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Are you finding it challenging to navigate all of the housing options in Alexandria, Virginia? The city limits spread across miles of diverse residential and commercial districts, and it features two distinct government systems. To help simplify your search, try searching for a home through MilitaryByOwner using Alexandria zip codes.
Though it might seem strange, home shopping by Alexandria zip codes is one of the most efficient ways to search, especially if your family needs public schools in the area.
A zip code search is efficient for a couple of reasons:
1) There are two Alexandrias, each operated by their own government and school system (Alexandria, Fairfax County and The City of Alexandria).
2) Alexandria has two separate school systems: Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS).
Navigating Alexandria's Housing Market by Zip Code
Alexandria, Fairfax County
Alexandria, Fairfax County, stretches along the Potomac River, just south of the Capital Beltway/95, and is the largest of the Alexandrias in size and population. In between, there’s an accurate snapshot of suburban life—neighborhood grocery stores, walkable schools, and older, colonial-style homes.
These are Alexandria, Fairfax County, zip codes to use when cross-referencing potential homes for sale or rent: 22302, 22303, 22304, 22306, 22307, 22308, 22309, 22310, 22311, 22312, and 22315.
The City of Alexandria
The City of Alexandria is the streetscape that comes to mind when newcomers envision the city. This view is of the Old Town section of Alexandria. Here, you’ll find picturesque historic homes lining the cobblestone neighborhood streets, local eateries, and small boutiques.
However, the City of Alexandria extends further north and west of Old Town. In these neighborhoods, there is a mix of styles of single-family homes and more recently built townhouse communities intermixed with suburban retailers.
Use these City of Alexandria zip codes to help you find a new home to buy or rent: 22206, 22301, 22302, 22304, 22305, 22311, 22312, 22314.
Photo from Visit Alexandria VA Facebook Page
Understanding Alexandria's Unique School Systems: FCPS vs. ACPS
Alexandria’s two school systems are Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS).
Each uses zip codes to distinguish boundaries as to which school your child will attend in most cases. It can be especially challenging if one child needs to be chauffeured to a school in another zip code for specialized educational services. Since school ratings and their ability to meet specific children’s needs heavily influence a family’s house hunt, zip codes prove key.
You can expect to see higher costs for locations near sought-after schools. Schools with special features such as language immersion or access to special education on the school campus are often targeted to fit the students' needs.
In either school system, choosing or discounting a school based on generalized ratings isn't advised. Instead, incoming parents often seek out personal experiences from current families and schedule visits to meet the principal or counselor.
Use MilitaryByOwner’s Zip Code Search to Find a Home in Alexandria VA
MilitaryByOwner's home page offers the option to enter a zip code in the Buy or Rent tabs.
If searching by city or base, select “refine search” and click the box of the zip code you’d like to narrow your search to.
Before making any final housing decisions, it’s important to cross-reference preferred zip codes with FCPS and ACPS boundaries and address locators to ensure accuracy for school assignments.
Although unusual, especially for those who normally search for a home using the name of a city, Alexandria zip codes are very helpful for determining a suitable location for your next move. They not only help distinguish school boundaries but also separate government systems and visually indicate where sections of the city end and begin, which is ideal for determining preferred commute times and options.
Download Our Free Resource on Moving to Alexandria, Virginia
Want more information about a move to Alexandria, Virginia? Download our free resource about the area below.
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