Arlington Home + Community Connection Guide by elacopo

Connecting Arlingtonians to Home + Community since 1995

Home + Community connection

GUIDE

Arlington,

Regardless of your needs, if you need a recommendation for something, just ask I can help!

What’s Inside

LEARN WHAT MAKES ARLINGTON SO SPECIAL

Why Arlington?

Lifestyle

03 Schools

04 Kids Sports

05 Eat

06 Fitness

07 Neighborhood & Home

Why people love Arlington...

5 MINUTE DRIVE TO WASHINGTON DC

Living and working in Arlington, Virginia, offers a blend of urban convenience and suburban charm Located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Arlington provides easy access to the nation's capital, making it a popular area for government workers, military personnel, and professionals in various industries The public transportation system, particularly the Metro, makes commuting simple.

Arlington boasts a high quality of life, with safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and plenty of parks and outdoor spaces like the famous Arlington National Cemetery and Theodore Roosevelt Island. The community is diverse and active, with a variety of cultural events, farmers markets, and dining options There's a strong sense of community, balanced by the fast-paced lifestyle typical of the D.C. metro area.

While the cost of living can be high, the proximity to job opportunities and amenities, along with the blend of urban and natural environments, makes Arlington an attractive place to live for professionals and families alike

FAST FACTS: ARLINGTON...

is an urban county of about 26 square miles has 123,700 housing units, 72% of which are multi-family features 43.9 million square feet of rentable building area has 11 metro rail stations has about 57,528 residents who live and work in Arlington

FUN

FACTS: ARLINGTON HAS...

3 easy access airports, 2 of which are international airports

610 restaurants

9 farmers markets an average assessed value of ~$1.2M for single family homes

Consistently named “America’s Fittest City” features 20 pickleball courts has over 100 miles of designated bike paths

Connect like a local…

The first step in getting connected to Arlington is to visit the New Resident Welcome Kit If you don’t go any further into this guide, make sure to at least visit the welcome kit.

WHY RESIDENTS LOVE IT:

Proximity to just about everything

Nature without sacrificing urban conveniences

Diversity and culture

Strong sense of community for singles and families

Vibrant entertainment and retail scene

Easy access to Washington DC

Services and amenities that are second to none

Arlington Community

CASUAL SOPHISTICATION

Arlington balances urban convenience with suburban tranquility, offering diverse dining, cultural attractions like Arlington National Cemetery, & ample green spaces. Its proximity to Washington, D.C., ensures easy access to museums and political hubs, supported by efficient public transport and bike-friendly infrastructure. The community attracts a mix of young professionals, families, and retirees, fostering a vibrant lifestyle with excellent schools and career opportunities.

FOOD SCENE:

Incredibly diverse culinary options

Indi coffee shops to chains like Starbucks

Great Monday-Friday causal dining

For Michelin star rated eateries, goto DC

YOUR NEIGHBORS:

Lots of transplants, OG’s are rare

Diverse upbringings and vast life experiences

Public and private sector representation

Emphasis on commuity

AWARDS:

#1 Fittest City in the U.S.

*ACSM American Fitness Index Rankings, 7th consecutive year

#9 Most Walkable City

*Expedia.com, 2018

#3 ParkScore Index Top 10 U.S. Cities

*The Trust for Public Land, 2022

Live like a local

Want BREAKING NEWS, community chit chat, Monthly “Best of Lists” and more, favorite these: ARLNOW

Arlington Magazine

WHY RESIDENTS LOVE IT:

Strong sense of community

Local traditions

Great walkability and public transport

Active county government

Well-preserved historic homes

New, high quality infill homes

Inclusive and diverse

Excellent schools

Arlington Schools

LEARN I THRIVE I EXCEL

Arlington Public Schools ranked No. 2 best school district by Niche for 2025. Only 2 other school districts achieved an A+ rating. With nearly 28,000 PreK-12 students across 40 schools and programs, APS showcases a dynamic community where students speak 107 languages and represent 146 nations. The district employs around 8,000 full and part-time staff, including 3,000 dedicated teachers, and is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, exceptional educators, and robust community support.

HELPUL LINKS

Arlington Public School Website

Map and Boundary Locator

Info about Schools & Programs

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Arlington Kids Sports

FROM REC TO THE OLYMPICS

Arlington County sports for kids can be as casual or intense as you (I mean your kid) wants it to be. The number of kids playing sports in Arlington is massive. Especially at the younger ages. Arlington County does a great job of creating additional teams when warranted. Be prepared for limited/late practice times as field/gym space is limited. **And yes, I did mean the Olympics. Check out Arlington’s very own, Torri Huske!

Drive your kid to sports all week like a local

Baseball and Softball

Basketball

Lacrosse

Volleyball

Racquet and Paddle

Football

Soccer

Ultimate Frisbee

Field Hockey (link coming)

Aquatics

Gynmastics

Arlington sports can feel overwhelming at first However, once you and your young athletes get settled, most sports team/seasons are VERY organized. Many sports leagues use apps like Team Snap for scheduling and communication In addition to the many athletic options offered by Arlington County, there are also a ton of opportunities with private leagues and coaches. Be sure to lock in the Inclement Weather hotline at 703.228.4715.

