young professionals

Study Finds Arlington ‘All About the Jobs’ for Young Professionals

By Ethan Rothstein

View of Clarendon to Ballston from a commercial flight (Flickr pool photo by Ddimick)A new, county-funded study, polling young professionals who live and/or work in Arlington, found those who live in the county do so because of their job, not necessarily because of its amenities or social scene.

The study was conducted by the Southeastern Institute of Research on behalf of Arlington Economic Development, and polled 400 residents who identify as either Millennials or Generation X-ers. Of those polled, 139 live and work in Arlington, 137 live in Arlington and work elsewhere and 124 work in Arlington and commute from the surrounding area.

Of those who live and work in Arlington, 45 percent said they live in the county because of their job or because of “professional opportunities,” while 39 percent of those who live in Arlington and work elsewhere said they are in the county for professional reasons. “Location” was the second-most popular reason given to live in Arlington, followed by “friends/social scene.”

“Arlington County does not appear to be an area [young professionals] consider initially beyond a focus on a job opportunity,” the study’s authors, two AED interns, write. “It is not a place with YPs who have strong roots there or who are moving there for the people. With this being a strength, Arlington County should lead with jobs when promoting the area to YPs. During a time when it is hard for young people to find a job, this may prove a great strength for Arlington.”

Young professionals, despite moving to Arlington largely for work reasons, like living in the county, with 89 percent of people who live in the county calling it “a great place to live.” Eighty percent of respondents who live and work in the county also called it a “great place to live.”

“There is a great opportunity among those who only work in the County to showcase the reasons why Arlington is a great place to live,” the study says. “These respondents are not likely to recommend Arlington County as a place to live and when asked if they were to consider living in the County, only three in ten say they would. One of the goals moving forward should be to decrease these gaps.”

The top reason among those who work, but don’t live, in Arlington for living elsewhere was the cost of housing.

“I couldn’t even rent a spare bedroom for under $1500 in a decent neighborhood,” one respondent said. “Rent/housing is way too expensive.”

Flickr pool photo by Ddimick

Central Library to Host Adult ‘Recess’

By Morgan Fecto

Arlington Central LibraryA new event, “Late Night Recess,” will give Arlington residents in their 20s and 30s a free opportunity to romp around Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street) in “play clothes” after closing time later this month.

The event will take place on Thursday, July 31, starting at 9:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to “bring their friends and inner child” to the event, which will include Nerf tag, capture the flag, Twister and homemade cookies and milk from gourmet cookie bakery Noshy.

Following the event, participants can continue to O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub in Clarendon, where Late Night Recess ticket-holders will get a free appetizer with a $10 purchase. The event is intended to help the library engage with the young professional set.

“The library in the 21st century goes well beyond a stack of books on the shelves,” said library spokesman Peter Golkin. “If people are looking for something that’s built around a social gathering as opposed to a book-centered gathering, then that’s what we do.”

As one of the events in the Arlington Public Library’s “Lit Up” series, Late Night Recess is aimed at young adults who want to socialize and have fun in a unique setting. However, there is no age limit for the event. Attendees should use “common sense,” and respect the library in this unique after-hours setting, Golkin said.

Current, ongoing events in the Lit Up series include the Commuter Book Club, a book club for short books that make “Metro stops or miles fly by,” and Shut Up and Write, a discussion series with a panel of authors.

Registration for Late Night Recess is currently open, and the first 50 registrants will receive a “special prize.”

Young Professionals Holding AFAC Fundraiser Tonight

By ARLnow.com

The Young Professionals fundraising branch of the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is holding their second annual “Hunger Is No Joke” benefit at Cafe Asia (1550 Wilson Blvd) in Rosslyn tonight.

Local party band Over the Line will perform at the event, which starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 for one or $60 for a pair. There will also be food and “plentiful” drinks, provided by Cafe Asia, and a raffle for signed Capitals pucks, D.C. United tickets, and gift cards to local restaurants, boutiques, salons and spas. All proceeds will benefit AFAC.

“This event promises to be our best of the year,” said Carrington Blencowe, chairwoman of the AFAC-Young Professionals Executive Committee. “Where else can you enjoy a night on the town while also helping your neighbors in need?”

AFAC provides groceries and other necessities to more than 1,600 families each week.