Cross the Potomac from DC to Arlington in the evening, and you’ll witness a tale of two skylines. The nation’s capital is no stranger to showing off the iconic Lincoln Memorial and towering Obelisk. However, Arlington, traditionally seen as a suburb of Washington, D.C., may just have the more stunning of the two. 

If not for its own glamorous display of towering buildings reflecting in the water, then at least for the fact that a “suburb” so eloquently blended city living with residential charm.

Arlington is well-developed; up and down the county’s length are pockets of entertainment, highly-rated eateries, and some of the most coveted neighborhoods in Virginia.

As enjoyable as the experience may be, it’s no easy feat for Virginia homebuyers to decide which Arlington neighborhood they’ll call home. Below, the team Prevu Real Estate will make that task a bit easier, helping you tour some of the most popular neighborhoods in Arlington County, VA.

Best neighborhoods in Arlington, Virginia

• Rosslyn

• Colonial Village

• Virginia Square

• Ashton Heights

• Barcroft

• Lyon Village

• Shirlington

• Glencarlyn

• Woodmont

Rosslyn

Rosslyn enjoys most of the credit for the stunning skyline you’ll witness as you enter Arlington via the Key Memorial or the Arlington Memorial Bridges. 

Rosslyn is known for its urbanized metropolis, but its gleaming skyline starkly contrasts its post-Civil War history. Following the end of the conflict in the 1860s, the Rosslyn area became a scene of a Hollywood Western: shady saloons, illegal gambling, and plenty of lawlessness. 

The early 1900s saw a change of pace in Rosslyn’s development, but the spark that helped create the urban masterpiece we see today arrived in 1964 with the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge. The bridge connected Rosslyn to I-66, and a construction boom transformed it into a commercial powerhouse.

Rosslyn’s prime real estate lies in its luxurious condominiums. While it was once stuffed with nothing but office buildings catering to young professionals, the neighborhood soon began to transform its high-rises into coveted apartment buildings, all within minutes of Washington, D.C.

Rosslyn is still viewed as a commercial district without the same range of entertainment and nightlife as other parts of Arlington. But a wealth of local events, such as the Rosslyn Jazzfest and outdoor parks and eateries, help put it on the map as one of the best places to live in Arlington. Plus, there’s also the unbeatable commute to D.C., thanks to accessible public transportation.

Colonial Village

For a neighborhood that occupies only six acres of land, Colonial Village carries historic weight fit for an entire city. 

A unique residential enclave made up entirely of individual apartments, the village was the first-of-its-kind rental housing project insured by the Federal Housing Association. The red-brick buildings, designed by Gustave Ring in the mid-1930s, still stand today but have since been converted into condominiums. 

The units range from one-bedroom, one-bath apartments to studios and two-bedroom options. But the appeal of this unique neighborhood lies in its seclusion and convenient location.

The Court House Metro station is right outside the complex, offering residents an incredibly easy commute to the District. The verdant ambiance, meanwhile, is Colonial Village’s characteristic feature. Every building within the six acres is part of a park-like system. Short trails wind through the tiny area, connecting each building and fostering a tight-knit neighborly community.

Naturally, the village is purely residential, yet it still features its own Colonial Village Shopping Center, a gem in its own right with plenty of unique eateries and shops. But the nearby Rosslyn, Courthouse, and Clarendon neighborhoods offer variety whenever residents need a change of scenery. 

Virginia Square

Sandwiched between two of Arlington’s busiest neighborhoods, Virginia Square offers a tranquil home base with access to some of the county’s best shopping and entertainment.

The Clarendon Courthouse neighborhood and the Ballston Quarter, located east and west of Virginia Square, respectively, contrast sharply with the area’s laid-back pace. Yet, they are essential to what makes Virginia Square desirable, offering a vast selection of highly-ranked bars and restaurants.

Most of the Square’s housing options comprise mid to high-rise condominium buildings. These can range anywhere from luxurious towers packed with the latest amenities to more relaxed complexes designed to create a neighborhood atmosphere without hustle and bustle.

Not unlike Colonial Village, Virginia Square has its own selection of boutique shops and eateries nestled among its residential streets. Some of these include iconic staples of the community, such as El Pollo Rico and Mario’s Pizza House, the latter of which stays open into the late night hours.

But besides the area’s handful of homegrown shops and conveniences, Ballston and Clarendon will be the go-to for a more expansive palette of shopping and entertainment.

Ashton Heights

If it’s single-family homes you’re looking for, along with the same perks and amenities that Village Square and Colonial Village offer, Ashton Heights should be your first stop.

The Ballston and Clarendon commercial corridors have steadily become a huge draw for many Arlington home buyers, contributing to the desirability and popularity of the surrounding neighborhoods. Although jam-packed with its own unique offerings, Ashton Heights also benefits from its proximity to Ballston and Clarendon.

Ashton Heights opens up a panorama of unique single-family homes for buyers to explore, some dating as far back as the early 1920s. If older and original home styles are your thing, you won’t be disappointed in Ashton Heights, especially if you explore the nearby Arlington Heights Historic District.

Owing its name to real estate developer Ashton C. Jones, Ashton Heights began to take shape in 1919. The initial rush of development gave birth to stunning Cape Cods, Craftsman Bungalows, American Foursquare, and Tudor Revivals that can still be seen today.

