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Old Town Alexandria (you’ll often see OTA for short) encompasses one of the most popular zip codes in Alexandria VA: 22314. This zip code falls under the City of Alexandria government jurisdiction and the Alexandria City Public Schools district. It’s here, in Old Town, that many of the familiar pictures of Colonial Alexandria originate. Tourism drives a significant portion of the economy in the area, and it’s not uncommon for a TV series or movie to be in production on the city’s streets.
Even with the commercialism, or perhaps because of it, families flock to live among these tree-lined and cobblestone streets for many reasons, including walkability to dining and retail options and quick access to Washington, DC, and Ronald Reagan International Airport. High-quality-of-life factors, such as the constant cultural activities throughout the city, are also perks that residents enjoy.
For these reasons and many more, this part of Alexandria is consistently ranked among the best places to live and visit.
Alexandria Old Town Neighborhoods
It’s helpful to envision Old Town divided into quadrants: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest. You’ll find these terms when discussing real estate in the area. Neighborhoods are tucked within these sections, and many are some of the most requested zip codes in Alexandria VA.
For example, Parker-Grey is in the Northwest quadrant, and the Old and Historic District neighborhoods are within the Southeast and Northeast quadrants. More popular neighborhoods include Potomac Yard (the most northern portion of 22314), Old Town Commons, and Carlyle, which is part of the newer section of Old Town.
Small-town living and big-city amenities contribute to Old Town Alexandria’s highly sought-after real estate market. Year after year, climbing rental and sale prices reflect the demand.
Because land is limited, expect most housing to be compact, often in the form of apartments, condos, and townhouses in side-by-side or multilevel complexes and high-rise buildings. Single-family, stand-alone homes are the least prevalent.
As with most waterfront communities, properties toward the Potomac River are smaller and more expensive. As you move further inland, you’ll gain a little more space and possibly a smaller price tag, especially in a townhouse, condo, or apartment community.
Learn more: What to Know About the Rental Home Market in Alexandria.
Alexandria Shopping and Entertainment
Old Town is known for shopping options up and down major streets such as King and Duke, but small boutiques and cafes are nestled along many of the smaller side streets. Residents have the luxury of sampling local fare and shopping at one-of-a-kind small businesses, but also have access to national retail chains, including grocery stores that are convenient for walking and biking.
Alexandria’s abundance of small-city cultural amenities is spread throughout the city, but in Old Town, a few outlets are crowd favorites. There are so many things to do in Alexandria. For example, The Little Theatre of Alexandria is a popular venue for performances, summer camps, and classes. On the waterfront, the Torpedo Factory Art Center showcases more than 150 resident artists in dozens of studios and galleries featuring ceramics, collage, fiber, glass, enamel, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Orchestra music and professional singers are not far away if these performances suit your art and culture style.
Old Town Alexandria is steeped in history, and the abundance of historical events, tours, and museums reflects the city’s 1749 founding. There’s always an exhibit or talk scheduled for attendance. Highlights include Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, the Alexandria Black History Museum, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Is A Day Trip To Mount Vernon on your must-do list while living in Alexandria?
Commuting from Alexandria
One of the primary reasons people choose to live in Alexandria is its central location. There’s a good chance your place of work is in the city or on a military base, but if not, Washington, DC, is about ten miles away, and hundreds of government offices are dotted throughout the region.
Commuting by Car
If a car is your preferred mode of transportation, there’s a significant source of anxiety that comes with the privilege: parking at home and at work. Your house may or may not come with a dedicated parking space. Street parking is tight during the high-tourism season and during special events.
Biking to Work
More people than you’d think bike to work from Alexandria. It’s doable, given access to the bike trail along the GW Parkway and the ability to load and unload bikes on Metro trains and buses. Two resources that can aid in planning your route include the City of Alexandria’s Bikeways Network and Bike Washington.
Alexandria's Public Transportation
The DASH bus system is Alexandria-specific and helps commuters get to and from connections between Metro trains and buses, the Virginia Railway Express, and local bus routes. Metro trains and buses transport commuters to and from Alexandria.
The Metro has stops in Alexandria at King Street Station (OTA), Van Dorn Street, Eisenhower Avenue, Huntington, Potomac Yards, and Braddock Road Station.
Alexandria City Public Schools
ACPS has a distinguished and long history in public education. Its earliest iterations were created with the help of President George Washington to educate orphans and underprivileged children. Modern ACPS history includes the struggle of Black Americans during the Civil Rights Era and the challenges of school desegregation.
Today, families continue to choose ACPS for multiple reasons, including the traditional academic and special education programs, offered in addition to the Dual Language Program and the Talented and Gifted Program. The walkability to many of the community schools is also a huge draw.
Use the school district’s Attendance Zone Locator to verify the schools your 22314 address is connected with. It is likely one of these campuses:
- Alexandria City High School (Grades 9-12)
- George Washington Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School (Grades PreK-8)
- Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy (Grades K-5)
- Douglas MacArthur Elementary School (Grades K-5)
- Chance for Change Academy
Old Town Alexandria continues to be a residential destination families prefer for its quaint, small-community feel (you’ll likely see neighbors at the Farmers Market) and its proximity to Washington, DC, and its suburbs.
Thanks to a job market that relies on government industries and rarely softens, military and civilian workers have options to choose from that keep them living in Alexandria year after year.
By Dawn M. Smith
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