Good morning, NOVA.
I walked up to the Air Force Memorial overlook in Pentagon City around 8 PM last night and had the whole DC skyline to myself. June does that here, the humidity has not fully landed yet, so the evenings are still worth standing outside for. Today I have why Pentagon City works if you hate driving, a new 3-minute pizza next door in Crystal City, and the move task everyone forgets until trash day sneaks up. Let’s go.
In today’s issue:
- 🧭 Pentagon City, decoded: one neighborhood, zero reasons to own a car
- 🧭 The Crystal City pizza that cooks in about 3 minutes flat
- 🧭 The move task nobody does until the bins pile up
By Yvenson Juste
Neighborhood spotlight
Pentagon City
| Best for | military families and DOD contractors who want a one-stop-shop neighborhood |
| Avg rent (1BR) | $2,300/mo |
| Metro to DC | 12 min to L’Enfant Plaza (Blue/Yellow, Pentagon City) |
| By car to DC | 15 min to DC, 10 min to DCA |
Pentagon City is anchored by the Fashion Centre mall and a cluster of high-rises that all kind of look the same. The vibe is convenient over interesting. Lots of dual-military couples, lots of consultants, lots of dogs in lobbies. If you want to optimize for not driving, this is one of the easiest places in NOVA to do it: the Metro, the mall, the grocery store, and a movie theater are all inside one walk.
Worth knowing
The Air Force Memorial overlook is a 5-minute walk from the Metro and has the best free sunset view of the DC skyline in NOVA. When you come back down, the Pentagon Row patio at Lebanese Taverna (1101 S Joyce Street) is the neighborhood’s outdoor living room. The Abi-Najm family started it in Arlington back in 1979, that same courtyard turns into an ice rink in winter, and the shawarma hummus with lamb is the order.
Today in NOVA
The Digest
Today
84° 🌡️ 65° | 🌤️ | ☂️ 10% | 🌬️ SW 9 mph
Tomorrow
82° 🌡️ 63° | ⛅ | ☂️ 30% | 🌬️ S 8 mph
🚗 Roads: I-395 N runs about 16 min to the 14th Street Bridge, I-66 East is steady before 7 AM, and the I-495 inner loop slows near the Springfield interchange after 4 PM.
🚇 All NOVA lines on normal frequencies.
🍕 A 3-minute pizza just opened in Crystal City
Pizza Paradiso’s first fast-casual spot is now soft-open at 1611 Crystal Drive, inside the National Landing Water Park, with the official opening this Friday. A 9-inch pie comes out of the electric oven in about 3 to 4 minutes, and there are slices, salads, paninis, and craft beer too. If you land in Pentagon City or Crystal City without a car, this is a walkable weeknight dinner that is not the mall food court.
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🍦 Van Leeuwen brings a scoop shop to One Loudoun today
The New York ice cream brand opens its One Loudoun location in Ashburn on Tuesday, June 2, the first of three NOVA shops landing this summer (Ballston follows June 11, Old Town Alexandria June 18). Each store carries 30 flavors, including vegan ones like Banana Bread Pudding with Fudge Swirls. If you are out in Loudoun scouting houses this week, it is a decent reward stop.
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🌳 The W&OD Trail now runs 5 AM to 9 PM along all 45 miles
NOVA Parks standardized the trail’s hours so the Herndon-to-Purcellville stretch keeps the same 5 AM to 9 PM window already used east through Arlington. The change answers commuters who asked for earlier and later access, and new lighting may follow in spots. If you bike to work or run before sunrise, the western end is now officially open when you are.
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Daily move task
Set up trash and recycling
Why it matters: Most NOVA single-family homeowners pay for trash collection separately or through a county fee, while apartments fold it into rent. Either way, find out your pickup day so you do not put the bin out on Sunday and stink up the curb until Friday.
1Renting? Ask your property manager for the pickup day and which bins are recycling versus trash. It is usually posted by the dumpster, but the manager knows the exceptions.
2Own the place? Call your county Solid Waste division. They assign your pickup day and tell you whether to use the county program or a private hauler.
3Order extra bins online if you need them. AmericanDisposal and Republic Services cover most of NOVA outside the county-run programs.
Time needed: about 20 minutes ·
Deadline: your first week after move-in
Fairfax County Solid Waste (search yours)
Add to Google Calendar
Local events
What’s happening
TUESDAY
One Loudoun, Ashburn · Van Leeuwen scoop shop opening day · doors at 11 AM
Opening day for the One Loudoun location. Good excuse if you are house-hunting in Loudoun anyway.
WEDNESDAY
Crystal City · Water Park at National Landing · afternoon into evening
The open-air plaza one Metro stop from Pentagon City has food vendors, games, and seating, no cover. Easy walkable hangout after work.
THURSDAY
Del Ray, Alexandria · First Thursday on Mount Vernon Avenue · 6 to 9 PM
Del Ray’s monthly street party kicks off its summer run. Live music, food, and the whole avenue out walking.
FRIDAY
Crystal City · Pizza Paradiso Pronto official opening · from 11 AM
The 3-minute pizza spot at Water Park goes from soft open to official. Go be early and beat the lunch line.
SATURDAY
Old Town Alexandria · Alexandria Farmers Market at Market Square · 7 AM to 12 PM
One of the country’s oldest continuously running farmers markets. Get there before 9 for the good bread.
If your move is in the next 30 days, hit reply with your timeline. I’ll prioritize the tasks you still need.
Yvenson
The NOVA Relocation Guide
Know someone moving to NOVA? Send them to novarelocationguide.com.