Thinking about moving to Arlington with your family? This Virginia city has plenty to offer families—like its highly-rated school system, ideal location near the nation’s capital, and access to a variety of family-friendly activities. Here are the top five neighborhoods in Arlington for families!
Arlington Ridge
Photo via @susan_hand
- Home Price: $591,629 median purchase price; $2,279 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 48% of Arlington neighborhoods
With its access to national landmarks and historical sites like the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and The Pentagon, Arlington Ridge is the perfect place for families to call home! This safe, affordable neighborhood gets its name from Arlington Ridge Road, which runs through the area. Since this family-friendly place to live in Arlington is one of the closest neighborhoods to Washington, DC, residents can quickly commute to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Downtown DC. Plus, parents will love being close to great schools like Oakridge Elementary School and Gunston Middle School, and nearby parks like Prospect Hill Park and Virginia Highlands Park.
Things to Do in Arlington Ridge
Go for a bike ride or challenge your family to a basketball game at Fort Scott Park. Visit the Arlington Historical Museum—housed in the building that was formerly the Hume School—to see historical artifacts. Bring the little ones to outdoor storytime, construct a cat castle for your pet, or take Latin dance lessons with the whole family at the Aurora Hills Branch Library. Attend a family bingo or movie night at the Army Navy Country Club. Pay tribute to past and present members of the U.S. Air Force at the Air Force Memorial. Fill up on Akivva’s Signature Falafel Bowl, Beef & Lamb Doner, or Adana Kebab at Akivva Grill. Try Italian favorites like Linguini al Vongole, Bucatini alla Carbonara, or Ravioli Portofino at The Portofino Restaurant. Or feast on Maryland Fried Oysters, Crab and Crawfish Stuffed Flounder, or New Orleans Steak Frites at RT’s Restaurant.
Cherrydale
Photo via @jwarealtor
- Home Price: $795,560 median purchase price; $2,288 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 67% of Arlington neighborhoods
With its close-knit community and proximity to great parks and schools, Cherrydale is one of the best neighborhoods in Arlington for families! Residents are conveniently located near some of Arlington’s top schools like Glebe Elementary School, Arlington Science Focus School, and Washington-Liberty High School. Plus, families can spend time outdoors at Cherry Valley Park for safe, local outdoor recreation. This established neighborhood offers older Craftsman bungalows and Victorian homes mixed with Contemporary houses. There are also plenty of fun activities to enjoy in Cherrydale, with the Cherrydale Citizens Association hosting a 4th of July block party, yard sales, and other events throughout the year. Plus, the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department serves as a point of community pride.
Things to Do in Cherrydale
Lay out a family picnic or hit baseballs over the fence at Stratford Park. Go for a jog or let your kids play on the slides at Oak Grove Park. Watch the sunset with your partner or take the little ones to the Sprayground during the warmer months at Hayes Park. Spend the afternoon swimming at the Washington-Liberty Aquatics Center. Indulge in brunch favorites like Eggs Benedict or a Spinach and Feta Cheese Omelet at Essy’s Carriage House. Try Japanese favorites like Teriyaki, Chicken Curry, or Pad Thai at Maneki Neko Express. Have date night at Cafe Colline with meals like Potato Crusted Salmon, Steak Frites, or Escargot. Or unwind and sip on cocktails like a Campos Rose or Rio Tinto Old Fashioned during happy hour at SER.
Dominion Hills
Photo via @bungalowsandcottages
- Home Price: $680,733 median purchase price; $1,779 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 43% of Arlington neighborhoods
Dominion Hills is known for its tree-lined streets, historical atmosphere, and unique housing options like Colonial Revival and Cape Cod homes dating back to the 1940s and ’50s. This quiet Arlington neighborhood has great opportunities for outdoor recreation in its beautiful parks nearby like Dominion Hills Park and the Bon Air Park Rose Garden, which provide plenty of fun for families in Arlington. Dominion Hills is also close to excellent schools within the Arlington school system, like Arlington Traditional Elementary School and Ashlawn Elementary School.
