Living and Working in Alexandria Zip Codes 22304 and 22305

Living and Working in Alexandria Zip Codes 22304 and 22305

 

Location is everything when it comes to real estate in Northern Virginia. Cameron Station, Del Ray, and Beverley Hills are all neighborhoods within Alexandria that provide an excellent location to enjoy the convergence of multiple quality of life factors. Available property in all three sections is in high demand all year round. 

 

From dining and shopping to unbeatable commute times and access to major employers, all three neighborhoods share amenities that most home shoppers are looking for, but also have unique characteristics that draw different buyers and renters who are attracted to specific qualities. 

 

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22304 Neighborhood Cameron Station

Cameron Station is the quintessential planned community complete with a neighborhood elementary school, Samuel W. Tucker, and the amenities you would expect, including recreational facilities such as a pool and parks in addition to social clubs and retail. 

 

 

The charm factor is high due to the 1700s and 1800s aesthetics the neighborhood aims to achieve with brick walkways and an abundance of green space. Neighborhood activities are cherished and one of the many reasons Cameron Station is a popular place for incoming families to choose to call home. 

 

The neighborhood is about 20 years old and sits on the property that previously served as a transportation and quartermaster post for the Army, also known as Cameron Station. The military occupied the space from the mid-1940s, saw growth during and after WWII, and was shuttered in 1988 under BRAC stipulations. 

 

Cameron Station is known for its ideal location in Alexandria’s West End, only a few miles from the popular shopping and dining amenities in Old Town Alexandria. Duke Street is the northern border and Ben Brenman Park lies to the east. Backlick Run (moving toward Fort Belvoir) is to the south and Armistead Boothe Park is westward. 

 

As a planned community, Cameron Station strategically provides many housing options. There are approximately 1,000 townhouses, 800 condos, and 30 stand-alone single family homes. Because the land was once a military outlet, there was land to spare during construction and most homes offer more space compared to homes in nearby neighborhoods. Garages are not prevalent in much of Alexandria, but Cameron Station is the exception. 

 

A wide variety of price points are met within the streets of Cameron Station. One-bedroom condos are the most affordable, starting around $350,000 and townhomes range from $550,000 to $850,000. A single family home pushes the price point to around $1,000,000.  Note that homeowners in the Cameron Station Community Association are required to be part of the HOA. 

 

Rental prices range from $2,800 to $3,800 for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhome. Townhouses are the predominant Alexandria rental inventory.

 

Cameron Station Shopping, Entertainment, and Commuting

 

Image via cameronstation.org

 

Cameron Station’s planned community status offers multiple options within the community for convenient amenities. The neighborhood is home to Bright Start Learning Center, Cameron Café, Cameron Station Valet, Family Dentistry, London Curry House, and Toka Salon. 

 

Both of the nearby parks schedule plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors through concerts and movies. Social events are organized by the dedicated civic association and often use the Cameron Club to host community functions. 

 

Bus at Van Dorn Metro Station by David Wilson

 

Commuting couldn’t be easier from Cameron Station, especially if the Metro is your chosen mode of transportation. The community provides a shuttle to the Van Dorn Metro station. Washington, D.C., is about 10 miles away, which makes the location a perfect pick for those working in any military or government office in the city or along the commute routes. 

 

22305 Neighborhoods Del Ray and Beverley Hills

 

Del Ray 

 

Known for the hip artistic influence that pulses throughout the city, Del Ray is home to an active community that thrives on neighborhood activities and social scene that emanate from Mount Vernon Avenue, aka, “The Avenue.” It’s here you’ll find a mix of eclectic shops and boutiques, one-of-a-kind restaurants, and a packed schedule that includes street parades and festivals. 

 

Del Ray’s enviable location is less than three miles to the Pentagon, three miles to Fort Myer, and two miles to Reagan National Airport. Amazon’s newest headquarters and subsequent community encompasses a bit of Del Ray and is referred to as National Landing. 

