14 Things to Know About Moving to Alexandria, VA in 2024

Moving to Alexandria, VA Living Guide

Is Alexandria a Good Place to Live?

Alexandria is widely agreed to be one of Northern Virginia's best places to live. People living here enjoy a storied history on every cobblestone street, easy access to Washington, DC, and many fantastic neighborhoods to choose from. Nestled against the sparkling Potomac River, there are plenty of fun things to do every season, and the thriving economy provides jobs in nearly every industry. 

Considering this wonderful city as your next place to call home? Before diving into the Alexandria real estate market, here's everything you need to know about moving here.

 10 Reasons to Move to Alexandria

  • Historical charm: Alexandria is steeped in history, with beautiful iconic architecture and fascinating museums.
  • Proximity to Washington, D.C.: Just a short drive or metro ride away, residents enjoy easy access to the nation's capital and its numerous attractions and jobs.
  • Educational options: From pre-K to college, public or private, the schools in Alexandria provide plenty of choices.
  • Waterfront beauty: Enjoy stunning views and leisurely strolls along the picturesque Potomac River waterfront.
  • Employment opportunities: Alexandria boasts a diverse and robust job market, with opportunities in fields such as government, technology, and education.
  • Vibrant arts scene: The city is home to numerous galleries, theaters, and performance venues, offering a range of cultural experiences.
  • Dining and shopping: Alexandria offers a wide variety of restaurants, boutiques, and shops that cater to all palettes and styles.
  • Outdoor activities: With numerous parks, bike trails, and water activities, the city provides plenty of options for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Strong sense of community: Alexandria residents enjoy a tight-knit community atmosphere, with plenty of festivals and events throughout the year.
  • Public transportation: The city's extensive public transportation network makes commuting and exploring the wider metropolitan area easy.

Cost of Living in Alexandria

The cost of living in Alexandria is a measurable index based on basic living necessities, including housing, food, energy, transportation, medical care, taxes, and other expenses. The index allows an individual to compare the cost of living between different locations, using 100 to represent the average cost of living across the United States.

With a cost index of around 150, Alexandria is one of Virginia's more expensive places to live. The nearby city of Arlington, for example, is more expensive, with an index of 169, while in Richmond, the cost of living rate is about 95.

However, this cost of living isn't distributed equally among expenses. For example, while health care and utilities are slightly more affordable than the U.S. average, it takes about $112 to buy the same number of groceries in Alexandria that $100 would buy elsewhere. Additionally, transportation is significantly more expensive in this city than the average cost in Virginia.

Housing is by far the highest relative expense. For a more concrete example of relative expenses, the median home cost in Alexandria fluctuates between $542,000 and $640,000. Less expensive houses are still available if you know where to look. The most affordable neighborhoods in Alexandria offer stunning properties for prices well below city averages.

Supply and demand play a role in establishing the per-month rents for Alexandria and the surrounding areas. Studios typically require around $1,665 per month, with one to three bedrooms averaging $1,700, $1,960, and $2,560, respectively. Rentals with four bedrooms pass the $3,000 mark with an average per-month expense of approximately $3,150.

Moving to Alexandria While in the Military

Moving while in the military has its challenges of choosing to live on-base or off-base—though in some cases, relocators may be required to do one or the other. Every military installation has a designated point of contact for housing guidance for active-duty military personnel and their households. Good news: the choice of housing is available to both individual service members and active members who are part of a household.

Family housing is the cheapest on-base, and living here can provide a sense of familiarity among other military households. Individual members choosing to live on base have access to the barracks, complete with amenities for this chosen lifestyle. Added benefits of living on-base include easy access to the commissary, base exchange, and other base facilities and activities.

Military members living off-base can qualify for a monthly housing allowance to help with paying rent or mortgage payments. If the active-duty personnel opts to purchase a home, they generally work with an area home lender facilitating the financial benefits through

VA loan options accommodate veterans, active military, and surviving spouses in securing a private residence of their own. These loan programs also make it more affordable to buy a home with benefits like zero- to low-down-payment requirements, no mortgage insurance premiums, and competitive loan rates since the loans are backed by the federal government.

