Just about eight miles south of the White House, across the Potomac in Virginia, Old Town Alexandria shows how living in our Nations Capital can feel like a postcard. Historic brick sidewalks, waterfront parks, and a genuinely walkable main street make it one of the DMV's most beloved places to call home, yet it sits an easy train ride from everything Washington, DC has to offer. For anyone weighing city life against a charming, connected riverfront town, this one deserves a serious visit.
King Street, George Washington, and a Waterfront to Love
Old Town is Alexandria's original heart, and its ties to George Washington run deep. Washington served as a town trustee, owned a townhouse on Cameron Street, worshipped at Christ Church, and dined at Gadsby's Tavern, while the 331-foot George Washington Masonic National Memorial still anchors the skyline today. The main spine is King Street, lined with brick sidewalks, boutique shops, antique stores, and some of the best restaurants in Northern Virginia. A free King Street Trolley shuttles up and down roughly every 15 minutes between the King Street-Old Town Metro station and Alexandria City Hall at Market Square.
On the water, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a former World War I-era torpedo factory turned working art hub, home to more than 150 artists, seven galleries, The Art League, and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. Steps away, Waterfront Park along Union Street is a favorite spot to watch sailboats and the Potomac water taxi, and the weekend farmers' market at Market Square is one of the oldest in the country.
A Commute to the City That Feels Easy
Commuting to Washington, DC from Old Town is genuinely painless. The King Street-Old Town station, which opened on the Blue and Yellow lines in December 1983, puts the city roughly 20 minutes away, while adjacent Alexandria Union Station offers VRE commuter rail and Amtrak to Union Station downtown. DASH buses, the free trolley, bikeshare, and a Potomac water taxi round out the last mile, and Alexandria as a whole enjoys five Metrorail stations.
That ease makes Old Town attractive to people who work across the river at institutions like Georgetown University, George Washington University, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, George Washington University Hospital, or Children's National Medical Center. Northern Virginia's George Mason University is a short drive, while American University, Howard University, and Catholic University are all within easy reach, part of the remarkable concentration of colleges and medical centers that makes living in our Nations Capital so appealing.
Schools, Character, and a Real Estate Market With Range
Alexandria City Public Schools serve the neighborhood, with George Washington Middle School and Alexandria City High School as the mainstays. Families are drawn to the mix of riverfront park space and a downtown where errands can genuinely happen on foot. From historic row houses and garden apartments to condos with water views, the Old Town market offers real character, and prices vary block to block, which is exactly where local expertise matters in the Washington, DC real estate market.
If Old Town Alexandria is on your shortlist, Robert Clarke at Coldwell Banker Realty, with an office right on King Street, can help you compare this riverfront gem against the city and find the right fit. Email him at robert.clarke@cbrealty.com to set up a personalized tour of Old Town and the DMV.
Robert Clarke
Realtor · Coldwell Banker Realty · SP99196 · DC, MD, CT & MA
Engineer turned real estate agent with a Master's from GWU. I help families find their place in the DMV with a blend of technical rigor and genuine local knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools, commutes, and pricing in Old Town Alexandria.
What are the schools in Old Town Alexandria?
Alexandria City Public Schools serve the neighborhood, with George Washington Middle School and Alexandria City High School as the mainstays.
How is the commute to DC from Old Town?
The King Street-Old Town station on the Blue and Yellow lines puts DC roughly 20 minutes away. Adjacent Alexandria Union Station offers VRE commuter rail and Amtrak, and DASH buses, the free King Street Trolley, bikeshare, and the Potomac water taxi round out the last mile.
How much does it cost to buy in Old Town?
Prices vary block to block, from historic row houses to garden apartments and condos with water views. That range is exactly where local expertise matters, since the same street can shift meaningfully in price.
What is Old Town known for?
King Street is the main spine, lined with brick sidewalks, boutique shops, antique stores, and some of the best restaurants in Northern Virginia. The Torpedo Factory Art Center and Waterfront Park anchor the riverfront.
Who is Old Town best for?
Families, history buffs, and foodies, per the neighborhood guide. The weekend farmers' market at Market Square is one of the oldest in the country.
Is Old Town walkable?
Very. Errands genuinely happen on foot along King Street, the waterfront is steps away, and the free King Street Trolley shuttles riders between the Metro station and City Hall roughly every 15 minutes.