Old Town Alexandria: Area of Madison Street and North Fayette. Safe? (Mount Vernon: apartment complexes, crime) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

Rajah20 · 06-09-2012, 03:04 PM

So I've been looking for apartments in Old Town, and I notice there are some places available near the Braddock Road metro near the intersection of Madison and North Fayette.

Is this neighborhood safe? Is there a decent amount of cool stuff within walking distance? Would you recommend living here?

Thanks!

CAVA1990 · 06-09-2012, 04:48 PM

Yes, yes, and yes. You'll like it there.

ACWhite · 06-09-2012, 05:05 PM

You may find this website helpful:

SpotCrime Crime Map

kevbros · 06-09-2012, 05:40 PM

Safe? Well, that depends. There are some projects in that area, even on that corner, I think. There is a lot of police activity around those projects especially at night and in the summer. The City has been gradually replacing the projects with new housing with some project units built-in and not as conspicious. Walkability? Well, you can walk to metro, but Old Town itself, is a bit far, like maybe 25 minutes. Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray is closer, but still a hike. There's not a lot within a 10 minute walk. Living so close to Metro is a great thing, though, and DC feels really close. I'd need to know more about your situation and needs before I'd recommend the area.

queenswake · 06-09-2012, 08:04 PM

I live in that neighborhood. There is crime at the public housing across the street, but it's primarily against each other. And the cops are there the second something goes down. There are two large apartment complexes under construction now, with another couple coming soon. It's not a 25 minute walk to Old Town. I walk everywhere. Walk to Trader Joe's, the gym, the post office, Giant, Old Town, river trail for running. I like it. There is a Harris Teeter that is about to break ground a few blocks away. You can be in DC via car in 5 minutes via GW Parkway.

It's not the most happening neighborhood, but you can't beat the location.

Rajah20 · 06-09-2012, 08:06 PM

Single guy, simple needs. I'd like to be able to walk to bookstores, bars, coffee place, movies, etc. I would like to be able to easily drive places like the grocery store. I'd like to go in the city and come back late at night stumbling home from the metro and not feel like I am taking a huge risk.

Also, is the area quiet at night? Or is the traffic heavy?

Rajah20 · 06-09-2012, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queenswake

I live in that neighborhood. There is crime at the public housing across the street, but it's primarily against each other. And the cops are there the second something goes down. There are two large apartment complexes under construction now, with another couple coming soon. It's not a 25 minute walk to Old Town. I walk everywhere. Walk to Trader Joe's, the gym, the post office, Giant, Old Town, river trail for running. I like it. There is a Harris Teeter that is about to break ground a few blocks away. You can be in DC via car in 5 minutes via GW Parkway.

It's not the most happening neighborhood, but you can't beat the location.

Sounds awesome, but what kind of crime? Domestic stuff? Drugs? Kids?

kevbros · 06-09-2012, 09:24 PM

True Trader Joes is not too far, but it's not really Old Town. TJ's is eight blocks away, which means 1/2 mile or about a 10 minute walk. TJs is about halfway to King, east of Washington, which is the heart of Old Town. So that's about 20 mins of walking with some xtra minutes waiting for lights added on. I stand by the point that there is not a lot to walk to within 10 minutes. Within 25, however, there is a lot. As for 5 minutes to DC via car...yeah, right. It can easily take longer than that just to get out of Alexandria.

As for traffic at night. It's an urban area so there is always some traffic, even at night, but it's not horn-honking, or fast, loud traffic. I doubt you will notice it. Clarendon, this ain't. There are not too many bars within a 10-minute walk, but there are several coffee shops. Not many bookstores around or movie theaters to walk too. AMC Hoffman is just two metro stops away, though.

For a single guy with minimal needs, that area would be fine. The crime ranges from DV to drug deals to public intoxication. Most of it is "internal" as pointed out, but there have been cases of people getting robbed in that area. These cases are not that common, but they do happen, usually only late at night. The area used to be much, much rougher, but the trend is definitely in the right direction. All-in-all, a decent place for a single guy, just be careful stumbling home late at night.

Rajah20 · 06-09-2012, 10:17 PM

Hmm. Thanks for the info. There is also a place about 7 blocks East on N Pitt Avenue in an apartment building there. Is that neighborhood pretty much the same?

kevbros · 06-10-2012, 07:24 AM

The North Pitt area is different. It is safer, closer to grocery stores, restaurants, and bars, but farther from Metro. You still have to go through the Fayette Street area to get there. It really comes down to what you are looking for. If you Metro to DC a lot, especially for the nightlife, the Fayette St location would be better. If you want more of the things in Old Town, Pitt St would be better.