Alexandria Area Military Bases

Within the State of Virginia, there are 27 military installations with at least one base for each branch of service. Seven of these bases are located in or near Alexandria and consist of Army, Coast Guard, and Marine installations, including:

 

Many of the best neighborhoods in Alexandria are home to service personnel and households with an average commute time of 30 minutes. Several of the 27 bases are located in Virginia's northern, central, and coastline communities, making the commute into Alexandria or Washington, D.C., longer but possible with public transportation or military transport.

Alexandria Job Market

The list of major Alexandria employers defines the quality of business practices in the city and the surrounding areas, with a job market made up of independent and technology enterprises like Systems Planning & Analysis Inc., Pro-Sphere Tek, Inc., Culmen International, Invictus International, the Edgesource Corporation, and the National Science Foundation.

International organizations include the Salvation Army National Corporation and United Way Worldwide. Government agencies and offices include Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), USDA Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the U.S. District Court Eastern for the District of Virginia.

According to the Chamber of Commerce, industries and job market positions are expected to experience steady growth rates. Large market segments include IT & cybersecurity, the federal government, marketing communications, architects, engineers, and professional services, including finance, legal, and real estate.

Things to Do in Alexandria

Activities & Entertainment in AlexandriaYou never have to look hard for fun things to do in AlexandriaAll you have to do is visit one of the historic sites, parks, or museums, hang out at the waterfront, or hop on a boat cruise and tour the local waterways.

Historic King Street, a 20-block span of preserved architecture in the Old Town neighborhood, is one of the top attractions in Alexandria. Enjoy browsing hundreds of shops housed in 18th- and 19th-century buildings, a weekly farmers market, and restaurants with vibrant outdoor dining.

Torpedo Factory Art Center was once exactly that during World War I. Today, it's home to 165+ local artists. Enjoy viewing the galleries, see artists at work, and if you see something you can't live without, buy it.

Take a step back in time and enjoy the day at George Washington's Mount Vernon. Take a tour of the mansion and grounds, visit the museum and education center, and grab a bite to eat at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant.

Outdoor Activities

There are more than 900 acres dedicated to the parks in Alexandria. Picnic grounds, spray adventures, dog parks, hiking and walking trails, and botanical preserves await outdoor enthusiasts.

Lyon Village Park is two acres with tennis, basketball, and a spray playground open during the summer.

Fort Scott Park is 12 acres of nature trails and walking paths. Spend the day at one of the picnic areas or play ball at one of the ball fields from sunrise to sunset.

Mount Vernon offers a scenic 17-mile Alexandria trail for hikers, walkers, or bikers to ride along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Restaurants, Breweries, and Bars

Hungry? It's never hard to find a great restaurant in Alexandria! In the evenings, the local breweries and bars promise memorable nightlife.

Warehouse in Old Town serves prime steaks and fresh seafood in this historic building. Enjoy the Sunday brunch or try one of the small dish specialties during Happy Hour, Monday through Friday, 4-7 p.m. at the bar.

Viola's Dockside Grill is another Old Town favorite, with indoor and patio seating overlooking the marina. It's casual dining with fresh seafood, salads, and sandwiches. There's a kid's menu with favorite bites and brunch dishes.

Virtue Feed & Grain serves a modern-day mix of culinary flavors matched to its name in this 1800s Old Town building. Come to taste the quality and enjoy mouthwatering flavors being served inside or on the patio.

Nightlife

219 Restaurant offers New Orleans-styled dishes created from local ingredients. Come for the food and enjoy the live music nightly in the Basin St. and Cigar Lounges. There's a live DJ from Tuesday to Saturday for dancing the night away.

Murphy's Grand Irish Pub is described as a "home away from home." The food is tasty, the beer dark, and the music lively.

Bobby McKey's Dueling Piano Bar is a must-see experience. Located on the other side of the Potomac River, the piano keys come alive, playing audience song requests. Choose your drink from wine, cocktails, and beers with savory to spicy food dishes throughout the evening.

Alexandria Climate

Weather & Climate in AlexandriaAll four seasons are present in Alexandria, with an average of 200 sunny days, at least 40 inches of rain, and about 15 inches of snow annually.

Spring welcomes rainfall with cherry blossoms and local flora blooming in mild-to-moderate seasonal temperatures. Summers are hot and humid, and being close to the water may add even more moisture to the air. During July, temperatures have reached 88 degrees. Fall foliage brings beautiful russets, golds, and reds, warming up the landscape as temperatures begin to cool down. The arrival of winter brings the chill during January, with a low of 27 degrees.

