Alexandria

Teeming with lakes and native flora, Alexandria West prioritizes green space without forfeiting any of the city's amenities. Whether residents are looking to hit fine dining, an annual event in Old Town Alexandria or one of the many park trails, this neighborhood has it all. “Alexandria West is a hidden gem,“ Monika Edwards Harrison, a Realtor with the McEnearney Associates and a resident of the neighborhood for 23 years says. “If you like a diverse community near almost anything you might like or have to do, Alexandria West is the perfect place.” Town houses and condominiums are a prominent home style in Alexandria West, but residents also find some detached single-family homes sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. One-bedroom condos go for between $220,000 and $350,000, while larger two-bedrooms go for as much as $525,000. Town houses in Alexandria West start at $520,000 and can go for up to $925,000, depending on the size and interior of the home. Single-family homes are mostly split-level and ranch-style and go for between $600,000 and $940,000. Residents of Alexandria West are 81% renters with just 19% owning property. Whether residents are looking for a spot to walk their dog or for space to go for a morning run, Alexandria West is built for it. Most of the streets in the neighborhood are lined with sidewalks, making getting around on foot a breeze. For shopping and restaurants, many residents head over to the Village at Shirlington. One of the most popular restaurants there is Carlyle, which is known for its great service and its fresh seafood, chicken, beef and ribs. “Many, many people love the Carlyle, part of the Great American Restaurant group,” Edwards Harrison says. “It's difficult to get in at times.” After dinner, residents enjoy catching the new movie out at the AMC Shirlington 7, a movie theatre in the same shopping center. For groceries, locals head to either Harris Teeter or Giant Food, both located within the neighborhood. For everyday essentials, there’s also a Target just north of the neighborhood. Alexandria West residents enjoy proximity to Old Town Alexandria, which hosts a plethora of annual events. In March, locals don green and head over to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which features dozens of groups including pipe bands, Irish dance schools and community groups. In the winter, people enjoy the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights along Alexandria’s historic waterfront. Students may head to Alexandria City High School, the setting for Remember the Titans Residents of Alexandria West may send their children to Alexandria City Public Schools. Students would first head to John Adams Elementary School before heading to Francis C. Hammond Middle, both of which received a C grade from Niche. For high school, students would head to Alexandria City High School, known for being featured in the 1971 film Remember the Titans. Formerly known as T.C. Williams High School, it earned a B grade from Niche. Some locals send their children to either Episcopal High School or St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, both private schools that earned A-plus grades from Niche. Alexandria West possesses a rich tapestry of wooded trails and nature preserves. Dora Kelley Nature Park offers 50 acres of oak-hickory forest within the neighborhood’s bounds. The park interlaces with Holmes Run Trail, a winding stream-side network that attracts hordes of local hikers and bikers. Winkler Botanical Preserve just might be the neighborhood’s most unique green space. Spanning across 44 acres of land, the property unwinds into a maze of trails and streams. Locals must leave their bike at home, but they can bring a camera to capture images of the park’s private lodge, lily pad pond and human-made waterfall. Whether residents are commuting to work at the Pentagon, looking to catch a Wizards game at Capital One Arena, or looking to check out one of the Smithsonian Museums, the Metrorail has four stations in Alexandria to help get there easier. The Metrobus also has a long list of stops in the neighborhood, helping locals get from one place to another. For getting out of town, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a 7-mile drive. For medical attention, Inova Alexandria Hospital is conveniently located a mile south of the neighborhood. The neighborhood is also home to the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College. On campus, residents stop by the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center to check out the gallery of local art or an evening of smooth jazz. e Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College. Stop by the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center to check out the gallery of local art or an evening of smooth jazz.