Like most desirable Arlington neighborhoods, Ashton Heights enjoys easy access to Washington, D.C., thanks to its two Metro stations. Reagan International Airport and Union Station are also a short drive away.

Barcroft

Even though much of Arlington boasts a storied past, Barcroft and the surrounding neighborhoods offer a special glimpse into old Virginia.

Barcroft can trace its roots back to 1886, though the neighborhood was officially founded in 1903. Frank Corbett was the first to purchase a plat for a subdivision in what is now known as Barcroft, but it took years before development began. The Corbett family eventually sold their plots to a different group of developers, who set the beginning of one of Arlington’s most prized neighborhoods in motion.

Large plots of land and spacious homes with generous acreage were part of Corbett’s initial vision, and the Barcroft of today essentially perfected that vision. 

While the neighborhood caters to buyers seeking ample outdoor space and large, single-family homes, a unique perk makes Barcroft even more attractive: It’s sandwiched in between Columbus Pike to the south and Arlington Boulevard to the north, making it easier to access the rest of Arlington.

Lyon Village

The appeal of Lyon Village is obvious from the moment you see it on the map: the commercial paradise of North Rosslyn is a stone’s throw away, and Virginia’s signature green spaces are present throughout the neighborhood.

Lyon Village is an exemplary neighborhood for buyers seeking original home styles. The area’s development began with the rise of individually-built homes after Frank Lyon founded the village in 1925. The subdivided plots of land gave way to stunning Colonial Revivals, Spanish Mission Revivals, and Craftsmen.

Lyon Village was named to the Virginia Landmarks Register, essentially halting any future development projects or invasive renovations. This may give buyers the peace of mind that future high-rises or large commercial projects won't affect their lifestyle.

But residential themes aside, Lyon Village has a bouquet of other amenities that make it desirable. Two Metro stations serve the neighborhood, providing 30-minute commute options to complement a 15-minute drive to D.C., even in congested conditions. Plenty of outdoor space is available for recreational weekends, and a wealth of entertainment is within easy reach in the nearby Rosslyn and Ballston neighborhoods.

Shirlington

There are three interesting facts about Shirlington that are worth knowing: it doesn’t have a Metro station, it has one of the most popular dog parks in Virginia, and it’s one of the few places in Arlington that isn’t named after the developer who initially bought the land.

The facts may be trivial, but Shirlington’s undeniable appeal is well-known throughout the state. This is undoubtedly an unbeatable option if you have a furry family member. The Shirlington Dog Park is arguably the most famous in all of Virginia, and for good reason: it’s situated right on the banks of the Four Mile Run, a scenic tributary that leads out into the Potomac. 

Thousands of pets and their humans visit this park regularly because of its stunning beauty. You won’t find a dog park with such direct access to water and nature anywhere else, especially if you want it to be in your backyard. But that’s exactly what Shirlington residents get to enjoy, so be prepared to meet a lot of neighbors and a lot of dogs.

So what else makes it worth moving to Shirlington? In short, access to the epicenter of Arlington’s art and theater scene.

Shirlington is home to the renowned Signature Theatre Company, well-known for staging Tony Award-winning plays and contemporary theatre productions. Scattered throughout the neighborhood’s bucolic streets are well-kept condo complexes, spacious single-family homes, and plenty of local cafes and shops to enamor almost any visitor. 

Glencarlyn

Every neighborhood in Arlington has some interesting history to share, but for Glencarlyn, history defines it. 

The neighborhood’s storied roots run deep. It is home to the oldest house in Arlington, the Ball-Sellers House, built in 1760 by John Ball (rumored to be related to George Washington’s mother). George Washington himself purchased a parcel of land here, which later became the site of a still-surviving brass survey mark now housed in the Glencarlyn library. Then there’s General Samuel Burdett’s house, an authentic Victorian built in the 1880s.

Needless to say, if you want history and significance that’s just around the corner from your home, you’ll find it in Glencarlyn. But what else is on offer in one of Arlington’s most storied neighborhoods? Some of Arlington’s most scenic outdoor retreats are in the heart of Glencarlyn.

Like Shirlington, Glencarlyn is home to its own (not-as-famous) dog park that enjoys access to the Four Mile Run. Glencarlyn Park, a short distance away, offers a stunning setting for picnics, family gatherings, or simple hikes through the surrounding greenery.

But, like Shirlington, Glencarlyn also doesn’t offer a Metro station. But the convenient 4B bus route covers your commuting needs, connecting you to the Court House Metro Station, which delivers you directly to Washington, D.C.

Woodmont

Woodmont is one of Arlington’s most expensive residential neighborhoods regarding home prices and cost of living and for good reason.

No other area can offer the same views and secluded greenery that has put Woodmont on the map as one of Virginia's best places to live. Add to that an impressive selection of highly-coveted homes, and you’ve got a neighborhood that is a dream for those that want easy access to the city yet insulated privacy to escape from it all.

Woodmont’s symbiosis with nature is one of its signature qualities. Mature, towering trees, and canopied trails lazily wind through Woodmont, always offering a glimpse of breathtaking nature regardless of your destination. 

Homes here understandably demand a high price; many are valued north of a million dollars. But when you buy a home in Woodmont, you also buy access to unmatched views of the Potomac River, direct access to the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and a breezy commute to North Rosslyn’s commercial district and entertainment.