Learn More About Alexandria, Virginia
A Little Background on Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia was founded back in 1749 and is rich with history and culture. The estimated population as of 2017 was more than 160,000. According to the United States Census Alexandria is 15.5 square miles. The town was incorporated in 1779 and the city was later incorporated in 1852. Alexandria is located along the Western Bank of the Potomac River. There is a spot in Alexandria that is referred to as “Old Town.” Old Town is full of restaurants, boutiques and little mom and pop shops. The focus here is on smaller businesses that help support the community. If you travel through Alexandria, you will see that neighborhoods are family friendly and somewhat compact. One of the many upsides to living in Alexandria is that it is just seven miles South of downtown Washington D.C. if you have to commute there for work. Around the turn of the century Alexandria’s most commonly produced goods were glass, fertilizer, beer and leather. The Virginia Glass Company produced the glass that was used to make beer bottles for the Robert Porter Brewing Company. Unfortunately, in 1916 prohibition shut down the Portner Brewing Company which in turn hurt The Virginia Glass Company. One of the main reasons that Alexandria is so popular is because of the close proximity to the United States capital. This area is heavily populated by people who work in the military or for the federal government.
Major Employers in Alexandria
It goes without saying that the largest employer in the Alexandria area is the U.S Department of Defense. Back in 2005 the United States Patent and Trademark Office moved from Crystal City, which is located in Arlington, Virginia to Alexandria. Then in 2017 the headquarters of the National Science Foundation did the same thing and made the move here. The Department of Commerce and the Alexandria City Public Schools are the two other major employers in this area.
Leaf Peeping
Alexandria is known for many things but what many people don’t know is that this city has more than 100 champion trees. These trees are in full peak in the fall so if you’re up for a little leaf peeping, simply get in your car and take a drive along the Potomac to witness the beautiful foliage up close. This is the perfect thing to do with family and friends on a chilly fall day. There are many places that you can visit if you want to check out these champion trees. You can make a stop at Fort Ward Park where you will find close to a dozen notable trees to gaze at. Do you know where witch-hazel comes from? If you don’t then head over to Monticello Park where you can see one of the most vibrantly colored trees. Witch-hazel is known for being bright yellow after it changes colors and reaches its full potential. Monticello Park is the perfect place to sit back and relax and enjoy all the beauty that fall has to offer. Jones Point Park is another great place to peep some leaves. This park is known for its maple trees which are an orange and yellow color. This park is also home to the largest Maple Tree in Alexandria.
Homes in Alexandria
The homes in Alexandria range in price and size depending on the neighborhood you choose to live in. There is a mixture of single family and semi detected homes as well as lofts, townhomes, condos and Ranch styles. You will find everything here from rustic, historic looking homes to brand new builds that are picture perfect.
Climate in Alexandria
The weather in Alexandria goes from hot and muggy during the summer months to cold and chilly during the winter months. The hottest times in Alexandria are between June and mid-September when the average high is around 80 degrees. The coldest part of the year here in Alexandria runs from the beginning of December and ends at the beginning of March when the daily average high is around 52 degrees. The coldest time of year is January when the average low is just shy of 30 degrees.
Summary
Alexandria, Virginia is the place to live if you’re looking for somewhere that is full of history and charm. You will find everything here from mom and pop shops as well as leaf peeping which is a great past time during the colder months. This city is a must see if you’re looking to make the move to Virginia.
