Alexandria was named among the top 20 Best Places to Live for Families, according to a new rankings from Fortune Magazine.
The Fortune rankings focused in part on combatting loneliness: "In our analysis of nearly 1,900 cities across the country, the best places to live scored high on assets like health care, education, and resources for seniors—all of which can help fight isolation and build social ties."
At the top of the list: Cambridge, Massachusetts, followed by Portmouth, New Hampshire and Silver Springs, Maryland.
Alexandria was ranked 18th, surrounded by Iowa City, Iowa at 17th and Peachtree Corners, Georgia at 19th.
As for Alexandria, Fortune Magazine noted: "Alexandria offers copious fine dining and shopping choices along its walkable streets and a real sense of community in its many residential neighborhoods, such as Del Ray and Cameron Station. Lively King Street in the area of Old Town offers shopping from both local boutiques and national retail stores. Outdoor dining along the waterfront is also a favorite seasonal activity come summer."
Counting Fairfax County's Alexandria section in the ranking, Fortune also said, "With well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture, Alexandria’s rich historical heritage is another draw, with attractions like George Washington’s Mount Vernon to its south and the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a former U.S. naval station that provides educational and cultural experiences to residents."
One thing Fortune did not mention was the cost of living here. The same day that Fortune announced its list, Lawn Love put the D.C. metro area on the top 10 list of the Most Expensive Metro Areas for Renters.
