Old Town VA | Living in Old Town Alexandria - All You Need To Know
When most people think of Virginia, Old Town is top of mind. This is old Virginia. Think brick sidewalks and brick homes, this was originally part of the capital city. Alexandria resonates with people who move here from the Northeast - Connecticut, Massachusetts. A combination of life near the water and that feel of an old port town feels part New England and definitely part old colonial Virginia.
Old Town is rich in history and is not only a wonderful place to visit, but an amazing place to call home. The real estate is gorgeous and amenities are endless. One unique thing about Old Town is that the small business association in Old Town truly has kept this place friendly to small businesses, which adds to the charm. There are tons of boutique style shops that attract so much business and revenue for the area. The undisputed beauty of this town has captured the hearts of so many people and that is why it remains a very strong micro-market of real estate and commerce.
Real Estate
A good portion of the housing in Old Town is from the 1800’s - which isn’t super common to find in the area. But Old Town Alexandria, just like Georgetown in DC, were the two main ports. You will find houses from the 1800’s in both areas. In Old Town Alexandria, you will find rowhomes, condos and apartments. Old town is - well - old.
There are some newer condos that have popped up in places in Old Town that have been mostly repurposed through conversions of other buildings. Condos can be found in older buildings on the southern edge of Old Town in the $200’s, but the newer condos go from $400,000 up into the millions. It’s all about a water view here.
Rowhomes? The charm here will cost you. Prices are typically $1M and up. Single family detached homes will run you $1M or more depending on the square footage and lot size. Most single family homes are $2M or more. The history of these homes is incredible and many are classified as historic, so you will have to be prepared to deal with historic preservation guidelines when completing renovations or restoration of these homes. Not all are on the list, but a good many are but don’t worry, this is all spelled out to you upfront so you can make an informed decision.
One important thing to know about Old Town is that there are many areas that are located in flood zones, so it is critical to understand where they are located and how much your annual policy will cost you. These are all things that are easy to determine and we can guide you to the right people and resources to determine if a property is located in a flood zone or not. Even if you purchase a condo, you will be paying for flood insurance, just in a different manner through your condo dues instead of directly to the insurer.
Fun
Old Town wins again. It’s hard to compete with the waterfront! You can take one of the Potomac River Cruises or a water taxi over to the DC side of the river.
The Torpedo Factory used to be a munitions manufacturing building. It’s now a place for artists to show their work as well as condos.
Old Town has a Farmer’s Market, which happens to be the oldest continuously run farmer’s market. George Washington is said to have sold here. It’s open from 7a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
The AR Workshop hosts art classes for all ages.
www.arworkshop...
The parades and festivals are endless in Old Town - there’s a summer festival, Old Town Festival of Speed and Style (cars and fashion) but our favorite is the Scottish Walk that happens right before Christmas. It is incredibly special and brings out so many people to Old Town. It is a quintessential signal that the holidays have arrived!
Food
There is so much in Old Town, it’s impossible to cover it all. Old Town has it all - American, Seafood, BBQ, Sushi, and French.
Some of our favorites include Ada’s on the River, Pizzeria Paradiso, Virtue Feed & Grain, and the Pita House. No matter what your mood is, Old Town has it. One of the things we love is that you have options for anything from casual to upscale fine dining.
For dessert, you have to check out one of Michael’s favorite places, Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Company! Grab some ice cream and go walk or sit along the boardwalk. You could spend all day people watching and taking in the sights...
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If you have any questions about this video, leave a comment! If you have questions about real estate in DC, Maryland or Virginia, my contact info is below.
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Melissa Terzis
📲 (202) 253-9105
📩 Melissa@MelissaTerzis.com
🌐 www.dcrealesta...
TTR | Sotheby's International Realty
1515 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20005
Office: (202) 234.3344
- Melissa Terzis | DC Real Estate Mama