DC Real Estate Channel: NVA Neighborhoods

Crystal City

Susan Isaacs — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:16:34 GMT

Crystal City, Arlington Neighborhood

Section: NVA Neighborhoods
Author: Susan Isaacs, Washington DC Real Estate Strategist

This urban village located in the southeastern portion of Arlington County is one of the key locations related to Amazon HQ’s National Landing plan.

About Crystal City

Crystal City is a place where construction dust and ambition fill the air. Step off the Metro and the first thing you’ll notice is the energy; a mix of jackhammers, cranes, and the scent of coffee from a nearby brewer. This isn’t the 1960’s office park your parents barely remember. Over the last decade, Crystal City has started to look and feel like a neighborhood on the verge of something big, all while keeping one foot planted in its mid-century roots.

The Metro station itself is ground zero for the latest transformation. There’s a major project underway: a new east-side Metro entrance is rising near 18th Street South and Crystal Drive. Crews work through the weekends, detour signs abound, and locals trade tips on which shuttle or ART bus to catch when Metro service is down. It’s messy, but it means more people will be able to flow in and out, something the area desperately needs as the population keeps growing.

Outside, you’ve got options. The Virginia Railway Express rumbles through, ready to take you off to the suburbs, and Metroway buses glide past, ferrying commuters up and down the Route 1 corridor. If you’re used to car-first suburbs, this level of transit feels almost decadent. Everything, from the airport to the new food hall to Amazon’s campus, feels just a short hop away.

But what really hits you is how much Crystal City has changed its face. Gone is the old “underground city” vibe, where offices connected through a maze of gloomy tunnels and street life was an afterthought. Now, the National Landing brand is everywhere: outdoor plazas full of lunch-goers, new glass towers reflecting the morning sun, and pop-up events that bring actual crowds out on weekends. Office buildings are getting new lives as apartment buildings, and street-level retail is elbowing out what used to be empty lobbies.

One of the best examples? The revamped Water Park. A few years ago, it was a weird little concrete plaza where you might eat a sad sandwich in the shade. Now it’s a full-on outdoor hangout, with food and drink kiosks, a water bar where you can grab a beer, and a stage that hosts live music all summer. It’s the kind of place where you’ll see tech workers, families and old-school residents all in the same afternoon.

For longtime residents, it’s a wild adjustment: the old Crystal City is still visible in the concrete bones and dated corridors, but the vibe is all new. There’s a sense that if you blink, you’ll miss the next big thing.

Crystal City is still a work in progress, sometimes literally, with dust and noise and traffic cones everywhere you look. But that’s part of the buzz of belonging to a place that’s reinventing itself in real time, where you can grab a latte, watch a drone demonstration, then duck into a ’70s-era apartment building that probably hasn’t changed much since disco was king.

In the end, Crystal City doesn’t pretend to be perfect. It’s honest about its rough edges, its constant state of construction, and its mash-up of old and new. But if you want to live somewhere that’s changing by the week, where you’re never more than a few steps from the next chapter, there’s nowhere quite like it.

Crystal City Housing: Mostly Up, Sometimes Out

If you live in Crystal City, there’s a solid chance you rent because about 79% of households here do, and the new construction pipeline is following suit. Nearly 90% of what’s in the pipeline are rental units, a number that keeps the skyline stacked with high-rise apartments and condos.

For years, this was just how things worked: towers, towers, and more towers, all clustered around the Metro and laced together by concrete plazas. But lately, something novel is breaking through the grid: real variety. Don’t get too excited, single-family homes are basically a unicorn here (zoning rules keep it dense and transit-focused), but some creative infill projects are shaking up the look and feel of the neighborhood.

The most buzzed-about project? Highlands Row, a new community of fee-simple luxury townhomes at Fern Street and 18th South. For the first time, you can actually buy a three-bedroom townhouse, with a rooftop terrace and a two-car garage, just a short stroll from both the Crystal City and Pentagon City Metro stations. There are only 42 of these, so don’t expect a sea of townhouses anytime soon, but it’s a big pivot from the endless parade of glass towers.

Other developers are getting in on the act, too. Take the Hazel & Azure project, which will tuck 14 multi-story, townhouse-style units right into the base of the building, wrapping around a sprawling pedestrian plaza. You’ll get a street-level entrance and a front door that doesn’t involve an elevator ride, and the aesthetic is a small but meaningful shift toward a more neighborly vibe.

Then there’s the garden-style infill happening at the RiverHouse and Crystal House complexes, two large established apartment communities in Pentagon City and Crystal City respectively. Both are undergoing massive infill redevelopments and site expansions, rather than a standard building rehab or a total conversion of the existing units. Instead of tearing down or completely repurposing the current towers, developers are preserving the existing apartment buildings and constructing thousands of new housing units, townhomes, and parks on top of what used to be their sprawling surface parking lots. Alt parking is part of the development.

These projects sit alongside massive affordable housing towers, including the just-started Sweeney building, which will add 432 new units to the mix.

It’s all part of a push to create more diverse options and a less monolithic feel, even if the general rule is still “think vertical.” For those who prefer flexibility (or just want to keep the rent down), co-living suites have also entered the chat. At places like 2221 S. Clark Street, you can rent a private bedroom and share kitchens and living spaces with other residents; a setup that’s gaining popularity with newcomers who want affordability and community, not just square footage.Still searching for a white-picket fence? Head a little farther out. Crystal City proper is never going to be single-family territory. The neighborhood is purpose-built for density, walkability, and people who like their commutes short and their coffee shops close. Around here, “home” means sky-high views, a Metro stop downstairs, and maybe, just maybe, a private rooftop patio with a view of the airport.

Outdoors In Crystal City

Walking And Biking Trails

For a neighborhood as densly-built as Crystal City, there are a surprising number of outdoor travel and leisure options available.

Mount Vernon Trail

One of the most prominent trails accessible from Crystal City, the 18-mile paved multi-use Mount Vernon Trail runs parallel to the Potomac River from George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island. It connects to various parks and historic sites along the way, and is extremely popular with cyclists, runners, and walkers.

Four Mile Run Trail

This 6-mile paved path follows Four Mile Run stream between Arlington County and Falls Church. It begins near Reagan National Airport, connects with the Mount Vernon Trail, and extends westward through Shirlington, eventually linking with the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail in Bon Air Park. Runners, cyclists, and dog walkers enjoy its mix of wooded areas and urban scenery.

Potomac Yard Trail

Connecting the Braddock Road Metro Station and Del Ray Alexandria neighorhood to Crystal City, The Potomac Yard Trail provides a paved pathway utilized by cyclists, scooters, runners, and walkers. Accessible are a Target store, Long Bridge Park, and the Mount Vernon Trail, which leads to crossings into Washington D.C., such as the 14th Street Bridge. Plans are in the works to extend the Potomac Yard trail, enhancing connectivity to the District. They have not yet been executed as of 2025, but in October 2024, a 4.5-acre extension of Potomac Yard Park was inaugurated, which included an extension of the Potomac Yard Trail. This development aims to create a continuous off-street trail from Braddock Road to Four Mile Run, improving regional trail connectivity.

