Last week all anyone could talk about was the winter storm of the millennium. In Northern Virginia the estimates of projected snowfall were almost cartoonish. The storm coming into the area was to have an impact on several states and this usually means shutting down function of the streets or highways.
On Friday the 22nd of January things in the office were quiet and people ended up leaving early to get home before the beginning of the ultimate snow storm. It was to begin about noon time and came almost exactly and hour later. The snowfall began then and continued until midnight on Saturday.
The interesting thing about this snow is that it was combined with an intense wind that didn't subside until the end of the snowfall. Only for about an hour was the snow thick and fluffy. For the most part it was just light and airy. It was consistent, though. It didn't stop falling for that whole time of a day and a half. It seemed interesting that it piled up as it did, being so light and seemingly tame. The worst thing about the storm during that period was the intense wind (23-43mph) that howled and whistled endlessly.
Snow in Alexandria
When it all stopped, totals of snowfall in Virginia were reported to be between 13-33inches. Some variations will be seen in other areas, but it was difficult to measure with the drifts everywhere.
The point of all of this is that truly I expected things to be much worse. On Sunday morning all of the roads were plowed here in Alexandria and driving was no problem. On Monday morning more salt was put down and some streets are now completely cleared down to the asphalt.
Hats off to the workers who put in their time to make things safe for us. This city of Alexandria truly knows how to handle this weather.
If you're looking to come here and find out for yourself, follow my guide below and check out the listings as well.
Real Estate and Neighborhoods of Alexandria, VA
Alexandria dates back to the colonial era and many of the neighborhoods of Alexandria reflect that heritage. However, Alexandria is also home to newer and relatively new neighborhoods like the Carlyle District and Kingstowne. To learn more about these or other neighborhoods in Alexandria VA, surf through the tabs here.
Alexandria is a highly livable city with enviable amenities, culture and attractions. The Commonwealth of Virginia considers Alexandria an "independent city" which means that Alexandria is not in any county. However, parts of Northern Virginia have an Alexandria postal address, but are actually in Fairfax County. All this can be confusing for newcomers to the area, but we try to simplify this in our guide by organizing things so they make sense for the home buyer.
You won't have to be a Virginia jurisdictional authority to find the home you want to buy, but start here for a primer on Alexandria.
Have you ever been curious about the history of modern architecture? If so, one sight in particular may satisfy at least part of this thirst for knowledge.
courtesy of Pinterest.com
In Alexandria, Virginia, just off Route 1 (Richmond Highway), is architect Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House (https://savingplaces.org/places/pope-leighey#.VqEnb1Jun4s) Closed for tours until March 2016, this destination will open your eyes to many architectural innovations. Many of these firsts of design were quickly adapted throughout the country upon its construction in 1939.
"Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union." - Frank Lloyd Wright.
If you're looking to re-locate to this area, follow the guide below and look at the listings included as well.
Click Alexandria to search homes and condos for sale in Alexandria VA. Or check out one of these neighborhoods in Alexandria VA:
Bucknell Manor is a subdivision in Alexandria located in Fairfax County. Housing is primarily cape code style homes and a portion is also duplexes. Belle View Shopping Center is roughly 1 mile away to the east. Beacon hill mall is also about a mile away to the west.
Mount Vernon RECreation Center borders the neighborhood as well as Martha Washington Library. Mount Vernon District Park is on the outskirts of this subdivision. Biking paths are convenient and provide a great avenue for exercise.
The Huntington Metro is only a few short bus stops away. Bucknell sits parallel to the George Washington Parkway. Commuting to DC and other parts of Alexandria is easy and convenient.
Farrington Condominium Community is a small housing group located in Alexandria. The complex is made up of four separate buildings containing a variety of one, two, and three bedroom units. This condominium community is great for first time buyers and is one of the few places that property can be purchased in Northern Virginia for under $200k. Farrington Condominiums offer all the conveniences of living in Alexandria while avoiding some of those high prices you may find in other developments in Alexandria. This community is located less then a mile away from major high way access and is walking distance to the Huntington Metro. making Farrington Condominiums a commuters dream location.
Installing storm doors and windows can increase energy efficiency by up to 45%. Sealing drafts and reducing air flow will save money on heat needed thru out your home. Storm windows can make a huge difference when cold drafts come in.
Insulating your pipes will save money on the energy needed to heat your hot water. This can also reduce the chances of pipes freezing and causing a big headache. Most hardware stores sell pre-slit pipe foam and is easy to install.
Replacing your filters will increase efficiency of your furnace. Typically filters are replaced every 3 to 4 months, but I recommend in the winter to replace every 4-6 weeks. 5-15% on your heating bill can be saved with clean filters and will ad up to a considerable amount over time.