As the name suggests, Arlandria borders Arlington and Alexandria, with an Alexandria address. It’s the northernmost community in the city, and Realtor Sue Kovalsky with the Jen Walker Team of McEnearney Associates Realtors says, “It’s one of the most convenient places you can live.” That’s because this neighborhood about 8 miles south of Washington, D.C. is surrounded by major roadways leading throughout the DMV, close to the Potomac Yard Metro Station and within walking distance of the shops and restaurants lining Mount Vernon Avenue. Many also know Arlandria as Chirilagua, after a region in El Salvador from which many residents hail. Beginning in the 1980s, the Salvadorian community began settling in the area, and this heritage is seen throughout the neighborhood. Colorful murals with messages written in Spanish adorn the sides of buildings, one of the greatest concentrations of Latino markets and eateries in the D.C. area lines Mount Vernon Avenue and the annual Chirilagua Festival at Four Mile Run Park celebrates residents’ heritage. Realtor and investor Erik Beall with exp Realty says, “The neighborhood is surrounded by hot spots – Del Ray, Old Town, D.C. – but manages to retain its own identity.” Mount Vernon Avenue is Arlandria’s main street, with one of the greatest concentrations of Latino-owned and operated shops in the D.C. area. “There are a lot of small mom-and-pop restaurants within walking distance of many residences,” Beall says. Veronica’s Bakery and Café specializes in traditional Salvadorian, Honduran and Mexican cuisine and has a pastry display on the counter. El Pulgarcito Restaurant is another Salvadorian spot, serving traditional dishes like Pollo con Crema and Plato Tipico. Mount Vernon Avenue also has American fare, including restaurants like RT’s, with New Orleans-inspired food like gumbo and lump crab and Northside 10, a sister restaurant of Old Town’s Southside 815 and a great spot for happy hour drinks. Perhaps the neighborhood’s most famous restaurant is the Waffle Shop. Locals know this spot for its green diner-style awning, where the restaurant’s name is spelled wrong, missing an “f.” When the restaurant wanted to replace the awning, regulars protested, arguing it added charm to this late-night spot, open from pre-dawn to midnight during the week and 24 hours on the weekends. To eat at home, residents can grocery shop at one of the many Latin-American markets lining Mount Vernon Avenue, MOM’s Organic Market or Foodway. Four Mile Run Park spans nearly 10 miles, with two paved trails parallel to Four Mile Run Stream. This is a popular spot for fishing and birdwatching, and visitors often see Cooper’s Hawks flying overhead or Great Blue Herons wading on the shore. Children peer into the stream, looking for crawdads, while dogs splash in the water. “Dog parks connect to certain spots on Four Mile Run,” Beall says. “Dogs can run from the park into the water.” The rest of the area consists of parkland and greenery, where mature trees shade trails and bike paths. Frank Mann Field is also here, where the Alexandra Aces collegiate summer baseball team plays. Every Sunday morning in the spring and summer, the Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market fills the park with tables and stands as various vendors sell artisan foods, produce and crafts while live music floats through the air. This is also the site of the annual Chirilagua Festival, which celebrates the neighborhood’s Latino culture through food, live entertainment and vendors. Neighborhood streets are lined with brick buildings in classic styles. It feels urban here, with sidewalks leading throughout the community and small lot sizes. Most of Arlandria’s residents rent elevator or garden-style apartments. However, permanent residences, mostly townhouses, are available. These attached units were typically built from 1980 to 2010 and cost between $470,000 and $870,000, depending on size, age and condition. While some single-family homes are scattered throughout the neighborhood, Beall says, “People stay entrenched in their homes a lot more. They’re owned by families for a long time.” If a property does come on the market, it typically ranges in price from $850,000 to $1 million. Bungalows, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes are some common styles. The Birchmere Music Hall, with its humble brick exterior and colorful murals on the side, may be an unassuming building, but it has hosted music powerhouses like Dave Matthews and Mary Chapin Carpenter. With a bandstand and bar inside, this legendary venue has both standing and sitting room, and Kovalasky says, “There isn’t a bad seat in the house.” It also offers dinner service, dishing out appetizers, salads, sandwiches and dessert. The neighborhood is zoned for Alexandria City Public Schools. Students can attend George Mason Elementary School, which gets a B-minus from Niche, before George Washington Middle School, which gets a B. They can finish their public education at Alexandria City High School, which gets a B and offers specialized academies for students to apply to. They include the STEM Academy and the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy. The latter is a collaborative effort with George Washington University. Upon completion, students are guaranteed admission to the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. St. Rita’s Catholic School is also in the neighborhood and serves students from prekindergarten to eighth grade. Arlandria, with its townhouses and apartment complexes connected by sidewalks, is very walkable. “You can walk to shops and restaurants as well as the street markets and community events in nearby Del Ray,” Kovalsky says. “Really, the neighborhood can support individuals and families without a car.” The closest Metro station is the Potomac Yard Station, about a mile east of the neighborhood, leading about 8 miles north to the nation’s capital. City and regional buses also lead to the Metro and throughout Alexandria. The neighborhood also has access to major roadways. To the north, Glebe Road connects with U.S. Interstate 395, which leads towards D.C. and to the west, Richmond Highway leads towards the heart of Alexandria. And when it’s time to fly, the Ronald Regan Washington National Airport is about 2 miles east.

