Eat, Play, Love: Living in Shirlington, Virginia

Much of the attention in Arlington, Virginia remains focused on North Arlington, particularly the Rosslyn to Ballston corridor, and with good reason.  This span of Arlington centered around the Orange Line metro has been the scene of some smart redevelopment choices as parking lots turn into high-rise condos and restaurants, shops, and hip bars and nightclubs line Wilson Boulevard and Clarendon Boulevard providing plenty of entertainment options for the young urban/suburbanites without having to head into D.C.

South Arlington, with its generally older residential neighborhoods and lack of metro line accessibility often gets tossed aside like the ugly stepsister at the junior high school dance.

Not anymore.

Welcome to Shirlington!

Crossing the 14th Street Bridge and traveling less than 5 miles from D.C., one finds the fascinating community of Shirlington right off of Route 395.  Your senses will be overwhelmed with the smells, tastes and sights of the diverse group of American and ethnic restaurants clustered in the Village of Shirlington. 

EAT: 

Aladdins Eatery  -- Middle Eastern delights and great soups
Aroma Restaurant -- Indian specialities
Best Buns Bread Company -- delicious fresh breads daily
Bistro Bistro -- European bistro
Capital City Brewing Company -- freshly brewed beers and good old American eats
Carlyle -- eclectic American menu
Extra Virgin Italian Cuisine  -- Italian
Guapo's -- Mexican food
Johnny Rockets  -- hamburgers and hot dogs
Luna Grill & Diner -- a little bit of everything
Maggie Moo's Ice Cream
Robeks Fruit Smoothies & Healthy Eats
Subway -- subs and sandwiches
T.H.A.I Shirlington  -- good Thai food in inviting atmosphere

Many of these restaurants host lavish brunches every Sunday and gourmands pack the Village at Shirlington every night of the week.

PLAY: 

With the Shirlington movie theater, billiards at Bungalow Billiards, live jazz at several restaurants, the newly opened Signature Theater, and the recent addition of Busboys and Poets, there's something for everyone's entertainment.  Not to mention a bookstore and the Shirlington Library!

LOVE:

With all of these great eating and entertainment options, what's not to love?  How about cakelove -- the store that delights with cakes from scratch? Convenient to D.C., Ronald Reagan National Airport, and the rest of the metropolitan area, Shirlington is also on major metro bus routes affording easy transportation for commuters.  Shirlington also has its own wonderful Harris Teeter supermarket.

AND LIVE:

In addition to many rental apartment choices, there are several residential neighborhoods within walking distance to the amenities of Shirlington or at least a very quick hop in the car.

Some of those neighborhoods include the ever-popular Fairlington, Windgate of Arlington, Heatherlea Condominiums, The Arlington Condominiums, and Claremont.

Here are some samples of currently available homes near Shirlington:

CLAREMONT CAPE COD            3 Bedrooms  2 Baths     $549,000

FAIRLINGTON TOWNHOUSE      2 Bedrooms  2 Baths     $429,500

FAIRLINGTON TOWNHOUSE      2 Bedrooms  2 Baths     $418,000

THE ARLINGTON CONDO          2 Bedrooms  1 Bath       $324,500

WINDGATE OF ARLINGTON       1 Bedroom   1 Bath        $305,000

START YOUR SEARCH FOR A HOME NEAR SHIRLINGTON TODAY 

Brian Block        RE/MAX Allegiance      703-626-0715