Welcome to your new home! Whether you are a young professional, have young kids or are young at heart, we literally have something for everyone:
<p><b>FitArlington</b>
<p>Are you interested in health and fitness? Welcome to the community that has been named “Best U.S. Walking City,” “Bike-Friendly Community,” and “Sportstown Virginia.” 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, nine live stage theaters and eight public libraries. Visit www.arlingtonva.us/fitarlington. A fit Arlington also means a healthy environment. In 2007, 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. Visit www.arlingtonva.us/aire.
<p><b>Getting Around</b>
<p>Our high-density, high-energy Metro corridor is a national model of transit-oriented development. With 11 Metrorail stations, 25 major Metrobus and 11 neighborhood Arlington Transit (ART) bus lines as well as several car-sharing and taxi companies, Arlington offers plenty of alternatives to driving alone. Visit www.carfreediet.com to learn how you can “lose 2,000 pounds in just one day!”
<p><b>Diverse Arlington</b>
<p>We are a diverse community, with 99 languages spoken by children enrolled in our public schools, representing 129 countries. Crave ethnic food? Among the 589 restaurants in Arlington, you’ll find Salvadoran, Ethiopian, Moroccan, Thai, Lebanese and almost any other cuisine you fancy within the borders of our 26 square miles.
<p><b>Top-rated Arlington</b>
<p>Arlington is one of only 22 jurisdictions in the nation with an AAA-rating from all three bond rating agencies – the rare triple-triple-A rating. All four of our high schools annually rank among the top two percent nationally. Forbes magazine ranked Arlington the “Number One Place in the Nation to Educate Your Child.” Our county’s healthy mix of commercial and residential development provides a strong tax base that helps keep our property tax rate among 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 205,300 jobs – and the lowest unemployment rate in the state.
<p><b>Getting Involved</b>
<p>Want to get involved? First of all, be sure you register to vote by visiting our Voter Registration offices. Join one of our 63 registered civic and citizen associations, dozens of commissions or more than 100 community service organizations.
<p>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, staff and community, welcome!