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  • This Northern Virginia City Was Named the 2nd Best Place to Live on the East Coast
Alexandria, VA
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This Northern Virginia City Was Named the 2nd Best Place to Live on the East Coast

‘Travel + Leisure’ praised the area’s public transit, walkability, and charm.

By Debbie Williams September 26, 2025 at 10:21 am

Alexandria continues to earn high praise from Travel + Leisure. The publication recently ranked the city as No. 5 on its list of the best U.S. cities. And now it’s rated Alexandria as the second-best place to live on the East Coast.

The new ranking is based on feedback from real estate experts. “Of all of DC’s surrounding areas, Alexandria is arguably the most attractive, essentially acting as a suburb of DC but benefiting from its own local government,” Darren Robertson, founder and Realtor at Northern Virginia Home Pro, says in the article.

Maryam Redjaee, principal at Maryam Homes at Compass, specifically praised the Old Town area. “It’s incredibly walkable, and whether you’re picnicking by the water or strolling down King Street, you’ll feel like you’re living in a storybook. It’s a favorite among younger professionals and families who want charm and convenience, though the price point can make it competitive.”

Robertson said that the location justifies that higher price point: “The cost of living is still significantly higher than places a little further afield like Manassas or Waldorf, but being so close to DC and in an area that has an already great public transit network that’s also currently being improved is worth the extra cost to many buyers.”

Charleston, South Carolina, secured the No. 1 spot on the list. The remaining cities in the top 10 include:

  • Gloucester, Massachusetts at No. 3
  • Newport, Rhode Island at No. 4
  • Southampton, New York at No. 5
  • Bethesda, Maryland at No. 6
  • Greenwich, Connecticut at No. 7
  • Kennebunkport, Maine at No. 8
  • Harrison, New York at No. 9
  • Silver Spring, Maryland at No. 10

Feature image, steheap/stock.adobe.com

Debbie Williams

Debbie Williams

Senior Editor

Northern Virginia Magazine Senior Editor Debbie Williams is a George Mason University graduate and longtime NoVA resident. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for a variety of nonprofit, lifestyle, and government publications, including for AARP.org and USA TODAY magazines.

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