Is it basically Old Town/Del Ray that people like of Alexandria...and the rest of it?? (Arlington: apartments, condos)

[Tiger Beer]

I can quickly see why people love Old Town Alexandria. I can see Del Ray as well. How about the REST of Alexandria?

Does it quickly just get 'not so interesting' outside of those two areas...for living or for whatever else? Does it have any of the density of 'Old Town', or does it just become very suburban-like?

[CAVA1990]

The rest is mainly residential so unless you like cruising around other peoples' houses, it's not so interesting.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

I can quickly see why people love Old Town Alexandria. I can see Del Ray as well. How about the REST of Alexandria?

Does it quickly just get 'not so interesting' outside of those two areas...for living or for whatever else? Does it have any of the density of 'Old Town', or does it just become very suburban-like?

I lived in the Landmark area (where all the high-rise condos are off 395) and it is painfully surburban with some bad traffic. The Landmark Mall is an absolute joke.

[FindingZen]

Yep, it's pretty much residential with small to moderate lots outside of those areas. Rosemont is attractive in part because of its proximity to Del Ray. King and Duke Streets outside of Old Town will provide most of your everyday retail needs with the occasional interesting restaurant.

[ACWhite]

If you're asking if other residential areas are attractive, the Braddock Heights neighborhood seems very nice.

[geniegrl]

As others have mentioned, Rosemont is desirable -- more residential than Del Ray, but closer to Metro and has historic homes. Beverley Hills is another desirable residential neighborhood of older (and often quite expensive) single family homes. Park Fairfax is a historic neighborhood of townhouses and condos. It's not as dense as you might think based on the housing styles -- lots of trees/parkland. Also, there's not as much retail to walk to although you could walk over the bridge to Shirlington (and it would be a quick drive).

The West End (roughly, west of Quaker Lane) is very suburban. Many people do like living there, though. The Landmark area, as mentioned, is mostly highrise condos and apartments but there are some leafy family neighborhoods interspersed. Also, for folks who gravitate to mid-century modern single family homes you can find some of those tucked away here and there. My impression is, with the possible exception of Cameron Station (a newer planned neighborhood), that most people do not specifically seek out to live there; rather, they end up moving there because they find a place that meets most of their various requirements (proximity to job, price, size, style, etc.) at that time.

[CaliTerp07]

The rest of Alexandria is very suburban, a mix of SFHs, townhouses, and apartments/condos.

You've been told time and again that there is no density outside Old Town or Arlington...you aren't going to magically stumble upon a place that hundreds of people forgot to mention.

[CAVA1990]

In most places in VA and elsewhere (like Fairfax, Warrenton, Culpeper, and Orange), the Old Town section is the most interesting and everything else is just "meh". Burbs and strip malls just aren't as much fun.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

In most places in VA and elsewhere (like Fairfax, Warrenton, Culpeper, and Orange), the Old Town section is the most interesting and everything else is just "meh". Burbs and strip malls just aren't as much fun.

Agreed. Sadly, 95% of Northern Virginia is "meh" due to poor long-range urban planning. Maybe someday the NIMBYs will let their taxes skyrocket to help fix the urban planning gaffes of prior generations.

[normie]

Originally Posted by RestonRunner86

Agreed. Sadly, 95% of Northern Virginia is "meh" due to poor long-range urban planning. Maybe someday the NIMBYs will let their taxes skyrocket to help fix the urban planning gaffes of prior generations.

Or, maybe someday those of you who find it "meh" will move away to a place you like better. Meanwhile, those of us who find it appealling will continue it enjoy it. Like it or not, there are quite a few people who love being in those places you consider "meh" and don't consider their towns to be urban planning gaffes.