The Alexandria, Virginia enclave of Beverly Hills might not be as glitzy as the California Beverly Hills depicted on the 1990s television show or have a zip code synonymous with teen angst. Still, the rolling hills and magnificent architecture make up for it. “It’s called Beverly Hills for two reasons: one of the planners was named Beverly and because of the topography — it’s hilly,” says Geoff Giles, a Realtor with eXp Realty. “They considered the landscape and wanted to preserve the hills.” Giles adds residents in Beverly Hills enjoy walking the neighborhood’s streets, shaded by towering oaks and mature dogwoods. The walkability fosters a sense of community: “You’ll see the neighbors waving at everybody.”<br><br>While there are no restaurants or shops in the 500-home community, Giles says the neighborhood is 10 minutes from multiple attractions such as Crystal City, Old Town Alexandria and Washington, D.C. “The location is awesome,” Giles, who has seven years of experience selling homes in Northern Virginia, adds. “You can get to D.C. quick.” Most homes in the community were built in the 1930s and 1940s and Giles says there is a “healthy mix” of housing styles, including the historical elegance of colonials and the pitched roofs of the Cape Cods. The average cost of homes in Beverly Hills is $1.2 million and Giles says there is little to no inventory in the neighborhood. And when there is, it doesn’t last long. “When houses there come on the market, they are only on the market for about 20 days,” Giles, who is a part of Debbie Dogrul Associates, says. “One house recently only lasted two days on the market.” If you are looking for a large lot, Beverly Hills might not be ideal — according to Giles, lots run about one-quarter of an acre. “This is not a big sprawling neighborhood,” he says. Since the neighborhood is older, many residents have either renovated their homes or flipped them, according to Giles.<br><br>One advantage, Giles says, of living in Beverly Hills is the proximity to George Mason Elementary School, which is within walking distance of most of the houses in the neighborhood. The B-rated school by Niche has a 14-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. George Washington Middle School, B-rated, also has a 14-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio.<br>Alexandria City High School, formally named T.C. Williams High School and B-rated by Niche, is best known for being the subject matter of the 2000 film, “Remember the Titans.” All neighborhood schools are part of the Alexandria City Public Schools, ranked B by Niche.<br><br>Beverly Hills has two local parks: Beverley Park, affectionately known as “The Pit,” and Monticello Park. The Pit is a gathering place for adults and kids alike. Younger children will enjoy the recently renovated playground and adults can assemble around the park’s fire pit. Besides having hiking trails, the 15-acre Monticello Park is well-known amongst bird watchers — the ruby-crowned kinglet, winter wren and hermit thrush are three of the most often seen birds at the park.<br><br>A quick drive to Old Town Alexandria offers many eating and shopping destinations. The Majestic offers buffalo duck nuggets and croquettes, while Hank’s Oyster Bar has private rooftop dining with stunning views of the waterfront and the Potomac River. Commuters in the community will find access to I-395 and the Metro and bus services convenient and hassle-free.

