Living in Alexandria, VA

Explore the Old Town during the day with its assortment of boutique stores, theaters, and antique shops. Here you'll find grand townhouses from the 18th and early-19th centuries lining the west bank of the Potomac River. This shimmering mass of water, the fourth-largest on the Atlantic coast, is popular with fishermen and boaters. With children's playground and riverside vistas, nearby Windmill Hill Park is the perfect spot for a picnic. Don't forget to visit the Lyceum either, which is less than a mile away. This museum, built in 1839 and famous for its impressive Greek Revival architecture, retells the history of Alexandria, Virginia, from Colonial times through to the modern day.

Later on, head over to King Street, Old Town's main street, and catch some live jazz. Alexandria's convenient mid-coast location made it a popular haunt for some of the most famous artists in the genre, a tradition that continues today.

Spread throughout 159 neighborhoods, Alexandria real estate is a mixture of pre-Revolutionary War homes, Georgian homes, and contemporary 21st-century architecture. The city straddles old and new perfectly. Alexandria celebrates its past—historic streets like Duke Street, Queen Street, and Prince Street are named after royalty and statesmen—but looks firmly to the future. Homes for sale in Alexandria, including semi-detached, row, and single-family houses, come with smaller price tags than properties in nearby Washington D.C.

Alexandria is populated by professionals working in the military, federal civil service, and private companies that provide services to the government. The U.S. Department of Defense, Institute for Defense Analyses, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office are among the city's largest employers. You'll find Alexandria, VA, is a pedestrian-friendly city best explored at a slow pace, but if you want to travel further, hop on Washington Metro's Blue Line that transports you from King St Station to the beating heart of Washington D.C. without breaking a sweat. Alternatively, consider cycling activities, since there are many cyclist-friendly neighborhoods and twisting trails to be discovered in Alexandria.