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“Rivana at Innovation Station” To Seek Approval Next Week

A group of developers will seek approval next week for the first phase of a development that will straddle the Loudoun-Fairfax county line in what would be one of the biggest projects in the D.C. region. “Rivana at Innovation Station” will be a mixed-use development near the Innovation Center Metro station, and, as planned, will eventually include 4.4 million square feet of development. The area, bounded by Route 28, the Dulles Toll Road and Innovation Avenue, could eventually support up to 9 million square feet of development.Continue reading

Northern Virginia’s homes and condos for walkers

The area outside the Springfield station
There is plenty of parking at the Franconia Springfield Metro Station.
Are you seeking a condo or home that is friendly to a car-free or car-lite lifestyle? If so, you might want to check out our property search by Walkscore.  Walkscore is a numeric rating of how near sites, restaurants and transit are for a given address.  A Walkscore more than 70 is very walkable, while a Walkscore under 40 pretty much requires that a resident here own a car.  What follows are the "most walkable" homes and condos on sale today in Northern VA.

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We also provide links to homes near the metro.

  • Julie Nesbitt

    Julie Nesbitt
    Julie Nesbitt knows the back trails and by-ways of Northern Virginia real estate.

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  • Enjoying Winkler Botanical Preserve

    We had a great time walking the trails. 

    Read More

  • Don’t take chances with real estate.

  • REDUCED: 7202 Churchill Rd, McLean

    Open House, Sunday, 1-4 BIG PRICE DROP! 7202 CHURCHILL ROADMcLean, VA 221016 Bedrooms5.5 Bathrooms6,752 SF $1,695,000

    Read More

  • Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services

    Fairfax County
    Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond…

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Convenient walkable Real Estate in Alexandria

Nesbitt Realty offers buying, selling, renting, and property management at (703) 765 0300 to purchase convenient walkable Real Estate. Convenient walkable Real Estate in Alexandria is near Walgreens, Rite-Aid, CVS, 7-11, and more, at many locations! Alexandria has many walkable and convenient neighborhoods. For example, some walkable convenient neighborhoods in Alexandria are Belle Haven, Bucknell Manor, Belle View, Huntington, Bucknell, and more!

Tips for picking the right neighborhood

homes in Bucknell range from renovated to rebuilt
Old growth neighborhood
When considering a potential new residence it's important to think about the neighborhood and surrounding amenities that are close by. Make a list of all of the amenities or services that are nearby or close to the neighborhood and track how long it takes as well as what routes you might use to get to each. You can also check the Walk Score of a neighborhood for a short-hand look at convenience. Next, decide what the best characteristics of the neighborhoods are and determine what you like about them. Making a list of each neighborhood you are considering can be particularly helpful later when comparing different localities. Some things to ask yourself include:
  • Do the people in the surrounding neighborhood seem friendly?
  • Are the neighboring residences clean or well-kept? (e.g. yards and streets nearby)
  • Are there parks or other recreational facilities close by or within minimal driving distance?
  • Is the area scenic and/or visually appealing?
  • Are there trees and similar foliage lining the streets and in neighboring yards?
  • Are the streets well lit and do the sidewalks provide easy access?
  • Do you feel safe in the neighborhood and would you feel safe walking after dark?
  • Are there other houses for sale nearby?
  • What is the history about the community and how it developed?
    Husband and wife walk in Del Ray
    Husband and wife walk in Del Ray
  • Do you see families and children in the surrounding residences?
  • What is the proximity to schools and your place of work?
  • Does the community and neighborhood seem active and/or engaged?
  • What is the median age-range of those who live in the neighborhood?
Finally, really spend some time walking around and observing the neighborhood you're considering. When trying to determine the safety, cleanliness and personality of a specific neighborhood, simply spending some honest time getting to know the area and meeting or talking to some of its residents is your best bet! For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.

What does a property’s Walk Score score mean?

Will and Julie Nesbitt cross the street in Shirlington
Will and Julie Nesbitt cross the street in Shirlington
Walk Score helps people find walkable places to live. Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. Walk Score promises to measure how easy it is to live a car-lite lifestyle---not how pretty the area is for walking. Each home listed for sale is given a Walk Score. That number is between 0 and 100. Here are general guidelines for interpreting your score:
  • 90–100 = Walkers' Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished on foot and many people can get by without owning a car.
  • 70–89 = Very Walkable: It's possible to get by without owning a car.
  • 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable: Some stores and amenities are within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.
  • 25–49 = Car-Dependent: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.
  • 0–24 = Car-Dependent (Driving Only): Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!

Walk Score isn't perfect ...

