Discover New Real Estate Opportunities in These Awesome NoVa Neighborhoods

genmap3Northern Virginia (NOVA as the locals call it…) is a fascinating place to live work and play. Being so close to our nation’s capitol and the whole DC Metro area, Northern Virginia has some wonderful neighborhoods- steeped in history in rich in community. Read on to find out some more about these great local places to call home in Northern Virginia real estate and while you’re at it- find out why I like these places by reading about my favorite things going on in each community.

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Arlington

  • Douglas Park – A community founded in 1927, Douglas Park is a sleepy neighborhood encircled by Fort Barnard (one of the original bastions protecting our nation’s capitol, Washington DC), Four Mile Run and the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad; Fort Berry and Washington Avenue to the north and northwest, and the Washington-Virginia Electric Railway line and the community of Nauck to the east. In this adorable community you can trust in the amazing convenience of proximity to Central Arlington, main thoroughfares such as Glebe and Walter Reed to get you where you need to go in a jiff! A wonderful mix of bungalows, capecods, some enormous Queen Annes and even some rustic ramblers, there is no lack for charm in Douglas Park real estate.  My favorite things about Douglas Park: the warmth of the neighborhood and there are so many different types of home styles in the area. I also love all of the parks that are dappled through the area.
  • Nauck – Crossing over Walter Reed from Douglas Park in South Arlignton, you will find the amazing historic neighborhood of Nauck. Originally a part of the Freedman’s colonies, Nauck has remained a very stable and quite community set up on the hill overlooking South Arlington. Fort Barnard Park, one of Arlington County’s many parks beckons you to take a look at this desirable and affordable neighborhood. New construction speckles through the hills and peaks of Nauck. You can find federal style row houses, single family ramblers and even the occasional craftsman. Nauck real estate offers its residence a tight sense of community, lovely parks and that same amazing convenience that sometimes seems out of reach for people who want to live in Arlington. Let me be the first to tell you, Nauck is not out of reach. This community is the gem of attainable South Arlington real estate set not even a mile from the Village of Shirlington, Nauck and it’s Douglas Park counterpart offer shops, restaurants and the fabulous W &OD trail just a stones throw away. My favorite things about Nauck: It is totally a sleeper community. People don’t really know about it yet, but the people who live here sure do care about their sense of community. They host Community Pride day complete with a festival and everything. There is even a historic WalkAbout for the Nauck Neighborhood. It is also perched up on a hill, which gives many homes awesome skyline views.
  • Shirlington– In the last few years, Shirlington has seen a major re-vamping of its image. The quite Village of Shirlington now offers a very community oriented, live-work-play atmosphere which is all at the center of Arlington’s ART bus transportation hub. For those who seek a community that truly has the feel of a small town, with the urban wow factor, Shirlington must speak to you as a place to live in Arlington! From condominiums, townhouses and lofts to the bungalows across Four Mile Run, Shirlington offers the city dweller shops, restaurants, theaters and even a main Arlington Library. Bordered by the W O&D hike and bike trail and plenty of park land, Shirlington is a wonderful place to experience Arlington County’s green space. Shirlington real estate is interesting and fun, kitschy and cute and  most of all, highly desirable. My favorite things about Shirlington: People take their pooches around to the restaurants with them! There are dog bowls outside of the patios and people have their labs and poodles leashed up while they chat with friends and have a glass of wine. There is also an indie-movie theatre! Plus, they have events around the holidays and just for fun- like in October, the Octoberfest and Shirlie’s Girls Night out! How rockin’ is that?!

