Across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., you will find the gorgeous county of Arlington, Virginia. You only have to cross the Theodore Rosevelt Bridge, and you’re there. Living in Arlington, VA, offers a unique blend of urban convenience and suburban charm that has captivated residents for generations. Both Washingtonians and Arlingtonians go from one place to the other because if there’s something that you can’t find in Arlington, you’ll most certainly find it in Washington and the other way around.
While technically not a city, Arlington, VA, looks, acts, and feels like one. There is a slight confusion around the city/county situation, but regardless of its status, living in Arlington, VA, is an excellent idea for families, young professionals, and children.
Arlington’s allure lies in its diverse neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive personality. From the bustling urban center of Rosslyn to the historic charm of Clarendon and the family-friendly appeal of Ballston, there’s a neighborhood to suit every lifestyle. The country’s commitment to green spaces and bike-friendly infrastructure makes it an inviting place for outdoor enthusiasts.
Living in Arlington, VA, is an invitation to embrace the best of both worlds: the excitement of city life and the comfort of a close-knit community. This introduction merely scratches the surface of what this vibrant community has to offer, so stay with us for more exciting information.
Demographics of Arlington, VA
There are many reasons why Arlington, VA is a choice for many relocating citizens. The local leadership is definitely doing its job as Arlington, VA continues to develop and increase in numbers. There are new schools inaugurated in order to supply the increasing numbers of students, young and old, the water and sewer system is being renovated and any other problem that needs to be tackled in Arlington, VA will surely be resolved.
The growing population in Arlington, VA is on a steady climb. While the percentage isn’t shockingly high, it’s growing still and has been growing steadily since the 2010 Census. In 2018, Arlington, VA had a population of 231,800, with an increase of 0.99% from 2017 which led to estimates of 234,600 for 2019 and 237,500 for 2020. This number will be confirmed or not after the 2020 Census but until then we can’t overlook the growth of 14% since 2010.
The growing population in Arlington, VA, was on a steady climb until 2020. Then, the population has slightly dropped, from 238,000 to 234,000 in July 2022. This decline resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected most major metro areas nationwide.
Racial composition
While not incredibly diverse, there is some racial diversity in Arlington, VA. The diversity, however, in Arlington is growing every two years.
- Caucasian 71.44%
- Asian 10.35%
- Black or African American 8.96%
- Some Other Race 5.10%
- Two or More Races 3.65%
- American Indian and Alaska Native 0.38%
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.11%
Living in Arlington, VA
There are many benefits to living in Arlington, VA and one of them, yes, is the short drive from Washington D.C. However, if we compare Arlington, VA to Washington D.C. then the capital might not win in every aspect. There are some areas where Arlington, VA wins many people over. Living in Arlington, VA is peaceful and the sense of community there involves the residents within their neighborhoods. Arlingtonians are encouraged to speak their mind and take an active role in their community in order to make living in Arlington, VA ever better, if possible.
Another reason why families choose living in Arlington, VA over other neighboring options, even Washington D.C. is the school district. In Arlington, VA you’ll get access to the best school districts in both Virginia and Washington, D.C. Area. Because of the fact that they were facing a situation of schools being overcrowded they built additions to the schools that were already functional as well as building entirely new schools for the population demand.
Cost of living
The cost of living in Arlington, VA is relatively high. However, working in Arlington, VA you’ll have a much higher medium income which will allow you to rent or buy a house here much easier. While the prices are relatively high, the income will help cover housing expenses. With an average rent of around $2,500 and an average income of around $70,000 for individuals, living in Arlington, VA is not quite that expensive. Everyday expenses are similar to the national average, only transportation is slightly more expensive, which allows for a comfortable living in Arlington, VA.
Real Estate
The median household income is around $122,000 which makes for a monthly household income of 10,000. If you decide to rent, you can find affordable apartments in Arlington, VA easily. Looking at the real estate in Arlington, VA, you can find a two-bedroom apartment that goes for an average rent of $2,500-$3,000 which would be less than a third of the monthly income your family can get. Buying real estate in Arlington, VA can also be affordable as you can find homes with two-bedrooms that have a listing price of around $400,000 even if the median house value is at $782,000. It all depends on what you need and where you want to live as prices vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. With help from the local real estate agents in Arlington VA you’ll find the best place for you and your family.
