Shirlington Real Estate - Arlington VA

Shirlington is a growing community in Arlington, Virginia, that has become very popular among people seeking real estate in the area. Located less than 5 miles from Washington D.C. via Arlington Boulevard, this neighborhood is also conveniently located minutes from Interstate 395. Locals who prefer other methods of transportation are happy with the Metro station nearby, which provides access to bus and train service all along the Washington corridor. Residents with disabilities are satisfied with the MetroAccess curbside service provided.

The name Shirlington is a combination of “Shirley” (taken from the Shirley Highway, better known as I-305) and “Arlington.” Shirlington was established back in the 1940s and faded into relative obscurity for a time, but renovation of the area in the early 2000s has put the Shirlington real estate market back on the map. Shirlington continues to grow and expand, bringing in more homes and businesses at the request of locals.

Shirlington Shopping, Entertainment and More

Shirlington lies in the valley of the Four Mile Run, which is a 9.4-mile stream that has commercial, residential and retail establishments to the south of it. In the center of the community lies the Village of Shirlington, a series of buildings along Campbell Avenue that consist of retail, service and residential complexes. Shirlington Village, formerly known as the Shirlington Shopping Center, opened in 1944 and was one of the earliest suburban shopping centers in the United States. It has been remodeled several times to fit the ever-changing community and still provides most of the town's retail shopping today. It has numerous restaurants such as Subway, Johnny Rockets and the Bonsai Grill, to name a few. The village is also home to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, The UPS store, and the Hilton Garden Inn.

For entertainment, those who purchase real estate in Shirlington can visit the Tony Award-winning regional theater called the Signature Theatre, whose mission is to produce contemporary plays and musicals, develop new work, reinvent classic musicals, and offer educational and outreach opportunities for the community. Underneath the theatre is the Shirlington Library, a 15,000-square-foot facility.

Residents also enjoy the hip atmosphere and the variety of fun things to do in Shirlington throughout the year. Wags and Whiskers, a dog and cat festival, takes place in August; the Celtic Festival takes place in September; Oktoberfest is celebrated in October; and the Shirlala live music and wine tasting takes place on Thursdays during the summer.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, the area is bike-friendly and has trails like the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) trail and the Four Mile Run trail. There is also beautiful Shirlington Park, which has 29 acres and was named the best dog park in 2009 by Washington Express. The nearby Jennie Dean Park offers residents a host of trails where they can walk, jog, or ride their bike. There is a tennis court, two baseball fields, a playground and a pond. Although the playground is not open to the public while school is in session, there is plenty of open green space for children to run and play. The ducks in the pond are always a big draw for children of all ages.

Dining Out and Nightlife in Shirlington

Most people who buy real estate in Shirlington choose this part of Virginia as home because of the charming, low-key atmosphere. The fact that a simple walk brings them to fantastic restaurants, nightclubs, and other entertainment is a plus for hardworking people wanting to unwind after a hard day at work. Grocery stores are also just a simple walk from anywhere you decide to buy real estate in Shirlington. 

Locals enjoy getting together at the Shirlington Busboys and Poets restaurant, which also serves as a local community center and is a great place for freelance writers to work. While Busboys is a quiet, laid-back place, Samuel Beckett's Irish Gastro Pub is a louder, more happening place.

Dining out is an international treat when you choose real estate in Shirlington. With more than 800 restaurants to choose from, there is going to be something to please everyone's taste buds. Fast food restaurants are easy to find throughout the area. Want burgers and fries, or simple tacos? How about a nice homemade sandwich on fresh-baked bread? Fried chicken? Simply find your favorite fast food joint and chow down.

For those with choosier taste buds, your dining experience can be any cuisine you are craving: Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Hawaiian, Polynesian, Korean, as well as fusions of these cuisines can be found at a wide variety of different restaurants close to home. Ping by Charlie Chiang's is located in the Village at Shirlington. Sushi is sold at some of these restaurants, but to get the best sushi in town, one needs to go to Iciban Sushi & Ramon.

Italian restaurants also abound, selling everything from homemade pizzas and pastas, to the best lasagna in the universe. Meals are often served with fine Italian wines. Menu selection is so varied that those wanting a specific Italian dish are sure to find it in one of the many restaurants in town.

Southwestern and Mexican cuisine can also be found in many restaurants in Shirlington, from fast food to first-class dining. Locals are especially fond of Guapo's Restaurant. This restaurant prides itself on its homemade sauces and authentic Mexican and Southwestern dishes.

Other cuisines that can be found close to your new home in Shirlington include Indian, Irish and Greek. Those on a gluten-free diet can enjoy a nice meal out at Palette 22. If you’re craving authentic soul food, head straight to Margaret's Soul Food & Catering Services. Although this is not a sit-down restaurant, one can order take-out for fine southern dining at home. Located in a small strip mall, Margaret's is somewhat of a hidden gem, but once found, it becomes a favorite for many.

Not to be outdone, the amount of restaurants that cater to the American taste buds is staggering. With so many to choose from, it’s nice to know that Carlyle is ranked as the #1 restaurant in Shirlington. Carlyle offers guests a warm, modern dining experience with great food and great service. Their varied menu means there is going to be something to please everyone. Locals flock to eat at Carlyle's, knowing they will always get great food and “to die for” decadent desserts.

