Arlington, Virginia, is actually a county, not a city, but it is also considered the second-largest “principal city” of the DC metro area. Huh? Let’s just move past that technicality and note that Arlington is frequently ranked near or at the top of the [**rankings of best cities**](https://www.arlnow.com/2016/06/15/arlington-ranked-best-city-to-live-in-america/) to live in the entire U.S. of A. 

The reasons are varied, but generally, it's a combination of a great economy, an extremely educated community, nightlife, outdoor activities, and diversity of the population. It isn’t any one thing that puts Arlington over the top; it’s a blend of being great at a variety of things that makes it “the best.” 

We highly recommend visiting Arlington and staying in the community in a [**VRBO**](vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [**partnership with Expedia**](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.



We’re a County not a City!

LookyLOO Review of Arlington

Arlington is tightly connected to DC by transit system, by population and workforce, and by the history and gravitas of each “city.” If you live in Arlington, you will spend much of your time in the District, possibly for work, for sure for culture and entertainment. Regardless, know that Arlington is also urban, and those who live here have plenty to do with lots of great restaurants, bars, and culture within the city. It is also the case that this is a seriously healthy city, with cycling topping the list of popular ways to stay fit and tons of healthy foodie options after your workouts. 

If you want to see what kind of shenanigans locals get up to in Arlington, check out the [**calendar of events**](https://www.stayarlington.com/events/).

We highly recommend visiting Arlington and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.

Lifestyle 

Not shocking that the government is a big employer in Arlington. After all, the Pentagon is here so expect to have neighbors who work in the government and many who work for the Department of Defense. There are also plenty of people who work in education and there is a big tech and communication industry scene happening here. Overall its a strong economy and finding a job is a great strength of the area. 

Worklife

This area is incredible. The level of education, high wages and great job opportunities all make it worth moving here. But the most impressive thing is living in Arlington means you get the whole DC experience without having to live amidst the chaos of the capital. You’re just a train stop or two from the District but you can live as quiet a suburban life as you’d like. 


DC without the mania

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**Low_Potential7315**
6mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

NoVA native, lived in Arlington in my 20s, it's an absolutely wonderful place. Safe and clean with everything you could want, shopping, parks, access to DC/Alexandria for history, restaurants, public transit, excellent schools. Economy is solid. Weather is decent - it's DC, it gets swampy in the summer. Housing/life is bananas expensive and I do not know of a peer who is able to purchase a single family home in North Arlington. I used to babysit on the side when I lived there and all the families were power couples pulling major $$$.

I moved into DC proper in my 30s but Arlington has my heart. I loved running into neighbors and friends out and about and I cherish the time I spent living there.

For more reviews of what living in Arlington is like from locals, check out [The Reviews](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/arlington/reviews).





Traffic

Reviews of Arlington from Locals

While DC comes up a lot in conversations about living in Arlington, Young Professionals and Retirees should not sleep on this city. It has a significant Downtown with a real restaurant and bar scene. There’s also tons of live music at three different music venues downtown and plenty of apartment and condo buildings for good walkability to all of these places. 

Freedom Park is another perq of downtown. It's an elevated park with beautiful greenery, spots for picnicking and play, or just chilling and having a cup of joe with your doggo and watching the city go pass by. 

If you work in the downtown Arlington area good for you but there are also multiple Metrorail Stops so if you work or just like to visit DC your commute is simple (remember, DON’T DRIVE!!! The roads are the worst). 


Young Professionals / Retirees

Downtown

Arlington does not have a particular neighborhood known as the center of the LGBTQ+ community but that does not mean this isn’t a great city to choose. In fact Arlington is frequently in the Top 10 of The Advocate’s list of the most LGBTQ+- friendly cities in the country. So, don’t sweat the neighborhood, just move on in. 


LGBTQ+

If you’re a family interested in history then start your search in the Glencarlyn neighborhood. This is the area’s first planned community, dating back to 1887 and Arlingtons’ oldest standing home, the Ball-Sellers House (circa 1750s) still sits in the center of the neighborhood. The cemetery in town was started in 1766 and coolest of all, George Washington owned land in the forests that surround the city. 

