Alexandria Homes and Condos for Sale
Alexandria is known for its charming historic architecture and lively present-day culture.
Alexandria became a port for tobacco warehouses in the early 18th century, and soon became a hub for that crop along with flour, sugar, cotton and wine. Today those riverfront warehouses and factories have given way to art studios, galleries, shops and restaurants.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Everything from urban areas to suburban spaces that are quiet.
The heart of Alexandria is its Old Town area, which contains the city's main streets and is filled with shops, restaurants, galleries and museums. However, many other neighborhoods exist within the city boundaries such as Del Ray which is known for its eclectic businesses and Potomac Yard which surrounds big-box retail centers.
On the Potomac River within eyesight of Washington, D.C., Alexandria, VA is nationally recognized for its rich history and beautifully preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture. Named a Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2021 by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the Best Small Cities on the Rise 2022 by Southern Living, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle—a welcoming weekend escape next to our nation’s capital.
Alexandria’s roots are traced back to 1669 which makes it one of the oldest settlements started by Europeans in North America. George Washington himself was born on the Northern Neck in Westmoreland County but moved to Mount Vernon in 1759. The rich history of Alexandria has been well preserved in museums as well as in original homes and buildings. Two of the most famous museums are Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. The George Washington Masonic National Memorial is also a big one, founded in tribute to the country’s first President.
The residents of Alexandria put much thought and care into preserving the original buildings in their city, whether they are museums or private homes.
A nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria is home to more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques alongside intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront, making it the perfect home base for your D.C. vacation and an unforgettable getaway of its own.
The historic center of Alexandria is known as the Old Town. It’s a collection of restaurants, boutiques, antique shops, and theaters and it’s a popular place for people who live in Alexandria as well as visitors. This is the cultural center of Alexandria and is known for its cobblestone-lined streets and historical significance. Old Town is very condensed so you can find more than 100 retail stores on the iconic King Street which leads to the waterfront. If you’re in Old Town, you have to check out the Old Town Farmers Market! It’s one of the nation’s oldest and you can buy some of the freshest fruits and veggies.
Largely because of Alexandria’s old, rich history, the city is full of churches, especially historical ones. Saint Mary Catholic Church, established in 1795 is Virginia’s oldest Catholic parish. The Washington and Lee families both worshiped at Christ Church and the Old Presbyterian Meeting House dates back to the early 18th century. The area’s first black Baptist church, the Alfred Street Baptist Church, opened in 1818. If you’re religious or simply enjoy the historical significance, you’ll find a church in Alexandria.
THE LIFESTYLE
This area has a more traditional feel than the areas across the river.
Old Town and Del Rey are great areas for shopping and dining, as well as for waterfront marinas with some of the best sailboats and motor craft in the area. Children can play in the parks by the water, where runners and bikers can use Mt Vernon trail to travel between Reagan National Airport and George Washington's Mount Vernon estate 10 miles south.
Alexandria, VA, is a fantastic fit for commuters or anyone looking to live in a small-city environment that's just outside of Washington, D.C. Alexandria is conveniently located just seven miles and a short subway ride south of D.C., making it an attractive commuter suburb for its approximately 157,000 residents.
There is a large population of professionals who live there that work in the U.S. military, federal civil service, or for a private company that contracts for the federal government. If you’re looking for a place with small-town charm with big-city services, Alexandria county could be the place for you! The city also has a fascinating history and many of its historic buildings are still preserved today.
Alexandria has a wide variety of ethnic residents who live there. The Scottish community will be more obvious due to their attire, but there are also many from Latin America as well as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Pakistan. Residents in Alexandria love celebrating different cultures!
The Alexandria Irish Festival is every August in Waterfront Park. The Vietnamese community puts on Vietfest in August at Landmark Mall. There is also an Armenian Festival and the Good Shepherd Catholic Church’s annual Labor Day weekend International Festival.
Alexandria has been ranked high on the list of the nation’s healthiest communities, barely scoring lower than Arlington. Many people who live in the D.C. area are generally nature lovers and conscious of their health. Alexandria has more than 900 acres of outdoor parks, picnic grounds, dog parks, hiking & walking trails, and botanical preserves. Mount Vernon Trail is a scenic 17-mile hike or bike along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Huntley Meadows is a wildlife preserve that contains some of Virginia’s most beautiful wildlife and wetlands. Fort Scott Park is 12 acres of nature trails and Lyon Village Park is two acres with tennis, basketball, and a playground. There is no shortage of outdoor activities in Alexandria!
