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Old Town

Old Town

Suburban Neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia

Alexandria County 22314

$1,178,719 Average Value
$692 Average Price per Sq Ft
62 Homes For Sale

A historic Alexandria neighborhood with a small-town feel

Old Town, aptly named, is nothing, if not historic. Here, residents can visit a Gadsby’s Tavern, where George Washington and Thomas Jefferson once dined, check out Christ Church, one of the oldest in Virginia, or attend a performance at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, which has been in operation since 1934. It is a popular tourist destination for good reason. But, among the history surrounding Old Town is a fresh neighborhood and active community enjoying what Old Town offers from the past and embracing what it has become. “I always tell clients the three R’s of living in Old Town are restaurants, retail and the river,” Phyllis Patterson, the Executive Vice President of TTR Sotheby's International Realty says. “It’s got a small-town feel to it. Everyone knows each other. People are always out and exercising. It just has this nice, slower pace to it.”

From 1700s historical homes to an array of condominiums

Flanked on one side by the Potomac River and extending westward via gridded streets, Old Town offers variety in residential housing. On the one hand, there are historic homes lining cobblestone or brick-laden streets from the 1700's. Architecture styles include colorful row houses and Colonials maintaining their original facades, shutters and transom windows. “Properties here sell in a matter of days; it’s always been that way,” Patterson, who has been selling real estate in Old Town for 38 years says. “There’s never really a slow period here.” Homes here start at $800,000 and can go for as much as $4.8 million. A select few of these homes offer coveted riverside views starting at the $1.7 million mark. Meanwhile, condominium developments offer a different lifestyle, bringing comfort and convenience to Old Town. They provide a more affordable option while overlooking Old Town’s streets. Residents can find a condo priced as low as $280,000 and as high as $3.9 million. Those prices are dependent on the square footage, bedroom count and the age of the building and condo. The newer the building, the more expensive it gets. For residents looking to explore Old Town or take a walk down to the riverfront, streets are lined with sidewalks.

Old Town’s array of parks

The local parks and sights reflect Old Town’s interesting juxtaposition of historic and modern feel. Old Town has over 15 parks, but The Armory Tot Lot is extra special. What once was the rubble of a burned-down army building is now the go-to children’s play date spot. Some residents enjoy heading over to Huntley Meadows Park, which includes hiking and biking trails, an auditorium and picnic shelters perfect for birthday parties or barbecues. Others cherish their time at Founders Park, which features walking paths, a dog exercise area and beach volleyball courts. The green space in Founder’s Park is also perfect for a weekend picnic.

Historic Old Town food spots

When it’s time for coffee, locals go to Misha’s, a neighborhood staple since 1961. For those who want to try something unusual, try the Nutella latte. Otherwise, they can also visit the unique Killer ESP, Old Town’s go-to for hand-held pies, espresso and sorbet. This spot can get very busy for date night, so visitors should make sure to plan accordingly. There is plenty of competition to get a seat inside their comforting interiors, complete with twinkling lights, a cozy couch and a stack of board games to play. When ready for a full meal, Old Town has excellent options, both new and tried-and-true. Gadsby’s Tavern, considered the oldest restaurant in Alexandria, opened in 1792. Their menu offers meals inspired by this era, like meat with roasted potatoes cooked in homemade butter. The servers are also dressed in colonial-era get-ups, and all its original architecture has been maintained. On a Friday night, you might find yourself at the hip Hank’s Oyster Bar, sharing a plate of raw oysters or indulging in their happy hour Punch of the Day. For the morning after, grab brunch at Café 44 for their trendy breakfast specials and aesthetically pleasing plating. One of their most popular dishes, shrimp and grits, pairs well with the riverside views from their balcony. When it’s time for shopping, Old Town is filled with charming local businesses. Your Hobby Place has all the board games, and Gossypia Boutique has been a staple in local women’s fashion since 1969. Many appreciate the convenience and familiarity of national chains, too, so many locals make the short drive to Potomac Yard for shops like Target, Harris Teeter and HomeGoods.

