(Updated on 6/6/21) Courthouse is known as the county seat, as it’s the home to Arlington’s local government buildings and courthouse, but there’s more to this neighborhood than its nickname suggests.
Join the Keri Shull Team and judge for yourself as we cover everything that makes the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington County a popular destination.
As par for the course, the real estate market in Arlington continues to shine. The availability of row houses and condominiums is growing in areas like Courthouse as families transition to single-family homes in neighboring districts. With its convenient Metro access and a lively urban design filled with bars and restaurants, Courthouse is perfect for first-time homeowners and professionals working in Arlington.
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City Allure Meets Suburban Tranquility
In general, Courthouse has the outward appearance of a bustling urban city but the quiet and charm of a suburb. The layout consists of multi-story buildings for residential, office and retail purposes that have culminated in a community of working professionals, but there’s more to this neighborhood than office space.
Courthouse is located at the heart of Arlington’s Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, residing just east of Clarendon and a short Metro ride to the District. Residents admire Courthouse’s quiet appeal. The tranquility of this neighborhood and the overall proximity to local shopping centers and various hotspots makes it one of the best places to live in Arlington.
Along with being the county seat, this neighborhood is the site of a development project known as Courthouse Square, an urban plaza and cultural center for residents and visitors alike. The plaza has been under continuous development since 2013 to keep it refined as a scenic center for community gatherings and events.
Also located in the Courthouse area is Colonial Village, a 50-acre housing complex that’s on the National Register of Historic Places, originally constructed in 1930 and part of Courthouse’s residential beginnings. Colonial Village comprises studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom condominiums surrounded by a garden-style landscape with winding pathways, giving the grounds an idyllic atmosphere perfect for walks during the spring and summer seasons.
Getting Back and Forth From Courthouse
As a hub for the county’s administrative offices, the neighborhood conveniently gets its own Metro stop along the Silver and Orange lines, one stop from Rosslyn Center. Courthouse benefits from the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor development projects, creating a prime location for daily commuters in the D.C. region.
As part of the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, Courthouse is a dream for walkers and bikers. Easy-to-reach shopping centers and well-developed bike paths have earned the neighborhood a walk score of 93 and bike score of 77. New bike lanes are often being added to expand on this neighborhood’s friendly transportation options.
Even if public transit is sufficient and most places are reachable by foot, there is still convenience to be found for those who enjoy driving in and around Arlington. Major roadways such as Lee Highway and I-66 run along the northern border. Arlington’s many amazing parks and trails are just a short drive away.
Life in Courthouse
The aspect you hear most about when it comes to Courthouse is the vibrant lifestyle. There are plenty of things to do in Courthouse as it’s filled with restaurants, bars and retail stores. Due to commercial development, the neighborhood has benefited from projects going as far back as the 1950s and now serves as another beacon of commerce and entertainment along the Metro lines.
One of our favorite spots to visit on 15th Street is the weekly Urban Village Market. The sellers here consist of anything from jewelry and clothing, to furniture, hand-made crafts and vintage artwork. It’s perfect for a Saturday afternoon before sitting down somewhere like Courthaus Social, a local beer garden with craft drinks and American-style cuisine.
Numerous local amenities are within walking distance, including Rocky Run Park. This park has a host of picnic tables and well-constructed playgrounds for a fun family day outside.
Making the Most of Courthouse
Homes in Courthouse are currently appreciating in value. Taking advantage of the flourishing real estate market could prove beneficial in both the short and long term, especially for first-time buyers. Most of the properties offered in the area are modern, apartment-style condominiums in medium- to large-scale complexes. However, if you had your heart set on living in a house, there are still townhouses to be found in Courthouse.
For the most part, Courthouse consists of renters, making up a little more than 60% of the residents, according to local surveys. However, the other 40% suggests that owning property is a common route. Of course, breaking a lease is just one option if you’re looking to buy a home in Courthouse and capitalize on the market.
Finding a Home in Courthouse
The market in Courthouse is growing, with lots of condos and townhouses opening in the area. If you want to find a home in this neighborhood, you need to have every advantage that you can get!
At the Keri Shull Team, we have hundreds of off-market properties that you cannot find online or anywhere else… and we want to give you priority access to these homes before they even go on the market!
And if you are selling a house in Arlington, it’s more important than ever to make sure you are taking the proper precautions to protect your investment. The best way to do that is to speak with a top-tier real estate agent and create a completely customized home selling strategy.
So what are you waiting for? Just click here to schedule a time for a free, no-pressure consultation with one of our Real Estate Needs Analysts!