Belle View Alexandria, VA: Upscale, Safe, and Active

Belle View is a neighborhood that is part of a larger area of wealthy and upper-middle-class subdivisions just outside of Alexandria, VA. The area, known as Belle Haven, features real estate options with purchase prices ranging from approximately $200,000 to over $700,000. Belle View, Alexandria, VA is a safe area with strong education and an overall high quality of life, and it's location near the Potomac River means residents have plenty of access to outdoor activities and seasonal water sports.

Belle View Alexandria VA Demographics

The neighborhoods directly surrounding Belle View include a population of about 10,200 residents with a fairly even division between male and females. Over 94% of residents have a high school degree, and 66% boast a four-year college degree. The residents in the area are generally more educated on average than residents in the state and nation; 32% have a professional or graduate degree. The majority of residents in the Belle View area are married currently. About 25% have never married and approximately 18% are either widowed, separated, or divorced. The area has a median age that is above the state average and doesn’t boast a great deal of diversity. The bulk of the population is white with Hispanics making up about 9% of the population. Other demographic groups, such as Asian, African-American, and American Indian, are represented in much smaller numbers in the area. Belle View and the surrounding areas boast a high income when compared with state and national averages. Mean per capital income in the area is about $65,156, which is almost double that of the state and more than double the national average. In the surrounding area of Belle Haven, the rate of those living at or below the poverty level is 35% less than the rate for the state and 52% less than the rate for the entire nation.

Belle View Alexandria VA Culture

Culturally, Belle View is a middle-to-upper-class residential area. The area doesn’t sport a big claim-to-fame for history or culture, and residents come from all over to live in the area while working in nearby cities. Residents tend to be employed in fulltime jobs in sectors such as health, public administration, or finance, and they tend to work over 35 hours a week and commute approximately 30 minutes each way for work. The area is surrounded by marshy wetlands associated with the Potomac River, which lends it to a culture imbued with water sports and enjoyment of the water. Unsurprising for its location in Virginia, the neighborhood does have some historical ties to the Civil War, though there are no museums or historical sites within the neighborhood itself. The area was originally built up as a plantation. During the late 1800's, volunteer Union forces from another state stayed within buildings on the plantation. They eventually burned the entire plantation down because of anger toward the owner’s sons, who served for the South.

Quality of Life in Belle View Alexandria VA

Overall, quality of life is high in the Belle View area, and the neighborhood receives high liveability scores from neighborhood ratings sites. Some reasons for the high quality of life is the aforementioned high income levels and strong education background of many residents in the area. Another reason for quality of life is the fact that crime rates in the area are so low. Total annual crimes for the entire area of Belle Haven – which includes Belle View and several other subdivisions – is only about 790 according to reports. Most of those crimes fall into categories associated with theft or burglary. The violent crime rate in the area is especially low. The area is rated safer than 87 percent of other neighborhoods in the country. The housing market in Belle View is very stable, which contributes to quality of life for residents. While homes are more expensive on average than they are across the state or nation, the homes are also valued at a higher rate and more likely to keep their value than in some areas. The median home value in Belle View is approximately $312,000 and almost 80 percent of the homes in the area are occupied by owners rather than renters. Average household size in the area is just over 2, which means you’ll find plenty of small families, couples, and singles in the area. One of the few factors that doesn’t automatically make quality of life better in the neighborhood is a relatively high cost of living. Gas prices in the area are about 5.5 percent higher than the national average. Food costs are also higher – pizza night is likely to run you 15 percent higher in Belle View than in the rest of the country, and even a cup of coffee is about 18 percent more expensive. The higher cost of living doesn’t tend to impact Belle View residents in too negative a fashion, however, thanks to the high average income rates.

Best Known for

Belle View is probably best known for its location along the western bank of the Potomac River. That location affords residents in the area plenty of access to water sports and outdoor activities. Residents can take advantage of the Belle Haven Park and Marina; the Marina offers boat launches and boat rentals, letting you get out on the water for fishing, skiing, or a relaxing afternoon. To the west of the neighborhood, the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve offers walking trails and scheduled outdoor events, including guided hikes and bird watching. Residents who want to spend time outdoors away from the water can also take advantage of Mount Vernon District Park, which is located to the southeast. An outdoor playground, beach area, and green space provide plenty of fun in the sun, but residents can also seek fitness in the park’s indoor recreation center, which features a heated pool, spa, sauna, fitness center, dance room, and a large indoor ice arena. The high quality of living, strong education demographics, safety, and outdoor fitness opportunities make Belle View a great place for active singles, couples, and families. With easy access to surrounding cities, you'll find plenty of other amenities and job opportunities within a short drive of the neighborhood.