Editor’s Note: This biweekly sponsored column is written by Rick Gersten, founder and CEO of Urban Igloo, a rental real estate firm that matches up renters with their ideal apartments, condos or houses. Please submit any questions in the comments section or via email.
The D.C. area has hundreds of neighborhoods, each with their own character and charm. Arlington is no exception. Arlington offers something for everyone, making it one of the top neighborhoods in the D.C. Metro area. What makes it so great? While this list could be very long, we narrowed down what we think are the best of the best reasons to live in Arlington.
Food
For Happy Hour, or anything in between, check out Whitlow’s on Wilson. Voted Virginia’s Most Popular Bar by Buzzfeed in 2013, Whitlow’s offers a casual fun atmosphere. In the warmer month’s diners enjoy the Rooftop Tiki Bar, and don’t forget to hit up the Bloody Mary bar while enjoying brunch.
For traditional American food try the Silver Diner. While the Silver Diner may look like the old school diners of the past, don’t let that fool you. They offer local, farm fresh foods, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes and healthy options for the kids. The Silver Diner is open 7 days a week, and is open late in case you get a craving for a midnight snack.
For something a little more ethnic, head over to Jaleo for spectacular tapas and wine. Jaleo was created by renowned chef José Andrés and it has won several “Best of” awards. Jaleo has three locations in the area including Crystal City, Bethesda, and Penn Quarter in DC.
There is no shortage of excellent food in Arlington. Head out anywhere on Wilson/Clarendon Blvds in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor or over to Pentagon Row and Crystal City and you shouldn’t have a problem finding something to suit all your cravings. Not to be forgotten, check out Shirlington where you can get great food from all around the world.
Fitness
After sampling some of the delicious food in Arlington you may want to head over to one of the local area fitness centers. Check out Revolve, SuperNova, or LA Fitness to work off those extra calories. Arlington County Recreation also offers several fitness classes for the whole family at facilities all over the county.
If you prefer outdoor activities try Four Mile Run, Mount Vernon Trail or the Custis Trail for biking, running or walking.
Sightseeing and Activities
Arlington is home to several historical sites and monuments including Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon, the Marine Corps War Memorial, and the Air Force Memorial just to name a few.
Mondays in the summer check out Crystal Screen, the outdoor movies in Crystal City. Just a few blocks from the Crystal City Metro, bring a picnic and enjoy a movie with friends.
No winter season in Arlington would be complete without taking at least one trip to the Pentagon Row ice rink.
Additionally, Arlington practically has a farmer’s market for every day of the week. In peak season, you may barely need to head to the grocery store.
Work
Arlington has the lowest unemployment rate in the region at 3.4 percent according to the county profile. Arlington has several large employers including Deloitte, SAIC and Marriott International. But you don’t have to work in Arlington to enjoy living there, as Arlington has easy access to D.C. and other Virginia suburbs via the Metro, Bus or the VRE. Access to I-395, I-66, Route 50 and GW Parkway make it a great choice to live no matter where you work in the Metro D.C. area.
With a long list of local events, food and culture, coupled with a great geographic location, it’s no wonder Arlington is often a contender for various Best Places to Live lists. Don’t let that scare away the families, with top notch schools, dozens of great parks and beautiful walkable neighborhoods, Arlington appeals to singles and families alike. But don’t take our word for it, check out Arlington yourself, and you are sure to put it on your list of top choices when moving to the DC area.
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The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.