NOVA neighborhood profile
Moving to Arlington — Pentagon City
38.86°N · 77.06°W
Arlington — Pentagon City fits military families and DOD contractors who want a one-stop-shop neighborhood. If that description does not sound like you, one of the 4 nearby neighborhoods below is probably a better read.
The 60-second read
Rent
$2,300/mo (1BR)
Metro
12 min to L’Enfant Plaza (Blue/Yellow Line, Pentagon City)
By car
15 min to DC, 10 min to DCA
What Arlington — Pentagon City is actually like
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. Good if you want to optimize for not driving.
Worth knowing before you commit
The Air Force Memorial overlook is a five-minute walk from the Metro and has the best sunset view of the DC skyline that nobody talks about. Bring a friend who’s never seen it.
Local independent worth the drive: Lebanese Taverna at Pentagon Row, 1101 S Joyce Street (Westpost at National Landing). Family-founded by the Abi-Najm family in Arlington in 1979; the courtyard patio is the neighborhood’s outdoor gathering spot (summer concerts, winter ice rink). Order the shawarma hummus with lamb.
Arlington — Pentagon City vs the 3 closest NOVA neighborhoods
Compare rent, Metro access, and car commute side-by-side.
| Neighborhood |
Rent |
Metro |
By car |
| Arlington — Pentagon City (this page) |
$2,300/mo (1BR) |
12 min to L’Enfant Plaza (Blue/Yellow Line, Pentagon City) |
15 min to DC, 10 min to DCA |
| Arlington — Crystal City |
$2,400/mo (1BR) |
10 min to L’Enfant Plaza (Blue/Yellow Line, Crystal City) |
10 min to DCA airport, 15 min to DC |
| Beverley Hills (Alexandria) |
Rentals are rare; most of the roughly 600 1930s and 40s Colonials and Cape Cods sell in the $850K to $1.2M range (approximate) |
No Metro station in the neighborhood; King St-Old Town or Braddock Road, about a 10-min drive |
About 20 min to DC off-peak via the GW Parkway or Route 1 |
| Arlington — Shirlington |
$2,100/mo (1BR) |
no Metro, ART bus to Pentagon (15 min) |
20 min to DC off-peak |
Mistakes people make moving to Arlington — Pentagon City
- Underestimating rush-hour math. Off-peak commute times posted on rental sites are often the ONLY times most tenants will experience. Add 30 to 60 percent to any drive that crosses I-495, I-66, or the American Legion Bridge between 7 and 9:30 AM eastbound or 4 to 7 PM westbound.
- Treating “close to Metro” as walkable. Half a mile in DC is walkable. Half a mile in most of NOVA means crossing a stroad with no sidewalk and a parking lot. Check Google Street View before touring anywhere that markets itself as Metro-adjacent.
- Ignoring HOA and condo fees. NOVA condo fees frequently run $400 to $800 per month on top of the mortgage. Get the resale package early, read the reserve study, and price the full monthly nut before falling in love with a unit.
- Assuming the school pyramid is stable. Fairfax, Loudoun, and Arlington counties redistrict every few years. If school assignment is a factor, verify current boundaries directly with FCPS, LCPS, or APS admissions rather than trusting the address on Zillow.
Frequently asked questions about Arlington — Pentagon City
Is Arlington — Pentagon City a good place to live?
Arlington — Pentagon City works well for military families and DOD contractors who want a one-stop-shop neighborhood. The tradeoffs are covered in detail below, but the short version is: Pentagon City is anchored by the Fashion Centre mall and a cluster of high-rises that all kind of look the same.
What is the average rent in Arlington — Pentagon City?
$2,300/mo (1BR)
Does Arlington — Pentagon City have a Metro station?
12 min to L’Enfant Plaza (Blue/Yellow Line, Pentagon City)
How long is the commute from Arlington — Pentagon City to Washington DC?
15 min to DC, 10 min to DCA
What are the closest neighborhoods to Arlington — Pentagon City?
The three closest tracked NOVA neighborhoods are Arlington — Crystal City (0.5 miles), Beverley Hills (Alexandria) (1.9 miles), Arlington — Shirlington (2.0 miles).
Where should I eat if I visit Arlington — Pentagon City?
Lebanese Taverna at Pentagon Row, 1101 S Joyce Street (Westpost at National Landing). Family-founded by the Abi-Najm family in Arlington in 1979; the courtyard patio is the neighborhood’s outdoor gathering spot (summer concerts, winter ice rink). Order the shawarma hummus with lamb.
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