The Best Neighborhoods in Arlington, VA: A Local Realtor’s Guide

If you’re thinking about moving to Arlington, Virginia, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is: What is the best neighborhood in Arlington?

The answer? It depends.

I’ve lived in Arlington for more than a decade, and one of the biggest mistakes I see buyers make is assuming Arlington neighborhoods are basically interchangeable. They absolutely are not.

You can drive 10 minutes and go from high-rise condos and restaurants outside your front door to quiet streets lined with million-dollar single-family homes. Some neighborhoods are built around Metro access and walkability. Others give you a backyard, mature trees and a much more residential feel. And then there are neighborhoods that manage to give you a little bit of both.

That variety is one of the reasons I love Arlington.

Arlington is home to more than 60 neighborhoods and an estimated 244,300 residents. Despite being directly across the Potomac from Washington, DC, Arlington also has 167 county-maintained parks and more than 55 miles of off-street multi-use trails.

So instead of simply ranking neighborhoods from 1 to 10, I think there's a better way to answer the question.

Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Arlington, VA based on how you actually want to live.

Best for Walkability: Clarendon

If your ideal Saturday involves walking to coffee, grabbing lunch, shopping, hitting the gym and meeting friends for dinner without getting into your car, Clarendon is hard to beat.

Clarendon sits along Arlington's Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and combines condos, apartments, townhomes and single-family neighborhoods with one of Arlington's strongest concentrations of restaurants, shopping and nightlife.

It's also served by the Orange and Silver Metro lines, making trips into Washington, DC relatively easy.

What makes Clarendon particularly interesting from a real estate standpoint is what happens when you walk just a few blocks away from the commercial core. The urban environment quickly transitions into beautiful residential streets and neighborhoods such as Lyon Village.

Who should consider Clarendon?

Buyers who prioritize walkability, restaurants, Metro access and an active neighborhood atmosphere.

The trade-off is pretty simple: buyers aren't exactly the only people who have figured out Clarendon is desirable. Expect competition and premium pricing for great properties.

Best for an Urban Lifestyle: Ballston

Ballston has changed dramatically over the years and has become one of Arlington's strongest options for buyers who want a true urban lifestyle without living in Washington, DC.

You'll find newer apartment and condominium buildings, restaurants, gyms, coffee shops, offices and the Ballston Quarter development all within a relatively compact area.

Ballston is also a major transportation hub along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor.

For condo buyers especially, I think Ballston deserves a serious look because of the sheer variety of housing available.

Walk a little farther away from the Metro and you'll also find quieter residential streets, townhomes and single-family houses.

Best for: buyers who want Metro access, convenience and lots happening around them.

Best for Luxury Single-Family Homes: Country Club Hills

When someone tells me they want a substantial luxury home in Arlington, Country Club Hills is going to be part of the conversation.

Located in North Arlington, this is a completely different experience from Clarendon or Ballston.

Here you'll find larger lots, established streets and some of Arlington's most impressive homes. Older properties sit alongside significant renovations and newer luxury construction.

If your Arlington wish list includes a large single-family home, privacy and a more residential environment, this is one of the first areas I'd explore.

The trade-off?

You're giving up the ability to walk out your front door and immediately be surrounded by restaurants and Metro stations.

For many luxury buyers, that's a trade they'll happily make.

Best Combination of Luxury + Walkability: Lyon Village

If there is an Arlington neighborhood that gives buyers a little bit of everything, Lyon Village has a strong argument.

You're incredibly close to Clarendon, yet many streets feel like a traditional residential neighborhood.

That means you can have a single-family home and a yard while still being able to walk into Clarendon for dinner, coffee or Metro access.

That combination is difficult to replicate, and it's one of the reasons homes here can command significant prices.

For buyers moving from DC who are nervous about giving up walkability when they move to a house, Lyon Village can be a fantastic bridge between those two lifestyles.

Best for Metro Access + DC Proximity: Rosslyn

You really can't get much closer to Washington, DC without actually living there.

Located directly across the Key Bridge from Georgetown, Rosslyn is Arlington's most recognizable high-rise neighborhood.

The housing stock here is heavily oriented toward condominiums and apartments, including several luxury buildings with incredible views of Washington.

For someone working downtown, traveling frequently or simply wanting an urban lifestyle, the location is extremely convenient.

Rosslyn is also particularly interesting for luxury condo buyers. Arlington has a relatively small collection of true luxury condominium buildings, and some of the most notable are located in and around Rosslyn.

Best for: condo buyers, commuters, frequent travelers and buyers who want extremely easy access to DC.

Best Neighborhood Feel: Westover

Westover is one of those neighborhoods people seem to fall in love with.

It doesn't feel like Clarendon. It doesn't feel like Ballston. And that's exactly the point.

The neighborhood has tree-lined residential streets combined with the small commercial center around Westover Village.

There's something very old-school Arlington about it.

You can grab coffee or dinner nearby and then walk back into a neighborhood filled with established homes and mature trees.

For buyers who want community character without needing the density of the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, Westover deserves a look.

Best Hidden-Gem Areas: Alcova Heights + Douglas Park

Now we're getting into an area of Arlington that I think deserves significantly more attention.

Alcova Heights and Douglas Park offer a location that can be incredibly convenient while maintaining a much more residential feel.

You're close to Columbia Pike, Route 50, Shirlington, Ballston, Pentagon City and Washington, DC, depending on exactly where you're located.