MORE THAN A GYM...

Membership sales quotes travel time from Arlington to be 13 minutes. No way...at best, it’s 20+. But that’s ok...The St. James is worth it as the leading sports, performance, wellness, and entertainment platform in the country. The Flagship location includes a premium fitness gym in Springfield, a massive sports complex, and lifestyle and active entertainment amenities for the whole family. If you are looking for a health club, a gym with classes, or a sports club, The St James has it

Arlington Eats

Restaurants in Arlington, Virginia offer a diverse culinary landscape that reflects the area's cultural diversity and proximity to Washington, D.C. You can find a wide range of dining options, from trendy eateries and upscale restaurants to casual diners and international cuisine. Many places emphasize farm-to-table ingredients and local flavors. Arlington's dining scene is known for its vibrant atmosphere and variety, making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors looking to explore different tastes and dining experiences.

FOOD SCENE:

Incredibly diverse culinary options

Indi coffee shops to chains like Starbucks

Great Monday-Friday causal dining

For Michelin star rated eateries, go to DC

BEST OF (IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE):

Wine & Cheese Shop I Arrowine

Pasteries I Randolphs

French Bistro I Cafe Colline

Neapolitan Pizza I Pupatella

Date/Couples Night I Green Pig Bistro

Coffee/Wine/Eat I Kaldi’s Social House

Breakfast Sandwich I Northside Social

Timeless Libations/Inspired Cuisine I Salt Dive Bar I Cowboy Cafe

Rooftop Italian I Sfoglina

Hamburger I Burger Billy’s Joint

Authentic Spanish I SER

Tacos I Taco Bamba

Eat like a local…

Arrowine - Tastings are a must. Grab a baguette to go. Randolphs - Poppyseed danish. Cafe Colline - La Cachat, Steak Frites. 1:45 time limit. Pupatella - Casual, everything is solid. Green Pig Bistro - Cozy. Great drinks. Schnitzel. Kaldis - “Classic” breakfast sandwich. Salt - Dark, mysterious, awesome. Cowboy - Wings, strong drinks. Sfoglina - Decent food, great views. Burger Billy - Cherrydale Brisket Burger, a must. Taco Bamba - All of it.

OTHER FAVORITES:

Bagels I Call Your Mother (McLean)

Meat I Organic Butcher (McLean)

BBQ I Texas Jacks

Happy Belly I Ruthies All Day

Before kids sports I Starbucks drive-thru

After kids sports I Pietanza

Vietnamese carry out I Four Sisters

Maryland crabs I Quarter Deck

Arlington Sweats

FITNESS

Arlington is often recognized as one of the fittest cities in America. It offers a plethora of fitness options to cater to a wide range of interests and fitness levels. Whether you like personal, indoor training or outdoor group classes, morning, noon or night, Arlington has fitness options for all. Arlington's commitment to fitness and health is reflected in its diverse array of fitness offerings, making it a great place to stay active and your healthiest life

(Photo courtesy of National Landing BID)

FITNESS SCENE:

Incredibly diverse culinary options

Indi coffee shops to chains like Starbucks

Great Monday-Friday causal dining

For Michelin star rated eateries, go to DC

LOW OR NO COST OPTIONS:

Pacers Running - Run Club

Mind The Mat - Outdoor Yoga

Fit @ Met - Variety of classes

If you like bougie health clubs like Lifetime Fitness or sweat boxes like Barry’s, Arlington has no shortage of options for you. If you prefer low or no cost options, there are a plethora of options through in-store running groups, group outdoor yoga, weekly cycling rides and more. You can literally find a free fitness option every night of the week!

OTHER FAVORITES:

(Photo courtesy of National Landing BID)

Arlington Real Estate

Arlington offers a dynamic real estate market, characterized by a diverse mix of condos, towns and single family homes that vary by style, age and price point Proximity to Metro, commuter routes & Washington, D.C. makes it highly desirable. Popular neighborhoods include Clarendon, Ballston, and Rosslyn, all known for easy access to all things Arlington has to offer. Prices are generally higher than the national average, driven by demand & limited inventory. Arlington also boasts top-rated schools, parks, and a vibrant dining and cultural scene. The market can be competitive, but offers long-term value due to its central location and strong economy.

HOUSING STOCK:

Condos, townhouses & single family homes

$250,000 - $45,000,000 (yes, $45 million)

Bungalows, craftsman, modern, farmhouse, colonial, mid-century moderns, ramblers

Many homes range in age from the 1940's to brand new construction

Lot sizes from ~ 4,000 - 10,000(ish) sq ft

Median sold price for single family homes as of fall 2024 = $1,292,000

Live like a local…

THE SCOOP:

Developers pay between $850,000$1,350,000 to build $2.5M+ homes

There is little, to no vacant land

Starter homes are priced around $1M+ Arlington has less seasonal inventory swings than most other areas don’t bother “timing” the market

The best time to buy/sell is whatever works for your unique circumstances

The Arlington real estate market is dynamic to say the least. For the best results, proper representation and who you work with matters. It really does...especially if you are relocating from out of the area. Many homes in Arlington trade in just a couple days and/or never even come on the public market. Having an advocate that lives and breathes Arlington real estate is critical in helping you achieve your goals.