Arlington

Just a 10-minute drive across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., is the city of Arlington, Virginia. Covering 26 square miles, it was founded in 1801. Its median age is 34.8 (2022). The federal government, military, and companies that directly do business with the government form the bedrock of Arlington’s economy.

In terms of real estate, bungalows and houses in Colonial, Craftsman, Ranch, Farmhouse, and Cape Cod styles populate Arlington’s residential neighborhoods. The typical home value is $804,575, up 4.2% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). Contributing to the city’s appeal are year-round events, including the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the Columbia Pike Blues Festival, and the Arlington County Fair.

I-66, I-395, and U.S. Highways 1 and 50 all serve Arlington. Straddling I-66 is one of the best places to live in the city, the neighborhood of Bluemont. It offers a variety of Colonial, Craftsman, and Farmhouse-style homes that are near parks, trails, bars, and restaurants. The Clarendon-Courthouse area, south of I-66, is home to government buildings and a vibrant nightlife. Homebuyers here can find cozy townhouses and single-family homes. Nearby, Lyon Park offers bungalows, split-level homes, and Colonials on tree-lined streets.

Arlington blends the best aspects of suburban and urban living despite its density: great schools, lots of parks and green space, and proximity to Washington, D.C.