Alexandria waterfront along Potomac River in northern Virginia. Photo from iStock.com/Backyardproduction.
Military families new to living in Alexandria, VA, are in for an amazing experience. Just ask the multitude of service members who consistently return to one of Washington, DC’s best communities.
Don’t just take our word for it! Check out some of Alexandria’s accolades:
- Best Small Cities in the U.S., Alexandria #3, Conde Nast Traveler
- Best Cities to Live in America Niche.com
- Best Places to Travel, Money.com
Despite the city’s expensive real estate, hundreds of amenities are available to make up for the cost of living, and you always have a long list of things to do in Alexandria. Alexandria has so much to offer military families, from a variety of commuting and work options to its central location for travel up and down the Eastern Seaboard.
Alexandria Is the Perfect Mix of a Place to Call Home and Tourist Destination
The City of Alexandria’s Old Town overflows with charming, historic vibes and provides many chances to revisit history, explore new restaurants and shops, and find endless walkways to stroll through.
Out in the neighborhood of Del Ray (one of the most sought-after zip codes in Alexandria, VA), artistry of all kinds is revered by its residents. The area offers numerous art and street festivals, and the historic Birchmere stage presents a diverse range of musical genres. Most nights, locals and tourists enjoy live music from iconic performers and hometown bands.
Military families will easily find even more history and unique settings within popular residential areas such as Seminary Hill in the West End and the Rosemont Historic District. It's in Rosemont where rows of homes built in the Craftsman, Arts and Crafts, and Colonial Revival styles are located.
Old Town isn’t the only part of Alexandria with charm to spare. In Alexandria (Fairfax County) and the Mount Vernon area, George Washington’s beloved mansion presides over incredible views of the Potomac River. Both tourists and residents alike admire the location’s sunrises and sunsets.
Read What You Need to Know for Your Military Move to Alexandria, Virginia, to understand the differences between the City of Alexandria and Alexandria, Fairfax County.
Alexandria Has Every Type of Housing You'd Ever Want
Families flock to both Alexandrias because of the Norman Rockwell feel to dozens of neighborhoods. If kids running and playing through the streets and bursting in and out your front door is your version of an ideal childhood, welcome to living in Alexandria VA, because that exact scenario plays out after school and during the summer every day.
Often, single service members and service members who are married without children get lumped into housing categories that cater to families with kids. If kids aren’t in the picture, the entire city is up for grabs. Apartments, townhouses, and condos are just as popular as single-family homes, but are likely more affordable and closer to most military bases.
Moving to Alexandria VA? Start your home search here:
Alexandria's Commuting Options
The George Washington Memorial Parkway spans from points in Virginia through Washington, DC, and Maryland. It’s a time saver and a gorgeous stretch of road to pass the time in the car. Heading to Fort Belvoir is a breeze, as is the commute to the Pentagon thanks to "The Parkway."
Multiple Metrorail stations are centrally located throughout the city. In fact, five separate stations serve the community in Alexandria: King Street Station, Van Dorn Street, Eisenhower Avenue, Huntington, Braddock Road Station, and Potomac Yard Metro Stations (all well-known cities and zip codes in Alexandria VA).
Don’t forget the Metrobus options. They’ll often have stops within walking distance of popular neighborhoods.
Photo from iStock.com/shakzu
Numerous Education Choices for Kids
Families with children are often overwhelmed, in a good way, by the abundance of educational opportunities for their children here. The City of Alexandria and Alexandria, Fairfax County, offer dozens of award-winning and highly ranked public schools.
The private school scene is just as strong, and there will probably be more homeschooling communities in Virginia than you’ve had within your reach previously.
Alexandria Opportunities for Military Spouses
Across the country, military spouses struggle to find employment suitable to a military lifestyle. Remote work is always an option, but living in Alexandria places spouses in the enviable position of finding meaningful employment, financially and otherwise.
As a bedroom community to Washington, DC, Alexandria benefits from the trickle-down effect of federal work and companies that find the National Capital Region a profitable place to do business. Working in Alexandria could help simplify the family's commute and school schedules. This community understands the challenges of military life, but still appreciates the skills spouses bring to the table.
Time spent in Alexandria might also mean a period dedicated to personal education or volunteer work. Nearby, multiple bases have college campuses behind their gates. Outside the gates, several reputable college campuses, like Northern Virginia Community College, offer online and in-person classes.
There's no shortage of volunteer opportunities. From volunteering at your child’s school to finding a nonprofit organization close to your heart, they’re all just a short distance from any part of Alexandria you might pick to live.
Photo from iStock.com/azgek
Alexandria Is SO Dog-Friendly
Pet stores, dog walking, dog schools, dog parks, dogs on Potomac River cruises, dogs that dine—the list goes on and on for pet-friendly options in Alexandria.
Shopkeepers take pride in offering water bowls and doggie biscuits at the front of their stores so your pooch feels welcome. If your dog is the center of your household and pet amenities are a top priority, then Alexandria will suit you just fine. Dogs can even ride on the Metro if confined in a travel crate!
If this partial list of unique lifestyle choices and things to do in Alexandria doesn’t convince you, stay tuned and keep reading our Alexandria articles below, because these reasons why military families love Alexandria are just the start to getting to know the city.
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