Northern Virginia Real Estate: Prices, Pictures, Facts and Map

Northern Virginia is a part of the National Capital Region it is home to some of the most educated, affluent and particular buyers in the nation. Everyday we help folks relocate in and out of Northern Virginia as well as help locals advance their real estate goals. If you're shopping for a home in Northern Virginia, you will find this is a great resource for understanding the area and for seeking out the perfect real estate match for your tastes and budget.

If you need any help with a specific search please don't hesitate to call us at (703)765-0300.

[map of Northern VA real estate for sale]

Alexandria is a highly livable city with enviable amenities, culture and attractions. The Commonwealth of Virginia considers Alexandria an "independent city" which means that Alexandria is not in any county. However, parts of Northern Virginia have an Alexandria postal address, but are actually in Fairfax County. All this can be confusing for newcomers to the area, but we try to simplify this in our guide by organizing things so they make sense for the home buyer. You won't have to be a Virginia jurisdictional authority to find the home you want to buy, but start here for a primer on Alexandria. According to US Census Data, as of 2010 Alexandria had a population, the City of Alexandria had a total population of 139,966. Alexandria is one of the largest independent cities in Virginia and is home to a variety of neighborhoods and communities.

Alexandria dates back to the colonial era and many of the neighborhoods of Alexandria reflect that heritage. However, Alexandria is also home to newer and relatively new neighborhoods. [Overview of Alexandria Neighborhoods]

Arlington is an urban county of about 26 square miles located directly across the Potomac River from Washington DC. Arlington's central location in the Washington DC metropolitan area, its ease of access by car and public transportation, and its highly skilled labor force have attracted an increasingly varied residential and commercial mix. Arlington has a number of prominent villages such as Rosslyn and Crystal City on the metro.

Arlington's central location in the Washington DC metropolitan area, its ease of access by car and public transportation, and its highly skilled labor force have attracted an increasingly varied residential and commercial mix. Arlington's planners have focused on a smart design which focuses neighborhoods with the highest density along the Orange Line of the Metro. Some of Arlington's most upscale high-rises and sought after addresses are within a block or two of a Metro station. But as you work away from the metro, high-rises give way to townhomes and then older neighborhoods like Lyon Park feature stately older single family residences on tree-lined streets.

Arlington has a number of prominent urban villages such as Rosslyn and Crystal City on the metro and Shirlington just off I-395. Arlington County is home to the Pentagon, Fort Myer and lies in very close proximity to numerous employment centers.

[ Read more about the neighborhoods of Arlington VA ]

Fairfax County is a diverse and thriving urban county. As the most populous jurisdiction in both Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area, the county's population exceeds that of seven states.

Fairfax County surrounds the City of Fairfax and borders Alexandria, Arlington and Falls Church. Fairfax County ranges from urban to suburban, with homes to suit almost every taste and budget. Because Fairfax County is so large our Guide arbitrarily divides Fairfax County into three parts:

• Northern Fairfax County (that part of Fairfax County north of I-66);
• Southern Fairfax County (Fairfax County south of I-95) and;
• Central Fairfax County (Fairfax County between I-66 and I-95).