Future plans, including the Long Bridge Project, propose additional connections between Virginia and Washington, D.C., which may further enhance trail accessibility in coming years.

Crystal City Bike Network

Arlington County developed the Crystal City Bike Network, southbound protected or buffered bike lane on Crystal Drive, and a two-way cycle track or northbound protected bike lane along South Clark and Bell Streets. Additional protected bike lanes connect this network via 15th, 18th, 23rd, and 26th Streets South, facilitating safe and efficient cycling within the area.

Long Bridge Park

For those interested in walking or running, Long Bridge Park, located at the intersection of Crystal Drive and 12th Street, offers wide trails suitable for various activities. The park features informative displays about the area’s history and ecosystem.

Amazon: Agent Of Partial Change

Phase One of Amazon HQ2 at Metropolitan Park completed in June 2023, but Phase Two’s PenPlace remains on an extended hold in 2026. Despite Amazon implementing a strict return-to-office mandate, a construction restart is not imminent. Instead, Amazon is actively in early talks to pivot the vacant 11-acre PenPlace site into temporary community programming, exploring short-term uses like a dog park, open green spaces, and public art installations. Contrary to previous ascertations, Amazon now maintains that its current Phase One facilities provide ample space for its existing roster of 8,500 local employees. Recognizing that vertical construction will not resume anytime soon, the Arlington County Board officially granted Amazon a three-year site plan extension, pushing the company’s deadline to begin developing the campus and its landmark “Helix” tower out to June 30, 2028.

National Landing Housing

Over a thousand new residential units have delivered within National Landing since the project began, including The Zoe, a 19-story tower at 2051 S. Bell Street that delivered 380 rental apartments alongside its 355-unit sister building, the Valen.

Nearby, JBG Smith (the primary landholder and dominant landlord in the neighborhood) is actively executing major office-to-residential adaptive reuse plans. JBG obtained approvals to convert 2100 Crystal Drive into a 344 key dual-branded hotel, then sold the property to a hospitality developer.

JBG and Declaration Partners did break ground on the conversion of 2200 Crystal Drive from a 1960s-era office building into a 195 unit modern residential community. The project is a key milestone for Arlington County’s adaptive reuse framework, removing obsolete commercial inventory to address local housing demands.

But that bears some scrutiny given recent events involving the publicly traded company. Rather than posting the long story here, we’ll post a link to the saga as soon as the legal review is complete.

Goodbye Crystal City Underground

The famed Crystal City Underground subterranean mall is no more, having officially closed its retail operations due to the shifting retail landscape and National Landing evolution. JBG Smith has terminated the remaining retail leases and closed the storefronts, but the underground corridor itself remains open to the public to serve as a continuous pedestrian walkway connecting residents to the Crystal City Metro station.

Crystal City Schools

Hoffman-Boston Elementary School Public Grades PK-5

Oakridge Elementary School Public Grades PK-5

Gunston Middle School Public Grades 6-8

Wakefield High School Public Grades 9-12

Crystal City spans APS planning units and elementary assignment can vary by exact address. School attendance zones change and may include street-by-street exceptions. Always consult the official APS School Boundary Locator provided by Arlington County GIS.

Disclaimer

We are not attorneys, legal experts, investment counselors, or CPAs. The content on this channel is presented for informational purposes only and derived from reliable sources, but should not be considered legal, financial, investment, transaction or real estate practice advice. Susan Isaacs and Compass, their principals and/or representatives, do not guarantee or warrant its accuracy, completeness, or applicability to any specific real estate transaction. Homebuyers should read applicable D.C. law and code as part of their due diligence, and seek help from licensed, qualified professionals for interpretation and application to their specific transaction.

Clarendon-Courthouse Neighborhood

Susan Isaacs — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:14:24 GMT

Clarendon-Courthouse Neighborhood

Section: NVA Neighborhoods
Author: Susan Isaacs, Washington DC Real Estate Strategist

If you’ve ever wished for a place with the energy of a city and the soul of a small town where your dog is as welcome as your friends, Clarendon-Courthouse can grant it.

About Clarendon-Courthouse

The area’s premier “urban village,” Clarendon-Courthouse is an almost-perfect blend of cosmopolitan buzz and laid-back, canine-friendly charm. You can grab a craft latte, shop for designer sneaks, or catch a pickup soccer game, all without ever needing to get behind the wheel. Clarendon and Courthouse blend together along the Wilson/Clarendon Boulevard corridor, but the neighborhoods are like two personalities sharing one address.

Clarendon

Clarendon is the social butterfly; a place where patios overflow, people hop from coffee shops to cocktail bars, and the air feels electric on Friday nights. You’ll find flagship stores like Apple, Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma and Lululemon at the 10-acre open-air shopping destination The Crossing Clarendon, which also hosts The Arlington Artists Alliance nonprofit’s events, programs, classes, studio space, and monthly art shows at its 1k SF gallery located in the breezeway. Food shopping is easy in Clarendon, with numerous grocery store options, including Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Safeway, and an April to December farmers’ market in the one-acre Clarendon Central Park, adjacent to the Clarendon Metro station.

Tree-lined residential streets are the norm in Clarendon, framing a combination of single family homes and townhouses. Architectural styles include bungalow, ranch, Cape Cod, farmhouse, and contemporary. Many old homes are being rehabbed or replaced with new builds in popular styles like modern farmhouse and Arts And Crafts. High density residential such as apartments and condominiums can be found lining the main corridors of Clarendon and surrounding the Metro station. The list includes Clarendon 1021, The Phoenix,The Residences at Station Square and Clarendon 3131. The Clarendon Park townhouses are located two blocks from the Metro station.

Just behind The Crossing Clarendon is the 11th Street Park, a compact, 1-acre green space featuring accessible concrete walkways, mature shade trees, native pollinator plantings, and comfortable Adirondack seating.

Clarendon Dog Park caters to the four-legged with a fully enclosed, community dog park with a canine water fountain.

Courthouse

Just a few blocks away, Courthouse dials things back a notch. This side of the neighborhood is home to Arlington’s civic hub. It houses the Arlington County Government offices, law enforcement, county courts, and administrative facilities.

It’s not all serious business in Courthouse, however. The neighborhood boasts a popular Saturday morning fresh-farms market held in the county parking lot and the Georgetown Flea Market, held every weekend. The AMC Courthouse Plaza 8 is a multi-screen movie theater located in the center plaza.

Courthouse is also home to a large, dog-friendly outdoor beer garden, complete with a dedicated K9 menu, Ireland’s Four Courts: A neighborhood institution serving traditional Irish pub fare for decades.Ragtime Restaurant: A cozy gastro-pub with a unique New Orleans twist, live acoustic music, and a large covered patio.