 

Amazon HQ2 in Crystal City

 

As you might guess, real estate in the area is extremely limited and exceptionally expensive. Single family homes are on the small side, as many have original footprints tied to the iconic Sears Catalog’s bungalow homes. 

 

Single family homes with three bedrooms and two bathrooms rent easily starting at about $3,000/month and quickly trend upward. Fixer-upper properties to purchase start at $650,000. Move-in ready homes price well over $750,000. 

 

Bungalow in Alexandria, VA, by Deling

 

 

Del Ray Shopping, Entertainment, and Commuting

 

The Avenue is truly the place to enjoy local food and annual events such as Art on the Avenue and Del Ray’s beloved Halloween parade. Saturday morning farmers markets and First Thursdays are also popular. Locals flock to the Dairy Godmother, an institution that has been serving frozen custard for decades. They also hit up the Evening Star, Del Ray Cafe, and the Bark Haus. 

 

Entertainment is at its best at the Birchmere. It is a historic concert venue that continues to draw sought-after music acts and entertainers who enjoy performing in an intimate setting. Nearby, the Potomac Yard shopping complex is adjacent to the eastern sections of Del Ray and provides a central location for traditional big box store shopping. Grocery stores, Target, Barnes & Noble, and national chain restaurants are major tenants. 

 

Potomac Yards via Wikimedia

 

Much of Del Ray is walkable, bikeable, accessible by Metro (the new Potomac Yard Station opens in the spring of 2022), and has access to buses and shuttles that reach into Washington D.C. 

 

Beverley Hills 

 

To the west of Del Ray, Beverley Hills’ historic and charming neighborhood has been attracting families for years, thanks in part to the dense access to public and private schooling and the perks of purposeful planning decades ago that recognized the importance of maintaining and nurturing green space. Walkable streets and rolling hills are signature elements of Beverley Hills. 

 

The total number of homes in Beverley Hills is small, only about 600, which makes buying and renting in the neighborhood even more challenging. The homes tend to be on the small side and are Colonial or Cape Cod in design. The largest homes price near $1.5 million and up, while rentals are sparse and begin at $3,000 per month. 

 

Beverley Hills Shopping, Entertainment, and Commuting 

 

Because of the neighborhood’s prime location, residents are equally drawn to the activities in Del Ray, but also to the area known as Shirlington which is a trendy location with families due to the family-friendly and walkable streets. Happy hour and brunch offerings are packed with young families and professionals. 

 

Neighborhood activities are an anchor to the community. With plenty of schools in the area, there is always an activity to attend or sponsor. The local playground, “The Pit” is a huge draw and families know most of each other by name. Santa visits and Wheel Day hosts families on bikes and other wheeled transportation over Memorial Day weekend. 

 

Beverley Hills is a commuter’s dream with easy access to 395 and nearby Metro train and bus stations. And if you have a dedicated parking spot at work, the Pentagon and Crystal City/National Landing are only a five-minute drive. 

 

Alexandria City Public Schools

 

 

ACPS has a distinguished and long history in public education. Its earliest iterations were created with help from 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 faced during the desegregation of schools. 

 

Today, families continue to choose ACPS for multiple reasons, including their traditional academic and special education programs which are 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 22304 or 22305 address is connected with. It is likely one of these campuses:

 

• T.C. Williams High School King Street Campus (Grades 10-12)
• T.C. Williams High School Minnie Howard Campus (Grade 9)
• Francis C. Hammond or George Washington (Grades 6-8)
• Samuel W. Tucker, Patrick Henry, James K Polk, Douglas MacArthur, Charles Barrett, Cora Kelly, Mount Vernon Community School (Grades PreK-5)

If your housing budget allows, Cameron Station, Del Ray, and Beverley Hills are all top-notch neighborhood choices in Alexandria. Although not widely affordable, many families opt to make sacrifices to enjoy more time spent at home due to shorter commute times. Accessibility to everyday needs, as well as unique restaurants and the draw of walkability, are also a huge factor to take into account when considering any of these neighborhoods. 

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