Want to live in Alexandria? This historic Virginia city is great for young professionals looking for affordable housing in the DC metro. Alexandria is also known as one of the best cities for outdoor recreation, so there are plenty of green spaces and trails where you can keep active. Here are the five best neighborhoods in Alexandria for singles and young professionals!
Eisenhower East
- Home Price: $433,850 median purchase price; $2,024 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 31% of Alexandria neighborhoods
Not only is Eisenhower East a safe, affordable Alexandria neighborhood—but it’s also a great place for singles and young professionals to call home! Located in the southwest region of the city, this small neighborhood is filled with apartments and condos, ideal for young adults looking to rent in Alexandria. Those living here can find plenty to do in the neighborhood while also having easy access to entertainment, restaurants, and shops in nearby Old Town. Plus, as part of the “economic engine of Alexandria,” Eisenhower East is home to the United States Patent and Trademark Office and National Science Foundation—so residents don’t have to go far for job opportunities. And for young professionals with jobs in other parts of Alexandria or nearby cities like Washington, DC or Arlington, it’s easy to get around via I-495 and US-1, or catch the metro at the Eisenhower Avenue stop.
Things to Do in Eisenhower East
Learn about notable scientific breakthroughs and inventions through exhibits like the Gallery of Icons, Women in Innovation, and Breaking Barriers: Honoring Extraordinary Black Inventors at the National Inventors Hall of Fame. See sculptures dedicated as memorials to the history of African Americans in Alexandria, visit the Historic Cemetery, or see painted turtles and other wildlife in the wetlands at Alexandria African American Heritage Park. Lift weights and build muscle with the help of a personal trainer at Wellbuilt Strength. Play with your furry friend at the Dog Run Park at Carlyle. Dine on a Vegan Medi-Wrap or Tabouli Salad and save room for Handcrafted Baklava from Sprig’s Coffee & Pastry Cafe. Looking for BBQ in Alexandria? Stop by Sweet Fire Donna’s for the Spicy Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese, Pulled Chicken Sandwich, or Fiery Grilled Cheese. Enjoy authentic Russian and Uzbek dishes like Meat Pirozhki, Borsch Soup, or Dolma from Rus Uz. Or order Asian dishes such as the Som Tom, Yellow Curry, or Clay Pot Shrimp from Pasara Thai Restaurant.
Landmark-Van Dorn
- Home Price: $238,656 median purchase price; $1,381 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 63% of Alexandria neighborhoods
West of the city center, Landmark-Van Dorn offers lower housing costs than surrounding Alexandria neighborhoods, meaning you won’t have to give up big-city amenities for affordable living options! As for housing choices, this affordable area offers budget-friendly family homes to buy, as well as apartments and condos to rent. Young adults living here can appreciate a somewhat quieter life slightly removed from the city center, while still having plenty of things to do nearby and easy access to other parts of the city.
Things to Do in Landmark-Van Dorn
Walk the trails, have a picnic, or pick up fresh fruits and veggies at the West End Farmers Market in Ben Brenman Park—once the site of the U.S. Army base at Cameron Station. Take your furry pal on a walk, bike the trails, and more at James H. Marx All Veterans Memorial Park. Browse the shelves, pick up your next read, or attend the Writers Group and other events at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library. Sign up for rock climbing lessons, find inner peace with a yoga class, or get your heart pumping with HIIT workouts at Sportrock. Grab a seat at the counter and enjoy classic diner breakfast favorites like the Blueberry Full Stack, Steak N’ Eggs, or Traditional Benedict at Van Dorn Diner. Try the Old Town Burger, Supreme Pizza, or Grilled Cheese paired with a High Seas IPA from Reynolds Street Bar & Grill. Enjoy Ethiopian entrees like Tilapia Fish, Doro Tibs, or Yebeg Kikil at Makeda Authentic Ethiopian Restaurant. Or mix it up with a fusion of Chinese and Indian dishes like Orange Shrimp, Chana Masala Curry, or Veggie Chow Mein at Indochen.
North Ridge-Rosemont
- Home Price: $695,870 median purchase price; $1,526 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 88% of Alexandria neighborhoods
Looking for a safe neighborhood in Alexandria? Consider calling the North Ridge-Rosemont neighborhood home! This area is great for those looking to live in a quieter, more suburban Alexandria neighborhood that’s still close to the city center. For young adults looking to buy a house in Alexandria, North Ridge-Rosemont offers a great selection of primarily Colonial Revival homes along tree-lined streets—and walking-distance to parks! Need to commute to other nearby Virginia cities? You can easily get where you need to go along I-395 or US-7, both of which border the neighborhood.