Setting all that history aside, know that the homes here are beautiful Queen Anne-style, Victorians, Colonial Revivals and Cape Cods. The blocks are beautiful narrow streets, with sidewalks for the kiddos, parks, forests and some of the best public schools in the state. The vibe is of an old New England village and locals love it. 

Halls Hill is another historically significant neighborhood in Arlington with the first all-Black volunteer fire station started here back in 1918. It was originally a predominantly black community with ex-slaves buying parcels of land in the 1880’s. Today the black residents only represent 21% of the population but much of that original spirit of activism remains and residents whose families have been here for generations are still proud of the town’s history. 
- Glencarlyn
- Halls Hill - High View Park
- Aurora Highlands


Families

Glencarlyn / Halls Hill

Arlington, VA

**NonamerMedia**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Depends on where you live and if you’ll bring your car…the southern part of Arlington is very urban, and though there’s lots of nice trails and parks it’s in the context of a large (and growing) city. Northern Arlington is a bit more suburban and is close to nice parks and trails, but comes with a notable price bump and longer commutes to work. Also parking is more expensive (ie at least $100 per month) the closer you are to a major urban area. If you’re looking for nature, go closer to Falls Church or Fairfax county.

As for making friends, the good news is that, aside from perhaps Clarendon, Arlington is a hub for introverts that would be more interested in hobbies and other nerdy passions. The bad news…is that Arlington is full of introverts, so it may seem hard at first to find people who are quick to make friends. My suggestion (for Arlington and in general) is to look up groups on meetup or other sites for your interests and see if DC, Arlington, or NoVA come up. In my personal experience, all my friends are outside Arlington.

Arlington is very liberal on social issues, but is more moderate-left fiscally and militarily (lots of defense contractors live here thanks to the Pentagon). In general, people are very tolerant of differing viewpoints as long as you demonstrate a willingness to listen and respond respectfully. If your job involves working in the federal government (as a civilian OR contractor), you are likely to be discouraged (and possibly forbidden) from being overtly political.

I think Arlington right now is good, but not great, in terms of livability. Public transit and diversity of things to do can hardly be rivaled, and you have DC across the river in case you want something more culturally enriching. However, it is expensive, and people living here are very transient, moving due to better jobs or the desire to own a bigger home. I think Arlington and NoVA in general is a good starting point for living an urban lifestyle if you can afford it.

**Low_Potential7315**
6mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

NoVA native, lived in Arlington in my 20s, it's an absolutely wonderful place. Safe and clean with everything you could want, shopping, parks, access to DC/Alexandria for history, restaurants, public transit, excellent schools. Economy is solid. Weather is decent - it's DC, it gets swampy in the summer. Housing/life is bananas expensive and I do not know of a peer who is able to purchase a single family home in North Arlington. I used to babysit on the side when I lived there and all the families were power couples pulling major $$$.

I moved into DC proper in my 30s but Arlington has my heart. I loved running into neighbors and friends out and about and I cherish the time I spent living there.



**Getthepapah**
6mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

Amazing place if you can afford it. It’s way less expensive than the Bay Area and NYC, and it’s a tad less expensive than Boston or Long Island (when factoring in higher property taxes), but is more expensive than any other metro area. Excellent local economy, weather is mild in winters and hot in summers, and the people depend on where you live but I’ve always been very happy here.

**madmoneymc🦉gee**
8mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

Arlington is fully urbanized and not a sleepy suburb* or commuter town even if it's a bit more low key compared to DC across the river. It's not a perfect comparison but it's like if Greenwich never became a borough of Metropolitan london and stayed independent.

London is bigger than DC but the DC Metro area is now like 5th or 6th in population for the country and it shows in the regional economy plus the cultural benefits of being the capital and Arlington benefits from all that.

Arlington is well known nationally for its urban planning to enable people to live without a car and plenty do. I have a car but can go a week or more without needing to use it and I'm not even in the most transit friendly area.

**Moving to Arlington, Virginia? Here are our Top10 reasons to move | Relocating to Northern Virginia**

Arlington, VA, Virginia

The County

Looklyloo Score: 93