A quaint, historic town in Northern Virginia, this waterfront city in the Washington, DC metropolitan area is teeming with American culture and history. Alexandria is home to a variety of museums and landmarks, a beautiful marina, and a number of parks, and is the celebration site of many cultural arts festivals.
If you are planning or considering a move to the city, read on for more information about the costs of living, schools, employment options, and neighborhoods to be sure that it is the right place for you to relocate.
Alexandria Climate
Alexandria has a humid subtropical climate with four varied seasons. Winters can be fairly cold, and summers are hot and humid. Autumn and spring are mild and moderate.
The city receives an ample amount of rainfall--about 44-inches annually. However, snow is rather infrequent, and only accumulates to about seven inches a year.
Alexandria Neighborhoods
Old Town is the city's oldest district, and home to a variety of historic homes and landmarks, art galleries, boutiques, antique shops and restaurants. Market Square is one of the oldest marketplaces in the country--it features beautiful landscaping, a fountain, and a weekly farmer's market every Saturday.
The West End is the city's most residential district, full of winding roads, cul-de-sacs, townhome communities, condominiums, high-rise apartments, and single-family homes. There are also a number of strip malls and shopping centers in the neighborhood, such as the Landmark Mall.
Del Ray is the city's most eclectic neighborhood, with 19th century bungalows, local shops and unique eateries lining Mount Vernon Avenue. The area is home to the Arts on the Avenue festival, a multicultural event celebrating art in all mediums on the first Saturday of October.
Registering Your Car
You are required to register your vehicle in the state of Virginia within 30 days of moving to the state to avoid paying a penalty. To register your car, visit any DMV customer service center with your car's title, previous out of state registration, and certification that you passed the emissions inspection. However, if you have had an emissions inspection in any of the following states no more than twelve months prior to your move, you are exempt from further testing: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia , Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin.
To transfer your driver's license to the state, you will need two proofs of identification, Social Security number, proof of Virginia residency, and proof of legal presence.
Alexandria Schools
If you will be relocating to the city with children, it's important to find out more information about Alexandria's educational opportunities. Public education in the city is served by the Alexandria City Public Schools system, which operates 17 schools and educates 10,000 students. The city is also home to some of the Washington, D.C., area's top private schools, such as Burgundy Farm Country Day, St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, Bishop Ireton High School, and Episcopal High School.
For higher education, the city is home to Virginia Tech's Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center and the Northern Virginia Community College. Other nearby universities include Virginia Commonwealth University and the George Washington University.
Alexandria Employment
The city's economy is largely influenced by its presence in the armed forces and government. Many of the city's residents are employed by the federal civil service, the military, and private companies which provide services to the federal government. Some of the city's largest employers are the U.S. Department of Defense, the Institute for Defense Analyses and the Center for Naval Analyses.
There are also a number of non-profit organizations and charities headquartered in the city, including the American Diabetes Association, Catholic Charities, Global Impact, Islamic Relief USA, United Way, Volunteers of America and the Salvation Army.
Living Costs in the City
The cost of living in the city is quite high--60 percent above the national average, with housing being the most expensive cost in the city. Rent and real estate rates in the city are almost three times as high as the average American city. However, other costs are much more reasonable--utilities are around six percent greater, groceries are eleven percent greater, and transportation is ten percent above the national average.
The typical one-bedroom apartment in the city goes for about $1658 a month, and a two-bedroom rents for around $2085. The median home price in Alexandria is $519,900.
Alexandria Moving Resources
There are numerous moving and storage companies located in Alexandria that are waiting to help you relocate to your new home. Be sure to do your research and obtain estimates from several different services before choosing one for hire. You can compare online quotes from many different moving companies and other services to aid you in your move, whether you are coming from the next city or overseas. Visit the following pages here at Movers.com to get fast quotes for the following services:
Alexandria Transportation
The city's historic train station, Alexandria Union Station, is served by Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express regional rail service. Washington Metro also provides rapid transit service to the city from the Old Town Washington Metro station on King Street, as well as stations located on Braddock Road, Van Dorn Street, and Eisenhower Avenue.
Mass transit within the city via bus is provided by the DASH bus, which connects popular points of interest with local transportation centers. The city also operates a free trolley service from the King Street Metro Station to the Waterfront, as well as a water taxi which shuttles passengers to the National Harbor development in Prince George's County, Maryland.
Culture and Contemporary Life
The 300-year old city has an abundance of historic architecture and landmarks, such as George Washington's place of worship, Alexandria's Christ Church; an 18th century hotel, Gadsby's Tavern Museum; a perfectly-preserved 18th century pharmacy, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum; and a number of restored manors-turned-house museums including the Carlyle House and the Woodlawn Plantation and Pope-Leighey House.
The city is also home to the multi-cultural festival Arts on the Avenue, held on Mount Vernon Ave. in the neighborhood of Del Ray each October. Over 300 artists of all kinds gather with their work--painters, sculptors, woodworkers, pottery makers, jewelers, and more. A diverse collection of food vendors supply tasty treats from a variety of cultures, including Jamaican jerk chicken, Greek fare, Mediterranean cuisine, BBQ, crab cake sandwiches, and Italian dishes. There is also live music and interactive fall-themed activities for kids, such as stuffing your scarecrow and painting pumpkins.
Alexandria Relocation Tips
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Make a moving checklist of everything you will need to accomplish before you make the trek to Alexandria to stay better organized and be prepared! Things to include are: researching movers and comparing quotes, packing, making airline arrangements, changing your address, and hooking up utilities.
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Be sure to conduct a thorough background check on any moving company you are considering for hire: read reviews on the Better Business Bureau, verify their US DOT number on the FMCSA website, and ask for references to ensure that you are hiring quality movers. Don't forget these important questions to ask your mover so you don't make a costly mistake.
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Living costs in the DC suburb are high--60 percent above the national average. Housing costs are nearly three times greater than the typical American city--be sure that you will be able to live within your means upon relocating before you decide to move.