Old Town
From 1700s historical homes to an array of condominiums
Flanked on one side by the Potomac River and extending westward via gridded streets, Old Town offers variety in residential housing. On the one hand, there are historic homes lining cobblestone or brick-laden streets from the 1700's. Architecture styles include colorful row houses and Colonials maintaining their original facades, shutters and transom windows. “Properties here sell in a matter of days; it’s always been that way,” Patterson, who has been selling real estate in Old Town for 38 years says. “There’s never really a slow period here.” Homes here start at $800,000 and can go for as much as $4.8 million. A select few of these homes offer coveted riverside views starting at the $1.7 million mark.Meanwhile, condominium developments offer a different lifestyle, bringing comfort and convenience to Old Town. They provide a more affordable option while overlooking Old Town’s streets. Residents can find a condo priced as low as $280,000 and as high as $3.9 million. Those prices are dependent on the square footage, bedroom count and the age of the building and condo. The newer the building, the more expensive it gets. For residents looking to explore Old Town or take a walk down to the riverfront, streets are lined with sidewalks.
Old Town’s array of parks
The local parks and sights reflect Old Town’s interesting juxtaposition of historic and modern feel. Old Town has over 15 parks, but The Armory Tot Lot is extra special. What once was the rubble of a burned-down army building is now the go-to children’s play date spot. Some residents enjoy heading over to Huntley Meadows Park, which includes hiking and biking trails, an auditorium and picnic shelters perfect for birthday parties or barbecues. Others cherish their time at Founders Park, which features walking paths, a dog exercise area and beach volleyball courts. The green space in Founder’s Park is also perfect for a weekend picnic.Historic Old Town food spots
When it’s time for coffee, locals go to Misha’s, a neighborhood staple since 1961. For those who want to try something unusual, try the Nutella latte. Otherwise, they can also visit the unique Killer ESP, Old Town’s go-to for hand-held pies, espresso and sorbet. This spot can get very busy for date night, so visitors should make sure to plan accordingly. There is plenty of competition to get a seat inside their comforting interiors, complete with twinkling lights, a cozy couch and a stack of board games to play.When ready for a full meal, Old Town has excellent options, both new and tried-and-true. Gadsby’s Tavern, considered the oldest restaurant in Alexandria, opened in 1792. Their menu offers meals inspired by this era, like meat with roasted potatoes cooked in homemade butter. The servers are also dressed in colonial-era get-ups, and all its original architecture has been maintained. On a Friday night, you might find yourself at the hip Hank’s Oyster Bar, sharing a plate of raw oysters or indulging in their happy hour Punch of the Day. For the morning after, grab brunch at Café 44 for their trendy breakfast specials and aesthetically pleasing plating. One of their most popular dishes, shrimp and grits, pairs well with the riverside views from their balcony.
When it’s time for shopping, Old Town is filled with charming local businesses. Your Hobby Place has all the board games, and Gossypia Boutique has been a staple in local women’s fashion since 1969. Many appreciate the convenience and familiarity of national chains, too, so many locals make the short drive to Potomac Yard for shops like Target, Harris Teeter and HomeGoods.
Annual Old Town events
For those interested in the history of Old Town’s homes, annually in April is the Historic Homes and Garden Tour. Visitors can tour gorgeous homes and gardens as part of the annual Historic Garden Week in Virginia. For the 4th of July, residents also enjoy the USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration, where residents can see a patriotic performance with dazzling fireworks and live music by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.Alexandria City Public Schools
Residents of Old Town send their children to Alexandria City Public Schools. For Pre-K through 5th grade, children may attend Lyles-Crouch Elementary before heading to George Washington Middle School. Both earned a B grade from Niche. For high school, students attend 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. As for private options, some attend Bishop Ireton High School, which earned an A-plus grade from Niche.Conveniently located just 8 miles from the nation’s capital
For commuters, Old Town is conveniently located just 8 miles from Washington D.C. Some commuters take the Metrorail into the city, using either the Braddock Road or King St. Old Town Stations. The Metrobus also has various stops throughout the neighborhood, giving locals a public transportation option to get around. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is just a 4-mile drive from Old Town. The closest hospital is Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4 miles away.Torpedo Factory Art Center
The Torpedo Factory Art Center is an enormous eclectic art gallery inside of a refurbished factory. It’s home to the largest number of publicly accessible working artist studios in the United States.
Written By
Kevin Haswell
Photography Contributed By
Caleb Jones
Video By
Alex Jacobsen
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Michael Lefevere
Michael Lefevere
Weichert, REALTORS
(202) 949-3690
49 Total Sales
1 in Old Town
$390,000 Price
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Arshia Kia
Arshia Kia
EXP Realty, LLC
(571) 556-7835
83 Total Sales
1 in Old Town
$1,750,000 Price
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Patricia Petkosek
Patricia Petkosek
Compass
(680) 210-3045
39 Total Sales
4 in Old Town
$613K - $1.8M Price Range
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Taylor Barnes
Taylor Barnes
Responds QuicklyBarnes Real Estate Company
(202) 883-3591
58 Total Sales
6 in Old Town
$268K - $1.6M Price Range
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Traci Johnson
Traci Johnson
Compass
(202) 856-9881
94 Total Sales
1 in Old Town
$455,000 Price
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Kevin Hughes
Kevin Hughes
Compass
(667) 771-3884
144 Total Sales
1 in Old Town
$396,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Rivergate City Park
- Volleyball
Windmill Hill Park
- Basketball
- Dog Park
- Volleyball
Harborside Shipyard Park
- Trails
Waterfront Park
- Picnic Area
- Walking Paths
North Alfred Street Playground
- Playground
- Walking Paths
Montgomery Park
- Dog Park
- Picnic Area
- Tennis
Oronoco Bay Park
- Walking Paths
Huntley Meadows Park
- Trails
Armory Tot Lot
- Playground
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Old Town | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Old Town Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old Town, Alexandria sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Town, Alexandria over the last 12 months is $580,000, up 27% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$549,000
Median Sale Price
$580,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$499,900
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$270,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$560,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
333
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
27%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$376
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
5,478
Number of Homes for Sale
15
Median Year Built
1975
Months of Supply
0.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,111
Above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,922
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,340
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
790
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
403
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742
Open Houses
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Saturday, Aug 22 - 4pm
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Saturday, Aug 21 - 3pm
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Sunday, Aug 31 - 4pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
-
$2,140 - $5,569 per month
- Bell Old Town
- Studio-3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 473+ Sq Ft
- 750 Thornton Way
- Alexandria, VA
-
Condo Buildings
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
15,460
Median Age
47
Population Density
16 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$145,854
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$164,495
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.1%
College Graduates
76.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
47.7%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
13''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
79
/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
99
/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
71
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Rosemont
Alexandria's first planned community, with King Street retail and metro access
Parker-Gray
Historic neighborhood less than 10 miles from Washington, D.C.
Del Ray
Trendy neighborhood close to Potomac Yard for retail and Old Town's nightlife
Huntington
Fairfax County community just south of Alexandria city
Potomac Yard
A former industrial park transformed into a modern, residential neighborhood
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