The Courthouse neighborhood’s housing market is heavily rental oriented. Nearly 80 percent of its residents lease rather than own their homes. Single-family detached homes are rare. Instead, you’ll find an architectural split between mid-century garden-style communities and 21st-century modernism. The neighborhood is anchored by Colonial Village, a 50-acre Colonial Revival complex listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It features low-rise brick buildings and courtyards framed by winding sidewalks and mature oak trees. The neighborhood’s core is characterized by steel, glass, and concrete architecture such as the Tellus apartments. Multi-level townhomes can be found on the outside edges of the neighborhood, as well as the classic mid-century duplexes that appear along the northern boundary of Courthouse as it transitions into Lyon Village and near Arlington Boulevard heading toward Lyon Park. Streets like North Taft Street, North Wayne Street, and 12th Street North feature “missing middle” post-WWII brick twin-homes and side-by-side duplexes. They feature minimalist Colonial Revival style, often with symmetrical entryways, pitched roofs and small front stoops. In these pockets, the streets are lined with mature oak trees, driveways are common, and backyard fences enclose small private gardens.

Outdoor recreation facilities in Courthouse include its direct entry points to the Custis Trail for long-distance biking and jogging. Rhodeside Green Park is a quiet, tree-lined pocket park ideal for a lunchtime escape or reading. Rocky Run Park is 2-acre community space featuring an artificial turf soccer field, dual basketball courts, a dedicated outdoor fitness area, and two separate age-grouped playgrounds.

Living in either neighborhood means giving your car more days off than you ever thought possible. With a Walk Score of 92 - 93, and Metro stops on both the Orange and Silver lines, almost everything you need is a quick stroll or a ten-minute train ride away, including downtown DC.

Schools In Clarendon-Courthouse

Clarendon Public Schools

Arlington Science Focus School Public Grades K–5
Dorothy Hamm Middle School Public Grades 6–8
Washington-Liberty High School Public Grades 9–12

Courthouse Public Schools

Arlington Science Focus School Public Grades K–5
Thomas Jefferson Middle School Public Grades 6–8
Yorktown High School or Washington-Liberty High School Public Grades 9–12 *Courthouse is heavily split block-by-block between these two high schools depending on address.

School assignment across the Clarendon-Courthouse corridor does not strictly follow neighborhood civic lines. Because the Arlington Public Schools (APS) boundary map splits cleanly through different blocks of the same neighborhood, assigned schools depend heavily on exact street address.

Disclaimer

Del Ray Neighborhood

Susan Isaacs — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:48:39 GMT

Del Ray, Alexandria Virginia Neighborhood

Section: NVA Neighborhoods
Author: Susan Isaacs, Washington DC Real Estate Strategist

You’ll hear this little neighborhood described as charming, eclectic, artsy and yes, we said it: adorable. Eye-popping architecture and a fun-loving vibe make this one of Alexandria’s most popular spots.

The Neighborhood Made Of Adorable

Del Ray is an urban village in Alexandria, Virginia known for its playful individuality, artsy bent, mom & pop business district, epic Saturday farmer’s market, dog friendliness and cute-as-a-button housing stock. In short, Del Ray is one of a kind.

The main drag is Mount Vernon Avenue. where you’ll find unique restaurants & pubs like The Evening Star Cafe, St. Elmo’s, Matt & Tony’s, Little Birdie, Cheesetique, butchery Let’s Meat, and iconic shops like Vélocity Bicycle Cooperative.

Del Ray’s residential streets look much as they did many decades ago, lined with large shade trees, deep lots with generous backyards, and 15-foot front setbacks. Architectural styles range from Craftsman Bungalow, Folk Victorian and American Foursquare to Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Art Deco, Queen Anne and Italianate. Walk, don’t drive, as you tour these streets to avoid fender-benders while you’re gaping at it all.

Some of Del Ray’s grandest houses were built on Mount Vernon Avenue, and you can still see several of the original Foursquare houses, converted for retail use. As the area grew and developed, Mount Vernon Avenue evolved from a grand residential avenue to a funky retail corridor full of color and character.

Del Ray History

Del Ray grew from several subdivision tracts; Hume, Mount Ida, Saint Elmo’s and its namesake Del Ray. The historic communities of Del Ray and St. Elmo’s originated in early 1894. Homes here were originally built for workers at Potomac Yard. Most were affordable, detached single family dwellings of modest size. The desirability of today’s Del Ray is partially due to these working class beginnings and its unpretentious personality.

Other Details

Del Ray is bounded on the south by Braddock Road, Russell Road on the west, East and West Glebe on the north and U.S. Route 1 on the east. It’s adjacent on the west to Potomac Yard and its southernmost tip is separated from Old Town West by the Metro line.

Some older posts written about Del Ray mention storm water issues, but the City of Alexandria has been working on mitigation. The city has completed some fixes on East and West Del Ray Avenue by adding new storm inlets and increasing the capacity of existing ones. The city still targets surface flooding catchments near West Reed Avenue to complement the larger Commonwealth work.

Del Ray Schools

Mount Vernon Community School Public Grades K-5

George Mason Elementary School Public Grades K-5

George Washington Middle School Public Grades 6-8

Alexandria City High School Public Grades 9-12

Del Ray spans more than one ACPS elementary attendance area. Alexandria implemented new elementary and middle-school boundaries for the 2026-27 school year, so exact assignment varies by address. Always confirm a property through the official ACPS Attendance Zone Locator.

Disclaimer

East Falls Church Neighborhood

Susan Isaacs — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:33:20 GMT

East Falls Church Neighborhood

Section: NVA Neighborhoods
Author: Susan Isaacs, Washington DC Real Estate Strategist

East Falls Church is an “urbanburb” located in the western portion of Arlington County. It’s known for its quiet streets, green spaces, and proximity to Metrorail.

Old As The Hills And Twice Seceded

The city of Falls Church pre-dates the American Revolutionary War, established around The Falls Church. an 18th century Episcopal house of worship c. 1734 that is still operating today.

“East Falls Church” is the name that stuck for the portion of Falls Church that housed a a railroad station on the Washington and Old Dominion line. There were three rail lines at the time W&OD, Arlington and Falls Church trolley, and the Southern Railway. Service ended in 1951. East Falls Church Metro station opened in 1986.

You may be wondering why East Falls Church, connected to Falls Church on its SW side, is in Arlington County and not Fairfax County like its namesake.

That would be a trick question.

Falls Church is actually not a part of Fairfax County, either. It was, but in 1948 it seceded and became incorporated as The City of Falls Church. It’s an independent city with county-level governance status. Like Alexandria City. Then why isn’t East Falls Church part of it’s independent status? It was, but it seceded! (Are you laughing yet?) The short story is that Falls Church straddled the Fairfax-Arlington boundary, and the area that became known as East Falls Church was on the Arlington side. Confusion caused by overlapping government agencies ensued. In 1921, it was suggested that East Falls Church become part of Arlington County. And so it did, in 1935.

There’s a wonderful online historical magazine written by John F. Jekel that tells the history of the area. It’s well worth reading. There’s also a photo gallery on the Village Preservation site that shows homes and buildings of the day.

