Arlington County

Moving to Arlington, VA

Metro corridors, ART bus routes and address-specific property planning

Living in Arlington, Virginia

Arlington is a county, not an incorporated city, and every address in it is handled by Arlington County government and Arlington Public Schools. Within that single jurisdiction, homes range from high-rise condominiums near Metro to detached houses on residential streets, and each housing type brings different questions about association documents, parking, zoning and recurring costs. This guide focuses on the practical checks for a specific property rather than promising a commute time or quoting an undated price.

Local information reviewed . Check linked agencies for current schedules, rates and property-specific requirements.

Arlington quick stats

  • Government: Arlington County
  • Rail: Metrorail
  • Bus: ART and Metrobus

Housing and location in Arlington

One county, many housing types

Compare condominiums, townhomes and detached homes separately; each has different documents and maintenance responsibilities.

Check transit by address

Compare walking distance to Metro or an ART stop for the specific property, then test the full trip.

Review the assessment

Use the county's property search to see the parcel's assessment history before budgeting taxes.

Confirm zoning first

Review the zoning ordinance before planning an addition, accessory dwelling or change of use.

Popular neighborhoods

  • Clarendon
  • Ballston
  • Rosslyn
  • Courthouse
  • Lyon Village
  • Cherrydale

Commuting from Arlington: Metro, ART and Metrobus

Several Metrorail lines run through Arlington, and Arlington Transit (ART) publishes local bus routes and schedules alongside Metrobus service. Station access differs greatly from one block to the next, so measure the walk, bike or drive from the exact property to the station or stop you would use.

A train ride and a door-to-door commute are different measurements. Check the current schedules for the time you would normally travel, including transfers and the trip from your destination station to your workplace.

Assessments, taxes and recurring costs

Arlington County's Department of Real Estate Assessments publishes each parcel's assessed value. Look up the property itself rather than estimating from an area-wide figure, and confirm the current tax rate with the county before building a monthly budget.

For condominiums and many townhomes, association fees, reserves, parking rules and special assessments can matter as much as the tax bill. Request the association's resale documents and read them within the time the contract allows.

Zoning and planned improvements

Arlington's zoning ordinance sets permitted uses, setbacks, height and lot coverage. A neighbor's addition does not establish that the same project is allowed on another lot. Buyers planning work should review the ordinance and ask about permits before an offer; sellers can gather permit records for past improvements before listing.

Public schools

Arlington Public Schools serves all of Arlington County. Attendance boundaries can change, so confirm the assigned schools for the exact address with the APS maps and boundaries resources rather than relying on a listing description.

Buying or selling in Arlington?

Review the home-buying process, seller's guide or request a home valuation.

Arlington real estate FAQs

Is Arlington, VA a city or a county?

Arlington is a county. All Arlington addresses are served by Arlington County government; there are no incorporated towns within it.

How do I check Metro access for an Arlington home?

Measure the route from the exact address to the nearest Metrorail station or ART stop, then check current WMATA and ART schedules for the times you travel.

Where can I see an Arlington property's assessed value?

Use the county's property search, published by the Department of Real Estate Assessments, and confirm the current tax rate with the county.

Which school serves an Arlington address?

Arlington Public Schools serves the whole county. Confirm the assigned schools for the specific address with the APS maps and boundaries tools.

What should I check before buying an Arlington condo?

Read the association's resale documents: fees, reserves, rules, pending special assessments and parking. Review them within the contract's review period.

What should I gather before selling an Arlington home?

Gather permit records, maintenance history, utility information and any association documents, and compare recent similar closed sales before pricing.

Contact Johnny Sarkis for Arlington relocation guidance.