Arlington

The votes are in and once again Arlington takes the top spot when it comes to the “Best City to Live in America”. The honor comes from Niche, an online review website that annually ranks cities in regards to everything from public schools to crime, diversity and nightlife.

Not only did Arlington rank as the number one city in the Niche listing, but it received an overall grade of an A+. The quality of the city’s public schools helped, as did doing well in the category of cities that are good for families. In both cases Arlington received an A+.

Arlington also received an A+ in nightlife and for the category of health and fitness. The city earned an A for diversity, the commute and outdoor activities. The rankings slipped slightly to a B+ for

From its marble lobby to its solid wood doors and trim, elegant attention to detail is what sets The Representative apart from other condos in the DC area. This stately Arlington high-rise was first constructed in the mid-1970s, yet remains one of the most stylish residential properties in the entire area.

The unique, S-shaped building is home to around 200 private condos, with a variety of different floor plans for new buyers to choose from. Options range from one- to three-bedroom designs, with prices starting in the high $300,000s, yet going up from there. It’s rare, however, for condos to even come on the market at The Representative.

Those that do often feature large windows and extended balconies, plus some units also offer fireplaces.

For urban convenience in Arlington, consider the dual condo towers of Eclipse on Center Park. Close to Potomac Yard, this newer construction, high-rise development is home to hundreds of private residences and close to countless options in shopping, dining and entertainment.

Residents of Eclipse on Center Park enjoy generous views of the nearby Potomac River as well as the city skyline. Added conveniences include ground level retail space housing a grocery store and a restaurant. Found just to the south of Crystal City, the condos also enjoy a location that’s within a short walk of just about everything.

In addition, it’s possible to easily hop on the Mount Vernon Bike Trail living at Eclipse on Center Park or to access Four Mile Run Park,

For full-service condos in Arlington, The Belvedere enjoys an impressive location and a well-established reputation in the DC area. Constructed in the mid to late 1980s, the property sits at the top of a Rosslyn hill, with two 19-story towers connected via a lobby.

Home to more than 500 private residences, the condos of The Belvedere allow for an influx of natural light to flow throughout the homes from the glass-enclosed balconies. A real treat for buyers, the balconies offer up the enjoyment of not only some impressive views, but also the addition of a unique living space you won’t often find with other condos in the area.

Options start with one-bedroom floor plans, however some of the larger units allow for three-bedrooms. Ranging from around

From the tranquility of its delightful lobby waterfall to its glass elevators, The Atrium offers up a contemporary take on condominium living in Rosslyn. Constructed in the mid 1980s, the landmark property sits at the top of a hill, supplying commanding views of the surrounding area and some impressive added amenities.

The Atrium is home to around 350 private residences, spread across 13-stories of stylish living space. The condos are known for their floor-to-ceiling windows, serving up outstanding views of Georgetown and the Potomac River.

In addition, you’ll find such high-end extras throughout the homes as marble baths and hardwood flooring, along with large closets. Many units have been updated and remodeled throughout the years, now

For sophisticated town home living in Arlington, consider the open floor plans and modern conveniences of a Ballston Row lifestyle. The property offers the enjoyment of up to four-levels of living space, complimented by a two-car garage and a rooftop deck, supplying the added luxury of extra space for both living and entertaining.

With the feel of a neighborhood setting yet the convenience of sitting close to everything you need and desire in the Arlington area, the town homes offer residents the best of both worlds. It’s possible to walk to the closest Metro stop, or take a leisurely stroll to the many nearby options in dining, shopping and entertainment.

As an extra benefit the property sits just across the street from an elementary school,

Graphic: Capitol Trails Coalition

A “Bike Beltway” could someday become reality for the DC area. Transportation planners are currently working on a visionary plan to construct not only a large biking loop but also a regional bike trail network that connects up with the surrounding suburbs.

The 60-mile loop alone encircles the entire region, taking cyclists through Maryland, Virginia and DC. The plan involves using interconnected trails running from the Arlington County-DC border down to Alexandria, and then continuing on into the Maryland suburbs. While some trails already exist, the plan involves filling in the gaps, and upgrading sections of some of the existing trails along the way.

Its part of a much larger plan, however, aimed at

Graphic: ZGF Architects/Georgetown BID

Supporters of bringing a gondola to the DC area are once again bringing up the plan, hoping to someday make it reality. Some area business leaders and those with political ties believe its still a good idea, years after the plan first came to public light.

Initiated five years ago as part of its 15-year strategic plan, the Georgetown Business Improvement District proposed the gondola to connect Georgetown to Rosslyn. Georgetown doesn’t have a Metro, and proponents believe a gondola could not only be built faster, but with a much smaller price tag than other transportation solutions.

Just two years ago, a study took a closer look at the plan, maintaining the gondola was a feasible proposal. Stretching across

For many people Crystal City conjures up more recent news, named as the site of Amazon’s new headquarters, but there’s much more to the area. The modern vision of the Crystal City we see today actually stretches back for generations.

Long before the 1960s rolled around, Crystal City was mostly industrial. The area was filled with junkyards, industrial sites and lower-rent motels. A drive-in theater once sat in the area, but you hardly found many of the buildings you see today.

By the mid-century, plans were being drawn up that would transform the area for the next several decades. That’s when Crystal City’s very first apartment building went up, named Crystal House after the massive crystal chandelier in its lobby. The name quickly caught on

If you’re planning on doing some shopping in National Landing or just searching for a bite to eat, you’ll find plenty of options. From the shops of Fashion Centre to Potomac Yard Center, the choices are endless in this urban community.

With well more than 150 shops, stores and restaurants to choose from, Fashion Centre at Pentagon City provides a wide variety of selections. Shops in this location include upscale selections such as Nordstrom, Coach and Michael Kors, plus Kate Spade, Microsoft, Apple and many other traditional clothing and specialty shops.

In addition, the site also includes several different options in dining, from trendy eateries and cafes to more casual burger and pizza shops. This three-level shopping area is accessible via