Whether you are a young urban professional, a family with school-age children, a retiree, a new immigrant or a free spirit who loves to bike and walk, you have come to the right place. Arlington offers great schools, parks, libraries, restaurants, and an array of transportation options.
Arlington is home to Arlington National Cemetery, the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Pentagon. Arlington is both steeped in the history of our nation and on the cutting edge of urban planning. We are a diverse community, with more than 100 languages spoken by children enrolled in our public schools. Our high-density, high-energy Metro corridor is a national model of transit-oriented growth. Our leafy, quiet neighborhoods, with their strong civic associations and excellent public schools, attract people from across America.
All four of our high schools annually rank among the top one percent nationally. Our County’s healthy mix of commercial and residential development provides a strong tax base that helps keep our property tax rate the lowest of any major Northern Virginia jurisdiction. With more private office space than downtown Boston, Dallas, Denver or Los Angeles, Arlington has an estimated 200,300 jobs — and the lowest unemployment rate in the state.
Wherever you live in Arlington, you have easy access to some of the best biking and walking trails on the East Coast. When it comes time to play, you can choose among nearly 200 public parks and playgrounds, 86 miles of biking/jogging trails, 14 community centers, eight live stage theaters and eight public libraries. Crave ethnic food? You’ll find Salvadoran, Moroccan, Thai, Lebanese and almost any other cuisine you fancy within the borders of our 26-square-mile County. Want to get involved? Join one of our 62 registered civic and citizen associations, dozens of commissions or more than 100 community service organizations.
Eager to fight global warming? In January, we launched Fresh AIRE (Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions), a County commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by cutting energy usage. You can join us in this effort. Leave your car behind and take advantage of Arlington’s many transit options when you travel for work or play. With 11 Metrorail stations, 25 major Metrobus and 10 neighborhood Arlington Transit (ART) bus lines, and several car-sharing and taxi companies, Arlington offers plenty of alternatives to driving alone. These are just some of the many exciting opportunities you’ll find here in Arlington to get involved, feel connected and make a difference. On behalf of the Arlington County Board and staff, welcome!