The favorite times of the year are from June to early October, with temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees. Best-loved times for outdoor activities and water sports are late June to August, with temperatures between 75 and 90.

Traffic in Alexandria

Driving in Alexandria is the most common way to get around the city. Most workers in Alexandria have a 30-minute commute with no traffic. Commuters heading downtown from I-95 can take U.S. Route 1. Exit Patrick St. to King St. early enough to miss the traffic. A single road hiccup can add up to an hour or more to the commute.

More than 50% of commuters prefer to drive private vehicles alone. However, driving can cause parking delays. Drivers shouldn't expect government locations with huge parking lots to accommodate the parking demand. Parking in these locations may be restricted, and open parking could be further from the destination than expected.

Generally, there's a trolley or bus to get people to the front door as long as they plan their time accordingly. People who park on the street or in a garage may need to pay a fee or use a parking permit. The best strategy is to leave early to get a parking spot.

Another 15% have found that Metro transportation helps to avoid the daily traffic congestion. Public transportation gets commuters to work within 30–45 minutes without delays on most days. Within the city of Alexandria, it's not unusual for residents to walk or take the bus to work.

Alternative Routes

I-95 could be the busiest roadway in Alexandria since it connects to interstate 395, 295, and 495. Of the three, I-395 goes directly through Alexandria, while I-295 routes towards the Ronald Reagan Airport, which is usually congested. I-495 surrounds the area of Alexandria's hub, so on a busy day, it may be the best alternative.

From the I-495, commuters can exit onto State Routes 7 and 236 to reach downtown Alexandria. Fair warning, however: the I-495 alternative may avoid traffic, but it may also increase the commute time.

Public Transportation in Alexandria

Alexandria's commuters have several choices when it comes to public transportation. Alexandria has connections to four Metro stations, 25 bus lines, water taxis, and bike shares. The metro and train stations travel throughout Alexandria and into Washington, D.C.

A local and Metro public bus system can travel to the entire D.C. metro region. DASH Bus is the local bus system servicing the City of Alexandria, connecting to the Metrobus, Metrorail, and local bus systems.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, also known as WMATA, operates the Metrobus and the Metrorail. Metrobus has over 300 routes and 15,000 bus stops for Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Washington D.C. Metrorail trains stop at 91 stations, serving Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

The Virginia Railway Express is the rail commuter service operating Monday through Friday from the northern Virginia suburbs to Washington, D.C.

Most of the bus stations have bicycle racks for commuters riding to and from public transportation stops. There may be less traffic congestion with these modes of travel, but they still require some planning and schedule monitoring to ensure commuters arrive on time.

Alexandria Schools

Schools & Education in AlexandriaAlexandria schools are comprised of one preschool, 12 elementary, two middle, and one high school.

Elementary schools include John Adams, Charles Barrett, Patrick Henry, Jefferson-Houston, Douglas MacArthur, George Mason, Mount Vernon, and James K. Polk. Middle schools consist of Francis C. Hammond and George Washington. High schools comprise two campuses: T.C. Williams Minnie Howard and T.C. Williams King Street.

Over 200 schools exist in the greater Alexandria region, comprising preschools, elementary, middle, high, and private schools. Residents with an Alexandria address who live in Fairfax County attend schools in the Fairfax school district. Fairfax elementary schools include Waynewood, Hayfield, Stratford Landing, and Lane. Middle schools consist of Hayfield Secondary, Twain, Glasgow, and Holmes. High schools include Thomas Jefferson, Hayfield Secondary, Edison, West Potomac, and TC Williams.

Several institutes of higher learning are located in Alexandria, including Stratford University, Strayer University, and the Virginia Tech Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center, among others.

Discover the Possibilities in Alexandria, VA

Alexandria offers modern living, active lifestyles, and an inner-city hustle and bustle for nightlife entertainment. Additionally, the area claims a healthy economy, a strong job market, low unemployment, and state-of-the-art healthcare programs, making Alexandria a great place to live.

There's a nice mix in the landscapes, from breathtaking views of the Potomac River to the vibrancy of Old Town's charm, and main streets lined with gorgeous architecture. This historic city sparkles with local celebrations and festive events, time-honored monuments, and residents that truly make this city their own.

If Alexandria is your next home destination, contact Your At Home Team at (703) 286-1333 to get started finding your ideal home in Alexandria today.

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