Best Places to Live When Commuting to Crystal City

Crystal City is a vibrant neighborhood in Arlington filled with high-tech companies, government agencies, and Amazon’s HQ2 headquarters. Located along the Potomac River, Crystal City is minutes from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and provides fantastic views of the Washington, DC skyline. Crystal City is in a Business Improvement District (BID) that encompasses the Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Potomac Yard neighborhoods, all marketed under the name National Landing.

The average rent in Crystal City is $2,574 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, higher than both the national average rent and the average rent in Arlington. If you prefer to live outside of Crystal City to save money on rent, several neighborhoods are ideal for commuting, based on proximity to the Crystal City Metro station, major highways, biking routes, and the airport.

The five best places to live when commuting to Crystal City are:

1. Ballston/Virginia Square
2. Clarendon/Courthouse
3. Old Town Alexandria
4. Falls Church
5. McLean

Ballston/Virginia Square

• Average rent in Crystal City: $2,574/month
• Average rent in Ballston/Virginia Square: $2,612/month

Located in the heart of Arlington, Ballston/Virginia Square is a vibrant neighborhood offering residents the best of urban and suburban living. The neighborhood is teeming with restaurants and shops within walking distance of one another as well as single-family houses and townhomes tucked away on quiet residential streets.

Quincy Park provides a natural retreat from the bustle of city life right next to the Central Library. The Orange and Silver Lines are both accessible from the Ballston and Virginia Square Metro Stations.

Clarendon/Courthouse

• Average rent in Crystal City: $2,574/month
• Average rent in Clarendon/Courthouse: $2,592/month

Situated next to Ballston/Virginia Square, Clarendon/Courthouse is renowned for its excellent nightlife options. The Arlington neighborhood touts a downtown atmosphere with rows of walkable shops, restaurants, grocery stores, apartments, condos, bars, and more along Clarendon Avenue.

Residents are welcome to unwind and play various sports at Rocky Run Park. Two Metro Stations are within walking distance of most homes in the neighborhood – Clarendon and Courthouse stations – offering local convenience to the Orange and Silver Lines.

Old Town Alexandria

• Average monthly rent in Crystal City: $2,574/month
• Average Monthly Rent in Old Town Alexandria: $2,575/month

Situated in Alexandria’s core, Old Town Alexandria is bursting with historic charm. Rows of well-preserved brick buildings house an array of independent boutiques, farm-to-table restaurants, specialty museums, and artist galleries along the tree-lined King Street. The Old Town Farmers Market in Market Square boasts a bevy of fresh produce and artisan goods, affording a small-town feel to this vibrant city center.

There’s plenty of lush green space in the neighborhood, with Jones Point Park, Waterfront Park, and Founders Park among the many local favorites. Getting around for work or play is a breeze with access to the Alexandria Amtrak Station, Ferry Terminal, Capital Beltway, and the King Street Metro Station (served by the Blue and Yellow Lines).

Falls Church

• Average rent in Crystal City: $2,574/month
• Average rent in Falls Church: $2,075/month

Strewn along tree-lined Broad Street in western Arlington County, Falls Church is a major suburb with a charming small-town atmosphere and affordable rent. Lush greenery adorns the many tranquil residential neighborhoods in Falls Church, while suburban conveniences like popular restaurants, retailers, and salons are all within close reach.

A bevy of annual events fosters a strong sense of community, including the Tinner Blues Festival, July Fourth Celebration, and Falls Church Festival, among many others. Convenience to major roadways in addition to the East Falls Church and West Falls Church Metro Stations (both served by the Orange Line) makes commuting from Falls Church simple.

McLean

• Average rent in Crystal City: $2,574/month
• Average rent in McLean: $2,497/month

McLean offers residents a true suburban atmosphere with numerous lush parks and nature preserves, along with a host of convenient strip malls and shopping centers. McLean is home to popular outdoor venues along the Potomac River, including George Washington Memorial Parkway and Scott’s Run Nature Preserve. Shopping destinations like Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria are just a short drive away as well.

Known for its strong sense of community and convenient location, McLean is just minutes from Crystal City and Washington D.C. Commuting is convenient with access to the McLean Metro Station (accessible to the Silver Line) and the West Falls Church Metro Station (served by the Orange Line) as well as multiple major highways.

Methodology

Neighborhoods were chosen based on proximity to points of interest like work hubs, schools, parks, and other lifestyle factors. Walkability, public transit, and bikeability scores were factored in and provided by Local Logic. All rent data was sourced from the Apartments.com Rent Trends and Area Guide pages.

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This article was originally published on November 18, 2020, by Shannon Jones and has been updated.