Possible relocation to Alexandria, VA (Arlington: apartments, rent, condo)

[Henry's Mom]

My husband and I are considering a move to the DC area. We like Old Town in Alexandria, VA and want a condo or townhome. We are in our late 50's. No one else involved in the move except a small dog. I need opinions from other people in our age group who have relocated to this area..are people friendly? Are they welcoming? We are open to any community..however we do not want to be in stripmallville. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks

[Adrian71]

Hi there!

I live just outside Alexandria and work in the city. I came here from Michigan about three years ago, and I have to say that although people are friendly enough when they have to be out here, they lack that kind of welcoming Midwestern feeling. It's not as bad in Alexandria as it is in D.C., though, where people just seem to be outright self-absorbed and/or angry. I guess people are a little more stand-offish than I'm used to here in Alexandria. But they usually warm up to you, if you give them a chance.

Old Town is beautiful and very charming and full of history. It's pretty safe for this area, and it's very, very pet-friendly, so your dog would be happy here! There's also a fabulous farmer's market every Saturday morning year-round. But Old Town does get crowded on the weekends, especially in the summer, and home prices are very expensive -- more so in Old Town, but it's true everywhere in the D.C. area. My wife and I rent a little Cape Cod-style SFH, 1,200 square feet or so, for $1,300 a month ... and that's cheap for this area. You also have to pay a property tax on your car. Just things to keep in mind.

Hope this helps!

[VA Lover]

Come to Rosslyn or Arlington, where there are high-rises and apartments and stuff and Virginia!

[ashbrn4]

Old town is very expensive. You will pay a lot more per square foot that a lot of other very nice areas in the DC metro.

[Henry's Mom]

thanks for the info. We have been in CT for many years, and people are so standoffish that what you describe should not been bad. We are aware that things are very expensive...here in CT too..and we are used to property taxes on our cars, so again no surprise. We are just tired of suburbanville, of no restaurants, of no charm, and of high prices and taxes for not much. Everyone has a 4 bedroom colonial.

[justintime42000]

Old Towne Alexandria is prone to bad flooding. If there's a hurricane that dumps a lot of water on the East coast, Old Town gets hit worse than any other part of the DC area. It's definitely not a place where a lot of 50 somethings hang out. It's more like 20s and early 30s yuppy types.

If you want to live where there are great restaurants, fun things to do and where older poeple still hang out, you might as well move to Manhattan. It's a lot closer to CT than Virginia, and you don't need a car. You'll have to give up some living space, but every time you walk out your door you feel like you are in the greatest city in the world.

Because you are!

DC/Virginia is such a bore!