Cleaning your gutters is vital when snow and hail come into town. Ice and snow will pool on your roof and in your gutters if not cleaned prior to winter, . Pooling snow and ice can cause potential water damage to the roof. Heating your home will cost more if your roof is covered in snow and ice.
A Christmas tree shines in the night in Old Town Alexandria
Looking to buy in Alexandria for under 300k? This may seem like an impossible task, until you hear about Potowmack Crossing. Potowmack Crossing Condominium Community located right outside of historic Old Town Alexandria may be a good place to start your search. The community is made up of under 100 units composed of one and two bedroom units. The one bedroom units begin in the low $200’s and the two bedroom units begin in the mid $200’s.
Why Potowmack Crossing? This condominium community has everything to offer. This location is a commuters dream and provides easy access to the George Washington Parkway, I-395, Route 1, and is within a mile of the Braddock Road Metro Station. The community itself features a pool, fitness center, and is located right off of the George Washington Trail. In addition to the community amenities each unit has laundry in unit and additional storage is included.
Midtown Alexandria Station is a high-rise condominium community that is located in Alexandria. The building was built in 2007 and houses over 350 residents. Midtown features a number of amenities for its residents and their guest. When you enter the building you are greeted by the 24-hour concierge service and welcome area. Inside the building you will find a fitness club, cyber café, entertainment room, and an outdoor pool. Inside of the individual units you will find hardwood floors, granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances.
In addition to what the building has to offer, Midtown Station Alexandria is a commuters dream. Midtown has access to major highways such as I-495, I-95 and US-1. Want to commute without a car? With the building being located across the street from Huntington Metro Station it allows for easy access to the train and bus system. Looking for a life of conveniences? Look no further.
Featured Properties For Sale at Midtown Alexandria
tipClean- The most obvious is cleaning. As much as you enjoy leaving your dirty laundry scattered everywhere and the dirty dishes piled up in the sink, cleaning is unavoidable. Hiring cleaners is often the best solution. Professional cleaners will scrub and clean the places you will easily overlook. The better your property shows, the easier it will sell.
Landscaping- The yard and the exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see. Removing weeds, dead branches and making sure downspouts are functioning correctly are relatively inexpensive tasks that will do wonders on the first impression of your home. If you're thinking of moving next spring, (then) this winter, you should be working on your landscaping.
Paint- Painting your home in a neutral color that appears to a broad audience will help purchasers envision themselves in your home. Auburn red might look great to you, but it has the potential to turn off buyers.
De-clutter- It might be tough to let go of some items you have lying around your home. De-cluttering your home will give the impression of more space and give a more desirable impression.
Do you like ribs?
Not everyone likes the juicy, sloppy, fun of eating ribs, but I do. Here in the Alexandria, Virginia area, there are many choices for the rib dining, but today let's focus on two. I have not been here very long, therefore I haven't had the opportunity to be too selective about my dining experiences. What I have for you is a comparison between two rib joints that claim to have delicious food.
Now, let's begin by laying down the base line understanding that taste is relative. No problem. This discussion is two-fold. I will be comparing taste (my opinions) and also service in these two establishments.
The two restaurants in question today are:
Shane's Rib Shack
Famous Dave's
The first of these two I found on my way to Bed, Bath and Beyond one day and I have been back a few times. The atmosphere is casual, clean and inviting. The staff inside the facility have always been top notch with me. Their friendly treatment is what made me come back the second time and so on. The reason to keep coming back is the food. The ribs are absolutely delicious and need no extra sauce, but if desired, their sauces are very good as well. The sides that they offer are not only reasonably priced, but served in a good portion size. I'll be back.
I was told to go to Famous Dave's, because they have the best ribs. Cool, I thought. I was looking forward to this. I decided to finally go there, when I had the chance and I'm sorry that I did.
Famous Dave's is right on Route 1, in front of Lowe's, so it has good visibility. When I arrived, I walked in the Carry-Out side of the facility and the door slammed into my back, because the closer was broken. It kept hitting everyone that I saw while I was there. Bad sign already, I thought.
The girls at the counter who took my order, were confused, not really in control and had a long line of bags waiting to be picked up. These bags may have been for some of the people waiting, but they never checked until the customers ran out of patience, walked up and asked. Poor customer service was evident.
When I left with my food, I was excited to maybe have something good to think about this place. I didn't finish the meal and threw half of it out. The ribs were full of fat and the bones weren't whole, they were almost shattered inside the meat/fat content and it was a terrible fight to find meat. Finally, I gave up and ended the experiment.
Needless to say, Shane's Rib Shack will be seeing me again, someone else will not.
Are you close to Shane's and need a new place to dive into the yummy ribs? Use the key below to see if we can help.
Alexandria also has many condos for sale. We've taken the time to sort these by price as well. Check Alexandria condos for sale to find condos sorted by price.
Maybe, something here is just what you're looking for.
