Rivercrest

An affluent neighborhood noted for its privacy and seclusion, Rivercrest attracts those looking for proximity to the D.C. area with ample space and refined amenities. It's located in the northern portion of the city, with homes usually over 2,000 square feet with a higher price point. Homes range from large, custom-designed estates to architecturally beautiful modern homes. Colonials, a few Queen Anne-style homes, and numerous other options exist here.

One of the nice benefits of Rivercrest is that it has ample green space. There are numerous outdoor areas for bike rides or walks through Glebe Road Park, an easy way to spend a Saturday morning. It's also spacious, with larger home lots often with backyards, some of which back up to forested areas. The area is small, with under 350 people calling it home. It's a short drive to the Lower Potomac River and into D.C. as well.

Bellevue Forest

Bellevue Forest is an older community with over 400 homesites. It's a quiet, secluded area with larger homes and lots of wooded areas. Those who want to be a short drive from the city but need the retreat and relaxation of nature will find this area fitting. The rambler, colonial, and Cape Cod homes here typically have larger backyards. The area, first established in 1938, has a mixture of older and newer homes.

Close to Gulf Branch Nature Center, Donaldson Run Park, and smaller parks, Bellevue Forest lives up to its name. The community itself is all residential, but it's a short drive to restaurants and shops. It's only a few minutes to MacArthur Blvd or the Palisades area. While there's a lot of privacy here, residents are friendly, welcoming, and willing to stop and chat. The community is part of Arlington County Public Schools, but some children attend private schools close by.

Read more about this community in our blog, Life in the DMV.

Chain Bridge Forest

Chain Bridge Forest, home to about 300 people, is in the city's northern section. It has larger, single-family homes, many of which were built in the 1980s and 2000s, but older homes can also be found, including some with beautiful architectural detailing. Most homes feature the colonial or Cape Cod style, but there are a few ultra-modern properties.

Chain Bridge Forest is all residential, with some properties featuring acreage and others with deep backyards. Made up of just a few streets, Chain Bridge Forest is just off N. Glebe Rd. It's also near Fort Ethan Allen and Glebe Road Park, though you'll still need to take a drive to get there. The Pimmit Run Trail is popular for dog walks and early morning runs. Many bike from Pimmit Run across the Potomac and into Georgetown or the surrounding areas. Residents are part of the Arlington County Public Schools, though no schools are within the city itself.

Old Glebe

Old Glebe is charming, with larger, more modern homes (including a bit of new construction) and estate-like older properties. Just off Glebe Road, the community borders Washington Golf & Country Club and is close to Chain Bridge. Old Glebe offers nice paths for dog walking, runs, and biking, allowing locals to travel along trails throughout the upper area of Arlington. The Gulf Branch Nature Center is close to many homes here, as is Pimmit Run Trail, Glebe Road Park, and Fort Ethan Allen Park.

It's included in the Arlington County Public School District, though the community is all residential, with schools and shops requiring a short drive down N. Glebe Rd. Jamestown Elementary School is close and provides most of the education to younger students in public schools here. The homes are larger, often well over 2,500 square feet, and most offer larger yards. They range from ramblers to colonials, though a few much larger, custom-built homes exist. In typical subdivision fashion, many streets here are connected, creating endless tree-lined streets to walk along after dinner.