East Falls Church Homes

Detached houses remain the dominant housing type on interior streets, with Cape Cods, Colonials, ramblers, bungalows and other early and mid-20th-century forms. Townhouses, duplexes, condominiums and apartments appear closer to Metro and major roads.

The County’s East Falls Church Area Plan allows additional mixed-use and transit-oriented development near the station while emphasizing preservation of the scale of surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Two Trails and a Metro

The W&OD; and Custis trails run through East Falls Church, creating a major green transportation corridor for cyclists, runners and walkers. Tuckahoe Park, East Falls Church Park and nearby neighborhood parks add local recreation.

East Falls Church Metro serves the Orange and Silver lines. Here, transportation is not just incidental information; the combination of rail and regional trails is one of the neighborhood’s defining advantages.

East Falls Church House Hacking

STR (Short Term Rentals)

Thus far, you can operate a short term rental in East Falls Church, but there are requirements, rules & restrictions, fees and taxes. The Municipal Code contains all the particulars.

STR enthusiasts should also remember that local jurisdictions such as cities, counties and states, can impose restrictions on short-term rentals. In Arlington, for instance:

Short-term residential rentals are categorized as “accessory homestay,” allowing STR to exist within the framework of a home occupation.

The County Board adopted Zoning Ordinance regulations that took effect on December 10, 2016, and January 28, 2017. These regulations say that short-term rentals must comply with Arlington’s zoning laws, which may impact where and how properties are rented. Here’s a primer from Steadily, and you should check the laws and codes of the jurisdiction for the intended property.

Accessory Dwellings (AD)

As of January 2025, East Falls Church has scheduled two Community Open House meetings on proposed zoning code changes for accessory dwellings endorsed by the City Council on November 25, 2024. The resulting rulings, if any, would seem to affect just about any type of STR.

If you intend to purchase property in East Falls Church and expect to operate a STR, pay close attention to those meetings.

An AD is defined as “a dwelling unit which is in the same structure as, under the same ownership as, and subordinate to a one-family dwelling, intended for use as a complete, independent living facility. The accessory dwelling unit includes permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation for use by one family within the limits set forth in this Code pertaining to health, building, or other relevant provisions of the law.

East Falls Church Schools

East Falls Church sits on the border of Arlington County and Falls Church City. Students typically attend either Arlington Public Schools or Falls Church City Public Schools, depending on their address.

In Arlington County:

Tuckahoe Elementary School Public Grades PK-5

Swanson Middle School Public Grades 6-8

Yorktown High School Public Grades 9-12

School attendance zones change and may include street-by-street exceptions depending on address. Always consult the official APS School Boundary Locator provided by Arlington County GIS.

Those addresses located in unincorporated Fairfax County are served by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), rather than the independent Falls Church City Public Schools, and assigned schools are dependent on address.

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National Landing Neighborhood

Susan Isaacs — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 23:15:14 GMT

National Landing, Arlington Neighborhood

Section: NVA Neighborhoods
Author: Susan Isaacs, Washington DC Real Estate Strategist

Home Of Amazon HQ2

The heart of National Landing, Arlington includes key Amazon HQ2 locations such as Crystal City, Pentagon City, and a portion of Potomac Yard.

Phase 1 of Amazon HQ2 (Metropolitan Park) is fully complete, representing roughly half (about 2.1 million square feet out of the planned 4 million square feet) of the total intended office space. It features two 22-story towers, retail, and a public park.

Phase 2 (PenPlace) remains on hold as of mid-2026. Construction on this phase, which includes the Helix building, remains paused with no immediate start date as of August 2026. Phase 2 accounts for roughly 50% of the physical square footage of the original master plan. Amazon halted development on PenPlace after a global re-evaluation of its office space needs, driven by the widespread shift to hybrid and remote work. Because the completed Phase 1 (Metropolitan Park) can already accommodate up to 14,000 employees, above Amazon’s current Arlington workforce of about 8,500, the company does not (yet) require the additional 3 million square feet of space that PenPlace would provide.

Missed Performance Marks And Lost Incentives

Amazon pledged to bring over 3500 new households to the area and over 25,000 high-paying jobs over in 12 years of National Landing construction. The original 2018 agreement between Arlington and Amazon tasked Amazon with creating 25,000 high-paying jobs (with an average annual salary of $150,000+) in Arlington. The drop-shipping giant was projected to reach 11,643 qualifying jobs by the end of 2025, but ended with just 7,159 qualifying positions, actually losing 73 qualifying jobs compared to the start of that year. Amazon is currently 4,484 jobs behind schedule and counting. Only 7,159 of the 8,500 total people currently at the site meet the high-wage and legal parameters required to qualify for state funds.

Amazon officially requested to extend its hiring deadline out to 2038.

The job promises and tax incentives negotiated for Amazon HQ2 are governed by a strict “pay-for-performance” policy. Because Amazon’s hiring flatlined, creating zero incentive-eligible jobs in 2025, the tech giant missed its job targets and forfeits incentives. Amazon has forfeited an estimated $98.6 million in projected state and local subsidies so far this year.

Amazon can’t unlock the next tranches of its projected $750 million state subsidy and local tax grants when it misses targets. The estimated $98.6 million shortfall for this year breaks down into two specific buckets:

Under its separate agreement with Arlington County, Amazon receives a 15% cut of incremental Transient Occupancy Tax (hotel tax) revenues, but only if local hotel revenues exceed a pre-pandemic baseline.

In September of 2025, hotel revenues cleared the baseline, resulting in Arlington cutting Amazon its first-ever local check for $81,745.

The county’s 2026 fiscal year ran from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. ACED released the official statement on September 1, 2026 confirming that the hotel revenues fell $449,153 short of the required baseline, so there was no check.

Living In Amazonland

National Landing is situated between Crystal City (Arlington), Pentagon City (Arlington) and Potomac Yard (Alexandria). Visit these individual neighborhood profiles for more information.

Whether you want to live in the center of everything, experiencing National Landing’s evolution day by day, or find a quiet spot nearby to plant your garden and watch the helix rise on the horizon, there’s a neighborhood near National Landing for you.

Investing In National Landing

Short-term rentals are heavily restricted in Arlington County, with the exception of CDPs like West Falls Church. Investors enjoy fewer general rental restrictions compared to the District of Columbia, due to Virginia’s statewide ban on rent control.

Independent Alexandria City is exempt from Fairfax County’s strict short-term rental laws and takes a friendlier approach, with registtration, taxation and reporting requirements. Long-term rentals can be very profitable in Alexandria City.

Fairfax county is not STR-friendly, but investment in long-term rentals can still be profitable for duplex, triplex and single family home types. For townhomes and subdivisions, be sure to check HOA restrictions.

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Cherrydale Neighborhood

Susan Isaacs — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 22:34:56 GMT

Section: NVA Neighborhoods
Author: Susan Isaacs, Washington DC Real Estate Strategist

Cherrydale is a peaceful, urban-adjacent burb with a housing stock and gardens you’ll gush over.

