Photo from iStock.com/Photo Notebook
Old Town Alexandria (you’ll often see OTA for short) encompasses one of most popular zip codes in Alexandria, VA: 22314. This zip code falls under the City of Alexandria government jurisdiction and the Alexandria City Public Schools district. It’s here, in Old Town, that many of the familiar pictures of Colonial Alexandria originate. Tourism drives a significant portion of the economy in the area, and it’s not uncommon for a TV series or movie to be in production on the city’s streets.
Even with the commercialism, or perhaps because of it, families flock to live among these tree-lined and cobblestone streets for many reasons, including walkability to dining and retail options and quick access to Washington, DC, and Ronald Reagan International Airport. High quality of life factors such as the constant cultural activities throughout the city are also perks residents are fond of.
For these reasons and many more, this part of Alexandria is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and visit. Take a look at some of the recent accolades:
Even with the commercialism, or perhaps because of it, families flock to live among these tree-lined and cobblestone streets for many reasons, including walkability to dining and retail options and quick access to Washington, DC, and Ronald Reagan International Airport. High quality of life factors such as the constant cultural activities throughout the city are also perks residents are fond of.
Ronald Reagan National Airport via Pixabay
Alexandria Old Town Neighborhoods
It’s helpful to envision Old Town divided into quadrants: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest. You’ll find these terms when discussing real estate in the area. Neighborhoods are tucked within these sections.
For example, Parker-Grey is in the Northwest quadrant, and the Old and Historic District neighborhoods are within the Southeast and Northeast quadrants. More popular neighborhoods include Potomac Yard (the most northern portion of 22314), Old Town Commons, and Carlyle, which is part of the more recently built portion of Old Town.
Because land is limited, expect most housing to be more compact, often in the form of condos, townhouses, and apartments in side-by-side or multilevel complexes and highrise buildings. Single-family, stand-alone homes are the least prevalent.
Small town living and big city amenities perpetuate Old Town Alexandria’s highly sought-after real estate market’s demand. Year after year, rental and sale prices reflect the demand. As with most waterfront communities, properties toward the Potomac River are smaller and more expensive. As you move further inland, you’ll gain a little more space and possibly a smaller price tag, especially in a townhouse, condo, or apartment community.
Here’s more: What to Know About the Rental Home Market in Alexandria.
Old Town Alexandria image via Ken Lund
Alexandria Shopping and Entertainment
Old Town is well known for various shopping up and down major streets such as King and Duke, but small boutiques and cafes are nestled along many of the smaller side streets. Residents have the luxury of sampling local fare and shopping one-of-a-kind small businesses but also have access to national retail chains, including grocery stores that are convenient for walking and biking.
Alexandria’s abundance of small city cultural amenities are located throughout the city, but in Old Town, a few outlets are crowd favorites. The Little Theatre of Alexandria is a popular venue for performances, summer camps, and classes. On the waterfront, the Torpedo Factory Art Center showcases more than 150 resident artists in dozens of studios and galleries featuring ceramics, collage, fiber, glass, enamel, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Orchestra music and professional singers are not far away if these performances suit your art and culture style.
N Fairfax and King St in Old Town Alexandria by Matt Briney
Old Town Alexandria is steeped in history, and the abundance of historical events, tours, and museums reflects the city’s 1749 birthday. There’s always an exhibit or talk scheduled for attendance. Highlights include Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, the Alexandria Black History Museum, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Highlights include Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, the Alexandria Black History Museum, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Is A Day Trip To Mount Vernon on your must-do list while living in Alexandria?
Commuting from Alexandria
One of the primary reasons people chose to live in Alexandria is due to its central location. There’s a good chance your place of work is in the city or on a military base, but if not, Washington, DC, is about ten miles away, and hundreds of government offices are dotted throughout the region.
King Street in Old Town Alexandria via Ken Lund
Commuting by Car
If a car is your preferred choice of transportation, a significant source of anxiety that comes with the privilege is parking both at home and at your place of work. Your house may or may not come with a dedicated parking space. Each day, many residents find street parking with and without residential permits. Street parking is tight during the high tourism season and special events.
Biking to Work
More people than you’d think bike to work from Alexandria. It’s very doable, given the bike trail access on the GW Parkway and the ability to load bikes on and off Metro trains and buses. Two resources that can aid in planning your route include the City of Alexandria’s Bikeways Network and Bike Washington.
Alexandria's Public Transportation
The DASH bus system is Alexandria-specific and helps commuters get to and from connections between Metro trains and buses, the Virginia Railway Express, and local bus routes. Metro trains and buses transport commuters to and from Alexandria.
The Metro has stops in Alexandria at King Street Station (OTA), Van Dorn Street, Eisenhower Avenue, Huntington, and Braddock Road Station.
Alexandria City Public Schools
ACPS has a distinguished and long history in public education. Its earliest iterations were created with help from President George Washington to educate orphans and underprivileged children. Modern ACPS history includes the struggle of black Americans during the civil rights era and the challenges faced during the desegregation of schools.
Today, families continue to choose ACPS for multiple reasons, including the traditional academic and special education programs, offered in addition to the Dual Language Program and the Talented and Gifted Program. The walkability to many of the community schools is also a huge draw.
Photo from Canva
Use the school district’s Attendance Zone Locator to verify the schools your 22314 address is connected with. It is likely one of these campuses:
- Alexandria City High School (Grades 9-12)
- George Washington Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School (Grades PreK-8)
- Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy (Grades K-5)
- Douglas MacArthur Elementary School (Grades K-5)
- Chance for Change Academy
Old Town Alexandria continues to be a residential destination that families prefer because of the quaint, small community feel (you’ll likely see neighbors at the Farmers Market), but also due to the proximity to Washington, DC, and its suburbs. Thanks to a job market that relies on the government industries and rarely softens, military and civilian workers have plenty of options to choose from that keep them living in Alexandria year after year.
By Dawn M. Smith
