Washington D.C. forms the center of gravity for employment in the region, whether it’s government jobs or private sector. Living close to the city has always been a desirable option for homebuyers in Northern Virginia. With gas prices soaring to over $4/gallon, the time and expense of commuting makes this consideration weigh even more heavily in the decision-making process about where to live.

The majority of my clients want to buy a home in Alexandria or Arlington. Why? Location. Location. Location. Alexandria & Arlington – the two closest-in suburbs of Washington D.C. are the optimal spots for those working in the District.

In fact, most Alexandrians and Arlingtonians consider the locations “A Commuter’s Dream.”

Thinking about purchasing a home in Northern Virginia?

Information about transportation in and around Alexandria and Arlington:

METRO (D.C. Area’s Subway System)

Alexandria and Arlington are served by the Metro’s Orange, Blue, and Yellow Lines. Click here for a map of the entire system. The Orange Line runs through North Arlington from the Ballston area to Rosslyn and into D.C. The Blue Line starts in Springfield, runs through the West End of Alexandria, hits Old Town Alexandria, and the South Arlington locations of Pentagon City and Crystal City. The Yellow Line also reaches several of these same areas among others in Alexandria.

Rather than fighting traffic to get into D.C. for business or pleasure, many area residents and commuters opt to ride the metro to various points of interest within the District, Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland.

In fact, I’ve heard numerous radio reports within the last couple of days, that ridership is way up and the number of commuters riding on metro recently has hit some records. It’s no wonder with the price of gas.

Living near a Metro stop is a very popular choice and criteria for many home purchasers. Many people who live along the Metro (especially in Arlington) forego a car altogether, since they are able to walk to shops, restaurants, nightlife, and hop on the metro for an easy commute to work.

For more information about available condos on the Metro line, click on Orange vs. Blue: Condos on the Metro Line in Arlington & Alexandria.

BUS LINES

Metro Bus – The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) which operates the subway also operates an extensive system of buses. Major areas to catch a bus, either to the subway, or to your destination include The Pentagon, Rosslyn, Shirlington, Ballston, and all along the Columbia Pike corridor in Arlington. Metro bus routes are dispersed through Alexandria, and rarely will you find yourself more than a short walk to a metro bus stop.

Dash Bus – Alexandria also operates the local DASH Bus system. This local commuting option provides safe, reliable bus service within the City of Alexandria and connects with Metrobus, Metrorail, and the Virginia Railway Express as well as the Pentagon bus station.

ART Bus -- No it's not a sightseeing tour of art or architecture, but the local bus system servicing Arlington County. It supplements the Metro bus system with smaller, neighborhood friendly vehicles and provides access to Metro rail locations in Arlington.

MAJOR ROADS

If you live in Arlington or Alexandria and you choose to drive, you’re surrounded by all the major roads, including I-395, Route 66, Route 50, Route 495. Each of these major highways is easily accessible and since Arlington and Alexandria are so close to D.C., you’ll avoid most of the traffic that commuters in further out regions suffer through. There’s also plenty of easy-to-navigate back roads that enable you to circumvent backups and keep you on the path to D.C. without much major detour.

VRE TRAIN

The Virginia Railway Express is a commuter train, mostly for those living further out in Virginia, throughout Prince William County, parts of Fairfax County, out to Manassas, and down as far south as Fredericksburg. Heading into D.C., there is a stop on the rail line in Old Town Alexandria, and one in Crystal City, Arlington.

BICYCLE PATHS

Alexandria and Arlington are so close to D.C., that you can even ride your bike to work (provided you have a place to shower off during the summer months). I used to do that before real estate when I worked at a law firm in D.C. Some of the many bicycle trails that run through Arlington & Alexandria include: The Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD), the Mount Vernon Trail, Bluemont Trail, Four Mile Run Trail. Additionally, there are several roads throughout Arlington and Alexandria that include dedicated bicycle lanes. Save on gas costs – commute to D.C. on bike. You can’t do that if you live in Loudoun County! Read more about Biking Around Northern Virginia and the D.C. Area

RONALD REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT

Need to be to the airport in 20 minutes? You can! Of course, in these days of heightened security, you’ll need to arrive an hour or so before your flight, but nevertheless, Ronald Reagan National Airport is located in Arlington, easily accessible by car or by the Metro. Its location off the George Washington Parkway is just minutes north of Old Town Alexandria and a quick drive from Pentagon City, Crystal City, or just about anywhere else in Arlington. Reagan National Airport is a busy airport with daily flights to locations around the country.

ARLINGTON & ALEXANDRIA

A COMMUTER'S DREAM

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