There’s far more to this neighborhood than meets the eye…both literally and figuratively! Keep reading to find out all you need to know about Amazon’s new home in Northern Virginia!
In this week’s Neighborhood Spotlight, please join us as we give you a full breakdown of Crystal City, one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Arlington, Virginia.
No matter where you live in Arlington VA, there’s something unique to fall in love with! What do you love about your community? Let us know down in the comments below, so we can highlight them in a future Neighborhood Spotlight.
And, as always, if you have any questions about Arlington real estate, please click here to contact the Keri Shull Team, the #1 top-selling real estate team in the Washington, DC area.
Where is Crystal City VA?
Crystal City is an urban village on the eastern edge of Arlington VA, adjacent to the nearby city of Alexandria VA. Like all of Arlington’s urban neighborhoods, Crystal City is a popular and thriving area, with a large base of employers and tons to do for leisure.
Residents enjoy easy access to three different metro stops — the Crystal City metro, Pentagon City, and Pentagon — as well as the Virginia Railway Express. This means that commuting for work is simple and stress-free for those with offices in DC or elsewhere in NoVA.
There are a ton of things to do in Arlington VA, and this city is no exception! Crystal City is packed with great places to eat and drink, as well as plenty of great ways to get some fresh air!. Some of our favorite spots to grab brunch, bite or a brew in Crystal City include:
- Bob and Edith’s Diner
- Freddie’s Beach Bar — and its sibling restaurant, Federico’s
- Highline RxR Beer Hall
- Crystal City Sports Pub
The most unique thing on offer in Crystal City is definitely the Crystal City Shops, a large mall located in an underground city. The underground tunnels at Crystal City feature nearly 200 shops, restaurants, and entertainment spots. They also connect directly to many hotels, offices, and even condominiums in the neighborhood.
This means that you can enjoy a bite to eat, some shopping, or even some avant-garde theatre — all without having to ever step above ground!
Living in Crystal City VA
One of the most interesting things about living in Alexandria VA and Arlington VA is the wide variety of home types on the market. Some neighborhoods, such as Ballston, have a diverse selection of houses for sale, including both detached homes and apartment-style condominiums.
In Crystal City, however, the highrise remains king.
Crystal City is home to some of the most popular Arlington condo communities, as well as a vast collection of apartments for rent in other high-rise buildings.
While renting a home in Crystal City is a bit more common than owning one, those who do buy a home in the neighborhood will likely have their home be worth more later. In general, owning a home in Crystal City VA is a good investment, as home values have been steadily going up all around Arlington for a while now.
When combined with the impending arrival of Amazon’s HQ2 project to National Landing, there has never been a better time to invest in Crystal City real estate!
Popular condos in the area
There are a lot of excellent condominium communities in Crystal City — here are just a few of our favorites:
Eclipse
Consisting of 476 units, spread between 2 buildings, the Eclipse offers amazing convenience to residents. Not only can owners easily access the DC metro system via the complimentary shuttle, but the complex also features an on-site supermarket and cafe.
Bella Vista
This luxury, high-rise building features one of the best locations in the neighborhood. It is within walking distance of both the Crystal City and Pentagon City metro stops, as well as all of the retail and dining of both locales. The building itself consists of 201 condominium units and offers luxuries like a sundeck, fitness center and sauna, and 24-hour concierge service.
Crystal Gateway
Along with Waterford House, Crystal City offers a boutique layout to their condominiums. Residents get access to luxurious features such as a heated pool and 24/7 concierge, while also enjoying one of the best views in Crystal City. Finally, convenient access to the underground tunnels of Crystal City means that owners at Crystal Gateway don’t even have to worry about the weather when making their commute or running errands.
Waterford House
The condominiums at Waterford House are truly boutique — this 18-story building features just 4 units on each floor! Owners can enjoy stunning views of the Potomac, DC, and Arlington from their private balconies and through their floor-to-ceiling windows.
How to find a home in Crystal City VA
Crystal City has seen a massive surge in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason! The neighborhood features:
- Great walkability and transit convenience
- High-value employers like the DoD and Amazon’s HQ2 project
- A unique underground city, with plenty of dining and retail opportunities
- Vibrant local culture
- Simple commutes to DC, Alexandria, and other parts of Arlington
Because of this, homes are moving very fast in Crystal City right now. If you don’t approach your home search the right way, the chances of finding — and winning — the right home are microscopic.
Simply put. you cannot afford to rely on inexperienced real estate agents and online search tools.
If you do, you might have serious trouble finding the right home now — but there is help out there! At the Keri Shull Team, we have hundreds of off-market properties that you cannot find online or anywhere else…and we want to give you priority access to these homes before they even go on the market!
And if you are selling a house in Arlington, it’s more important than ever to make sure you are taking the proper precautions to protect your investment. The best way to do that is to speak with a top-tier real estate agent and create a completely customized home selling strategy.
So what are you waiting for? Just click here to schedule a time for a free, no-pressure consultation with one of our Real Estate Needs Analysts!
