Fairfax County community just south of Alexandria city
Huntington is a Fairfax County community on the outskirts of Alexandria, separated from Old Town Alexandria by the Capital Beltway and Cameron Run waterway. Despite these boundaries, Huntington is still just a quick ride to Old Town and downtown Washington, D.C., from the Huntington Metro Station, and home values are significantly lower: Huntington's average home values are under $500,000 – less than half the average value of $1.2 million in Old Town. "You're within 20 minutes of Old Town, which everyone really thinks of when they think of Alexandria. When you get older, you don't want to live around bars and restaurants, but you still enjoy being close to Old Town to go out to eat," says Mark Frieden, Realtor at My Move DMV at eXp Realty.
Getting around by Metro and car
The Huntington Metro station is on the Yellow Line. It takes commuters to the King St-Old Town Metrorail, less than 3 miles north, and continues to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and the National Mall in downtown Washington, D.C., about 10 miles north. Those who prefer to drive into downtown Alexandria or D.C. hop on Route 1 (along the neighborhood's eastern border), though traffic can be heavy. Alternatively, bicyclists can travel the 3 miles from Huntington to downtown Alexandria on the Mount Vernon Trail. Although most residents can walk to the Huntington Metro and other destinations within the neighborhood, busy roads such as Interstate 495 on the North, Route 1 on the east and N Kings Highway on the west can make navigating the larger area on foot more challenging. Cameron Run, an offshoot of the Potomac River, also delineates the neighborhood's northern border.
Huntington Levee mitigates flooding
Huntington is a naturally low-lying area prone to flooding from Potomac River tidal surges and the Cameron Run watershed. Fairfax County finished constructing the Huntington Levee in 2019 to mitigate flooding. However, flooding during extreme weather events could still affect the neighborhood, particularly north of Huntington Avenue.
Huntington Park and Community Center
Huntington Park has pedestrian trails along the Huntington Levee, and Farrington Park, three blocks down, has a small playground. Huntington Community Center is also within a short walk of the park and playground and has afterschool programs for kids, personal development programs for adults, and Therapeutic Recreation Services for people with disabilities. It's also the neighborhood's polling place during elections. Residents can also get outside at Mount Eagle Park, which has more trails, a playground and a volleyball court. Locals can spot Blue Heron and other birds and wildlife at Huntley Meadows Park, about 4 miles south, which has a boardwalk and trails through marshy land and forest. Belle Haven Country Club is a high-end, private golf club just east of the neighborhood.
Dining in Old Town and casual options nearby
Nearby Old Town Alexandria has a breadth of dining and nightlife options. "Restaurants are always coming and going in Old Town. I'd say it's about one-third chains and two-thirds locally owned restaurants," Frieden says. He recommends Two Nineteen Restaurant on 219 King Street, although "it can lean a little touristy." Two Nineteen resembles a Victorian-era New Orleans venue, serving French-Creole dishes while diners listen to live jazz music or smoke in the cigar lounge. Ada's on the River is another favorite in Old Town; the contemporary venue serves surf and turf with views of the Potomac. For more casual fare close to home, Bob and Edith's Diner off N Kings Highway serves classic American breakfast and sandwiches 24/7, and Balkan Grill sells Mediterranean groceries and dishes such as falafel and Greek salad. For groceries, Bestway Supermarket is off Telegraph Road in Huntington's northwest corner, and Walmart is off Route 1 just south of the neighborhood.
Duplexes and single-family homes next to high-rise condos
Much of the housing stock consists of two-story brick and vinyl-sided duplexes in simple colonial styles built in the 1940s and 50s. A two-bedroom unit goes for between $400,000 and $500,000, while three- and four-bedroom, renovated units can reach $600,000. "For a comparable home in Old Town or Arlington, you'd be paying $850,000 to $1 million or more," says Kevin Ash, a Huntington native and Realtor with Pearson Smith Realty. Single-family homes clustered around Huntington's south end include Cape Cods from the same time period priced between $450,000 and $650,000. "A lot of the homes are older, so you're seeing a lot of renovations. People are buying them to fix them up to live in them," Frieden says. Quiet streets with sidewalks and street parking for single-family homes create a suburban feel, though "there are a few cheaper high rises, for those who want more of that city feel," Frieden says. Renters can live in the newly constructed Aventon Huntington apartments or purchase a two-bedroom, garden-style condo in the Huntington Club condo complex for between $175,000 and $225,000. Two-bedroom units in Montebello's resort-style high-rise complex cost between $400,000 and $650,000. Although there have been discussions to redevelop the Huntington Club complex, all plans have been postponed indefinitely.
Students attend Fairfax County Schools
Students usually attend Cameron Elementary School, which earns a B-minus grade from Niche, for kindergarten through sixth grade and A-minus-rated Twain Middle School for seventh and eighth grade. Older students attend B-plus-rated Edison High School, which offers an International Baccalaureate program and the Edison Academy, which provides career and technical education in fields such as culinary arts, veterinary science, auto technology and cosmetology.
Events nearby in Jefferson Manor and Old Town
Immediately west of Huntington, the Jefferson Manor Civic Association hosts community events such as the annual block party in September, where locals gather to listen to live music, play games and sip beer, and Holiday Extravaganza, a winter celebration with desserts, activities and pictures with Santa. Locals are also just a quick Metro ride to events in Old Town, such as Alexandria and USA Birthday Celebration fireworks over the Potomac in July and the Historic Homes and Gardens Tour in April.
