Alexandria? (Arlington, Fairfax: real estate, rental, crime)

[nebraska_ace]

My husband, five-month-old, and I would like to move to Alexandria in August. We are looking at a townhouse with this address:

2122 FARRINGTON AVE (Alexandria) 22303

I was wondering if this is in a safe area, as the rental price is very decent. I was also wondering if anyone could please help us by letting us know what the safe areas in Alexandria ARE.

Thank you. This is an exceptional forum.

[Yankeesfan]

Unfortunately, that neighborhood had extensive flooding last summer. See articles below. (Farrington Avenue is just one block from Arlington Terrace, mentioned in the first article.)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...062600442.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...011101831.html

[funnylaura]

Hi Nebraska Ace!

I live in Alexandria in the 22307 zip code and it seems to be okay. I live in Bucknell Heights and it is a mix of ugly and nice houses, lots of mexicans. Our street seems to be pretty safe. We would love to move away, but we bought our little duplex back before the real estate went through the roof and can't find anything we like in our price range now.

If you can afford it, the areas of Alexandria that I really like are the Belleview area (think the zip is 22306) and also the Hollin Hall area (not sure of zip code). There are mostly houses there, but maybe you could find one for rent that isn't too crazy.

A lot of people like the Delray area too, although that is closer to Arlington.

Yankeesfan is right, definitely avoid the Arlington Terrace area of Alexandria! I felt so bad for those folks.

Good Luck!

Laura

[nebraska_ace]

Thank you very much for your input. I appreciate the flood information and the information about the other areas of Alexandria. I do have one more question, though. Aside from the flooding, how is the actual crime in that area? That is our highest priority.

Thank you again. You are great.

[lancecreed]

I am looking at a duplex in the same area. Are all of you recommending that this area should be avoided because of the flooding or are there other reasons?

[The Dissenter]

if you have kids, be warned that schools in that section of Fairfax county aren't that impressive that's the only other reason to question that area. Alexandria is two different areas. one in fairfax county, one where alexandria is it's own independent city. The fairfax county side comes as close to an undesirable area as you are gonna get in NoVA, which still ain't that bad (when you talk bad area in DC/MD another story). The Alexandria side is pretty safe although there are less than desirable areas (parker-Gray, some of Patrick St, Alexandria side of S 28th St and Larchmont Village by Bailey's crossroads) which still isn't anything i'd be scared to death of. heck, my area (Landmark) has cop cars coming out more often but i'm still not at all concerned. So all in all, i'd have a very minimal concern about crime when moving to alexandria.

[dukesluckynumber7]

Well I had written a nice little post but now I can't find it, I am a resident of Farrington Ave. Since 2006 the crime has decreased and even still most crimes occur late night/early morning. I've never heard of any crimes other than muggings which happen to people at the wrong place at the wrong time. No place is immune to crimes and I just always do my part to stay safe. The schools in the area aren't impressive. There are some eyesores in the community with regards to some of the houses but everytime I walk my dog it seems that people tend to stick to their own business. There is a really cute park on Farrington for the young and a nice baseball field down the road too. Lots of kids in the community of all ages.

[slim04]

Originally Posted by funnylaura

I live in Bucknell Heights and it is a mix of ugly and nice houses, lots of mexicans.

Are you sure they are Mexicans? The latino immigrant population in NoVa is overwhelmingly El Salvadorean. They are also some significant southern and central americans here, like Peruvians and Guatamalans.

I've only met a handful of actual Mexicans in the area and they all live in DC.