Colonial Charm – Alexandria
Buying Luxury property in Virginia is a great choice especially for those with a love of history. We will explore a couple of top rated neighborhoods in the City of Alexandria. Alexandria predates the civil war and was founded in 1749. The city is home to an amazing array of architecture from Georgian to Victorian to Mid Century Modern – Alexandria has it all. There are many historical museums and homes to discover but one building of interest for history buffs is certain to be the Carlyle House which is a Georgian Manor built in the 1700’s. It was the heart of Alexandria’s social and political life at that time. Wherever you are in Alexandria, Virginia you will be sure to be surrounded by history.
North Ridge – Rosemont Neighborhood:
Buying a luxury home in the North Ridge-Rosemont Neighborhood means living on a quiet tree lined street with homes that have well manicured lawns. An area perfect for raising a family, the neighborhood is considered very safe and people enjoy strolling around this beautiful neighborhood at any time of day. The area is historic with the homes in the Rosemont section of this neighborhood dating to the early 1900s and the homes in the North Ridge section of this neighborhood dating from the 1930s to 1960s. This means that the area is home to a wide variety of architectural styles ranging from Georgian to Mid-Century Modern. There are many green spaces located in the local area including Monticello Park, Beverly Park and a dog park with a creek. The homes in this area are mostly single family two story homes. The area has easy access to the DC Metro area for those who commute to DC for work. There are some coffee shops, restaurants and stores that are easy walking distance for a relaxing weekend day stroll.
Old Town:
If peace and quiet is not your style, then living on the waterfront in Old Town may be the right choice for you. Old town is considered the heart of Alexandria and is the city’s downtown area. Old Town is only minutes away from the DC area and an easy commute for those working outside of Alexandria. This beautifully preserved old town is a Nationally Designated Historic District. There are many things to do in Old Town including walking down King Street Mile which is home to a variety of pubs and the perfect place for an afternoon apéritif or a late evening drink and small shops. There are over 100 independently owned boutiques in Old Town so it won’t be hard to support independent shop owners or to find one of a kind gifts. This area is also home to the oldest farmers market in the United States. So even as you are picking out the perfect tomato you will be experiencing history. The Gadsby’s Tavern and Museum also located in this neighborhood is an historic Tavern which hosted the first 5 presidents and was the site of one of the Nation’s first Civil Rights sit-ins. If you are a Harry Potter fan, then you may appreciate the Apothecary Museum. The apothecary was a family business which was founded in 1792. It has been in this location since 1805. It was open for business until 1933 making this apothecary one of Alexandria’s oldest continuously run businesses. Today you can stop in and check out the amazing collection of herbal botanicals, hand blown glass and medical equipment. There are also books and ledgers full of prescriptions and formulas. When you need a rest from all of that walking, you can take a ride through history on one of the many water taxis or cruises.
Alexandria is an amazing place to purchase a luxury property either as a holiday home or a primary residence. Strolling along the brick sidewalks and down the cobblestone alleys you will feel as though you have stepped back in time but you can live out your colonial dreams in all of the comfort of modern day life. The only decision you need to make is whether it will be on a quiet tree – lined streets or amongst bustling old town charm.