The housing stock is varied, which is part of the appeal. You'll find older Arlington homes, expanded properties, renovations and newer construction mixed throughout the area.

For buyers who immediately assume they need to live north of Route 50, I often encourage them to explore these neighborhoods before making that decision.

You may be surprised by what you find.

Best for Culture, Restaurants + Value: Columbia Pike

I may be slightly biased here because I've lived in South Arlington for more than a decade, but Columbia Pike is one of Arlington's most interesting areas.

Arlington County describes Columbia Pike as Arlington's “Main Street,” stretching more than three miles across the county.

What I love about the Pike is its diversity.

There is a wide variety of restaurants, local businesses, housing types and neighborhoods surrounding the corridor. Depending on where you look, you'll find condos, townhomes, duplexes and single-family homes.

And while Arlington real estate is not inexpensive, buyers can sometimes find opportunities here that would cost considerably more in some North Arlington neighborhoods.

The biggest consideration is Metro.

Unlike Clarendon, Ballston or Rosslyn, Columbia Pike does not have its own Metrorail station. For buyers who absolutely need to walk to Metro every morning, that matters.

But if Metro isn't your number-one priority, I think this part of Arlington deserves far more consideration than it sometimes receives.

Best for Restaurants + Entertainment Without the Metro-Corridor Feel: Shirlington

Shirlington has one of the most distinctive personalities in Arlington.

Restaurants, patios, shops, entertainment and Signature Theatre create a neighborhood center that feels very different from the taller buildings you'll find along the Orange and Silver Line corridor.

There are condos, townhomes and residential communities surrounding the Village at Shirlington, plus easy access to trails and green space.

Like Columbia Pike, the biggest thing buyers need to understand is that Shirlington doesn't have a Metrorail station.

If you don't need Metro outside your front door, however, it can be an excellent option.

Best for National Landing + Easy DC Access: Aurora Highlands / Arlington Ridge

The neighborhoods surrounding Pentagon City and National Landing have become increasingly interesting.

Aurora Highlands gives you residential streets while keeping you remarkably close to Pentagon City, Crystal City, Amazon's HQ2, Metro and Reagan National Airport.

Nearby Arlington Ridge offers a more residential environment, including single-family homes and some properties with impressive views.

For buyers who work in DC, National Landing or travel frequently, the location is difficult to argue with.

I particularly like this part of Arlington for someone who wants access to major employment and transportation centers but doesn't necessarily want to live in a high-rise.

Best for Condo Buyers: Rosslyn, Ballston, Clarendon + Pentagon City

If you're buying a condo in Arlington, your search is probably going to center around several major areas.

Rosslyn offers proximity to Georgetown and luxury condominium options.

Clarendon offers lifestyle and walkability.

Ballston offers a large selection of buildings and excellent Metro access.

Pentagon City offers proximity to DC, National Landing and Reagan National Airport.

But here's where working with someone who knows the Arlington condo market becomes particularly important.

Two buildings located across the street from one another can have very different condo fees, reserves, management, amenities, parking situations and resale histories.

Don't evaluate just the unit.

Evaluate the building.

So…What Is the Best Neighborhood in Arlington?

There isn't one.

And that's actually one of Arlington's biggest strengths.

If you gave me five buyers with identical $1.5 million budgets, I could recommend five completely different parts of Arlington based on what mattered most to each person.

Someone prioritizing restaurants and walkability might love Clarendon.

Someone wanting a substantial luxury home might prefer Country Club Hills.

Someone looking for character and a neighborhood center might choose Westover.

Someone wanting more house while remaining close to DC might discover Alcova Heights or Douglas Park.

And someone who wants a luxury condo with easy access to Georgetown might end up in Rosslyn.

The better question isn't “What's the best neighborhood in Arlington?”

It's:

“What's the best Arlington neighborhood for me?”

That's the question I help my clients answer.

North Arlington vs. South Arlington

You'll also hear people divide Arlington into North Arlington and South Arlington.

Both have fantastic neighborhoods, but they can offer very different housing options, price points and lifestyles.

I've lived in South Arlington for more than a decade and work throughout the county, so I'm a big believer in actually exploring both sides before deciding where you belong.

If you're debating between them, read my North Arlington vs. South Arlington series for a deeper comparison of real estate, restaurants, shopping, convenience and lifestyle.

What Does It Cost to Live in Arlington?

Neighborhood is only half the equation. Budget determines what the housing options actually look like.

A $1 million budget might put you in a condo, townhouse or single-family home depending on location and condition. At $1.5 million and $2 million, the possibilities change substantially. Once you're shopping around $3 million, you're entering a much smaller luxury segment of the Arlington market.

I've broken that down separately in my guide to What $1 Million, $1.5 Million, $2 Million and $3 Million Buys You in Arlington, VA.

Thinking About Moving to Arlington, VA?

Arlington manages to offer something that's surprisingly difficult to find elsewhere in Northern Virginia: immediate proximity to Washington, DC combined with neighborhoods that can feel genuinely residential.

You can live in a high-rise overlooking DC.

You can own a home on a quiet tree-lined street.

You can walk to Metro.

You can live near trails and parks.

Or you can find something somewhere in between.

The key is knowing where to look.

If you're considering buying or selling a home in Arlington, I'd love to help you understand the neighborhoods, the market and where your money makes the most sense.

Chris Owens
Arlington Realtor® | TTR Sotheby's International Realty
Arlington Official

I've lived in Arlington for more than a decade and help buyers and sellers throughout Arlington, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia.