Talk to me about Alexandria City

[Anonymous]

It very much has a small-town feel without actually being a small town. I rented in Old Town and bought a few years ago in the West End. I'd rather stay in my tiny home in the City of Alexandria than move outside the city limits to get something with more space. It may not be for everyone, but considering how fast houses fly off the market, it's definitely for quite a few in the area.

[Anonymous]

It’s about the most convenient place to live I can fathom in the area. Everything I could possibly need is within about five minutes, including the airport. If I want to go to DC, that’s easy. If I want to drive out to Loudon and ride a bike on unpaved roads, also easy. Traffic is way less than arlington to get around.

Much preferred over when we lived Arlington.

Sure, the schools aren’t great. Many here can afford private anyways. To each their own.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in Alexandria City for almost 15 years. Why do I live there?

- I love being able to walk to all my needs, including Metro
- Abundant parks, trails, and access to the Potomac River
- Close to all major roadways - 66, 495, GW Parkway, etc
- Super easy airport access

I don't have kids (so schools are no concern), and crime isn't worse than any other places. Certainly not worse than DC, not worse than Arlington, Fairfax County, or other places.

Property taxes are high/increasing everywhere. Focusing on Alexandria City's increase is just dumb.

[Anonymous]

People who live there are wealthy and send their kids to private school

Are not wealthy and send their kids to public school

Alexandria has parts that are very charming and I get the appeal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria would solve most of its crime, high tax and terrible school issues if they pulled a St. George from the West End.

what does that mean?

Baton Rouge, Louisiana is splitting, with a wealthy enclave establishing its own city after years of racial tensions, crime, poverty and failing schools following the relocation of 200,000 hurricane Katrina residents. Was ten years in the making and they recently won the right following a decision by the Supreme Court.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of the people that I know in Old Town are single older adults or empty nesters. It is very charming and has cute restaurants and retail and a waterfront. I think for that demographic, it's one of the best places to live in the DMV if you want walkability.

Yes, I fall into this category. Moved here recently when youngest child went to college. I love being able to walk to everything and be near the water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People who live there are wealthy and send their kids to private school

Are not wealthy and send their kids to public school

Alexandria has parts that are very charming and I get the appeal.

Plenty of 'wealthy' people send their kids to public. We do with a HHI of 1.3. About 80% of Rosemont and Del Ray send their kids to public and if being able to afford a 1.5 million dollar home AND multiple kids isn't wealthy I don't know what is.

[Anonymous]

It is a great location. I can be in Old Town in 8 minutes to be by the water and restaurants, DCA in 8 minutes, Pentagon City for shopping in 8 minutes, Clarendon in 15 minutes, DC in 20-30 minutes.

[Anonymous]

I’ve lived in several areas of the DMV and am originally from California. Alexandria is my favorite by far. We don’t live in old town but I love that I’m only an 8 minute drive away and can have date night or drinks with friends or coffee and some shopping or the farmers market etc… But I ALSO live on a half acre lot. That’s just not possible anywhere else in the area on any income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:City of Alexandria is the dumpiest and cheapest place close in to DC to live.

This is dumpy and cheap? https://redf.in/vvo5RU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the City in a neighborhood of single houses off Janney's Lane. My sibs and I went to Saint Mary's and then Bishop Ireton. We graduated from top tier colleges and graduate programs or law schools. We all live in the City and our children are attending or will attend the same schools we attended. It is home to us and we find it convenient to our work, DC, and we have ties to the community.

Sounds like you are more suited to Arlington which provides more affordable housing for your sort.

Ironic coming from the person sending their kids to Ireton not SSSAS

DP. You don't want to know what the SSSAS, Butterfly Preschool, or Episcopal HS set would say!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Alexandria and would not live anywhere else in the DMV. It's an ideal place for DINKs.

Agree! Another permanent dink couple here. Love living in old town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People who live there are wealthy and send their kids to private school

Are not wealthy and send their kids to public school

Alexandria has parts that are very charming and I get the appeal.

Plenty of 'wealthy' people send their kids to public. We do with a HHI of 1.3. About 80% of Rosemont and Del Ray send their kids to public and if being able to afford a 1.5 million dollar home AND multiple kids isn't wealthy I don't know what is.

Well those on the school board who actually have kids don't and neither does the superintendent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:City of Alexandria is the dumpiest and cheapest place close in to DC to live.

This is dumpy and cheap? https://redf.in/vvo5RU

Definitely not dumpy or cheap. I live a few blocks over from those houses. Even if we had the money for that I wouldn’t want it. But it’s nice for sure.

I’m sure there is a homeless encampment in the backyard I’m unaware of though.

[Anonymous]

And the encampments for the record are in linconia, off seminary but the 395 overpass, by van dorm and edsall road.