market center close to their home at Mount Vernon. Washington assisted the town surveyor in laying out the lots of the town as it was established in 1749. Notable figures such as George Mason and Colonel William Fairfax purchased original plots and, by the end of the 18th century, Alexandria became one of the busiest ports in the country. Most of its historic buildings are preserved today such as Christ Church and Gadsby’s Tavern Museum where America’s founding fathers frequented. Walking through the cobblestone streets can feel like walking through history.

Neighborhood Spotlight:

Many of these historic landmarks are seen in Old Town, Alexandria’s beloved downtown neighborhood and historic district. Old Town was ranked one of Condé Nast’s 2020 Top Five Best Small Cities in the U.S. and is the heart of Alexandria. Old Town is an active and lively community with countless museums, stylish boutiques, award-winning breweries. Family friendly experiences include shopping for fresh produce, plants, and other items from local artisans at the oldest farmers’ market in the country.

Other notable neighborhoods include Del Ray, Carlyle & Eisenhower, Rosemont, North Ridge, and West End.

Transportation:

Alexandria’s location is conveniently connected to four Metro lines: Blue, Orange, Silver, and Yellow while also being serviced by Metro busses throughout the major roads in the city and with easy access to DC. Alexandria is accessible through three major airports, with Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport only a 10-15 minute drive. Additional transportation is found through Amtrak, Virginia Railway Express, and by car. Alexandria also has local bus services such as DASH and the free King Street Trolley which stops every two blocks from the King St-Old Town Metrorail station to the Potomac waterfront. Alexandria also has more than 49 miles of on-street bike lanes, shared lanes, and trails.

Community:

Besides its historical roots, Alexandria is also known for its flourishing arts and culture. Activities are abundant at visual art hubs such as The Athenaeum, a host for contemporary art exhibitions, and the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a former World War II munitions factory turned into three floors of art studios and galleries. Known for its walkable lifestyle, Alexandria also has a wonderful parks system with more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space as well as a thriving community gardening project. Nearly 18 miles long, the Mount Vernon Trail provides great hiking and biking paths along the Potomac River with beautiful views of the waterfront and the DC skyline. Besides being a haven of healthy living, Alexandria is becoming increasingly diverse, and has a top tier public school system with one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Virginia.

If you are interested in living in Alexandria, please contact us today. We would be happy to help you make Alexandria your new home.