Alexandria, Virginia

The majority of residents are white, but there is diversity within Alexandria, as the city has considerable Latino and Black populations. Alexandria's diversity is reflected in the number of ethnic restaurants scattered within.

Alexandria has a number of bars and restaurants, popular with young professionals, older residents and families. It doesn't have as much a variety as D.C. but people living in Alexandria will not have to always travel into the city for a good time. Old Town is the most popular neighborhood in Alexandria, and has a number of places to eat and drink -- even it's own speakeasy. Locals also love Restaurant Eve in Old Town, a cozy spot that is often praised for its excellent service and food. Old Town also has a few notable Irish pubs like Eamonn's, which is a fish and chips local favorite. The Del Ray area of Alexandria has its own farmer's market and is home to The Birchmere, a very popular spot for live music that attracts many national acts.

Housing prices are fairly high everywhere in Alexandria, especially in Old Town. But considering housing costs inside the beltway are usually shocking, there are many deals to be found in Alexandria. People might choose to live in Alexandria because they can't afford to live in D.C., or they are looking for an area with less crime. Alexandria is services by Metro train in several places, and it has an extensive bus system. So it would be feasible to live here without a car if cost is your concern. If you aren't worried about money and just want to live in the suburbs, a house in Old Town has just about the same prestige as living in Georgetown, but without the overcrowded feel. Rental prices are very consistent with the quality of life in Alexandria, just because the area is pretty, with lots to do and low crime rates.

Due to its close proximity to D.C., Alexandria has a strong transportation system that includes trains, buses and a few airports. Amtrak picks up in Alexandria, as does the Virginia Railway Express. The city is also services by Metro train and bus system. There are four Metro train stations in Alexandria -- King Street, Braddock Road, Eisenhower Avenue and Van Dorn. The city also has its own bus system, called DASH. In Old Town, there is a trolley to take residents up and down King Street -- and it's free!

As for traffic, Alexandria is close enough to D.C. to feel the city's overwhelming traffic congestion. The area is consistently rated among the top 5 urban areas for worst traffic in the U.S.

The central area of Alexandria consists of residential neighborhoods and single family homes. There are many apartments available in Old Town, and throughout Alexandria. Cheaper housing is available as you move away from neihgborhoods like Old Town, Del Ray and Rosemont. Housing will always be more expensive near city's four Metro train stations. In the West End of Alexandria, there are many apartment complexes and mid-rise buildings -- this is the area along 395. For other cheap housing options, look near the Landmark area of Alexandria.

There is much to do in Alexandria, and this includes restaurants, bars, parks and live music venues. The city is also good for active lifestyles, and is home to George Washington's River Farm, the Mt. Vernon Trail, and tolns of places to practice yoga or work out. The Birchmere is comparable to D.C.'s 9:30 Club, as it attracts national acts for some best live music and entertainment in the area.  

The main areas of Alexandria are Old Town, Arlandria (Chirilagua), Del Ray, West End, and North Ridge. Old Town is considered very posh, with boutiques and restaurants lining the streets. This is arguably the most active part of town, and would be great for young professionals and families alike. Arlandria is an "in-between" type of neighborhood and consists of many apartment buildings and some crime. You might look in Arlandria for lower housing than you'd findin Old Town. Del Ray is convenient to a lot of "big box" shopping stores like Target and Best Buy, and is great for families. It is also convenient for commuting by car. The West End is a larger area, and has sub-sets like Landmark, which has shopping malls and other large chain stores. There are a lot of apartments, single family homes and townhouses available in West End. North Ridge has a lot of parks, but is a very busy, congested area. It would also be convenient for commuters.

Alexandria has a number of grocery store chains, including Trader Joe's, Safeway and Giant. These are dispersed pretty enevly throughout the city, so you will never be more than a few minutes' drive from a grocery store. Alexandria also has a number of gyms and health clubs, including Old Town Sport & Health, Gold's Gym, Washington Sports Club and Fitness First. The bank branches located in Alexandria include Wachovia, Chevy Chase, Bank of America and Commerce Bank.

Employment is strong here, not only because it is close to Washigton D.C., but because there are a number of trade associations, large organizations and government entities within Alexandria as well. The U.S. Department of Defense is a large employer located in Alexandria, and other big names include the Institute for Defense Analyses, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Alexandria is also home to the financial publisher The Motley Fool. The Salvation Army is also headquartered here.

Alexandria is serviced by the Alexandria School System, and has a number of options for public schools. There are 13 elementary schools in Alexandria, serving Kingergarten through grade 5. The city has several middle schools as well. George Washington Middle School has a diverse population of just under 1,000 students, with 58% of teachers holding post-bac degrees. Hammond Middle School is a bit larger, with about 1,100 students (also a diverse population) and 69% of teachers holding post-bac degrees. Hammond was recently recognized for improvements made to the school and its curriculum. The city has two high schools -- T.C. Williams and Minnie Howard. T.C. Williams has just more than 2,000 students and 76 percent of its staff has post-bac degrees. T.C. Williams is one of the few Virginia schools to teach organic chemistry. Minnie Howard is centrally located with a student body of about 700 and is only for ninth grade students.

Alexandria offers a number of different options for those looking to invest in real estate here. There are old and new condo buildings, townhomes, single family homes and many historical buildings. The median housing price is $375,000, meaning it is on the higher side compared with other areas nationally.

Alexandria has the same weather as Washington, D.C. and gets all four seasons.