Living and Visiting Alexandria, VA
Lifestyle
Living in Alexandria
Weather and Climate in Alexandria, VA Do you like 4 seasons with a somewhat mild winter? One of the best things about Alexandria weather is the general idea of unpredictability. It's not strange to see a 70 degree day in December.
12 Facts You Didn't Know About Alexandria, Virginia The city's history and geographic boundaries are so vast that they encompass a multitude of lifestyle factors. Both characteristics allow visitors and residents opportunities to try a different activity or unearth a previously hidden connection to the history books.
Military Life
Alexandria Guide for Newcomers Why do military families love living in Alexandria? Despite the expensive real estate, there are hundreds of amenities available to make up for the cost of living. From commuting and working to the city’s central location for travel up and down the Eastern Seaboard, Alexandria has so much to offer military families.
Moving During an Off-Season PCS Move You will not be alone moving off-season if you’re headed to Alexandria by way of Fort Belvoir, The Pentagon, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Mark Center Alexandria, and other nearby bases in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. There’s a lot of military activity around Alexandria, which means plenty of ways to jump into life in the National Capital Region.
.jpg)
What You Need to Know for Your Military Move to Alexandria, Virginia The boundaries of Alexandria can be a bit tricky knowing the difference between City of Alexandria and Alexandria, Fairfax County. Read more about the terms you need to know, cost of living in Alexandria, education, spouse employment, and the local real estate market.
Commute
Alexandria, VA Commute Insider Tips Commuting is a big deal in Alexandria. Granted, it is one of the better places in the National Capital Region to commute--that’s why so many people call it home--but there are strategies involved whether you drive, ride, or bike to work.
Jobs
Military Spouse Employment in Alexandria It’s no secret military spouses face immense challenges as they look to find jobs that suit their military lifestyle, education, and work experience. The lack of employment is a constant topic of discussion
School/Education
An Overview of Alexandria's Two Public School Systems Alexandria is unique in that it offers two public school systems by two different governing bodies: Fairfax County Public Schools and Alexandria City Public Schools. Together they provide education to more than 200,000 children.
Pets
Pet-Friendly Services in Alexandria, VA Hey pet lovers, this town is filled with all of the amenities you'll need to take care of your pet at home and while away. There is a resource for everything you'll need, from the basics, like veterinary care, to the up and up, like yappy hours.
Housing and Real Estate
Real Estate Market
The Alexandria Real Estate Outlook for 2021 The real estate market in Alexandria, Virginia, mirrors many of the nation’s buying, renting, and selling trends in 2021 and contends with the demands stemming from major corporate expansion from companies like Amazon and Microsoft. Despite low interest rates, a severe shortage of homes for sale, and Covid-19 fears and restrictions, real estate transactions roar on in Alexandria.
Neighborhoods
Understanding Alexandria VA Zip Codes and Borders How to research where you'll live, shop, and play! The good and bad news is that there are likely several very appealing neighborhoods to choose from which may make it difficult to pick your favorite option. House hunting anywhere in the National Capital Region requires thoughtful insight to prioritize your must-haves. Typically, these priorities include schools, commute, and rent or mortgage payment.
A Spotlight on Alexandria, Virginia (22315 zip code) Three major factors why military families choose this particular area to live, schools, manageable commutes to Pentagon and Fort Belvoir, and a sense of community, plus shopping and entertainment. This area is commonly known as Franconia.
Alexandria's Crime and Safety Trends It is easy to get involved with the aesthetics of buying a home and financing that sometimes safety and crime takes a backseat. Just like any city it is best to look at the statistics before purchasing a home.
Where Should you Live: Alexandria or Arlington? Arlington and Alexandria share a border and to begin to understand which might better suit your living situation, take a look at the differences and similarities between the two.
Types of Housing
Apartment Living in Alexandria, Virginia The good and bad news is that there are likely several very appealing neighborhoods to choose from which may make it difficult to pick your favorite option. House hunting anywhere in the National Capital Region requires thoughtful insight to prioritize your must-haves. Typically, these priorities include schools, commute, and rent or mortgage payment.
Home Shopping, Styles and Prices The good and bad news is that there are likely several very appealing neighborhoods to choose from which may make it difficult to pick your favorite option.
Buy, Sell, Rent
What to Know About Investing in Alexandria's Rental Market The good and bad news is that there are likely several very appealing neighborhoods to choose from which may make it difficult to pick your favorite option.
Alexandria, VA Home Selling Trends The newer commercial growth is changing the face of real estate in the area. A healthy population growth is good news to home sellers now and in the future.
Buying a New Construction Home The good and bad news is that there are likely several very appealing neighborhoods to choose from which may make it difficult to pick your favorite option. House hunting anywhere in the National Capital Region requires thoughtful insight to prioritize your must-haves. Typically, these priorities include schools, commute, and rent or mortgage payment.
.png)
What You Need to Know About the Rental Home Market in Alexandria, Virginia The quality of life is high, traffic moves fast, and real estate moves faster! Renters in the area not only search online inventories on their own, but often utilize the help of a real estate agent.
Search for Homes in Alexandria, VA by Zip Code The city limits are spread across miles of differentiating residential and commercial districts, not to mention two completely different government systems. One of the ways to cut out some of the confusion is to search for a home by zip codes.
Things To Do & See
Sightseeing or Things to Do
Alexandria, VA Events Get your calendars out, there are plenty of events to attend. Farmer's markets, symposiums, and conferences.
Things To Do in Alexandria, VA There are plenty of sites to see and things to do in the city, local and D.C. A great way to learn your bearings and street names is to sign up for a walking tour. Of course, ghost tours are always popular but colonial history, food, beer, and wine, and even dessert tours exist too.
A Day Trip to Mount Vernon The best way to begin planning for a day at Mount Vernon is to connect with Mount Vernon on social media and review their website. You won't want to miss a planned lecture, exhibit, or tour.
7 Indoor Activities in Alexandria Virginia Too hot, too cold, too rainy, whatever the reason there are plenty of things to do indoors.
A Guide to Viewing Cherry Blossoms Of course, the Cherry Blossoms in DC are spectacular. You can stay close to home in Alexandria and enjoy the specialty attractions that happen once a year when the blossoms line the neighborhood streets.
The Best Holiday Events in Alexandria, VA November and December is a time of the year that is magical with holiday spirit. You'll find Old Town to be the hub of holiday excitement but definitely other areas get in on the festiveness.
Restaurants
Best Restaurants in Alexandria, Virginia As an Alexandria resident, you will never have a shortage of restaurants to try. Here are a few favorites out of dozens and dozens of delicious options for every palate.
Hotels
Popular and Convenient Hotels in Alexandria The trick to making the best decision for traveling on location is to determine your top priority. Do you want to be near the Metro stop, in the middle of Old Town, or possibly a longer stay hotel.
Alexandria Businesses
Pets
Pet-Friendly Services in Alexandria, VA There is no shortage of services, but expect to pay premiums for convenience and quality care. These are some of the top picks within the area which have plenty of customer feedback documented, which helps sift through some of the options. But, plan on doing your own research before buying or hiring services.
Helpful Links
.png)
Northern Virginia Association of Realtors
Northern Virginia Community College
Fairfax County Public Schools
Alexandria City Public Schools
Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
Military Officers Association of America
National Military Family Association
Alexandria Living Magazine
Visit Alexandria
Zebra Good News in Alexandria, Virginia