Nestled at the very tip of Arlington County, right next to the Maryland border, is one of Northern Virginia’s best-beloved towns: the community of Clarendon. Known most widely as a stop on the Orange Line, these 40-50 blocks don’t exactly constitute a mega metro, but that’s part of their charm. An urban village that combines the proximity of the big city (including The Big City) with what Northern Virginia Magazine calls “Mayberry” charrm, is it any wonder that Clarendonians can’t stop raving?
The feature event on the town calendar is Clarendon Day, held each year in the fall as a celebration of music, great food and drink, and community togetherness. The local Mardi Gras festival and weekly farmer’s market are also huge draws. Every day is ripe for a party, however: Clarendon is known for the strength of its local craft beer scene and its delicious eats. Neighborhood bars abound, and the eminent walkability of the area means that, at all hours, residents can stroll from work to home to entertainment in comfort.
The Clarendon Alliance was forged in the 1980s to safeguard the “health and vitality” of the town, both commercially and residentially. The Alliance helps all members of the community come together on issues that affect the whole town, keeping everyone feeling productive and equally contributing to the place they live. The CA organizes the Small Business Alliance, maintains a comprehensive community calendar, sponsors town events, and handles minor legislative issues like parking bylaws.
Residences in Clarendon are heavy on the townhomes and condos, owing to its de facto role as Arlington’s downtown center. Most are luxurious, with the majority of home prices clocking in at over $750k, and many with seven-figure price tags. Scenic front porches held aloft by colonnades, spacious floorplans, and light, bright living are all hallmarks of the local experience. Because the town is so compact, inventory can be limited. Know this: if you find your dream home in Clarendon, you’d do well to snap it up quickly! It’s a virtual guarantee that good real estate will disappear in the blink of an eye.
CC Wikipedia Image Credit: AlbertHerring