Cherrydale Neighborhood

Cherrydale is a North Arlington neighborhood centered on the Five Points intersection. The neighborhood took root in 1893 around Dorsey Donaldon’s cherry tree orchard, and it has been flourishing ever since.

About Cherrydale

Cherrydale embraced growth, both residential and commercial, in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Large tracts of land were subdivided into residential developments through the mid-1950’s, creating 1225 homes.

The Cherrydale Historic District boasts 887 residences; 829 single-family homes, 27 multi-unit properties, four churches, a school, 22 commercial buildings, two service stations, a fire station and a meeting hall. The majority of the residences are owner-occupied. Architectural styles include Bungalow, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Victorian, Queen Anne, Cape Cod, Italianate, Gothic Revival, Art Deco, Tudor Revival, Classical Revival, and occasional Spanish Revival, and Moderne. A number of Sears Kit homes were built in Cherrydale, as well as at least one porcelain-enamel Lustron home.

Cherrydale’s earliest homes date from the late 19th century to the 1910s and feature late Victorian-era details like multi-gabled roofs, wrap-around porches, stained glass windows and projecting bays.

The thing I notice first when I visit Cherrydale are the beautifully landscaped and maintained yards, and inevitably, there are at least two people working in their gardens and sharing tips over the hedges. This community is really dedicated to gardening! Cherrydale homeowners are active participants in local horticultural activities. The Cherrydale Garden Club bring neighbors together to promote sustainable gardening practices and expand green spaces within the community. Members meet regularly to socialize, share gardening tips, and learn about native plantings. The club is also committed to promoting more tree plantings to enlarge the area’s tree canopy, working toward a greener and more beautiful Cherrydale... if that’s even possible.

The combination of historic homes with generous yard space, a community culture that values green initiatives, and accessible local resources like the Cherrydale Hardware (and garden) store fosters a congenial environment that never stops blooming.

The Cherrydale neighborhood boasts many parks, including Cherry Valley Park, Stratford Park, Cherrydale Park, Oakgrove Park and 18th St N and N Lincoln St Park.

Cherrydale’s commercial corridor winds along Lee Highway.

Cherrydale History

The Cherrydale neighborhood took shape in the late 1800s and early 1900s as large tracts were subdivided for residential development. Its name is traditionally associated with Dorsey Donaldson’s cherry orchard.

The Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department dates to 1898 and is Arlington’s oldest volunteer fire department. Its 1919 firehouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has long served as a neighborhood landmark and community gathering place. The department has historically sponsored community events such as parades, dances, and kids’ activities.

Cherrydale Schools

Glebe Elementary School Public Grades PK-5

Dorothy Hamm Middle School Public Grades 6-8

Washington-Liberty High School Public Grades 9-12

Cherrydale spans multiple APS planning units, and assignments can vary at neighborhood edges. School attendance zones change and may include street-by-street exceptions. Always consult the official APS School Boundary Locator provided by Arlington County GIS.

Disclaimer

Old Town Alexandria Neighborhood

Susan Isaacs — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 21:43:51 GMT

Old Town Alexandria Neighborhood

Alexandria City

Old Town is a charm-laden, nationally designated historic district on the Potomac River waterfront, named one of the country’s best downtowns.

Old Town’s architecture dates back to the 1700’s. Ajacent to rows of charming Federal and Victorian houses seated on cobblestone and brick streets, you’ll find a redesigned modern waterfront and popular King Street’s art galleries, unique shops and eateries.

About Old Town Alexandria

Popular King Street offers galleries, boutique retail, restaurants, hotels and a Saturday Market Square farmer’s market. Quaint side streets are lined with specialty shops and dining options. A reinvented Waterfront Park offers boating, river tours, scenic walks, and the Torpedo Factory galleries and arts spaces. New luxury residences line the revitalized riverfront.

Old town homes range from picturesque Federals to impressive Victorians and modern riverfront condos and townhomes.

Old Town History

Old Town Alexandria is the oldest section of the city founded by Scottish merchants in 1749 and named for John Alexander, a Scottish planter whose land holdings stretched roughly from Hunting Creek to the Arlington-McLean border. Alexander purchased the land for 6,000 pounds of tobacco and farmed the land. Alexandria become a major trade hub and was incorporated in 1789. It became known as the “Port City” of the Potomac and was one of the largest ports in the country by 1790. Old Town is the third oldest historic district in the United States.

The Ramsay House, home of Scottish merchant and city founder William Ramsay, was the oldest dwelling in the city. The reconstructed version now functions as the Alexandria Visitor’s Center.

On quaint Prince Street, in the cobblestoned 100 block, is Captain’s Row , named for Captain John Harper, who built many of the homes on the north side of the block in the late 1700s for sea captains who worked on the Potomac River. The block was destroyed in a fire in 1827, then rebuilt with some changes to individual homes. They remain, however, a picturesque reminder of the town’s seafaring history.

The 200 block of Prince Street is known as Gentry Row. Elegant townhomes built for wealthy merchants of the day, many of whom were Quakers, bear plaques from the Historic Alexandria Foundation. Two such homes are 212 and 214 Prince Street, double dwelling wooden homes constructed around 1785 or 1786 by merchant William Hartshorne when he relocated from Philadelphia. Hartshorne became a longtime friend of George Washington and the two men also transacted business together for flour and tools.

George Washington built his own townhouse in Old Town, for use when he was away from Mount Vernon conducting business or attending social events. The 508 Cameron Street home we see today is actually a 1960 reconstruction commissioned by Virginia Governor and Mrs. Richard Barrett Lowe, since Washington’s original 1769 dwelling was razed in 1855 due to severe neglect by subsequent owners.

Rising above Shuter’s Hill at the north end of Old Town is the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (aka the ‘Masonic Temple’), constructed in Washington’s honor. It offers an unobstructed view of Old Town, from the King Street Metro to the Potomac.

Old Town Schools

Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy (Certified Core Knowledge) Public Grades K-5

Jefferson-Houston Public Grades PK-8

George Washington Middle School Public Grades 6-8

Alexandria City High School Public Grades 9-12

Old Town spans several ACPS attendance areas. Alexandria implemented new elementary and middle-school boundaries for the 2026-27 school year, so exact assignment varies by address. Always confirm a property through the official ACPS Attendance Zone Locator.

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Taylor Run Alexandria Neighborhood

Susan Isaacs — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 16:21:33 GMT

Taylor Run Alexandria Neighborhood

Section: NVA Neighborhoods
Author: Susan Isaacs, Washington DC Real Estate Strategist

This triangle-shaped neighborhood is marked at its southeast corner by the iGeorge Washington Masonic National Memorial, which overlooks Old Town to the banks of the Potomac River. Taylor Run is a lovely residential neighborhood with a varied landscape and eclectic architecture, dotted with parks and woodsy areas.

About The Taylor Run Neighborhood

Taylor Run is a stream, parkway and neighborhood that joins Old Town, Rosemont and West End. Taylor Run real estate is characterized by its detached single family homes of varying architectural styles, featuring generous lots and tree-lined streets, and attached homes with charm and character. Three of the most expensive homes sold in Alexandria recently were located in Taylor Run.

