CITY OF ALEXANDRIA

City Hall
301 King Street
Alexandria, VA 703-838-4000
https://www.alexandriava.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
333 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 703-549-1000
https://thechamberalx.com

Close proximity to Washington, DC makes Alexandria one of Northern Virginia’s most desirable cities. Boasting more than 250 years of history, this hometown of George Washington retains much of the character and charm from its days as a bustling port city. Alexandria seems to attract accolades from every corner, including a ranking as one of the top “Big Cities for Doing Business” in the U.S. Ladies Home Journal magazine ranked it among the nation’s “Best Cities for Women,” citing it as tops in the nation for childcare and education. Alexandria enjoyed a place with other six other cities in the nation that received the coveted “Innovation Award for Outstanding Community Building” by the National League of Cities.

Modern Alexandria is linked to the Washington, DC metropolitan region and National Airport by Metrorail subway service. The Capital Beltway, Interstate 95 and George Washington Parkway provide easy access to all parts of the region. Recipient of the All-American City Award, Alexandria is home to a diverse population that make it an exciting and culturally stimulating place to live.

Services
The city provides outstanding services for its citizens, and is justifiably proud of its nationally acclaimed independent public school system which offers a gifted and talented program, secondary school occupational center for students with learning difficulties, and a developmental center for special need students. Nearly 78 percent of Alexandria’s graduating seniors go on to college and more than one-half of the faculty hold master’s degrees. A branch campus of Northern Virginia Community College provides affordable options for higher education close to home. Community centers, after-school programs, playgrounds, and neighborhood tennis courts offer a variety of both cultural and recreational activities throughout the year.

Also contributing to Alexandria’s vitality has been the influx of major corporations attracted by the city’s convenient location and more affordable rental space. Nearly 200 trade and professional associations have made Alexandria their headquarters. Healthcare facilities are state-of-the-art, anchored by two Inova Health System hospitals. Inova Alexandria Hospital provides a full range of medical care and services, supported by a staff of hundreds of physicians who represent every major specialty. The 232-bed community hospital of Inova Mount Vernon Hospital is home to the nationally recognized Inova Rehabilitation Center and Inova Joint Replacement Center.

Quality of Life
The tree-shaded, cobblestone streets of Old Town attract more than one million visitors each year who delight in its horse-drawn carriages, preserved 18th and 19th-century homes, quaint shops, and fine restaurants. Alexandria is a noted art center, with dozens of galleries scattered around the city. More than 200 artists work at the restored Torpedo Factory located on the city’s waterfront. The Athenaeum, home of the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association, maintains exhibits that are open to the public.

Other facets of culture are also well represented here. Concerts are held by Alexandria’s Symphony Orchestra, Choral Society and Community Singers. The Little Theater of Alexandria stages dramatic productions. The city is constantly the scene of special activities and events including ethnic festivals at Market Square, a colonial home and garden tour, an annual parade to honor George Washington, and the annual Scottish Walk.

The city’s offers an abundance of shopping centers including the popular Landmark Mall. Outdoor facilities encompass Cameron Run Regional Park, Fort Ward Park with its Civil War fort and museum, and a bike trail which runs along the waterfront. The housing selection in Alexandria is diverse. New and restored townhouses, modest semi-detached brick houses and bungalows, brick and frame colonials, split level and ranch style homes in newer subdivisions, and charming old Victorians provide newcomers with a wide range of attractive options.