Living In Arlington: 8 Things You Need To Know

1. The real estate market is red hot

Thanks largely to the arrival of Amazon HQ2 and Microsoft, the property market in Arlington and surrounding areas are full of life — abundant in choice but fierce with the competition. Local Realtor Darren Robertson states that investors are particularly keen on condos near Metro stations, with a strong economy supported by a thriving job market, highly ranked universities, and international and national tourism.

Rent and appreciation values are high in Arlington, but nonetheless, homes and condos are selling quickly, and bidding wars are common. There’s also a particularly diverse selection in this area – anything from the big-city feel of condominiums along the Potomac River, to single-family homes or townhouses in quaint suburban neighborhoods.

Whatever you’re shopping for, buying in Arlington ideally requires a top-notch agent with area expertise to go to bat for you. Investors are So, find the right agent for you and don’t be too deterred – there is a lot of demand, yes, but listing figures remain healthy too and the effort warrants the rewards of living in this extraordinary location.

2. It takes great pride in its educational standards

Thanks to their high attendance and graduation rates, Arlington’s public schools have taken the top spot as the number one ranked public-school district in Virginia for two years straight.

Arlington is home to the well-respected University of Marymount, as well as being near Georgetown University, located across the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This is a highly educated area — in fact, according to the US Census Bureau, 75% of Arlington adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (the national average of degree-holding adults being 31%).

3. The traffic is nuts

With one of the worst congestion statistics in the country, the Washington D.C urban area is not for the impatient. Daily commuters cause this traffic to build up to spill over the Potomac into Arlington and honestly, it’s best to avoid it. Either that or factor your drive times into your day wisely and use that time to practice the mindful art of acceptance - or curse all your way home — yes, it really is that bad.

On the flip side, Arlington is great for walking and biking, with plenty of bike lanes and several Capital Bikeshare stations dotted across the area.

4. Arlington has great public transport

The general D.C. area’s public transport system ranks high consistently and Arlington benefits. Firstly, the Washington DC Metrorail covers much of Arlington, making daily trips easy for Northern Virginia commuters. In addition to this, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) runs through Arlington, making stops at Crystal City and Alexandria, and connecting the DC metro area further south to Spotsylvania. With traffic as crazy-making as Arlington’s, it’s a good bet to opt for public transport and catch up on a podcast or two.

5. Arlington is home to big business

Despite its relative suburban-esque nature when compared to DC, Arlington’s business scene is typically thriving. Arlington is home to large companies such as Lockheed Martin, Deloitte, Rosetta Stone, Bloomberg, and of course, more recently, global giant Amazon. The current pandemic conditions aside, this area typically enjoys a healthy employment rate, with approximately a third of jobs within government positions.

6. It’s rich in history

Arlington certainly has a wealth of historical points of interest. When it comes to history and patriotism, few places are more poignant than the Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of over 400,000 American servicemen. Also, at its entrance is the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. A 10-minute walk from there and you are at the site of the Iwo Jima Memorial — a 32-foot sculpture inspired by the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of a historic World War II battle.

The Pentagon is also located in Arlington and hosts guided tours by military personnel by reservation — you can also stop to pay your respects at the Pentagon Memorial for those lives lost during September 11 terrorist attacks. Honestly, that’s only the start of the list — if you’re interested in American history, you’ll find Arlington and its surrounding area astounding.

7. There’s no shortage of entertainment

Aside from the rich historical points of interest, Arlington has plenty to offer when it comes to your leisure time. From skating in the state of the art Medstar Capitals Iceplex, taking in a show at the Signature Theater, or dining out in Clarendon — a popular neighborhood teeming with casual and fine dining restaurants — there’s plenty of choices.

You won’t be bored in the evenings either. Arlington boasts plenty of bars, lounges, and nightclubs, from the beach party feel of The Lot to the great atmosphere of Don Tito’s rooftop deck and authentic Mexican food. Plus of course, you’re a hop, skip, and a jump from the big smoke of Washington DC.

8. Washington DC is at your fingertips

Arlington itself is primarily a suburban landscape; a place to slow down a little, visit a strip mall or two and enjoy plenty of free parking. But mosey across the Potomac and a bustling metropolis awaits, as well as ease of access to Reagan, Dulles, and Baltimore/Washington airports for jet setting.

Whether your preferred leisure-time sees you at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum or catching a ballgame at the Nationals Park, DC has it all, and living close by in Arlington gives you the best of both worlds.