The Taylor Run neighborhood is bounded by King St. from Scroggins Rd. to Callahan Dr., Callahan Dr. between King St. and Duke St., Duke St. between Callahan Dr. and W. Taylor Run Pkwy., W. Taylor Run Pkwy. between Duke St. and Janney’s Lane, Janney’s Lane to MacArthur Elementary School, and through the woods between MacArthur Elementary School and Scroggins Rd.

10-acre Angel Park is located along West Taylor Run Parkway and Taylor Run itself. The park offers a playground, picnic shelter, baseball field and basketball court. The Janney House, a historic home of a prominent Quaker family, is located in the northern part of the park.

Residents of Taylor Run enjoy seasonal events and an organic community garden. The volunteer run, no fee neighborhood association organizes park activities. Taylor Run’s parks and green spaces provide a tranquil retreat, while its location just 9 miles from Washington, DC offers convenient access for commuters.

History of Taylor Run

Taylor Run evolved from colonial farmland and tobacco fields into today’s leafy, residential neighborhood dotted with historic landmarks.

The surrounding area was agricultural, primarily used for tobacco farming in the 18th and early 19th centuries. By the mid-19th century, however, exhaustive tobacco cultivation had depleted the soil, leaving fallow or overgrown land.

In 1828, the Eastern Ridge Road was incorporated as the Middle Turnpike, when eventually became King Street. As transportation lines multiplied, the area transitioned from rural plots into a structured residential neighborhood bridging Alexandria’s West End, Rosemont, and Old Town.

Atop Shooter’s Hill overlooking the region, George Washington Masonic National Memorial construction began in 1922. The neoclassical landmark was dedicated in 1932 and still serves today as a visual anchor for the Taylor Run area.

Micro-Neighborhoods Within the Taylor Run Triangle

One micro-neighborhood of Taylor Run is George Washington Park, a hilly treasure trove of homes of various architectural styles located behind Shuter’s Hill and the Masonic Temple.

Another is Clover-College Park, a rectangular-shaped merger of two subdivisons running south of Janney’s Lane to Dartmouth Rd with a stem down Cambridge Road to Duke Street. College Park’s first stone houses on Yale Drive and Janney’s Lane were built during the 1930’s, while homes on the west side of Cambridge Rd were constructed in the 1940’s. In the early 1950’s, mid-century hones sprung up, notably 402 Cambridge Road, designed in 1941 by Milton Grigg, a noted restoration architect for Colonial Williamsburg and Monticello. The community was fully built out at 80 residences. Many of its streets are named for colleges and universities.

Clover was developed over two decades, beginning in the late 1940’s. The first homes built were on the east side of Cambridge Road in 1948. Cloverway, developed from 1948 to 1950, Skyhill (1950-53), and Crown View Drive, starting in 1955, with number 403 reportedly the first house on the street. Crown View, Dartmouth, Clovercrest and Vassar were completed in the 1960’s. Many of the later homes were designed in the Colonial style, with a sprinkling of ramblers and split-levels.

Today’s Clover-College Park neighborhood retains its mid-century feel. Its modern-day claim to fame is that the Gerald R Ford family lived at 514 Crown View Drive before Ford became the 40th Vice President and 38th President of the United States.

Taylor Run Triangle Schools

The public school feeder pipeline for Taylor Run generally depends on street address.

Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Public Grades PK–5

Naomi L. Brooks Elementary Public Grades PK-5

George Washington Middle School Public Grades 6-8

Alexandria City High School Public Grades: All 9th graders attend the dedicated Minnie Howard Campus, then move to the King Street Campus for grades 10–12.

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Rosemont Alexandria Neighborhood

Susan Isaacs — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:07:58 GMT

Rosemont Neighborhood

Section: NVA Neighborhoods
Author: Susan Isaacs, Washington DC Real Estate Strategist

The Rosemont neighborhood blends architectural styles like Craftsman, Arts And Crafts and American Foursquare with bungalows and colonials under a canopy of flowering trees.

About Rosemont Historic District

Rosemont Historic District is an exceptionally intact example of an early 20th century middle-class “trolley suburb.” There are 456 contributing buildings, including 336 residential, one school (now Naomi L Brooks Elementary, formerly Maury Elementary), one commercial building, and 118 private garages. The majority of the single family residences were built in the early 1900’s, primarily of Colonial Revival design but including other architectural styles and sizes of similar scale, most of which have maintained their architectural integrity to this day.

Even the original street layout of this planned community remains, designed according in alignment with the controversial ‘City Beautiful’ movement of the time. While the movement failed, the Rosemont Historic District thrived, shedding its restrictions in 1940 and gaining in popularity. Townhomes were added to the neighborhood on sub-divided plots during WWII to accommodate those who walked to work at the Torpedo Factory.

Rosemont shares amenities with its neighbors, and offers several of its own, including Blue Park (aka Hoff’s Run Park) and Beach Park (created on city-owned land behind the School and named for Maury’s 1954 principal Lillian Beach). Rosemont is known for its lush planting of trees, which include locusts, oaks, maples and dogwoods. When these trees are in color and bloom, it’s quite a beautiful sight.

Rosemont borders Taylor Run, Old Town and North Ridge, offering a variety of amenities and proximity to transportation, sharing Commonwealth Avenue and a zip code with Del Ray.

Rosemont Schools

Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Public Grades PK–5

Naomi L. Brooks Elementary Public Grades PK-5

George Washington Middle School Public Grades 6-8

Alexandria City High School Public Grades: All 9th graders attend the dedicated Minnie Howard Campus, then move to the King Street Campus for grades 10–12.

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Westover Arlington Neighborhood

Susan Isaacs — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:53:27 GMT

Westover Arlington Neighborhood

Section: NVA Neighborhoods
Author: Susan Isaacs, Washington DC Real Estate Strategist

The Westover neighborhood is an urban village that rubs shoulders with Highland Park and is about a 15 minute walk from East Falls Church Metro station. This apron-shaped neighborhood is prized for its amenities and century homes.

One And The Same

“Westover Village” and “Westover” are the same neighborhood, located in Arlington, Virginia. Westover Village is the name you’ll hear most often, but Westover is the neighborhood’s official name. The Westover Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

What makes the Westover Historic District historic? It’s a well-preserved example of mid-century urbanism, a walkable community with buildings constructed between 1939 and 1957. Many single family homes here were built in the Colonial Revival style and the neighborhood also includes twin houses, duplexes, and multi-family garden apartments, which are included in Phase 1 of the County’s Historic Resources Inventory (HRI). Arlington designates local historic districts to help preserve important remnants of the community’s heritage, development, and cultural history.

