Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria is home to 159,200 residents. Alexandria is located along the western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately 7 miles south of Washington, D.C.

Like the rest of Northern Virginia, as well as Central Maryland, modern Alexandria has been influenced by its proximity to the U.S. capital. It is largely populated by professionals working in the federal civil service, in the U.S. military, or for one of the many private companies which contract to provide services to the federal government. One of Alexandria’s largest employers is the U.S. Department of Defense. Another is the Institute for Defense Analyses. In 2005, the United States Patent and Trademark Office moved to Alexandria, and in 2017, so did the headquarters of the National Science Foundation.

The historic center of Alexandria is known as the Old Town. With its concentration of boutiques, restaurants, antique shops and theaters, it is a major draw for all who live in Alexandria as well as for visitors. Like Old Town, many Alexandria neighborhoods are compact and walkable. It is the 7th largest and highest-income independent city in Virginia.

Alexandria is a great place for lovers of the outdoors and nature with many parks and recreation areas. Waterfront Park featuring statues & monuments, plus boat docks, walking trails & seating. Founders Park  is a community gathering place and host to many special events. Jones Point Park is a site of an 1800s lighthouse, this park offers an interpretive trail, 2 playgrounds & sports fields. Dora Kelley Nature Par is a sizable park offering trails & a nature center with animals & environmental classes. Four Mile Run Park is a public area offering fishing, athletic fields, a basketball court, a playground & a walking trail. Taney Avenue Park is a play area, sitting area, picnic area, and wooded nature area. Windmill Hill Park. City park featuring athletic courts, a playground, a dog area & riverfront vistas. Potomac Yard Park. In addition to an interactive water fountain/spray park between two playgrounds, Potomac Yard Park includes an events area, outdoor stage, fields, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, trails and more. Joseph Hensley Park is a sports hub with softball, soccer & lacrosse fields used by adult & youth leagues, plus picnic areas. Oronoco Bay Park is along the Potomac River and features fields and a walking trail, event space and more. Montgomery Park provides parks, trails, sports venues, gardens, historic sites and events centers for the residents of Montgomery. Rivergate City Park features a seating area, river views and volleyball courts. Ben Brenman Park is a 59-acre park in Alexandria features picnic benches and pathways, athletic fields (one synthetic turf), a fenced dog park, parking, picnic pavilion with grill, playground, pond, restrooms and more. Stevenson Park is a neighborhood park with athletic fields, a basketball court, a shelter with grills & a playground. Chambliss Park features tennis courts, and a wooded nature area with a walking trail. Armistead Boothe Park is an 11-acre park offers a picnic area with grills, athletic fields, tennis courts & a playground. Beverley Park includes a hard court play area, playground with a park shelter and picnic tables, sitting areas, and a wooded nature area. Chinquapin Park & Forest Park features athletic fields, basketball courts, garden plots, picnic area with grill, parking, playground, tennis courts, and a wooded area. James Mulligan Park is a wooded area on 3-plus acres with a playground & picnic tables for community gatherings. Fort Ward Park is a historic 43-acre park featuring a Civil War museum, dog exercise area, playground & amphitheater. Bren Mar Park, this large, wooded park in a residential area features a playground, a picnic shelter & trails. African American Heritage Memorial Parkis a manicured setting & wetland area features memorial sculptures, a historic cemetery & walking paths. Eugene Simpson Stadium Park is a sizable public park offering fields & courts for team sports, as well as a playground & dog park.Brookvalley Park is a creekside park offering trails, a playground, picnic areas, garden plots & a centuries-old oak tree. Hooffs Run Park and Greenway is a 4-acre park featuring courts for basketball & tennis, plus a garden, playground & dog area. Holmes Run Scenic Easement is a natural forested area with trails for hiking & biking, plus benches for resting. All Veterans Park is a forested park with a running & biking trail beside a stream, a dog run & an observation tower. Goat Hill Park is a nook-sized park featuring a playground for kids ages 5-10 years, plus a steep hill & wooded area. 

Alexandria is home to a number of colleges and universities. Stratford University, Strayer University, Northern Virginia Community College, The George Washington University, The Catholic University of America, Virginia Theological Seminary and Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Great schools are another feature of living in Alexandria. Highly rated schools in Alexandria include St. Stephens & St. Agnes Middle School, Alexandria City Public Schools, Alexandria City High School, Patrick Henry K-8 School, Mount Vernon Community School, Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School, George Mason Elementary School, John Adams Elementary School, Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy, Minnie Howard Campus of Alexandria City High School, George Washington Middle School, Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, William Ramsay Elementary School, Charles Barrett Elementary School, Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School, James K Polk Elementary School, Francis C. Hammond Middle School,  Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School, Cora Kelly School for Math, Alexandria Country Day School, VINCI School Alexandria, Bishop Ireton High School, Commonwealth Academy, Cameron Elementary School, Potomac Crescent Waldorf School, St Stephen’s & St Agnes School Admission Office Grades 6-12, Immanuel Lutheran School, Douglas MacArthur Elementary School on Taney Ave., Fusion Academy Alexandria, Episcopal High School, ACPS Early Childhood Center, Blessed Sacrament School, Clermont Elementary School, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Upper School, The Basilica School of Saint Mary, The Howard Gardner School, Twain Middle School, St Rita’s School, St. Stephens & St. Agnes School, Chance For Change Academy, St Clement Episcopal Day School, Old Town Montessori School, The Goddard School, American Day School, Global Health College, Queen of Apostles School, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Guidepost Montessori West Alex, TASIS Schools & Summer Programs, Art League School Madison Annex, Madison Day School, Montessori School of Alexandria, Browne Academy, Immanuel Lutheran Church, St Paul’s Episcopal Preschool, Rock and Roll Daycare Old Town Alexandria, Edison High School, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Bluebird of Alexandria II, St. Louis Catholic School, Learning Tree International – Alexandria Education and AnyWare Center. 

Alexandria is known as a great place for foodies and is full of great restaurants including 

Ramparts Tavern & Grill, Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company- Alexandria Store, Tempo Restaurant, Indochen, Aldo’s Italian Kitchen, KungFu Kitchen, BRABO, Bistro Sancerre, and Hard Times Cafe.

Alexandria is a great location for shopping with destinations including Alexandria Commons,Bradlee Shopping Center, Potomac Yard Center, Fairlington Centre, Seminary Plaza, Shops at Del Ray LLC, The Shops at Mark Center, The Old Town Shop, Shoppes of Foxchase, Plaza at Landmark, Van Dorn Plaza, The Shops on the 800 Block of South Washington Street, Pickett Street Plaza, Van Dorn Station Shopping Center, MallChiqui, Mexican shopping, Kings Crossing, and Del Ray North.