Home buyers need to be aware that Walk Score is just an approximation of walkability.
An evening of Fall in Del Ray
Walking to a restaurant on a Fall evening in Del Ray
For example, the Skyline communities of Falls Church generally have a higher Walk Score than the New Alexandria community of Belle View. River Towers has pleasant tree-lined walkways with easy access to neighborhood shops, parks, libraries, the Potomac. Skyline Square is convenient as can be, but broad and busy 4 lane roads make walking inconvenient, if not dangerous. But River Towers doesn't score as high on Walk Score as Skyline Square. So, there are a number of factors that contribute to walkability that are not part of the algorithm used to calculate Walk Score:
  • Public transit: Good public transit is important for walkable neighborhoods. Not to fear: you can also search for homes near a metro station.
  • Street width and block length: Narrow streets slow down traffic. Short blocks provide more routes to the same destination and make it easier to take a direct route.
  • Street design: Sidewalks and safe crossings are essential to walkability. Appropriate automobile speeds, trees, and other features also help.
  • Safety from crime and crashes: How much crime is in the neighborhood? How many traffic accidents are there? Are streets well-lit?
  • Pedestrian-friendly community design: Are buildings close to the sidewalk with parking in back? Are destinations clustered together?
  • Topography: Hills can make walking difficult, especially if you're carrying groceries.
  • Freeways and bodies of water: Freeways can divide neighborhoods. Swimming is harder than walking.
  • Weather: In some places it's just too hot or cold to walk regularly.
    Will and Julie
    Walking near Cameron Mews in Old Town Alexandria
Thus, the tools on our site are a great starting point in your search for homes and neighborhoods of Northern Virginia, but there really is no substitute for your Condo Alexandria realtor. We know the areas and neighborhoods where you want to live and we can really help you sort to the wheat from the chaff.

Downsizing Baby Boomers Head to Urban Areas

Home prices in urban areas have not fallen by as much the last few years as they have in the suburbs. And prices in urban areas are recovering much faster too, according to John McLain of the Urban Land Institute. Why? Some say it’s because of new moving patterns among the baby-boomer generation. walk-friendly An increasing number of baby boomers are reportedly leaving their big homes in the suburbs and heading to urban areas for retirement, drawn by walkability, proximity to public transportation, diversity, and being closer to their children. "[Boomers] want to buy something that's secure, and it's been pretty well demonstrated that suburban housing is not as secure an asset as anyone thought it was or that it used to be," McClain said. Developers are taking note of the trend and beefing up construction in urban centers. Condos and apartments near downtown areas are popping up to accommodate more baby boomers. The nation’s largest home builders are still investing in active-adult communities in the suburbs but confidence in the sector has been recovering at a much slower rate than the overall housing market, according to the National Association of Home Builders. "The idea of living out in the suburbs, just with older people, has really disappeared," McClain says. Source: “Boomers to Blame for Rising Urban Home Prices,” CNBC (April 13, 2013)

  • Julie Nesbitt

    Julie Nesbitt
    Julie Nesbitt knows the back trails and by-ways of Northern Virginia real estate.

    Read More

  • Enjoying Winkler Botanical Preserve

    We had a great time walking the trails. 

    Read More

  • Don’t take chances with real estate.

  • REDUCED: 7202 Churchill Rd, McLean

    Open House, Sunday, 1-4 BIG PRICE DROP! 7202 CHURCHILL ROADMcLean, VA 221016 Bedrooms5.5 Bathrooms6,752 SF $1,695,000

    Read More

  • Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services

    Fairfax County
    Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond…

    Read More

Looking for a Walkable Neighborhood in Old Town?

Old Town Commons is a series of town houses that cover 5 city blocks. Old Town Commons is located at the intersection of North Columbus Street and Madison Street. This is a great location with walkable features, and metro access. Old Town has several parks, a basketball court, volleyball court, and scenic waterfront views. The address is 735 N. Alfred Street Alexandria, VA 22314735. Old Town Commons is conveniently close to shopping in Old Town. Old Town Commons is also close to the shopping area at Potomac Yard. These town homes feature rooftop terraces, garage parking, and professional landscaping. Old Town Commons is a short commute to Washington D.C.

Properties in

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See Homes in Alexandria
Explore homes in Alexandria
$address
See Homes in Arlington
Explore homes in Arlington
$address
See Homes in Fairfax County
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Walk Score includes public transportation!

Walk Score helps people find walkable places to live. Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. Walk Score attempts to numerically measure how easy it is to live a car-lite lifestyle---not how pretty the area is for walking. If you're looking for a walkable area, check out what Condo-Alexandria.com can do:
  1. Search by Walk Score. Now this is cool. You can decide what your minimum walkable criteria is when you search for properties.
  2. Sort by Walk Score. If you can search by Walk Score, you should be able to sort by Walk Score too. Just click in the "sort by" box at the top of the results and choose "Walk Score, Highest First" to order the search results from highest to lowest Walk Score.
  3. View the Walk Score in both the search results and property details. Every time you search for property you'll find out just how walkable the area is!
  4. View the Walk Score tile. When you click on the "Walk Score" link at the top-right of the property details area, you’ll see the Walk Score tile that shows all of the amenities that are factored into the score.
We hope you'll enjoy using Walk Score as much as we enjoyed building it into our system. We're really excited to say that we’re one of the first providers of this type of functionality. We spent quite some time on the UI for this feature in order to make everyone happy. And in case you haven't heard, Walk Score just improved its usefulness. Previous versions of Walk Score did not include public transportation. That is to say, a property next door to a metro station had no higher Walk Score than a property far from public transportation. Well, that's all changed now! Our latest enhancement adds mass transit to the Walk Score calculations. See for yourself now.