If you want to live in close proximity to the Potomac River and the George Washington Parkway, it's tough to beat Villamay. Homes here are larger, mostly brick and they are sited on lots that are generally in excess of 15,000 sqft. Many of these homes, particularly those on Park Terrace have excellent views of the Potomac, overlooking the Parkway and beyond to Maryland.
Alexandria is an independent city. Alexandria is not part of any county and the city government performs the functions of the county government.
The George Washington Masonic Memorial at night
Many homes with an Alexandria address are not in Alexandria at all. A large number of homes with Alexandria addresses are found in Southern Fairfax County.
Alexandria is a historical city with roots reaching back to the colonial era. Many historical figures (like George Washington and Robert E. Lee) lived, worked and played in Alexandria.
Alexandria VA is served by the Yellow and Blue Lines of the Metro and by Amtrak and the Virginia Railway Express.
Depending on whether the home is inside or outside the City of Alexandria, Alexandria homes are served by either the Alexandria City public schools or the Fairfax County public school system.
Nesbitt Realty is a family-operated brokerage serving Alexandria and Northern VA.
1. Metro is great for getting to various metro stations in Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Many people use the metro to commute into DC daily.
2. Bus routes offer transportation to highly trafficked areas that might not be covered by the metro. Buses come more frequently in the morning and are usually on an hourly schedule in the evenings.
3. Train useful for longer distance travel to different parts of Virginia as well as different parts of the United States.
4. Plane Ronald Reagan National Airport is a transportation hub for many people in Northern Virginia flying out to different parts of the world.
5. Scooter fuel efficient, easy to find parking for, minimal paperwork involved, and fun to ride.
6. Bicycle green, healthy, and in some ways cheaper then the other modes of transportation listed above. Many neighborhoods in Arlington and Alexandria are bicycle friendly.
7. Walking green, healthy, and free.
8. Boat good for fishing, relaxing on the Potomac River after leaving a marina, or just taking the Potomac Riverboat to a Nationals game.
9. Taxi can be expensive, but great for going out to explore nightlife.
This path offers trails that go into the woods
Going down the escalator to Ballston Metro
Ronald Reagan Airport is close to Old Town which has many bars on King St.
Map of Virginia trains
Ronald Reagan Airport is close to Old Town which has several parks
Archives Metro stop in DC
Some of the scooters for sale at HP Mopeds
Inside the train
The Alexandria Amtrak Station is close to the King St. Metro
The Charthouse is at waterfront in Old Town Alexandria.
The story of Alexandria, especially Old Town, is rich in seafaring traditions. Alexandria is not really a great seaport anymore but yet and still many seagoing vessels---including pleasure boats, cruise liners, transport ships, tour ships and ships of war---ply the waters of the Potomac River and some of these vessels dock at the Alexandria Waterfront. Additionally, when the weather warms it is not uncommon to find thousands of residents and visitors can be found along the waterfront.
The dock at Old Town Alexandria VA
Because Alexandria has citizens and mariners in harms way, the the City of Alexandria Fire Department has developed the Marine Operations Team. to assist in the protection of citizens and mariners who use the various waterways in and adjacent to the city either for business or recreation. The City of Alexandria Marine Operations Team consists of 24 members and a Team Leader (Battalion Chief) trained and training as Marine Firefighters, Swift Water Rescue Technicians, Lifeguards, Boat Operators and Crewmembers.
Shown below is the Fireboat 201 Vigilant---a Class 'C' fireboat equipped with a 1500 gpm PTO pump and a full compliment of equipment as required by NFPA 1925. The Vigilant is a swift vessel capable of speeds greater than 40 knots. When needed, paramedics are deployed aboard Vigilant to give the vessel an Advanced Life Support capability.
Alexandria Fire Boat
The city also deploys two Zodiac all-weather inflatables are used by the Marine Operations Team to gain rapid access to persons in distress in the marine environment. They can also be utilized to assist members of the Hazardous Materials in deploying booms. Alexandria and other regional swift water rescue teams operate regardless of the environment or jurisdictional boundary.
