Property Management in Virginia: Living in Old Town Alexandria

January 30, 2018 Virginia

This article is part of a series of articles on the neighborhoods of Virginia that aim to help you get a feel for renters who may be interested in the area and how to market to them. This article profiles Old Town Alexandria’s historic charm,  waterfront attractions, and provides information about residents living in Old Town. 

Facts and Figures

In Old Town Alexandria, 51 percent of homes are owner-occupied and 35 percent of homes are occupied by renters. On average, there are 2 residents per home and the median number of years in a residence is 2.9. The annual residential turnover rate is 22 percent, and nearly 10 percent of households have children.

Neighborhood Atmosphere

Old Town is the oldest neighborhood in the City of Alexandria, and its proximity to Washington D.C. makes it an attractive place to live for many residents. The area is part of a historic district and includes many antique shops, art galleries, and historically significant buildings. After the King Street Metro station opened in 1983, the area experienced an increase in tourism and economic growth. Distinctive neighborhood gems, such as Old Town’s Market Square, which is one of the oldest continuously operating marketplaces in the country, also add to the area’s appeal. King Street also offers prospective residents shopping, dining, and entertainment options, which complement Old Town’s historic character.

Neighborhood Features

As the historic center of Alexandria, Old Town attracts potential tenants with its amazing shops, waterfront dining establishments, and numerous entertainment venues. The cobblestone streets and grid layout of the neighborhood are additional elements of the neighborhood’s appealing design. Some of the unique local places in Old Town include Murphy’s Irish Pub, Bastille, Carlyle Club, Union Street Public House, the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and the Alexandria Waterfront.

Major Transportation

Not only is Old Town Alexandria very walkable, but tenants also have a variety of local and regional transportation options. The King Street – Old Town Metro station is on the Blue and Yellow lines of the Metro. The nearby train station also provides connections to Amtrak and VRE. Additionally, Metrobus routes 28A, 29K, 29N, and REX serve the neighborhood. DASH routes AT2, AT5, AT6, AT7, and AT8 stop in the area as well, along with the King Street Trolley. There are car share programs through Zipcar, as well as bike-share programs through Capital Bikeshare. WalkScore.com has given the Old Town neighborhood a Walk Score of 86 and a Bike Score of 61 out of 100.

Unique Neighborhood Events

The Old Town Farmers’ Market is located at the Market Square, at 301 King Street, in Alexandria. It is the oldest farmers’ market in the U.S., which has been held at the same site without interruption for over 260 years. The market is held on Saturdays, between 7 am and 12 pm, on a year-round basis.

The Alexandria King Street Art Festival is held annually in September on King Street in Alexandria.

If you are thinking of becoming a landlord in the Old Town neighborhood, The Washington Post offers additional information about the area. And if you’re looking for property management for your Old Town rental, learn more about professional property management with Alexandria expertise.