Seminary Valley, a stretch of cul-de-sacs and orderly residential streets in Alexandria, is tucked between the greenery of Holmes Run and the rolling landscape of Seminary Hill. First created as part of a 1950s housing boom meant to accommodate Federal government employees, the neighborhood is about 10 miles from the nation's capital via Interstate 395. This solidly residential neighborhood lacks some of the flashiness or pizazz of other Alexandria neighborhoods. You won’t find the museum-like historic feel of Old Town here or the city glitz of high-rises like in Landmark/Van Dorn. But you will find plenty of housing options, quiet residential streets and a strong sense of community. Seminary Valley’s sells itself with simplicity – lot sizes are uniform and houses are generally set back from the street. Front yards, driveways, hedges and flower beds increase curb appeal, but design and décor tend to be understated. Homebuyers can choose from traditional Cape Cods, split-levels and a variety of town houses. Single-family homes on lots of less than an acre, with driveways and plentiful yard space. A 2,000- square-foot Cape Cod goes on the market for between $700,000 and $800,000. A four-bedroom split-level sells for a little more than $400,000, and one of the neighborhood’s odd-angled midcentury modern houses along Holmes Run Parkway is valued at about $800,000. Seminary Valley’s active neighborhood association helps bring residents together, promoting volunteer efforts and hosting annual events like a Turkey Trot and a holiday house lighting competition. The neighborhood’s schools, Patrick Henry Elementary and James K. Polk Elementary, prouldy provide resources that servet he neighborhood as well as the students. The Patrick Henry Recreation Center provides multipurpose rooms and playing fields. Shared space with the school includes a black box theater and a gym. Polk boasts an updated playground and regularly participates in local sustainability activities such as tree plantings. Beyond the orderly house lots and suburban streets, Seminary Valley opens to swells of green space along its southern border and Holmes Run. Here, Landmark/Van Dorn’s high-rise buildings peek above the treetops and footbridges connect the neighborhoods. And Brookvalley Park, 22 acres of multifaceted green space, features walking and biking trails. Explore the park and you might stumble across the thick trunk and sprawling branches of a massive Willow oak that is estimated to be the oldest tree in Alexandria. For residents who want to go green, rentable community garden plots are on the park’s west side.

Del Ray is in between the suburbs of Alexandria to the west, and the attractions and nightlife in nearby Old Town Alexandria to the south, so it reaps the benefits of both. Still, it has its own identity as a hip, trendy enclave with unique shopping and dining destinations outnumbering franchise spots. Though Del Ray used to literally serve as the Potomac Yard rail workers' residential neighborhood, locals still have a deep connection to Potomac Yard since it's now a metro-accessible shopping district to the neighborhood's east. Bradley Wisley, a northern Virginia native and real estate agent with Century 21 New Millennium, says, "Del Ray was built for Potomac Yard, once called the town of Potomac until Old Town took it over. It's a very trendy area, but unlike Arlington, with Del Ray you're not getting larger mansion-sized homes. the character and charm of Del Ray is what really defines it." Del Ray's neighborhood motto is "Where Main Street still exists." That main street is Mount Vernon Avenue, where residents will find most of the neighborhood's shops, diners and a statue of brightly colored blocks that spell out Del Ray. The Del Ray Café along Mount Vernon Avenue serves a farm-to-table menu of French dishes for brunch, dinner and dessert, all in a dining area built from a restored 1920s residence. Nearby Cheesetique is a restaurant and wine bar stocked with artisan cheeses. For brunch, they have a "Make your own mimosa" deal and charcuterie boards to share with friends. For happy hour, residents can check out Bark Social, a pet-friendly bar connected to a dog park. Del Ray is also known for its "Wellness District," a cluster of fitness and wellness businesses that operate along Mount Vernon Avenue. "People love their fitness here – yoga, Pilates, competitive sports, all of it," says Jennifer Schwartz, owner of Impact Your Fitness, a physical therapy studio in town. "And when they're done with their workout, we fitness freaks love to get juice or toast at South Block." South Block is a juice bar chain further north in Del Ray specializing in detox drinks and avocado toast. For more general needs, residents are minutes away from the newly built Potomac Yard Center to the east, hosting a Target, Best Buy and Giant for groceries. Residents can stroll around several small pocket parks throughout Del Ray, including Judy Lowe Neighborhood Park, which has a playground and benches. Mount Jefferson Park and Greenway is a longer strip with a trail, playground and basketball courts, and it cuts through the neighborhood's north. Old Town Alexandria has bigger green spaces like Founders Park and Waterfront Park; both have open grass fields with sweeping views of the Potomac River. Parkgoers can also see D.C. and Oxon Hill, Maryland, just across the river. Del Ray's residential streets branch off Mount Vernon Avenue, and most shopping here is available along this main thoroughfare. The average home price here ranges from $725,000 for an older, modestly sized