Job opportunities
With its strategic location, booming tech sector, government presence, and cultural richness, Arlington offers many career prospects for job seekers.
Arlington is home to the Pentagon, the Department of Defense, and numerous other federal agencies and government contractors. This means a vast array of job opportunities in fields such as defense, cybersecurity, policy analysis, and public administration. The stable government sector provides job security and competitive benefits.
The Northern Virginia region, including Arlington, has witnessed significant growth in the technology sector. Companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Accenture have established a strong presence in the area. Arlington’s proximity to these tech giants offers a wide range of opportunities in software development, data analytics, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.
Things to do
Whether you like the mountains or the coast, from Arlington, VA you can go either way, West for the Appalachians or East for the coast. It might be a great idea for a weekend trip. Why would you limit your stay in the mountains or on the coast to a few hours? Pack a bag and do a family trip. Now, let’s get into all the other amazing things to do in Arlington, VA.
The most important to mention here has to be the Pentagon. Yes, you can visit it but for no longer than an hour and on the right side of the enormous structure you can hold a minute of silence for the victims of 9/11. Arlington, VA has a rich history and you can see it everywhere you look. Walking around from one park to another you will find many restaurants and bars while using the metro will take you to an underground shopping strip like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Nightlife in Arlington, VA is mostly centered around bars and restaurants. There aren’t many clubs but the proximity to Washington D.C. where you can find any kind of club you want, works for Arlington yet again.
There are always things to do in Arlington, VA. The Pentagon Row is open all year round, but during the winter months, they host the second largest ice rink in Virginia for anyone who is up for some exercise in order to warm up.
Safety
If you’re moving here from Washington D.C. you will feel the difference in safety from the first week. Arlington, VA is safer and far from the uncertain streets of the capital, especially at night and the residents can feel this. Here, you can walk around at night without much reason to worry. Of course, it’s always safer to take a cab or an Uber, but in case you live close-by, it might not be necessary.
Many families may have at least one adult working in Washington D.C. and they decide to live in Arlington, VA because of the fact that it’s safer. This is saying something especially when you realize that homes are a bit more expensive in Arlington, VA than in the capital.
There is a larger police force presence that can secure a certain level of safety as well as maintaining it. Homicides are very rare in Arlington, VA and there is a 1 in 724 chance to be the victim of a violent crime here.
Weather
Looking at the weather in Arlington, VA you should know that the climate there is subtropical which means that summers can be very hot while the winter months are cold.
In Spring you can enjoy temperatures between 45 degrees and 70. With precipitations averaging around 30% allows Arlingtonians to enjoy the blossoming of trees outside with a jacket on for safety.
Summers bring about sunny days and humidity as the proximity to the coast affects the weather in Arlington, VA. There are highs of 90 degrees and lows of 68 which is why it might be a good idea to keep that jacket close by as night temperatures can turn cold.
During Autumn you’ll have to take a warmer jacket on you as temperatures drop rather fast. In mid-September the temperatures might start from around 70 degrees but by the end of November they average at around 42 degrees so look out for the changing weather in Arlington, VA.
By the time Winter comes you’ll need a winter coat, scarf and gloves. You might celebrate Christmas at temperatures of 32 degrees or lower, and once the New Year comes snow will start to fall. So take out your ice skates and go to the rink.
Conclusion
For those wondering what’s so great about Arlington, VA, here you can find it all: peace, fun, a loving community and safety, everything for a great quality of life. If you decide to move to Arlington, VA there are a few things that you should know about this county before you move there. Don’t let Washington D.C. outshine this beautiful gem as there are plenty of things that make Arlington, VA stand out.
Leave us a comment if Arlington, VA managed to win you over as we’re confident it is capable of catching your eye for a few moments. But a few moments is enough. You won’t want to look away. Like & Share with your friends and family in order to promote this gem even more.