Neighborhoods you’ll dig in South Arlington

  • Alcova Heights
  • Arlington Forest
  • Arlington Heights
  • Arlington Ridges
  • Barcroft
  • Columbia Pike
  • Columbia Forest
  • Douglas Park
  • Fairlington
  • Fort Barnard Heights
  • Glencarlyn
  • Nauck
  • Nauck Green Valley
  • Old Glebe
  • Shirlington
  • Orange Line – You want to be in the middle of it all? Hop on the Washington DC Metro’s Orange line and take some time to discover the amazing neighborhoods rich with history and character while taking in some delightful cuisine and hot shopping to boot! The Orange line will carry you from Vienna to New Carrolton; however, you must experience Arlington’s Rosslyn (Arts district), Courthouse (fun dining, shops and of course, a  Courthouse!), Clarendon (hot, hot, hot real estate, dining, dancing, live music, shops and then some), Virginia Square/Ballston (quite during the day, but beginning to bustle at night with new development and new restaurants popping up all of the time). I have said you can bleed orange, and that isn’t just because I’m a Longhorn, it is because my favorite line to take off of the Metro is the Orange Line in Arlington because it has some of the best and most desirable real estate around.
  • Rosslyn– With the new Artisphere and sophisticated, luxury, Vegas Inspired condominiums such as the LEED rated Turnberry Towers which have immaculate views across the Potomac of historic Georgetown, those who desire the convenience and proximity to the District opt to live in Rosslyn. Those Turnberry Towers have been the number one selling condominium units in the DC Metro area for nearly a year running and I can totally see why; they have beauty, brains and -ahem- location, location, location. My favorite things about Rosslyn: It would probably have to be the free salsa lessons at the Artisphere. Who is going to pass that up?! Added bonus about Rosslyn- you can walk to Georgetown Cupcake and not have to find a place to park over there!
  • Courthouse– The name doesn’t say it all; yes, there is a Courthouse here, however, you will soon find that Courthouse has much fun and inspiration to be offered! The historic Colonial Village (original master planned community in our country) can be found in Courthouse, right next to the imperial Ray’s Hell Burger (locally owned and operated famous hamburgers). For those looking to rest their head in luxury, you can find the Odyssey (a fantastically designed, award winning class A condominium development) or if Chicago loft is more your style, take a peek at Abdo development’s Wooster Mercer lofts which boast floor to ceiling windows, exposed duct work and trusses and the cool factor- how about repurposed exposed brick which is originally from the DC Children’s Museum? Cool. Treat yourself to yummy Thai at Sawatadee or get some amazing Latin American food at GuaRapo. Courthouse is a great place to call home. My favorite things about Courthouse: I have to say that I love that you can find ample parking in the Courthouse garage that is free after 5pm. That is pretty fine of you County of Arlington. Mighty fine of you, indeed. Also, I love that Bayou Bakery is within walking distance and makes the most decadent hot chocolate you will ever have.
  • Clarendon – Hip, fun, sophisticated and ready for you to call it home, Clarendon is a wonderful district along the Orange Line. Every Wednesday there is a farmer’s market outside of the Metro Stop at Highland. Live music at Iota- meet you there! Sustainable cuisine from a locally owned and operated family restaurant- try any of the 3 sister restaurants, Northside Social (fantastic boutique wine and coffee- all locally or sustainably sourced), Liberty Tavern (upscale bar with sophisticated, season and locally sourced cuisine), or the newest addition, Lyon Hall (a culinary experience to try!). Looking for some good shopping, intermixed in the fun, you’ll find ,many locally owned shops (Revolution Cycles or how about Max and Ruffy’s). Central to the shops in Clarendon is a Whole Foods grocery which can be packed on weekends, but offers a very convenient solution to your healthy living and sustainable food needs! Clarendon isn’t just luxury condos like the beautiful concierge style Phoenix, but there are tremendous opportunities with single family homes; new development as infill is typically green built and tends to stay very true to the craftsman and bungalow styles. Whatever style you’re looking for in real estate, stick with me, and we’ll find it for you in Clarendon. My favorite things about Clarendon: Oh my goodness. This is a difficult one, because I love Clarendon. I totally do. I love Northside Social because I get a vanilla steamer from them and it tastes like a warm vanilla milkshake, but less calories. I love Clarendon’s hidden retail shops down Filmore like Bakeshop and Screwtop that you have to stumble upon behind 1021 Clarendon. I love that you’ll see girls in mini-skirts next to women in suits looking perfectly confident and I love that you’ll see men of all ages staring at them in Clarendon. People watching is the best from a rooftop in Clarendon.
  • Ballston– Getting close to the end of the Arlington Orange line, you’ll hit Virginia Square that is mere blocks away from Ballston. During the day, Ballston is primarily an office scene; however, there is a great mix of condominium life dappled along this desirable area. The Ballston Commons Mall houses the Kettler ice rink when the Nationals call home and a large movie theater and Macy’s to anchor the shops. Finding a cheap place to park is easy when you have the Ballston mall’s parking garage available! Grab a healthy lunch at the brand new SweetGreen on Wilson (I get the guacomole greens-it is awesome!) or hop on down to the Matusaki for your sushi fix. Believe it or not, there is a dance-scene in the Ballston Mall… Union Jacks has a great night life, and isn’t too far from the Metro! For great housing in the Ballston area, The Residences at Liberty Towers has the nice finishes that today’s homeowner is looking for, and the Continental has that luxury look and feel of a concierge style property. My favorite things about Ballston: Ballston, like Nauck is like the sleeper area of the Orange line. People don’t realize that it is pretty darn cool. It just got a Sweetgreen for cryin’ out loud. I like that there is a cheap parking garage, a Metro within walking distance of my office and a place to go watch hockey players training all within 3 blocks. I like that you can walk from Harris Teeter to my office and not pass a Starbucks. I like that you can go to Fresh Nails and see Ewyann and KoKo for a mani-pedi and they will give you a hug because they actually remember you from the last time and I like that in Ballston, the condos are affordable for my clients and they still get to go play in Clarendon!

