There are plenty of great reasons to live on the East Coast, particularly in or around Washington DC. The history, culture, and opportunities there are second to none. But living in Washington DC can also be an expensive proposition. Fortunately, if you find yourself bound for the East Coast for a job (or just to start a new life), you do have some other options.
According to numbers from BestPlaces.net, Alexandria is 6.8% less expensive than Washington DC when it comes to cost of living. Not only that, but housing costs in Alexandria are 13.3% cheaper than DC's. That could mean saving a lot of money if you want to live in the DC area, but don't necessarily have the budget for having a home in the city.
So should you move to Alexandria? Let's look at some of the pros and cons.
Pros
Close proximity to the city. If you want to work and play in Washington DC, Alexandria isn't going to be much of a commute. There are plenty of ways to get from Alexandria to DC, and few of them take longer than about twenty minutes. That means you're not only close to work, but also have easy access to all the amenities and nightlife DC has to offer.
Lower cost of living. While living in Alexandria is still significantly higher than the national average, some things are cheaper in Alexandria. For example, one particular perk to living outside DC is cheap Virginia home insurance. Not only is home insurance cheaper in Alexandria, but it's also considerably lower than the national average, per numbers from Ross Martin at The Zebra.
An excellent foodie scene. One of the major benefits of living in a major city: the food. Alexandria has a stellar array of cuisine available, from places like Wooboi Hot Chicken to Hank's Oyster Bar to Caphe Banh Mi. You won't have to travel all the way to DC to enjoy some amazing dining experiences (although, given the short commute, you certainly can!)
Good public transportation. You might be amazed at how easy it is to get around Alexandria. Not only is there an excellent transit system, but Alexandria has one of the highest walkability ratings there is. If you live in Old Town, almost everything will be within easy walking distance -- great news if you don't care much for driving.
Rich colonial history. As the home of George Washington, Alexandria is full of attractions for those interested in the history of the area. Old Town itself is a historical area, and there are plenty of other sights to see, such as the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, the Fort Ward Museum, the Jones Point Lighthouse, and many more.
Besides these obvious benefits, some other reasons to recommend Alexandria include the low crime rate, the good reputation of its public schools, a lower-than-average sales tax, and a healthy job market.
Cons
Of course, no place is perfect, and there are some potential downsides to living in Alexandria. You'll have to decide for yourself whether or not they're deal-breakers.
For one, there's a high population density in Alexandria, which means a lot of people, a lot of traffic, and the potential for congestion and traffic jams. This is likely to worsen during the height of the tourist season, when visitors flood into the city to see the sights. Alexandria also has something of a reputation for poor drivers, which is yet another reason to be careful while on the road.
Also, while Alexandria has tons of natural beauty to go along with its historic charm, the allergy season in the area can be particularly brutal in Virginia as a whole. The heavy rainfall and high humidity can also make summers particularly difficult to deal with compared to much of the rest of the country.
As mentioned before, the housing market in Alexandria is considerably higher than the national average. While it's far from the most expensive place to own a home on the West Coast, it's still quite a bit higher than the national average -- so if you're coming from a place where housing prices are much lower, you should be prepared.
There's also the threat of flooding. Alexandria is close to the banks of the Potomac River and has a low elevation, which means the possibility of flooding during heavy rains. This makes it all the more important to have your home insurance in order if you choose to make your home in Alexandria -- including taking out separate flood insurance if you live in a high-risk area.
In terms of drawbacks, Alexandria isn't any worse than most major cities along the East Coast, and has a lot more to offer than many of them. If you're looking to move to the DC area, you should absolutely give Alexandria a look.