bungalow or Cape Cod to $2 million for a newer custom home floating around 4,000 square feet. The price varies by the home's remodel status and proximity to Old Town. Lots of these homes have comforting features like a fenced-in yard, leaving space for a garden. Sliding glass doors and covered porches are popular so neighbors can chat with friends in the sweltering Virginia summers. "The original homes in town are the ones you bought out of a Sears catalog magazine; you're not going to tear those down, as there's always buyers for them," Wisley says. Del Ray's original homes were built between 1890 and 1940 in bungalow, Cape Cod and brick colonial styles, and it's common for Del Ray buyers to remodel these older homes. Still, Wisely notes, "The buyers there are not lifers; it's more transitional and trendy for young couples that want to expand out" from central D.C. There are also newer buildings popping up in New Traditional, Craftsman and other custom styles to accommodate demand in this growing neighborhood. The small community of Warwick Village is within Del Ray, as well, and consists mainly of brick townhouses. The Warwick Village Citizens Association manages the village, and it has a $15 annual membership fee. The Del Ray Business Association hosts several events year-round to build community and support the local economy. First Thursdays are free and open to the public with live music and local art to benefit a different local nonprofit each month. The Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market happens on the first Saturday of each month. The Del Ray farmers market is also a great way to get in-season fruits and vegetables, pastries and a selection of Amish cheeses. For events nearby, locals can spend their time in Old Town Alexandria browsing local art or taking a class at Torpedo Factory Art Center, enjoying a moonlight dinner cruise on the Potomac River, or dancing in the Bayou Room basement bar on a Friday night. Mount Vernon Elementary School is within Del Ray and holds a C-rating on Niche. George Washington Middle School has a B-rating. Students can end their journey at nearby Alexandria City High School, just a few miles west of Del Ray, rated a B on Niche. Alexandria City High School has a notable history. The school's integration efforts and championship football team in 1971 were immortalized in the Disney film "Remember the Titans," back when the school was under the name T.C. Williams High School. Wisley says that Del Ray is "One of the first areas to search for folks moving out of the district, as walkability is similar to living in the city." WMATA's newest metro station opened in Potomac Yard in May 2023, proving the area is busy and vibrant enough to connect to the greater D.C. metropolitan area. Del Ray residents are just a mile from Potomac Yard/Vt Metro Station, a 5-minute drive up Potomac Avenue. Residents walk less than a mile to King Street, the main road of Old Town Alexandria, which also has a metro station. Richmond Highway borders Del Ray to the east, and travelers from town can head to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in under 3 miles, a smooth commute to the D.C. area's most extensive travel hub. Del Ray residents can also take the George Washington Memorial Parkway to be in the nation's capital in 8 miles.

Eisenhower Avenue, the result of a redevelopment plan, remade itself from a rail yard into a robust city-like neighborhood with high-rise office buildings, hotels and residential complexes. Located along a southern patch of Alexandria, the neighborhood acts as a modernized version of the nearby historic Old Town. Eisenhower Avenue reproduces some of the venerable village’s walkability but offers a decidedly different version of downtown. The streets are unabashedly contemporary and filled with steel-and-glass sky-high structures, lavish condominiums and luxury hotels. The neighborhood establishes itself as a distinct urban spot thanks to its Metro stop and proximity to the Capital Beltway. The area is not without historic appeal – The George Washington Memorial Masonic Temple peeks around the corner here and there, hinting at the quaint enclave of Old Town just beyond Duke Street. The African American Heritage Park lies to the east, with 9 acres of commemorative space containing the Black Baptist Cemetery. When asked what her favorite part of living in the neighborhood is, Realtor Marie Meyer with KW Metro Center says, “The convenience and the people – everyone is educated and has something interesting to say.”<br><br>Numerous restaurants are within steps of residential units. Mixed-use buildings with ground-level restaurants and offices surround John Carlyle Square – an open-air event space. Fast-casual spots like Potbelly and Panera Bread are popular during lunch hour, but the neighborhood also has its fair share of upscale dinner spots. “The restaurants are all lit up when the sun sets,” Meyer says. “It’s quite pretty at night.” Whiskey & Oyster is a low-light oyster bar with patio seating and a long whiskey list, while Pasara Thai serves authentic Thai cuisine. On the weekends, locals love Lost Boy Cider, which mimics a typical brewery with one quirk – it serves cider. Its menu has seasonal favorites, including Spiced Gingerbread and the Island Hopper, with hints of guava. The AMC Hoffman Center 22 multiplex movie theater, with a game room and multiple screens on two floors, attracts night and weekend crowds, many of whom take the Metro in for showtimes. To eat at home, Wegmans and Whole Foods provide residents with options for grocery shopping. And, of course, Eisenhower Avenue is within walking of Old Town Alexandria's numerous shops and restaurants.