Neighborhoods you’ll dig in North Arlington

  • Arlington View
  • Arlingwood
  • Ashton Heights
  •  Aurora Highlands
  •  Ballston-Virginia Square
  •  Bellevue Forest
  •  Berkshire Oakwood
  •  Bluemont
  •  Bonair
  •  Boulevard Manor
  •  Brandon Village
  •  Broyhill Forest
  •  Buckingham
  •  Chain Bridge Forest
  •  Cherrydale
  •  Cherrydale Crest
  •  Dawson Terrace
  • Dominion Hills
  •  Gulf Branch
  •  Highland Park
  •  Johnson’s Hill
  •  Larchmont
  •  Leeway Heights
  •  Long Branch Creek
  • Lyon Park
  • Lyon Village
  • Madison Manor
  •  Maywood
  • Minor Hill
  •  Oakcrest
  • Parkhurst
  • Rosslyn
  • Old Dominion
  • Overlee Knolls
  • Potomac Crest
  •  Rivercrest
  •  Shirley Woods
  • Spy Hill Boulevard Manor
  • Veitch Summit
  • Waverly Hills
  • Waycroft-Woodlawn
  • Westover
  •  Williamsburg
  •  Woodmont
  • Cardinal Forest- Off the beaten path, Cardinal Forest in West Springfield, VA is a beautifully maintained townhome community that sits flush against the Lake Accotink Park. In the springtime, you don’t even need to drive into DC for the cherry blossoms; the avenue leading up to Cardinal Forest is paved with flowering cherry blossoms and dogwoods. A variety of floor plans are available in either the townhome or garden style. Fenced in walk out basements offer a sense of privacy under the towering evergreens. With immediate access to Rolling Road and Old Keene Mill, Cardinal Forest residents can enjoy a simplified commute to the “mixing bowl” or 495. Navigating the area to grocery shop is simple, head up to Whole Foods or the Giant which are less than 2 miles away. Check out the award winning school systems in West Springfield. My favorite things about Cardinal Forest: It is off of the beaten path. It is just a beautiful in the Spring as going into DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival- maybe better, because you don’t have to deal with crowds.
  • From Keen Mill Manor to Orange Hunt Estates, West Springfield will give homeowners the very desired sense of privacy and space with the much coveted larger lots, densely wooded green spaces and larger homes. Split level ramblers, federals and mixed contemporaries, West Springfield real estate can bring you a relaxed feeling that you are home and in a community that cares about preservation and green space. If you enjoy the outdoors, check out Hidden Pond, or go on over to the historic carousel at Lake Accotink park, where you can rent paddle boats in the summer, and walk the trails year round!
  • Burke– Burke is a great spot that situates you just west of Springfield and just South of Fairfax. You are close enough into the DC Metro area that it makes sense, and just far enough out that you can get your hands on more space for the money. Braddock, Old Keene Mill, Rolling Roads all can sneak you in and out of Burke. Take advantage of beautiful Burke lake and some of the lovely scenery that makes Burke a fantastic place to call home. Plenty of shopping, and single family homes and town homes, Burke is a great option if you’re looking for more space with the proximity to DC; especially if you want to have some of that beautiful greenery, too! My favorite things about Burke: It is super pretty out in Burke. When the trees turn, it is just stunning to drive down Old Keen Mill. There is a gorgeous lake for you to take advantage of and a Whole Foods just around the corner so you don’t have to fight with the folks in Falls Church or Clarendon for your organics!