Farm To Urbanburb

Westover wasn’t always a charming little “urbanburb.” It started out as Duke Torreyton’s farm. Duke’s farmhouse stood where the middle school is now located. Subdivison was inevitable, and in the early 1900’s an acre of land could be bought for sixty cents. There were no lot size restrictions, people could buy as much or as little land as they could afford. The railroad went through, and there was a stop at Torreyton’s farm. The subdivisions of Highland Park, Overlee Knolls, Tara and Lacey Forest developed, but the farmland which was to become Westover remained largely unchanged until Washington Boulevard (Rt 237) was built. In 1940, Mace Properties fully subdivided the land and that is the year when the majority of Westover’s homes were constructed. Some of the characteristics of homes built in Westover Hlls (south of Washington Blvd) reflected pre-WWII concerns; for instance, basements were built like bomb shelters.

The neighborhood was developed in five phases from 1939 through 1957:

Westover Apartments
Westover Hills
Keene’s Addition to Westover
Westover Park
Mason’s Addition to Westover

What will you find in today’s Westover Village? There’s a ‘60’s throwback shopping center where you can enjoy homemade ice cream or live music and beer, a hardware and variety store that has anchored the neighborhood since 1948, when it began as a five and ten cent store, a community center, boutique organic market, a “truly local” farmer’s market open Sundays from 8 AM to 12 PM May-November and 9 AM to 1 PM December-April. a barber shop, flower shop, post office, pharmacy and more.

Westover’s Claude A. Swanson Junior High School is ranked #33 for middle schools in the state and #3 in Arlington County public middle schools. the neighborhood also boasts a Westover Library, and four-acre Westover Park, which offers a picnic shelter and tables, playground, two diamond fields, lighted basketball courts, a sand volleyball court and a rectangular field. Bon Air Park and Custis Trail head border Westover Park.

Westover House Hacking

STR (Short Term Rentals)

You can operate a short term rental in Arlington County, but there are requirements, rules & restrictions, fees and taxes.

Here, STRs are also known as ‘accessory homestays’, which require permits and compliance with local ordinances. You’ll need an accessory homestay permit from the County Zoning Department and an Arlington County business license.

In 2016 and 2017, the county adopted rules for accessory homestay businesses in order to protect the character of its neighborhoods, reduce barriers for owners who wish to run a short-term rental business in a legal and responsible manner, implement safety requirements to ensure that a STRs comply with zoning, building, fire and other safety codes to protect public health and safety, property values and neighborhood character, and provide a mechanism for enforcement:

Adopted amendment (December 10, 2016)
Adopted revisions (January 28, 2017)

STR enthusiasts should also remember that local jurisdictions such as cities, counties and states, unincorporated areas and individual HOAs and condo associations can impose their own restrictions on short-term rentals.

Arlington regulations say that short-term rentals must comply with Arlington’s zoning laws, which may impact where and how properties are rented.

Westover Conservation Plan And The Missing Middle

Adopted in 1964, the Westover Neighborhood Conservation Plan strives to maintain the character and quality of the neighborhood, with emphasis on providing a place for all income levels to live, work and play.

In 2025, Westover land is primarily zoned R6, for single family homes on 6,000 SFT lots, which translates to 0.1377 acres (roughly 13.8% of an acre). This allows for 7 homes per acre.

RA14-16 zoning for the remainder of residential properties in Westover is intended for construction of apartments and townhouses with a density limit of 14-24 units per acre, but also allows single family homes.

In 2024, Arlington County ran The Missing Middle Housing Study, to learn how new housing types could help address Arlington’s housing supply shortfall and fill in gaps.

The study was undertaken in Fall 2020, and executed in three phases. At its conclusion, Arlington adopted the plan ... and was promptly sued by by local residents and advocacy groups claiming that the policy violates zoning procedures, lacks adequate environmental consideration, was approved without adequate study of impacts on adjacent neighborhoods and did not involve sufficient public consultation.

At first, the ruling went against the county. In September 2024, a Virginia Circuit Court judge struck down Arlington’s “Missing Middle” zoning policy, finding that the Arlington County Planning Commission violated procedural requirements and failed to adequately consider environmental impacts and compliance with tree canopy requirements.

The very next month, the same circuit court judge, David Schell, gave a green light to developers who had received approval from the county for their projects prior to the lawsuit’s filing and conclusion. It was an awkward concession that seemed more like an effort to stave off lawsuits than a genuine attempt at fairness. The judge ruled that those developers can continue with their projects, but they must place a notice in land records indicating that future landholders are making a gamble ( ARLnow ).

Should county’s appeal fail, Schell noted, future occupants of the properties might have to move, and future property owners might have to change the nature of the buildings. “You’re taking a huge risk, in my humble judgment, if you’re building a sixplex or a fourplex while the case is pending in the court of appeals,” he said.

The legal battle over Arlington County’s Missing Middle housing policy, officially known as the Expanded Housing Options (EHO) ordinance, has grown into a complex, multi-year saga. The lawsuit was filed by a resident group called Neighbors for Neighborhoods after the County Board unanimously adopted the plan in March 2023.The litigation has shifted back and forth between multiple courts, primarily focusing on procedural legal issues rather than the actual merits of the housing policy.Timeline of Key Court DecisionsSeptember 2024 (Ordinance Voided): The Arlington County Circuit Court ruled in favor of the homeowners. The judge declared the EHO ordinance void from the beginning (ab initio), citing improper procedural studies regarding infrastructure (such as stormwater and sewage) and an unlawful delegation of authority. This ruling immediately halted all EHO permit approvals, leaving 45 projects in legal limbo.June – September 2025 (Ordinance Reinstated): The Virginia Court of Appeals reversed the Circuit Court’s decision on a procedural error. The appellate panel ruled that the lower court erred by failing to include independent developers (like Wilsons Ventures) as “indispensable parties” who had active permits and a direct financial stake in the outcome. Because these parties were excluded from the original trial, the ruling was overturned.October 2025: Following the appellate victory, Arlington County officially reopened the EHO permitting process, putting the Missing Middle policy back into active status for new and pending applications.

Current Status in 2026

May 19, 2026: The Virginia Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by the homeowner group “Neighbors for Neighborhoods”. The high court is reviewing whether developers (such as Wilsons Ventures) were necessary parties that should have been included in the initial lawsuit. The court is not yet ruling on the underlying merits of the zoning law itself.

The policy remains active while the Virginia Supreme Court reviews the appeal, they denied a request to freeze development. Arlington County is actively reviewing, approving, and constructing EHO projects. Over 59 active projects are listed on the county dashboard.

The case is expected to proceed before the end of the year. If the Supreme Court upholds the appeals court, the entire case will be sent back to the local Circuit Court for a brand-new trial that includes all the developers. If they overturn it, the ordinance could be voided again on procedural grounds.

Westover Alexandria Schools

Cardinal Elementary School Public Grades PK-5

Swanson Middle School Public Grades 6-8

Yorktown High School Public Grades 9-12

School attendance zones change some include street-by-street exceptions depending on address. Always consult the official APS School Boundary Locator provided by Arlington County GIS.

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Northern Virginia Neighborhoods

Susan Isaacs — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 17:04:26 GMT

Northern Virginia Featured Neighborhoods

Section: Neighborhoods
Author: Susan Isaacs, Washington DC Real Estate Strategist

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO THRIVE?