Old Town Alexandria Art Festival
Old Town Alexandria is a vibrant community. Festivals and Farmers Market's are a common activity during the weekend. Weekends in Alexandria offer a wide variety of farmers markets, where Old Town's Market Square bustles with the same energy as the days when George Washington would send down his produce from Mount Vernon. Whereas Del Ray's market kicks in early Saturday mornings, the West End and Four Mile Run showcase their fresh goodies on Sundays. Find fresh flowers for your home or a jar of jam to take home as a creative souvenir; but first make sure you have enough room in your suitcase.
Alexandria’s “grandest” home, built in 1752. In 1755, five British governors met here to discuss the French and Indian War. They proposed taxation without representation which sparked the American Revolution.
Now a museum, the most cherished possession is a seven-foot handpumper purchased by George Washington for four hundred dollars.
Retaining it’s cobblestone street is Captains Row in the 100 block of Prince Street. Many captains’ lived here during the era of tall sailing ships.
The oldest house (restored) in Alexandria, built by William Ramsey a prominent Scottish merchant is now headquarters of Alexandria Tourist Council.
Sketch by John Moll
Sketch by John Moll
The land for Christ Church was given by the Alexander family. Construction began in 1767 and was completed in 1773. George Washington owned a pew and Robert E. Lee was confirmed here. Colonel James Wren of Falls Church was the Architect.
A mecca for social life for three centuries, restored and maintained by American Legion Post 24. George Washington is said to have recruited his first command here in 1754.
One of the oldest Apothecary shops in the nation established in 1792 and operated without interruption for one hundred and forty one years by five generations of the Stabler and Leadbeater families.
Located at Joyce Street and Army-Navy Drive, the Shops at Pentagon Row feature main stream fashion retailers and commercial restaurants as well as the Arlington Visitors Center. Shoppers can enjoy the charm of Main Street while shopping in an urban village setting. The Shops at Pentagon Row are located near Metro's Blue and Yellow Lines; near the Pentagon City Station. Pentagon Row boost the following retailers:
The Aquinas Montessori School is located in the Mount Vernon area of Alexandria, VA. Aquinas Montessori is a private school that serves 170 students in grades PK,K-6. The Aquinas Montessori School has male and female students in a coed environment and is nonsectarian in orientation. The school belongs to the Association Montessori International. The Aquinas Montessori School has less than 20 students for every full-time equivalent teacher.
The Westmoreland Terrance Condominiums are a garden-style, private entrance condo community located at 1314 North Fort Myer Drive along North Ode Street in Arlington, Virginia. Located just outside of the Rosslyn business district and the greater Courthouse Metro area, this sprawling condo community spans 4.2 acres and offers a quiet and more subtle living alternative compared to the surrounding metropolis. Built in 1947 and converted in 1982, the post-war cinder and brick facade buildings offer parking and storage amenities, and 8 out of every 10 condos features a private laundry facility.
The Westmoreland Terrace Condominiums house 149 condo units and there are 159 unassigned parking spaces available to its residents. Residents have a choice between one and two bedroom units, and the condos are also pet friendly, a rare feature compared to nearby residential communities. Finally, each unit features thick walls and a choice between red and white oak parquet floors.
The Westmoreland Terrace condos have anywhere between 14 and 16 units per building and the layout of the property captures the rich history of Arlington County. The surrounding acreage maintains many of the original trees that existed before the building was constructed, some in excess of 150 years old, and the property is reminiscent of an older, less urbanized ideal. The Westmoreland Terrace Condominiums boost a tucked-away feeling and yet the property is within several yards of US 50 and is only an 8 minute walk from the Rosslyn Metro station. The property is both well maintained and well managed. Through its consistent and quiet manner, this calm and peaceful condo community has thrived for over 60 years.