Rosslyn | Courthouse | Clarendon | Virginia Square | Ballston
Overview
Ballston is the last stop on the Orange Line Corridor in Arlington and it brings a very much downtown like feel to the area. Residents enjoy a mixture of shops, restaurants, parks and nightlife that suit different lifestyles. No matter the lifestyle, all can agree that convenience is key when it comes to living in the area; most who work and live in Ballston can enjoy doing so without a car.
Real Estate
The Ballston area is quite unique to Arlington. In addition to the mall at Ballston, there are severalwell known public and private organizations housed in high rise buildings only a few blocks from the metro. The National Science Foundation, DARPA and the United States Coast Guard all call Ballston home. In addition to single family homes there are several great options for townhomes and condos in the area. Popular townhome choices include: Bromptons at Ballston, Townes of Ballston, Ballston Green, Buckingham Commons and Buckingham Row. Popular condo choices include: Residences of Liberty Center, The Continental, Ballston 880, and Eastview and Westview.
To view current listings in Ballston communities click here
Condos
Alta Vista
Ballston 880
Ballston Park
Continental
Eastview
Hyde Park
Residences at Liberty Center
Westview
Windsor Plaza
Food and Entertainment
The restaurant scene in Ballston does not disappoint. Other than great finds in the Ballston Common Mall, there are fantastic bars for the after-work crowd including Front Page, Grand Cru, Protein Bar and more. For foodies with a sweet tooth, look no further than Willows, with award winning pastry chef Kate Jansen.
In terms of community value, Ballston ranks quite high on the list. The Ballston Farmers Market brings in large crowds for its organic selection. Taste of Arlington, is an annual food festival and street fair hosted by ballston since 1987. Restaurants from all over Arlington gather and offer a variety of food options to festival goers. It is a wonderful opportunity for business and community development. Ticket sales estimate that nearly 15,000 people attended the festival in 2009.
For sports fanatics, The Kettler Capitals Ice Complex, located in the Ballston Common Mall’s parking garage is where the Washington Capitals professional ice hockey team practices. There are two full sized rinks for both practices and public use. The Capitals hold open practices that are free of charge.
There are several parks for the more outdoorsy residents, including Quincy Park and Lubber Park & Community Center. Curtis Trail access points are open in the village which leads to the Mount Vernon Trail, the Potomac Heritage Trail and the Capital Crescent Trail. For more educational activities, the area is home to the David M. Brown Planetarium, the Arlington Arts Center and the Arlington Central Library.
Transportation
This area houses the Ballston stop along the Orange line of the D.C. metro system, which allows for ease of access to all parts of Arlington and the District. The area is also serviced by the Metrobus and ART buses. For drivers, Ballston was founded upon the major intersection of North Glebe Road and Wilson Boulevard. Capital Bikeshare and several bicycle racks are located throughout Arlington county including Ballston.
Summary
Ballston is a great place for those looking for a place to live that includes both the downtown feel of Washington, and the quiet residential feel of Fairfax County. It has great community value, a wide selection of restaurants and shops, and both luxury and moderately priced housing. Convenience is the main draw to the area; food, entertainment and work are all located within walking multiple metro stations. With the addition of the silver line coming in 2014, Ballston will become an even more convenient place to live, work and play as there will now be options for taking the metro to Tyson’s Corner and in the future Dulles Airport.