  • Alexandria- It has so much history and there is so much to do and see in Alexandria. You can find a great nightlife and shopping scene on King Street or you can find the quite places to stroll along Seminary, you name it, you can find it in Alexandria real estate. From the federal style buildings, to adorable cape codes, the mix is there and whatever you want, we will surely be able to call it out. Alexandria real estate is a different breed on the national level just like the rest of Northern Virginia because of all of the Federal jobs that come here- the market just doesn’t seem to go down; which is great for those who own property in Alexandria! With the Metro accessible, great roads to navigate, bike paths galore, Alexandria is a beautiful place to call home. Need to be close to the Pentagon? We’ve got a place for you in Alexandria real estate. Need to be close to Ft. Belvoir? We’ve got the perfect place for you in Alexandria. Are you a sailor and want to be close to the Potomac? Alexandria real estate could be just perfect for you. My favorite things about Alexandria: I love taking my visitors to Alexandria before I take them into DC. I don’t know why I do this. Maybe it is because the colonial feel that you get when you head into Old Town, and the way some of the oldest buildings lean. I love the  red brick buildings with the stars on them. I also really enjoy GW Parkway. It is windy and long , but it is scenic and pretty and I do love that trip down to Mt. Vernon.
  • Del Ray- Within Alexandria is the precious community of Del Ray which is known for its glorious entrepreneurial spirit. Del Ray real estate is the type that you snatch up when you find it, because it rarely comes on the market! From gorgeous Victorians to masculine craftsman style homes and the dappled in modern homes that have snuck their way into the Del Ray fabric of Alexandria, this little neighborhood is has great restaurants, shops and this outrageously welcoming hometown vibe that is so awesome to come by in such a large city such as Alexandria. They have this event called Third Thursdays where all of the neighborhood vendors and patrons come out in the streets and meet and greet and hang out- rain or shine, it just really brings people together and the people seems to always be smiling in Del Ray. It’s pretty darn cool. My favorite things about Del Ray: I would have to say that I really captured why I love Del Ray above. It feels like home, it has a very smart entrepreneurial spirit about it that really seems like Austin to me, and I like that. I think that it is cute and stylish and the people who have woven themselves into this fabric of Alexandria have done a great job of making this district adorable, homey and charming.
  • Lorton- For those of you who are looking to be close to Fort Belvoir and not quite out in Springfield, and not quite in Alexandria, Lorton might be the perfect fit for you. Just on the North side of the Occoquan to the South of Fort Belvoir, you will find Lorton. There are a great number of single family homes as well as townhomes in this area and you’re close enough to utilize the great shopping in Woodbridge! Hop on the VRE or shoot down Richmond Highway, you can get in and out of Lorton pretty easily. If you’re looking for some nifty things to do on the weekend, try checking out the Lorton Workhouse Studio for some gallery openings or art lessons. The Lorton Workhouse used to be a prison, yes, a prison, but has been converted into a totally awesome studio and artist co-op space that is worth checking out! My favorite things about Lorton: The unexpected presence of the Lorton Workhouse studio and the creativity that has been harnessed there would be what I love  about Lorton, Virginia.

Fairfax County Neighborhoods you’ll dig

  • Orange Hunt Estates
  • Cardinal Forest
  • Daventry

Neighborhoods you’ll dig in and around Fairfax County

 

Are you ready to start talking about where you want to live? Let’s have a chat! Drop me a line or give me a call. I’m ready to help you find your next home in this Northern Virginia real estate market. You can even start your search now!