Alexandria is a beautiful independent city on the Potomac River situated right next to Washington D.C. Being a site of one of the first English colonies on the continent, saying Alexandria has a rich history is a bit of an understatement.In 1669, the tract of land that would eventually become Alexandria was settled by the English, and when America finally gained independence, George Washington included Alexandria in what would become the District of Columbia. Now, Alexandria is a beautiful upscale city populated with lots of government workers, due to its close proximity to D.C. It is known for historic buildings in it’s Old Town, and wonderful shops along King Street.
Demographics & Population of Alexandria, VA
Alexandria is a reasonably sized city with a population of 160,530 and is experiencing a growth rate of 13.9%. Alexandria also has a significant foreign-born population — 27.7% of the population. As a city where lots of younger people work government jobs, it naturally has a fairly low median age of 36.5 years of age. Alexandria is also very diverse, with its white population consisting of 52% of the population, black community taking up 21%, and hispanic population being 17% of the population. Its diverse community also likely originates from the fact that Alexandria is so close to Washington D.C, where the Department of Defense is one of the largest employers.
Wondering if Alexandria VA is a safe place to live? You’ll be glad to know that the crime rate in Alexandria, VA is 35% lower than the national average, with violent crime being 58% lower.
Alexandria, VA Cost of Living
Alexandria is a beautiful city in a convenient spot, but that comes with some downsides. Living in Alexandria can get pretty pricey, with the cost of living being about 44% more expensive than the national average, housing costs being a large contributing factor to that. The median value of a home in Alexandria is $561,800, and housing costs in Alexandria are 133% more expensive than the average for the US. If buying a house wholesale is looking to be too expensive for you, then renting is a much more affordable option, with the average rent in Alexandria being $1,987 per month.
Housing isn’t the only thing that’s less affordable in Alexandria, although certainly not to the same degree. Those considering moving to Alexandria should know that utilities, groceries, and transportation will generally cost them 5-15% more than the national average.
Alexandria, VA Schools
There are lots and lots of great schools in Alexandria! This city is served by the Fairfax County and Alexandria City school districts, which both provide excellent public schools from kindergarten to the twelfth grade. Waynewood Elementary and Twain Middle School are two excellent choices for getting your child through to the eight grade. And there’s no mentioning the best schools in Alexandria without mentioning the highly acclaimed Thomas Jefferson High for Science and Technology, which consistently ranks in lists of the best high schools in the US!
Colleges in Alexandria are just as high quality as the public schools! While living in Alexandria, you’ll be within ten miles of such excellent colleges as Georgetown University, which has alumni like Antonin Scalia and Ivanka Trump, George Washington University, and the American University, all of which are widely recognized as some of the best colleges in the union.
Alexandria, VA Climate & Weather
If you’re planning on moving to Alexandria, you should know that summers here are a humid hot and winters are a wet cold, so make sure to pack accordingly! However, Alexandria has a more balanced climate when compared to other cities on the East Coast. In the summer, you can expect highs of 99 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the winter, you can expect lows of around 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Alexandria also gets slightly more rain compared to the national average, 43 inches to 38 inches, but gets only half the amount of snow, 14 inches to 28 inches. If you’ve lived in any of the big cities on the East Coast, you’ll find Alexandria’s climate nice and familiar.
Best Neighborhoods in Alexandria, VA
When moving to Alexandria, it’s important to ensure you’re moving to a community you’ll gel with. Some Alexandria neighborhoods are better for families, some for millennials or couples.
Like townhomes, diversity, and art festivals? A neighborhood like Del Ray might be exactly the place for you! Consisting primarily of small homes, Del Ray hosts the Art on the Avenue Festival, which regularly brings up to 50,000 people for art, food, and fun! Del Ray is the perfect community to settle in if you love a worldly neighborhood.
Del Ray is just one of many unique and lovely neighborhoods in Alexandria. See an additional sample of Alexandria’s communities below:
- West End
- Rosemont
- Old Town
- North Ridge
Thinking about living in Alexandria, and want to check out the real estate? Check out homes in Alexandria, VA here, and find the community that’s right for you!
Alexandria, VA Jobs
Ready to make a living in Alexandria, VA? Those on the job hunt will be pleased to know that wages have been increasing and job growth has been steady. The average hourly rate for Alexandria is $18.81, with nurses, dental assistants, and administrative assistants being positions that generally are paid the best within the city.
If you want the best paying job in Alexandria, though, you should seek out salaried government jobs, and with Alexandria’s excellent position, those won’t be hard to come by. The Department of Defense is one of the biggest employers in Alexandria, and positions like intelligence analysts can make $76,000 a year, and more if promoted.
If you want a gist of the state of Alexandria’s job market, you can check out jobs in Alexandria, VA here.
Attractions & Things to Do in Alexandria, VA
Alexandria is chock full of fun things to do! For one, there’s plenty of great shopping in Alexandria, VA, with highly rated shopping centers and malls like the Alexandria Commons and the Potomac Yard Center. But there’s also plenty of cool attractions in Alexandria as well! Check out a few below:
Great Waves Water Park
An expansive, 20-acre water park with all kinds of facilities and rides, this place is sure to be a blast for you and your kids! Great Waves is a great kid-friendly attraction right here in Alexandria!
4001 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304, (703) 960-0767
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Interested in medicine? How about Civil War-era medicine? With an extensive collection of historic medicinal products, journals, documents, and more, this amazing Alexandria museum will tell you everything you need to know about the weird world of Civil War medicine.
105-107 S Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 746-3852
Restaurants & Places to Eat in Alexandria, VA
Not to be outdone by its exciting attractions, Alexandria also has plenty of great places to eat! Check out some of the best restaurants in Alexandria, VA below!
Le Refuge Restaurant
Established in 1983, this authentic French restaurant has been serving Alexandria for almost forty years! With real French dishes crafted by real French cooks, this place is a no-brainer for anybody who can’t get enough of the old country’s cuisine!
127 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 548-4661
Old House Cosmopolitan
A European diner providing all kinds of rich German dishes, Old House Cosmopolitan is an excellent choice if you want authentic German dishes right here in Alexandria!
1024 Cameron St, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 717-9361
Things to Do in Alexandria, VA
- Seek out employment from the government
- Choose from a variety of great neighborhoods
- Choose a community that’s right for you
- See some of Alexandria’s amazing attractions
- Make sure you pack right for the weather
Ready to take the final step and start moving to Alexandria? Contact our expert Alexandria moving team, and jumpstart your journey to your new home today!