Alexandria has quite a collection of diverse neighborhoods. That’s why, when people talk about living in Alexandria, they have to specify by neighborhood instead of the entire city itself. You can find a more suburban feel, like Rosemont, or you live in a more urban environment by choosing Old Town or Del Ray.
WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
Tall skyscrapers
Much of the city is a historical area, so don’t expect a huge amount of skyscrapers. Many areas of the city are protected from new developments, so it will seem less modern than other parts of the DMV.
THE MARKET
There are many different types of houses in the 17th century: row houses, colonial style homes, modest bungalows, revival mansions and modern condos.
The most expensive real estate in Alexandria can be found near the river in Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont and Seminary Hill. Condo living is available close to the metro at Carlyle and Eisenhower East for those who are looking for more affordable prices. Alexandria is one of the most expensive places to live in Virginia. Housing is by far the highest expense if you live in the city. The median home cost is about $542,000 compared to the state’s average of $258,000. If you’re renting in Alexandria, studio apartments go for about $1,665 per month and one to two bedrooms average $1,700-$2,560. Transportation is also slightly more expensive than the rest of Virginia. However, you may save a little money when it comes to health care and utilities which are slightly more affordable in Alexandria compared to the U.S. average.
Homes in the D.C. area have been popular for a while now and property values continue to increase as more people move to the area. Now that Amazon is making progress on their new headquarters and other companies do the same, the prices will only get higher. Even though the properties in Alexandria are already expensive, it means you’ll likely get a great return on your investment later in life when it’s time to sell!
YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH
The riverfront parks, leafy streets and urban/suburban mix make the city expansive.
Even though Old Town may be expensive, its trails and parks are still a draw for residents of nearby neighborhoods. People come to the area mostly to shop at the weekly farmer's market, but there are also quiet restaurants and many independent boutiques that make it worth lingering awhile.
If you love food, you’ll love Alexandria, Virginia. The city is full of favorites that have been around for a while - like Magnolia’s on King for brunch. It’s also a city that constantly has new restaurants popping up. Warehouse in Old Town serves prime steaks and fresh seafood in a historic building, or you could try their Sunday brunch. Viola’s Dockside Grill is also in Old Town with a casual menu and seating that overlooks the marina. Make sure you try Lena’s Woodfired Pizza as well! Lord of the Rings fans can also get excited and stop into Bilbo Baggins Restaurant. They opened in 1981 complete with hobbit hole murals and menu items like Bilbo’s Burger, Frodo’s French Toast, Lord of the Rings chocolate cake and so much more. Alexandria is the place to be for artists and those who love art. One of the major attractions in the city is the unique Torpedo Factory Art Center. The building was originally constructed by the U.S. Navy for the construction of torpedoes a century ago. The factory was shut down in 1964 after WWII and was acquired by the Art League of Alexandria in 1974. Now it’s occupied by more than 165 artists’ studios and several galleries, an art school, a cafe, and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. It’s always open to the public so residents can watch people create their art and buy it directly from the artist! There is also the P&C Art Gallery, the Del Ray Artisans Gallery, and several city art festivals every year.
Since Alexandria is located along the Potomac River, the city has gorgeous waterfront views and opportunities for biking, hiking, walking, or boating along the river. If you aren’t into that, you can also eat along the river and enjoy the views. Chart House Restaurant and Waterfront Market are just two dining options along the river. Don’t own a boat? You could also take a ride with Potomac Belle Charters or the Potomac Riverboat Company.
Like many parts of Virginia, you’ll see all four seasons in Alexandria. The city has an average of 200 sunny days, 40 inches of rain a year, and about 15 inches of snow. Residents love June to early October the most because the temperatures are between 65 and 80 degrees. The Spring and Fall are also scenic in Alexandria. In Spring, you will see the cherry blossoms and other local flowers blooming while Fall will bring beautiful red, gold, and orange colors. Summer is a bit hot and humid, especially because of the city’s location near the water. During July, temperatures have reached upwards of 88 degrees. It’s definitely a mild-tempered city to live in and one to enjoy if you love seeing all four seasons!
Even though Alexandria is known as a “healthy” city, the residents there still love their desserts. You have to try Pop’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream which specializes in old-time soda fountain classics like banana splits, hot fudge sundaes, root beer floats, and egg creams. They also make their own ice cream! Or, check out Buzz Bakery. There’s the ICB - a booze/cake mashup flavored with Guinness and Baileys Irish Cream.
Alexandria is 5 miles south of Washington, D.C. a water taxi ride away from the National Harbor, and a bike ride from Mount Vernon.
