Neighborhood guide · Alexandria, Virginia
Old Town Alexandria
George Washington’s hometown — cobblestone streets, a mile of King Street, and the Potomac at the end of every block.
The vibe
Old Town is one of America’s oldest preserved historic districts — founded in 1749, with original 18th- and 19th-century architecture on nearly every street. King Street runs a full mile from the Metro station to the waterfront, lined with independent shops, galleries, and restaurants. It feels like a small European city that happens to sit seven miles from the Capitol: brick sidewalks, gas lamps, and a pace that invites walking everywhere.
Homes & prices
Attached homes — condos and townhomes — make up the majority of sales here, which keeps the median accessible: $875,000 for January–August 2026 (ZIP 22314), with an average sold price of about $1,046,000. By type, one-bedrooms trade around $462K, two-bedrooms around $812K, townhouses around $1.2M, and single-family homes around $1.34M. True detached homes are rare — only 24 sold through August 2026, averaging about $1.61M. The average price per square foot sits near $690.
Who it’s for
Old Town fits buyers who want character over square footage: young professionals, downsizers, and anyone who’d rather walk to dinner than mow a lawn. It’s also a smart value play — historic charm and a 12-minute Metro ride at prices well below comparable DC neighborhoods.
Getting around
The King St–Old Town station (Blue and Yellow lines, plus nearby Braddock Road) puts downtown DC about 12 minutes away by Metro and the Smithsonian area around 20 minutes. Driving downtown takes roughly 11–16 minutes off-peak. A bonus few neighborhoods can claim: Amtrak and VRE share the station directly adjacent to King Street Metro, so New York and Richmond are both a train ride away.
Schools
An honest note: Alexandria City Public Schools rate below neighboring Fairfax and Arlington districts. The strongest local options include Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy (elementary) and Naomi L. Brooks Elementary; Alexandria City High School carries a Niche grade of B. Many Old Town families also use nearby private schools. If schools are a top priority, let’s talk through the trade-offs openly — I’d rather you know now than discover it later.
Life here
King Street is the main event — a mile of shops, restaurants, and galleries. The waterfront offers Potomac views, marina life, and the Mount Vernon Trail for biking and running. The Torpedo Factory Art Center — working artist studios in a former torpedo factory — is a signature only-in-Old-Town experience. Weekend farmers’ markets, ghost tours, and the Scottish Christmas Walk keep the calendar full year-round.
Where it is
Solomia’s take
Old Town is where I send buyers who fall in love with a feeling. The numbers work — the commute is unbeatable for the price — but people buy here because a brick rowhouse on a gas-lit street does something to them. My job is to make sure the romance survives the inspection: historic homes hide historic problems, and I know which blocks flood, which condos have healthy reserves, and which “charming” really means “bring a contractor.”
Thinking about Old Town?
Tell me your timeline and budget — I’ll send matches, including off-market opportunities, before they hit the portals.
Market figures reflect data available October 2026 (The Zebra market reports for ZIP 22314; Homes.com, Nov 2025) and move with the market. School ratings are point-in-time (Niche, GreatSchools) and change year to year — always verify assigned schools for a specific address with Alexandria City Public Schools.