Printer friendly format - Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia

By Logan Ward

Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia

Residents maintain community cool in a white-hot real estate market.

Del ray has it all—inviting lawns, friendly neighbors, and charming bungalows. Because of its primo location—within the Washington, D.C., Beltway and near the Metro—it also has eye-popping home prices. Market trends aside, Del Ray manages to hold on to that certain something you just want to come home to. "We consider ourselves a front porch community," says longtime resident Pat Miller, co-owner of A Show of Hands, which sells original works by local artists.

One of Del Ray’s biggest assets, residents say, are the walkable streets. In traffic-choked Northern Virginia, where road rage and white knuckles are the norm, Del Ray is a pedestrian sanctuary, a place where drivers and stroller-pushers share space. Much of the credit goes to the grid of streets, which greatly increases the number of ways to get from point A to point B. A resurgence in recent years of locally owned businesses—antiques stores, design shops, eateries—gives residents and visitors alike more reasons than one to park their cars and hit the sidewalks.

Community Profile

Location: in Alexandria, Virginia, half a dozen Metro stops from downtown D.C.

Map it: Del Ray

Number of homes: 4,500

What $300,000 will buy you: Find an extra $200K or so and you might be able to snag a small home for $550,000.

Closest latte: St. Elmo's Coffee Pub, on Mount Vernon Avenue in the heart of the 'hood

For more info: delraycitizen.org

The Way They Live

photography: Erik Kvalsvick

Homes: Del Ray is a large neighborhood filled with mostly small, early 20th-century homes, from frame Victorians to lovingly maintained bungalows. High real estate prices have increased the teardown risk, but local ordinances have kept McMansion replacements to a minimum. Local architect Gaver Nichols has helped maintain the cottage style; his projects—more than 100 within a mile radius of his Del Ray studio—include careful renovations of Sears Craftsman homes and appropriately scaled construction in established residential areas.

People: In addition to impromptu socializing on porches and during summer strolls, the folks of Del Ray work hard to stay in touch. The very active Del Ray Citizens Association balances an agenda between fun and serious matters, using an Internet newsletter and e-mail list to keep neighbors informed. They tackle traffic and development issues while also supporting a fall run (race), a summer arts festival, and what Pat Miller calls "the best Halloween parade in the world."

Shops and Hangouts: Del Ray is known for its independently owned design shops, including Potomac West Interiors and Antiques, with its "picture windows" mural painted across the side, and The Remix, which sells vintage clothes. The main commercial drag is Mount Vernon, which runs north-south. Look for the Dairy Godmother for Wisconsin-style frozen custard.

Greenspace: For an urban neighborhood, Del Ray is remarkably leafy, with smaller parks such as Mason Avenue, Charles Hill, and Commonwealth Medians. A favorite spot is Simpson Park, where you’ll find scented, water, and butterfly gardens lovingly cared for by Del Ray residents.

Cottage Twist: The best neighborhoods treat pets as members of the family. Del Ray is no exception: Nearly 10 years ago, the Del Ray Dog Owners Group worked with the City of Alexandria to create Northern Virginia’s first fenced dog park.