Alexandria, Virginia is a dynamic city located just south of Washington D.C. on the west bank of the Potomac River. Celebrated for its blend of historic charm and urban convenience, Alexandria is home to museums, landmarks, parks, riverboat tours, art festivals, and plenty of real estate options for home buyers.
As a suburb of Washington, DC, many Alexandria residents commute into the metro area to work for any number of the region's growing public and private sectors. Job growth, coupled with competitive salaries and an easy commute, attracts both young and seasoned professionals. But the real draw is the sheer beauty of the place. At more than 300 years old, the city has preserved much of its Pre-Revolutionary-war era architecture. Neighborhoods that are less antique are no less appealing - converted warehouses provide unique waterfront condo living and newer residential neighborhoods boast every home style from bungalow to brick-and-glass high-rises. Moving to a new city such as Alexandria is an exciting time, and it's not easy or even possible to think of everything. You need a plan if you're moving to Alexandria, VA soon.
Home prices in areas as desirable as Alexandria tend to hold steady. Currently, the median home value for the city is $497,000. In general, prices are a reflection of how many homes are on the market. Prices are higher when inventory is low and, conversely, prices drop - sometimes dramatically - if there is too much inventory. Still, in Virginia, even the steadiest market can surge or slump depending on the season.
As is typical for the region, home prices are at their highest in April, May, and June with June topping out at over 12 percent higher than February prices for the same year. Experts suggest that families try to coordinate their move with the end of a school year, but that can mean paying for a property. Prices drop nearly 5 percent from July to August when, predictably, school starts again for most children. Decreases continue until November, when the market experiences a modest uptick through the holidays. In January, already lower December prices drop another 5 percent before increasing incrementally through March.
Consumer Reports notes that January and February are the months with the lowest prices for bedding and furniture. This seasonal dip in home prices means savings that you can use to take advantage of winter retail bargains. What could be better than a new home filled with new furnishings? Take advantage of the winter slump to negotiate the best terms possible for your mortgage and add new style to your home.
Neighborhoods in Alexandria tend to by busy with narrow streets. If you're moving to the West End neighborhood, be aware that there are several winding roads and cul-de-sacs along the way. The Del Ray and Old Town neighborhoods are home to many local shops, restaurants and public events and festivals. Check each area's event calendars before coordinating the date of your move. It would be incredibly frustrating to be stalled by legions of pedestrians or parade/festival detours mid-move.
Make sure you provide all vendors and family and friends with directions to the right Alexandria. It may sound obvious, but you need to know where you're moving to. Alexandria is separated into two different areas and, for the newcomer, it can be confusing. Fairfax County is just south of Alexandria City and contains an area also called Alexandria. Locals refer to this area as South Alexandria, while referring to the city as Alexandria City. Understanding this distinction is important because you must be certain all the registrations and forms you are completing are for the correct jurisdiction.
Know your street address. Hundreds of years of ordinances, zoning laws, civil war, and urban development and transformation has fused what were once many separate communities into a consolidated network of potential confusion. The street addresses are not uniform. Some addresses run north and south and west (only) from King Street, others run east and west and north (only) from King Street. Avoid getting lost by familiarizing yourself with addresses and street names in advance of your move.
Take advantage of the transit system. Alexandria is a walkable, bikable, compact community with multiple options for transportation, including Metrobus, Metrorail, ridesharing, and trolley services. You may find that owning a car in your community is unnecessary, especially after you complete the process of moving in.