Annual Old Town events

For those interested in the history of Old Town’s homes, annually in April is the Historic Homes and Garden Tour. Visitors can tour gorgeous homes and gardens as part of the annual Historic Garden Week in Virginia. For the 4th of July, residents also enjoy the USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration, where residents can see a patriotic performance with dazzling fireworks and live music by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.

Alexandria City Public Schools

Residents of Old Town send their children to Alexandria City Public Schools. For Pre-K through 5th grade, children may attend Lyles-Crouch Elementary before heading to George Washington Middle School. Both earned a B grade from Niche. For high school, students attend Alexandria City High School, known for being featured in the 1971 film Remember the Titans. Formerly known as T.C. Williams High School, it earned a B grade from Niche. As for private options, some attend Bishop Ireton High School, which earned an A-plus grade from Niche.

Conveniently located just 8 miles from the nation’s capital

For commuters, Old Town is conveniently located just 8 miles from Washington D.C. Some commuters take the Metrorail into the city, using either the Braddock Road or King St. Old Town Stations. The Metrobus also has various stops throughout the neighborhood, giving locals a public transportation option to get around. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is just a 4-mile drive from Old Town. The closest hospital is Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4 miles away.

Torpedo Factory Art Center

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is an enormous eclectic art gallery inside of a refurbished factory. It’s home to the largest number of publicly accessible working artist studios in the United States.

Kevin Haswell
Written By
Kevin Haswell
Caleb Jones
Photography Contributed By
Caleb Jones
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Alex Jacobsen

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Loretta Gray, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl

12 min drive

Bus

King St & N Patrick St

Bus

S Washington St & Gibbon St

Bus

Madison St & N Washington St

Bus

S Royal St & Gibbon St

Bus

N Fairfax St & Oronoco St

Bus

N Pitt St Sb & Pendleton St

Bus

Montgomery St & N Pitt St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Old Town US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,090,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,457,500
Median Townhouse Price
$1,159,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$900,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$499,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$692
Number of Homes for Sale
62
Last 12 months Home Sales
326
Months of Supply
2.30
Median List Price
$1,080,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
14%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
4,884
Median Year Built
1975
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,161
Above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,941
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,367
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
807
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
380
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Apr 27
    1 - 4pm

    815 Church St, Alexandria, VA 22314

    $799,900

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,100 Sq Ft
    • 815 Church St
    • New 1 day ago

    Charming All-Brick End-Unit Townhome in Old Town Alexandria! This beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 2-bath end-unit townhome is ideally located just two blocks from Washington Street, offering the perfect blend of historic charm and modern convenience. Step inside to find hardwood floors and plantation shutters throughout the main and upper levels, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. The kitchen

    Shanna Miller Weichert, REALTORS

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  • Sunday, Apr 27
    1 - 4pm

    228 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314

    $1,679,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 2,439 Sq Ft
    • 228 N Union St
    • New 1 day ago

    Welcome to 228 N. Union Street, a beautifully updated townhouse located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. This three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom residence offers three levels of refined living space, blending historic charm with modern amenities and boasting private rooftop access with stunning Potomac River views.Step inside to discover a thoughtfully designed interior featuring

    Jenny McClintock Keller Williams Realty

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  • Sunday, Apr 27
    2 - 4pm

    408 S Lee St, Alexandria, VA 22314

    $995,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,296 Sq Ft
    • 408 S Lee St
    • New 13 days ago

    Welcome to South Lee Street, one of Old Town, Alexandria's most sought-after addresses. This delightful & charming historic property is nestled in this superior location, just two blocks up the hill on Wolfe Street from the piers of the Potomac river. Offering 3 bedrooms + 2 full baths on 3 levels, find a quaint, lovely home that may be "just right". Handsome wood flooring on 2 levels. Family

    Diann Hicks Carlson TTR Sotheby's International Realty

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Condo Buildings

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Loretta Gray, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
15,460
Median Age
47
Population Density
16 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$145,854
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$164,495

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.1%
College Graduates
76.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
47.7%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
13''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

79 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

99 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

71 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Old Town