Things to Do in Dominion Hills
Take a trip to the Ocean Dunes Waterpark, a beach-themed adventure park with a splash area, dumping bucket, and waterslides for kids. Play a round of mini-golf or practice your swing in the batting cages at Upton Hill Regional Park. Let the little ones play on the playground or set out a family picnic at Westover Park. Jog or ride your bike on the four-mile Custis Trail. Spend an afternoon skating at the Powhatan Springs Skatepark. Go swimming or attend events like the ice cream social, Sunday brunch, or holiday picnic at the Dominion Hills Pool. Fill up on a Smash Burger, Meatball Sub, or a Philly Cheesesteak at Meridian Pint. Taste seafood dishes like Grilled Salmon, Snow Crab Legs, or Seafood Soup at Fish Basket. Or chow down on Teriyaki Chicken, Red Curry, or a Spicy Fish Bowl at Thai Time.
Lyon Village
Photo via @vintage_arlington
- Home Price: $943,200 median purchase price; $2,143 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 90% of Arlington neighborhoods
One of Arlington’s most walkable neighborhoods, Lyon Village is located near the bustling Clarendon area. This Arlington neighborhood has a strong sense of community and is served by the Lyon Village Community House, an organization that sponsors family-friendly activities all year long—like an Easter Egg Hunt and July 4th Parade. As for housing, growing families can find options like Colonial and Tudor-style homes in this top Arlington neighborhood. Lyon Village also offers great opportunities for education with access to world-class bilingual and biliterate schools like Early Steps Bilingual Preschool and Escuela Key Elementary School.
Things to Do in Lyon Village
Shop for kids toys, books, and children’s clothing at Kinder Haus Toys. Take a stroll or run around the splash pad at Lyon Village Park. Let your dogs roam off-leash at the James Hunter Dog Park. Find a variety of restaurants, retail stores, and activities like Bond’s Escape Room or the outdoor holiday market at The Crossing Clarendon. Start your day with an Espresso, Cappuccino, or Energy Boost Smoothie at Waterhouse Coffee & Juice Bar. Order a Green Pig Italian Sandwich, a GPB Sampler, or Grilled Salmon “Nicoise” for lunch at Green Pig Bistro. Grab a seat at Tarbouch Cafe for meals like Chicken BBQ Pizza, Shawarma, or Lamb Chops. Or savor Lamb Lasagna, a Balkan Salad, or Sudzuk Flatbread at Ambar.
Penrose
Photo via @homesweetpenrose
- Home Price: $370,167 median purchase price; $1,830 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 7% of Arlington neighborhoods
Another one of Arlington’s more affordable areas is Penrose. You’ll find single-family homes, townhouses, condos, and apartments not far from Washington, DC, Arlington National Cemetery, and the variety of shops and restaurants along Columbia Pike. Along with beautiful homes, this Arlington neighborhood has highly-rated schools like Alice West Fleet Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, and Arlington Community High School. Plus, families will have plenty of opportunities to get to know their neighbors at community picnics, farmer’s markets, and seasonal events hosted by the Penrose Neighborhood Association throughout the year.
Things to Do in Penrose
Attend a Kid’s Crafternoon or Language Conversation session at the Columbia Pike Branch Library. Play fetch with your pup at the dog park or compete against other families in sand volleyball at Towers Park. Break out of one of the four themed rooms at Escape Room Arlington. Watch the kids climb the playground or fire up the charcoal grills for a family cookout at Penrose Park. Get baked goods, fresh produce, flowers, or jewelry at the year-round Columbia Pike Farmers Market. Sample Mexican favorites like Chile Verde Enchiladas or Burritos “Los Chamacos” at Los Chamacos. Satisfy your hunger with Fresh Tofu, Kimchi Fried Rice, or a Fish Fillet at Supreme Hot Pot. Dine out with the family at Lost Dog Cafe for dishes like Baked Chicken Pesto, IND Italian Pizza, or an Arlington Club Sandwich. Or pick up desserts like a Key Lime Pie, Apple Pie, or Coconut Custard Pie at the Acme Pie Company.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
