Del Ray (Alexandria) (houses, neighborhood, construction)

[ACWhite]

Does anyone here live in or know about Del Ray? I am specifically curious about the area south of Monroe St. Do houses need security systems there? Traffic problems? Anything else? Thanks.

[akorosdc]

South of Monroe St. and west of the metro tracks is perfectly fine. Maybe if you're right by rt. 1 there may be more problems (traffic and noise mostly though). Other than that, Del Ray seems to be a nice, cute little neighborhood. They've got some shops and restaurants (and the Dairy Godmother for custard...mmm so good) on Mt. Vernon, and it's very close to Old Town. I have friends in Old Town who walk to Del Ray (long walk, but doable).

The area that seems to be a problem there is when you get north of Commonwealth & Mt. Vernon into Arlandria. Also, part of the area in Old Town right by the Braddock Metro isn't so hot, but that's also going by Old Town standards (i.e. high standards).

[ACWhite]

Thanks, juniperbleu. Anyone else?

[Flamingo13]

I can only second Juniper's opinion - we live in the West End, but like to visit DelRay, you really have to see the area to "know" - I wouldn't recommend Arlandria section.

It's a bit of a pain now since they closed the Monroe St. bridge and you have to detour...I'm not sure what the timetable for that is.

That being said, there are some really cute homes in DelRay - I personally love the old bungalow-type homes.

[ACWhite]

Thanks, Flamingo13. Those impressions are similar to mine. Also, I think I read online that the bridge project is supposed to be finished in 2009, but we all know about construction timetables.

I have a friend who grew up in Arlandria, and he thinks it is much improved.