Whatever your dining pleasures are, you can be sure there is a restaurant near your new home in Shirlington that will quench that desire. Dining truly is an international experience, and one can spend weeks “traveling around the world” eating at various restaurants so close to home.

Culture and History around Shirlington

WETA-TV (where PBS News hour and Washington Week are filmed) is located here, and Shirlington is also home to the WETA-FM classical music radio station. Another great thing about owning Shirlington real estate is its proximity to the nation's capital. The town is located only about 5 miles from the Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon, and numerous other historic sites. Those who want to learn about the history and politics of the United States can spend years exploring the many archives in Washington D.C. 

People who are interested in learning more about the past can also find interesting sites closer to home if they buy real estate in Shirlington. Virginia is filled with an abundance of museums, memorials and other artifacts related to the Civil War, and Arlington is home to a few of its own gems from history. History buffs who purchase real estate in Shirlington are rewarded for their wise choice by the sheer number of places they can explore nearby.

Shirlington Real Estate Has a Lot to Offer

Shirlington Real Estate - Available for Sale

Shirlington is a bustling community of condos and townhomes surrounded by lush landscaping and nice-sized yards. Nearby schools are rated as excellent. Here are a few questions to guide you in your search for Shirlington real estate:

How Much Space Do You Need, and How Much Do You Want To Spend?

Shirlington has around 40 condominium complexes of various sizes located in just four city blocks. Studios as well as units with one to four bedrooms can be found throughout the area. The size of your desired unit and the amount you wish to spend will determine where you should begin your search for real estate in Shirlington. A quick walk through town will quickly show you what sort of properties are available in the Shirlington real estate market.

Are You Looking for Older Condos?

A gorgeous two-story contemporary townhouse style condominium community on Quincy Street offers three-bedroom homes. Built in 1976, these homes are as popular today as when they were built over 40 years ago. These renovated units are open, airy and filled with natural sunlight. They are also close to I-395 and the Village at Shirlington.

Are Brick Buildings Part of Your Dream?

Are you looking for a traditional brick home like so many throughout Virginia? The Windgate of Arlington, Fairlington Green, Fairlington Meadows, and Fairlington Village all are charming multi-story, red-brick condo communities with properties for sale in the Shirlington area. Valley Heights is among the most affordable places to live if brick facades are your thing.

High-Rise Condos in Shirlington Village and Valley Heights

Built in 2006, the Shirlington Village Condos rise high over the area. This 11-story building features 159 homes of various sizes. Large picture windows give upper floor residents spectacular views of the cities and countryside below. Open floor plans, sunrooms, lofts, dens and balconies or terraces are just a few of the wonderful features in this stunning high-rise complex.

Renovated Units

Renovated in 2006, the West Village Of Shirlington is a large 528-unit community composed of townhomes, two-bedroom cottages and condominiums. Once known as the Shirlington Overlook Apartments, these spacious homes, located in the heart of the Shirlington real estate market, have open floor plans that maximize both space and light. With so many units, there is surely a condo design to fit everyone’s lifestyle.

Closer to Fairlington are townhomes and mid-rise condominiums that were once apartments. Built after WWII, these homes were all renovated throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Everyone loves this area for Shirlington real estate as it is close to freeways and other major roads.

Newer Communities

Shirlington Crest is a new townhome community on 11 acres of land. Most of these homes were built in 2008, and some are still being built today. These modern homes have an amazing rooftop terrace which provides residents with panoramic views of the Shirlington/Arlington areas. These spacious homes are considered the premium homes in Shirlington for people who work in Washington D.C. or any of the nearby federal buildings.

Adding to this mixed-use community, the IO Piazza and Windsor, both located close to the Village, are newer condos designed to attract more young professionals into the area. These homes are conveniently located in easy-to-access areas. Their locations close to shopping, dining and entertainment venues is also a big draw for people exploring the Shirlington real estate market.

Amenities

No matter where you choose to buy real estate in Shirlington, your home and property are going to be clean and ready to live in. Many condos have large yards in which residents can play and relax safely. Most communities offer their residents swimming pools as a basic amenity, and some even have grills and picnic tables available for residents to enjoy. Locals looking for more space to play can head to any of the nearby parks. Pet lovers can safely walk their dogs in the nearby dog park.

Amenities such as state-of-the-art fitness centers can be found at West Village of Shirlington and at the Shirlington Village Condos. Both of these complexes also have libraries available for all residents to use. 

Monthly Fees

All condos and townhomes for sale in Shirlington will require monthly fees. If this is a concern, shop around while looking at Shirlington real estate. Some complexes have lower fees, while others are quite high. Newer condos will have the higher fees, but they offer a wider range of amenities than do some of the older, renovated properties.

Interested in Buying a Home in Shirlington?

If you’re in the market for Shirlington real estate, call me at 703-462-0700. I’m an experienced buyer agent who grew up in Northern Virginia and knows the market here very well. I’ll work hard to get you the best deal possible on your purchase.

Sell Your Shirlington Home

If you own Shirlington real estate and are thinking of selling, contact me so I can prepare a no-obligation market analysis of your property.