Things to Do in North Ridge-Rosemont
Spend the day hiking the trail while bird-watching, or plant fresh herbs and flowers in the community garden at Chinquapin Park. Pick up fresh flowers, gardening gear, and houseplants from Greenstreet Gardens, a local garden center. Tour The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, where you can see a statue of George Washington in the Memorial Hall, imagine yourself in history in the Replica Lodge Room, and marvel at the view of historic Alexandria from the Observation Deck. Set out from the W&OD Trailhead in Arlington to explore “the skinniest park in Virginia,” Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park—a 45-mile paved path that follows an old railroad route. Try brunch in Alexandria like Shrimp & Grits, Salted Carmel Waffle, or Smoked Corned Beef & Hash from Ramparts Tavern & Grill. Order sushi or Asian dishes like the Tuna Avocado Roll, Shrimp Tempura, or General Tso’s Chicken at May Island. Grab a slice of Buffalo Chicken Pizza, a Ham & Cheese Sub, or Chicken Souvlaki from Fairlington Pizza. Or choose from New York-style pizzas like The Carne Mista, The Spicy Veggie, and The Diavala at Cafe Pizzaiolo.
Old Town
- Home Price: $832,560 median purchase price; $1,774 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 19% of Alexandria neighborhoods
Nestled along the Potomac River, Old Town is a top neighborhood for young adults in Alexandria! Those moving to this area will find centuries-old homes and apartments along cobblestone streets. Designated a historic district, Old Town is full of notable sites such as the Carlyle House Historic Park. Young adults can walk the brick-lined streets of the famous King Street, dine at one of the many restaurants, and spend the day shopping at over 100 locally-owned shops! The neighborhood is highly walkable and bikeable, and the King St-Old Town station makes it easy to commute to Arlington, Washington, DC, and other parts of the Alexandria metro area via the Metrorail!
Things to Do in Old Town
Visit Jones Point Park, where you can see Virginia’s only remaining river lighthouse, go fishing, or canoe along the Potomac. Shop year-round for fresh flowers, fruits, and more at Old Town Farmers’ Market—”the oldest farmers’ market in the country!” See pharmaceutical artifacts, learn about apothecaries, and more at one of Alexandria’s oldest businesses, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. Catch local productions of popular plays and musicals like Freaky Friday and Young Frankenstein at Little Theatre of Alexandria. Try dinner dishes like Meatloaf a la Daube, Thyme Roasted Half Chicken, or Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes at Gadsby’s Tavern, where George Washington, John Adams, and other historic figures once dined! Order Rigatoni A La Vodka, Fried Honey Crisp Brussel Sprouts, or the Prime Rib French Dip at Virtue Feed & Grain, located in a feed and grain warehouse from the 1800s. Chow down Shepherds Pie, Bangers & Mash, and Beer Battered Fish & Chips while listening to live Irish music at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with a modern twist on authentic Italian gelato from Dolci Gelati.
Potomac West
- Home Price: $574,700 median purchase price; $1,645 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 44% of Alexandria neighborhoods
Another great neighborhood for singles and young professionals living in Alexandria, Potomac West is northwest of Old Town, next to Potomac Yard. Those moving to the area can find a variety of housing styles, ranging from American Foursquare homes to rowhouses. The neighborhood includes Del Ray, a popular part of the city where residents and tourists alike can find various restaurants, notable attractions, green spaces along Mount Vernon Avenue, and great local shops. Plus, young adults living in Potomac West can stay busy with annual community events and festivals like Art on the Avenue.
Things to Do in Potomac West
Go fishing, play a game of basketball, or run on the trails at Four Mile Run Park. Get your heart pumping with a CrossFit class and learn good eating habits with a nutrition coach at Trident Athletics. Shop for new-to-you books or donate some of your old ones at used bookstore The Company of Books. Catch a live music performance over dinner at The Birchmere. Enjoy a Cinnamon Bagel with Plain Cream Cheese, the Ooey Gooey Breakfast Sandwich, or Pizza Bagels from Bagel Uprising. Catch up with friends over a plate of Crab & Artichoke Dip, Northside Nachos, or Chicken Strips paired with Austin East Ciders at Northside 10. Try Roman-style pizza like The Three Cheese & ‘Chovy, The Johnny ‘Za ‘Za, or The Brooklyner from Stracci Pizza. Or fill up on Salvadoran favorites such as Plantanos Fritos, Pollo A La Plancha, or Tacos Al Carbon from El Cuscatleco Restaurant.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes