Living In: Arlington County, VA
Clarendon-Courthouse, Cherrydale, Donaldson Run, East Falls Church, National Landing. These are just several of the nearly 60 different neighborhoods/civic associations located throughout Arlington County, VA.
One of Washington D.C.’s closest and most convenient suburbs, Arlington County (referred to simply as Arlington, VA) is home to over 236,000 residents. Arlington was originally included in the ten-mile square surveyed to form the Nation’s Capital. Until 1847, Arlington and a portion of adjacent Alexandria City were known as Alexandria County, District of Columbia. In 1847, at the request of the residents, Congress retroceded Alexandria County to the Commonwealth of Virginia. To prevent confusion between the two jurisdictions, Alexandria County was renamed Arlington County in 1920. The name Arlington was chosen in honor of General Robert E. Lee’s home of that name, located on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. In 1922, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that Arlington is a continuous, contiguous, and homogeneous entity that cannot be subdivided or annexed by neighboring jurisdictions.
Today, the Arlington County government exercises both city and county functions.
Arlington has experienced unprecedented growth over the past several decades. It is often lauded for being a model of smart growth (being recognized in 2002 with the EPA’s National Award for Smart Growth) and remains committed today to an overall development plan that encourages a mix of building types and uses, diverse housing and transportation options, development within existing neighborhoods, and community engagement. Some of these communities include:
Clarendon-Courthouse. Many consider this vibrant neighborhood to be the epicenter of Arlington. With countless restaurants, bars, stores, and recreation choices, it is a favorite location for residents to gather after business hours and on the weekend. Clarendon-Courthouse offers a great mixture of high-rise condominiums, luxury townhomes, and single-family residences.
Cherrydale. Located in the northern part of the county, Cherrydale is a small, family-oriented neighborhood that offers older homes filled with character and modern conveniences. Homebuyers will find a few townhomes and condos in this neighborhood.
Donaldson Run. Located only minutes from Washington, D.C., this secluded neighborhood consists of luxury properties tucked amongst hilly, tree-lined streets and sloping landscapes. The Donaldson Run stream runs through the neighborhood from Marymount University to Potomac Overlook Regional Park and the Potomac River.
East Falls Church. Located in the far western corner of the county adjacent to the City of Falls Church, this charming neighborhood consists of single-family Colonials and new construction Craftsman-style homes. Though not the most walkable neighborhood in Arlington County, many of the major regional roads—I-66, Washington Boulevard, and Lee Highway—are easily accessible to the community. In addition, it is home to the East Falls Church Metro stop, the final metro stop in Arlington County for the orange and silver lines.
National Landing. Located directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., National Landing is poised to become the DC metro region’s premier mixed-use urban community. Made up of three thriving neighborhoods—Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Potomac Yard—National Landing is defined by its dynamic blend of office space, diverse housing options, cultural attractions, indoor and outdoor recreation, and plentiful green space. Please see Living In: National Landing for more details.
Though each of Arlington’s numerous neighborhoods offers a unique lifestyle and housing choices, one thing that all the communities enjoy is a high quality of living. Arlington boasts some of the top public schools in the nation and is home to centers of higher education including Marymount University, Virginia Tech Research Center, and George Washington University’s Arlington Education Center. The county is serviced by four Metro lines: Blue, Orange, Silver, and Yellow. Arlington County also offers a network of user-friendly trails, dedicated lanes, and routes for cyclists who choose to commute to work or ride for leisure.
Please contact me today to learn more about each of Arlington’s unique neighborhoods.