<br><br>While Eisenhower Avenue is an urban area, the city has gone to great lengths to ensure that the neighborhood has access to green space. Limerick Street Recreational Park Field, created on top of an Alexandria wastewater treatment facility to maximize public space in this dense area, provides athletic fields for competitions and practice. John Carlyle Square is like the neighborhood’s town square. It sits amid mixed-use buildings, providing residents with a spot to walk their dog or read a book on a shaded bench. This is also the spot of community events and pop-ups, like the annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival, which prides itself on showcasing high-quality, diverse and creative art displays from artists nationwide. Pet lovers living in high-rise buildings without yards love visiting the Dog Park at Carlyle, with both fenced-in and off-leash areas, to let their pooches get some playtime. For a more scenic outdoor experience, the 26-acre Cameron Run Regional Park is just outside the neighborhood. Here, kids splash at the Great Waves Waterpark in the summer, teenagers head to the slow- and fast-pitch batting cages and families or first-dates play minigolf. Around the holidays, the park illuminates for Ice & Lights – The Winter Village at Cameron Run. The park transforms into a winter wonderland, with colorful lights wrapped around trees, crafted in arches or made into sculptures of Christmas trees and polar bears. The park completes the holiday fun with an ice skating rink that’s open through February. <br><br>The headquarters of the United States Patent and Trademark Office covers blocks along Ballenger Street and defines Eisenhower Avenue as a major commercial and office center. The multibuilding campus, which includes the National Inventors Hall of Fame and Museum and Dulany Gardens Plaza, infuses the area with workers, visitors and even tourists. The office’s construction is often credited with breathing new life into this space formerly used as a warehouse and industrial site. The National Science Foundation and the Alexandria Magistrate are other major employers in the area. <br><br>While the neighborhood is distinctly contemporary, with most of its construction occurring in the early 2000s, it does have some historical sites. The George Washington Masonic National Temple is dedicated to the nation’s first president, who was also charter Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22. The monument is both Neo-Classical and modern. Its base consists of a large staircase that leads to an entryway adorned with columns, while at the top, it mimics a skyscraper pointing upward. Opened in 1970, it features an expansive front lawn, ornate entrance hall, observation deck and museum. While the George Washington Masonic National Temple champions one man who helped found the United States, African American Heritage Memorial Park honors the people who built it. The park’s focal point is “Truths that Rise from Roots Remembered,” a bronze sculpture of trees commemorating African Americans' contributions to Alexandria’s growth. Small sculptures scattered throughout the park acknowledge historic Black neighborhoods and the known and unknown people buried on the location. The park contains the 19th-century Black Baptist Cemetery, with only six identifiable headstones remaining from the original site. The park’s design co-exists with the lasting cemetery and the area’s surrounding wetlands. <br><br>Eisenhower Avenue adheres to a live, work and play model – townhouses, condos and apartments provide dense residential options for both renters and potential homeowners. The neighborhood’s housing stock consists mainly of condos that range in price from $450,000 to $1 million, depending on size, age and condition. These luxury units typically feature amenities like gyms and pools and are within walking distance of grocery stores, green spaces and a movie theater. A few recently constructed townhouses are also available, which typically cost around $1 million and share the same walkability to conveniences and attractions. <br><br>The neighborhood is zoned for Alexandria City Public Schools. Students can attend Lyles Crouch Elementary School, George Washington Middle School and Alexandria City High School. All three of these schools receive B grades from Niche. Alexandria City High School has two specialized academies: the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy, which offers students guaranteed admission into the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences upon completion, and the STEM Academy. <br><br>“You can walk everywhere,” Meyer says. “A lot of couples only have one car because they don’t need two. You almost don’t even need a car.” The Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station is within walking distance of Eisenhower Avenue’s residential buildings and leads to Washington, D.C., about 14 miles north. DASH buses run throughout the neighborhood and lead to surrounding areas. The Alexandria AMTRACK station is also within the neighborhood, which also has VRE rail lines that take residents all the way down to Richmond, Virginia. These rail lines can make things noisy. “At 6 o’clock in the morning, you hear a hoot,” Meyers says. “In case anyone is sleeping under the tracks, they’re buzzing them out. I’ve never seen anybody, but that’s what we’re told.” And when it’s time to fly, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is about 5 miles north.