Which is more "hipster"-- Arlington or Alexandria? (Reston: condos, houses)

[mryan13]

I've seen articles floating around saying that Arlington neighborhoods such as Ballston and Clarendon are the most "hipster" neighborhoods in Northern VA. But looking at these hoods, I've seen too many chain restaurants and stores, and they gave off a fake-nice, non-authentic vibe similar to that from "pop up" cities like Reston Town Center, Mosaic district, Shirlington, National Harbor..... etc.

That being said, a lot of what I've seen in Alexandria gives off that edgy, unique, and quirky vibe. Historic buildings and houses, unique coffee shops and restaurants, and the grunge and decay that comes along with the fringes of Old Town. Sure, Old Town itself has its tourism and high-class vibe, but there's pockets of trendiness in places like Del Ray.

In your eyes, which of the two gives off more of a hipster and edgy character? If neither, where else in NOVA?

[spencgr]

You seem to have a positive view of "hipsters". I don't think edgy or unique, at all, when I think of hipsters.

[snatale1]

Originally Posted by spencgr

you seem to have a positive view of "hipsters". I don't think edgy or unique, at all, when i think of hipsters.

nope!

[Carlingtonian]

I find hipsters ridiculous. But I have to admit Arlington has more of them than Alexandria does.

I say this as a man who proudly wears flannel shirts and a winter beard unironically. (But the shirt is tucked and the beard groomed every so often.) But you'll never catch me in a handlebar mustache, making my own pickles, rolling up my jeans, or musing about the nuances of $8-per-bottle craft beer.

If you're looking for edgy and authentic, I think you'll have to get a time machine. Or move to Baltimore.

[NOVA_guy]

Easily Arlington. But really, VA/NoVa doesn't come close to DC.

[Opacy]

They don't really exist in either place, and honestly I don't think NoVA in general has many hipsters. The region's too expensive and all of the legal, defense, contracting, and political industries in the area don't create the kind of environment that "hipsters" flock to.

If you're talking about yuppies though, NoVA and D.C. is basically ground zero.

[boyd888]

They both have a Whole Foods, but only Arlington has an Apple store. Advantage Arlington.

[ACWhite]

Originally Posted by boyd888

They both have a Whole Foods, but only Arlington has an Apple store. Advantage Arlington.

TWO Apple Stores :-) .

[Deeman804]

I would focus your search on south Arlington (Shirlington/Columbia Pike) and Del Ray to compare the most hipster. Really, you should have had a neither option. All the hipsters are in DC and it's a not-so-high amount compared to other major northeast cities.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by Deeman804

I would focus your search on south Arlington (Shirlington/Columbia Pike) and Del Ray to compare the most hipster. Really, you should have had a neither option. All the hipsters are in DC and it's a not-so-high amount compared to other major northeast cities.

Del Ray--spot on. I'd forgotten about it.

Columbia Pike? Maybe the eastern portion, where the new condos are. Not sure if hipsters would have the income or willingness to live in those. To my mind, the lower half of South Arlington is like some South American city: pockets of shiny gentrification amid squalor. The northern part of S. Arlington is picture-perfect prewar suburbia.

What I find funny is that people seeking "authenticity" are dressing like 19th-century barber/lumberjacks. But hey, it's a free country.