The city of Arlington, VA is located about 5 miles southwest of Washington DC across the Potomac River. This affluent city that covers nearly an entire county is attached to other cities such as McLean, Annandale, and Alexandria.
Arlington is most commonly known for its strong public school system and its many national landmarks such as the Pentagon, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the Marine Corps Memorial, and the Arlington National Cemetery.
Living in Arlington means joining a remarkable city with a historic background. If you’re considering relocating to Arlington, this guide will help you see if the area is a good fit for you, your lifestyle, and your budget.
1. People of Arlington, VA – Population & Demographics
The city of Arlington is home to a population of 229,534 people with a median age of about 34 years old. This area has seen rapid growth over the past few decades with more than 80,000 new residents moving to Arlington since the 1980s. The population in Arlington is almost perfectly split between females and males with about 50.04% being women and the remaining 49.96% being men.
There has also been a massive increase in diversity when it comes to Arlington demographics with about 62.3% of the population being Caucasian, 15.5% Hispanic or Latino, and 10.2% Asian.
Arlington is the birthplace of many well-known people such as actress Sandra Bullock as well as famous physician Patch Adams and is home to numerous politicians. It is also the final resting place of astronaut John Glenn, who was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery.
2. Great Things to Do in Arlington
Among the many enjoyable Arlington activities, few are as humbling and historical as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This spectacular marble monument stands in the Arlington National Cemetery as a reminder of the sacrifices made by WWI soldiers and all those who have fought for our freedom since then. The tomb is constantly under the protection of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment known as “The Old Guard”.
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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 1 Wilson Ave, Fort Myer, VA 22211
(877) 907-8585
Another one of the best things to do in Arlington is to visit the Long Bridge Park, which is right across the street from the Pentagon. This popular location has more than 30 acres of open space, soccer fields, playground structures, and more. Enjoy a clear day with a family picnic or get out some energy at this top attraction in Arlington.
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Long Bridge Park, 475 Long Bridge Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 228-6525
3. Arlington Restaurants You’ll Love
There are so many great places to eat in Arlington, it’s difficult to narrow down the best options. But among the top-rated locations, El Pollo Rico is one of the most delicious serving Peruvian dishes that will have your mouth watering. Grab some spit-roasted chicken as well as great sides like fries, coleslaw, and more.
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El Pollo Rico, 932 N Kenmore St, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 522-3220
For an All-American menu, Tupelo Honey stands among the greatest restaurants in Arlington. There you’ll find fantastic Southern comfort food that includes fried chicken, pancakes, biscuits & gravy, shrimp & grits, and many other yummy dishes. Whether you want to build your own plate or purchase one of their pre-designed specials, you’re sure to find a great meal.
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Tupelo Honey, 1616 N Troy St, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 253-8140
4. Cost of Living in Arlington
Wondering how much it is to live in this city? When looking at essential expenses, you’ll find the Arlington cost of living is about 69% higher than the national average. It is also about 65% higher than the average across Virginia with items like food, transportation, and housing being more expensive.
Having the biggest impact on these differences are homes for sale in Arlington, VA? A view of the local real estate market shows the average sale price of a home in Arlington is $751,270, which has jumped up by 5.7% in the last 12 months. It isn’t expected to fluctuate much over the next year.
With more than 55% of residents living in Arlington deciding to least their homes and apartments, there are a large number of rental options available around the city. The average price of rent in Arlington ranges from $1,994 per month for a one-bedroom up to around $3,689 per month for a four-bedroom house.
5. Arlington Neighborhoods Worth Living In
You’ll find a variety of safe, comfortable neighborhoods in Arlington covering about 26 square miles. With everything from apartment complexes to gated communities, you can take your pick from the many great choices when relocating to Arlington. A handful of the top Arlington neighborhoods include:
- Cherrydale
- Virginia Square
- Crystal City
- Court House
- Aurora Highlands
As the county seat and largest part of Arlington County, the city of Arlington covers the following zip codes: 22044, 22046, 22101, 22201, 22202, 22203, 22204, 22205, 22206, 22207, 22209, 22211, 22213, and 22214. A new Arlington phone number will have a 703 area code.
All around town, you’ll have easy access to convenient shopping in Arlington including CVS, Safeway, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target, and the Ballston Quarter Mall.
6. Local Arlington Schools
While only about 10% of the Arlington population are children between the ages of 5 and 17 years old, that still adds up to around 23,281 students living in the city. Parents will be pleased to have their kids join the top-ranked Arlington County Public School District, providing quality education at each of their campuses. A few of the best schools in Arlington are:
- Arlington Traditional School
- Arlington Science Focus School
- Williamsburg Middle School
- Swanson Middle School
- Yorktown High School
- Washington Lee High School
Though there aren’t any colleges in Arlington, Georgetown University is only four miles away. This gives local graduates living in Arlington access to a university ranked among the top 30 colleges in the nation. The highly-ranked George Washington University is also only four miles away as well.
7. Great Jobs in Arlington
With a median household income of $112,138, people relocating to Arlington will be joining an area that makes nearly twice the national average salary. There are great opportunities all over town as well as in surrounding cities, making this a strong location for developing a career. A look at local Arlington jobs will point to many large employers such as:
A good portion of locals also commute from Arlington, VA to Washington DC about 5 miles away. It is normally a trip of about 15 to 20 minutes across the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge.
8. Comfortable Arlington Weather
Experiencing each season throughout the year, people residing in Arlington have a wide range of fun outdoor activities to visit. Among the top places to enjoy nice weather in Arlington are the Bon Air Park Rose Garden and the Crystal City Water Park.
Temperatures see significant annual variations beginning with warm summers between the mid-60s and upper 80s. Winters cool down quite a bit with temps from the low 20s to the mid-40s as well as about 15 inches of snow per year. Arlington weather also brings about 43 inches of annual precipitation.
Tips for Moving to Arlington, VA
- Enjoy living in a place of history and national relevance.
- Experience plenty of fun places to visit and great restaurants.
- Top-ranked schools for both children and college students.
- Plan on weather that varies between warm, dry summers and wet, freezing winters.
When it comes to living in Arlington, there is so much to do and see that makes it such a wonderful part of Virginia. If you’re relocating to Arlington, our professional team of movers would love to assist you! Contact Suburban Solutions today at (301) 928-8669 or complete the Request a Quote form above for a free Arlington moving estimate!