Inside The Beltway

All neighborhoods in Arlington County, Alexandria City and Falls Church City sit entirely inside the Beltway.

Beltway Split

Fairfax County and Independent Cities are split ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ the Beltway. Inside, you’ll find Annandale East, McLean (eastern portions), Seven Corners, Bailey’s Crossroads and Lincolnia.

Straddling the Beltway are Tyson’s Corner, McLean (section close to Great Falls), Idylwood, Great Falls, Pimmit Hills.

Just outside the Beltway are Rose Hill, Vienna, Merrifield/Dun Loring, Annandale, Franconia, Sherwood Hall, Hollin Hills, Hollindale, Belle View, White Oaks, Westgrove and Huntington.

The NVA Experience

Inside or just outside the Capital Beltway, roughly 15 to 20 major recognized communities, towns, and census-designated places (CDPs) offer high quality of life , great amenities and easy proximity to Washington DC.

Featured Neighborhoods

Arlington

One of few U.S. urban ‘unitary’ forms of government, implemented in 1932. It operates under the County Manager plan, combining typical county and city services into a single centralized administration.

The 26 square miles of Arlington are a “continuous, contiguous and homogeneous community” with no incorporated towns or cities within it’s borders, just many great neighborhoods! Here are our Featured Neighborhoods in Arlington:

Clarendon

40-45 blocks include the neighborhoods of Ashton Heights, Clarendon-Courthouse, Lyon Park + Lyon Village
Bordered by the Ballston and Rosslyn
Highly walkable
Retail, dining and entertainment options
Mix of housing options
11th Street Park + Clarendon Central Park

Crystal City

An urban village redesigned for Amazon HQ
Underground corridors connect retail spaces, offices and residential buildings
Home of a large number of defense contractors, including the US Dept of Labor, U.S. Marshals Service + Pentagon satellite offices
Reagan Washington National Airport runs along the eastern portion of Crystal City

Cherrydale

N Arlington neighborhood est. 1893
Envied mix of residential architectural styles
Six parks; Cherry Valley Park, Stratford Park, Cherrydale Park, Oakgrove Park and 18th St N and N Lincoln St Park
The neighborhood is prized for its charming architecture, home values and proximity to Virginia Square and Ballston Metro stations.

Pentagon City

Unincorporated neighborhood in SE Arlington
Less than a mile from the Potomac River
Single-family homes and highrise apartments
Home to The Pentagon, Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
Pentagon Row offers 300,000 SF of retail space and 502 residential units
Four parks; Virginia Highlands Park, Grace Murray Hopper Memorial Park; Metropolitan Park and Prospect Hill Park
Pentagon City’s Metro station

Coming Soon

Ballston

Ballston-Virginia Square are urban villages that share borders, amenities + a civic association, but claim separate and distinct histories and identities.

Virginia Square

Busy business district
Mixture of residential options
Parks with picnic areas and athletic fields
Main branch of the Arlington Public Library
Arlington Arts Center
Campuses of George Mason University and The George Washington University
Virginia Square Metro station

Ballston

High-density housing
Local farmer’s market
Retail and restaurants
MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Ballston Metro station

Coming Soon

Rosslyn

Urban village and unincorporated area on a bluff above the Potomac River
The neighborhood includes North Rosslyn and Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights
Fortune 500 companies, national media outlets and government contractors
Retail, entertainment and dining scene
Green public spaces
Cycling and walking trails; Custis Trail, Mount Vernon Trail, Potomac Heritage Trail

Coming Soon

Lyon Park

Neighborhood and historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003
Among the first Arlington County suburbs
Wide variety of architectural styles, including1920’s Craftsman-style bungalows to Colonial Revival-style buildings dating from the 1930s and ‘40s
Three parks; Lyon Park, Clay Park and Fillmore Park
Excellent access to Clarendon Metro

Coming Soon

Potomac Yard

Part of National Landing
Straddles SE Arlington County + NE Alexandria
Shopping center, mixed-use development
Detached + attached SFH and condos
Virginia Tech Innovation Campus
Potomac Yard Metro station
24-acre Potomac Yard Park

Coming Soon

East Falls Church

East Falls Church is an urbanburb in West Arlington County. Part of the Falls Church, Fairfax County neighborhood for 60+ years, East Falls Church was reincorporated into Arlington County in 1936
Metro stop opened in 1986
Single-family homes, townhouses, condos and rental apartments near the East Falls Church Metro station
W&OD and Custis Bike Trails, Benjamin Banneker Park, East Falls Church Park, Madison Manor Park and Tuckahoe Park.

Shirlington

Created from a 27-acre former shopping center
Mix of single-family homes, townhouses and apartments that extend into Alexandria City
Active, street-front retail center
Public plaza and public art spaces
Two parks; Shirlington Park + Shirlington Dog Park

Coming Soon

Westover

Urban village between Ballston Metro Station and East Falls Church Station
Plotted in 5 phases, and built between 1939 and 1957
Keene’s Addition and Mason’s Addition followed
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006, Westover Historic District contains 383 contributing buildings and one contributing site
Single family homes, twin houses, duplexes, and garden-style apartment buildings. Detached homes in a variety of architectural styles typical for Arlington County
Weekly farmer’s market
Westover Park

Alexandria

Independent Alexandria City is nationally recognized for its rich history and beautifully preserved 18th and 19th century architecture. In Old Town, Alexandria’s famous historic district, blocks of quaint historic homes line brick and cobblestone streets. Storybook stuff. The King Street Mile business district features 200+ independent restaurants, galleries and boutiques, historic museums. There’s always something new, and old favorites don’t disappoint.

The waterfront was reinvented between 2011 and expansion of that renovation continues today. But in 2018 it really came into its own as the tall ship “Providence” arrived and Waterfront Park opened with a public art installation. That feature changes every year, and it’s a social media hot spot. Torpedo Factory art center offers galleries with work by local artists, and maker studios. There’s also sidewalk entertainment, and an expansive marina with dining venues both on and aside the Potomac.

Recognized as one of the most charming downtowns in the U.S. How could you get bored?

The King Street Metro Station serves Old Town and surrounding neighborhoods.

Throughout Alexandria City, you’ll find neighborhoods filled with homes of nearly every type, size and architectural style.

Find your place in one of Northern Virginia’s most popular neighborhoods. Old Town, Taylor Run, Del Ray and Rosemont offer exceptional lifestyles and unique characteristics in the Alexandria housing market. Select a neighborhood to learn more:

Taylor Run

Detached single family homes
Generous lot sizes
Parks
Schools
Sense of community
Proximity to Metro & Amtrak

Old Town

Picturesque
Historic rowhomes
Proximity to waterfront
Shopping and dining
Trolley
Proximity to Metro & Amtrak

Del Ray

Artsy
Wonderful mix of home styles
Proximity to Potomac Station
Shopping and dining
Saturday farmer’s market
Unique shops and dining

Rosemont

Small town feel
Tree-lined strees
Craftsman, Arts & Crafts and bungalow homes
Pivotal location
Access to two Metro stations

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