Ballston

A Fantastic Combination of Suburban and City Living
Living in the suburbs and still finding a vibrant city a few blocks away is what Ballston is all about. Reach the city with great ease, and find some great restaurants such as the Tutto Bene and the Caribbean Breeze, or maybe the Taste of Arlington Annual Street Fair. If that is not appealing enough, look out for the Arts and Crafts Market or the Ballston Mall, a great place to shop.

Conveniently located nearby are two grocery stores and a metro stop. Safety ranks high here and families are welcome!
What Ballston Residents
Think About Their Apartments
overall
8.0
value
8.0
amenities
7.5
social
7.0
management
7.7
safety
10
Median rents in Ballston
Studio
$
1,700
1 Bedroom
$
1,900
2 Bedroom
$
2,600

Living in
Ballston

A Little Noisy At Times
Clean
Great Restaurants And Delis
Walkable
Convenient Location
Pet Friendly
Quiet Neighborhood
Proximity To Amenities
Ballston — 8.9/10 Rating (based on 48 neighborhood reviews)
Ballston is a relatively residential area that is pretty affordable given it's proximity to DC. Good restaurants and cafes, easy transit, but no loud bars or clubs. That could be a positive or negative depending on what you're looking for.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
1171 N Vernon St
Ballston mall is opening up and is a cool space. The apartment is super close to a lot of trivia places, etc. Most of the night life is probably in Clarendon, but that's a quick Lyft or metro ride away (2 stops).

15 minutes on the metro to Capital One - way closer than D.C. Nice if you have friends living in the area. Overall, in either case I would personally recommend choosing proximity to close friends over the neighborhood itself.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Meridian at Ballston Commons
It can be a little noisy if you're too close to Wilson, Glebe or Fairfax roads, especially if you're right above the bus stop like I am, but nothing light background noise can't drown out; I sleep with a fan and I sleep like a baby. The public transport can't be beat, and it seems like a new restaurant opens every day. I'm interested in looking at houses in the area when I can afford to buy!
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Meridian at Ballston Commons
We are right across from Ballston Quarter which has a Union Market type of food court. The area is developing so quickly, very trendy and everything is within walking distance. Even though it's very walkable it does not feel as congested as DC.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
I definitely feel that it's up and coming-- so much construction and many new restaurants and shops popping up! IT's very walkable. It's also pretty safe and it's close to highways, the Potomac, to DC, etc so the location is pretty great.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Meridian at Ballston Commons
I love living in Ballston. I don’t have a car and never feel like I need one. Richmond Square is a block from the metro to take me into DC, and there are plenty of places to eat and things to do right here in Ballston.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Richmond Square Apartments
Great spot for young people. There are tons of amazing restaurants and bars nearby that you can walk to. Also only a short metro ride to DC.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Altavista Condominium
It's quiet but there are plenty of restaurants/coffee shops within walking distance and will be more when Ballston Quarter opens.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Maxwell
Ballston is a great residential neighborhood- however, things close pretty early. Not a city that lives at night
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Meridian at Ballston Commons
Much quieter than Clarendon/DC. It is great because you can pay less, but I ended up making up what I saved on ubers, etc because I ended up far from my social life. Living in Ballston is great for work convenience and if you have good friends close by in the area. Otherwise, I would recommend living elsewhere.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Richmond Square Apartments
Close to Giant, Harris Teeter, Clarendon grocery stores are nearby. It's very quiet, seems safe. There's an elementary school and a high school not far from us either. It's close to campus and work. However there's only so much to do here and we have to go into town more often than not.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
1111 N Randolph St
Right in the heart of Ballston. Close to gym, mall, and lots of good food.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Altavista Condominium
Very new and residential (lots of apartment buildings). Plenty of options and a mall/movie theater nearby. Some bars, more in Clarendon (below). Nearby grocery store (Harris Teeter)and easy access to more options (Trader Joe's, Whole Foods) in Clarendon (about 3/4 mile).
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Randolph Towers
Right on the Orange/Silver lines, easy access to NoVA or DC.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
Walkable food and bar locations. 1/2 block to metro.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
Nearby grocery stores: Harris Teeter and Giant; Not many dinner places/bars in Ballston, though Clarendon is ~5-10 mins away. Safe area, not a lot of noise. Convenient to get to work - ~20 mins via metro/car
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Richmond Square Apartments
It's a very safe neighborhood full of young professionals. There's just unfortunately not too much to do around the area, however they are working on it -- adding restaurants and renovating the mall.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
Ballston is by far one of the best areas of Arlington to live in. It has tons of access to bars, food, shopping, and a social scene, without being too loud of an area.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Randolph Towers
I wrote most of it in the previous prompt. Just a great neighborhood for 20s/30s. Can walk literally everywhere, tons of great food choices, bars, etc.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
Not all that much to do in Ballston. Some good restaurants, and a really easy/nice walk to Clarendon.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
Close to DC and Tysons, not much to do in Ballston but walking distance to Clarendon
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Meridian at Ballston Commons
Tons of young people, mall/stores, restaurants.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Meridian at Ballston Commons
Good neighborhood. You get what you pay for.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
The perfect neighborhood for a young professional, just a bit farther from DC than I would like.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
Ballston is a very up-and-coming neighborhood in Arlington. Full of working young adults and young families. Very safe; near a high school and nice housing communities. Easy access to anything you need! Walking distance to Clarendon and other Arlington neighborhoods. 4 metro stops away from Foggy Bottom and overall incredibly easy access to DC.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Origin
I personally like being in Arlington. Everything is walkable and while it's not DC proper, it's very easy to get into the city via metro or a quick drive in. I've run to Georgetown in 20-30 minutes. There's stuff to do and there's everything you could need: gyms, grocery stores, shopping, restaurants, bars so close by. Ballston is a hub for transport so buses and the metro abound.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Altavista Condominium
Ballston is a grown up version of Clarendon. The neighborhood is clean, reasonably quiet, and secure. Ballston offers many restaurants and fast-food selections, pleasant landscape, and many apartment options.

The area is often the host of Arlington fairs such as Taste of Arlington.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
View at Liberty Center
The neighborhood is amazing. It has everything and you can walk everywhere. The Ballston community also host a lot of friendly/family events since farmers market, outdoor movies, fitness events and it is always giving us gift cards and giveaways.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
I really like the area, very friendly people, very safe. Good restaurants and shopping but bars are limited within walking distance.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
Love this area, there’s a mall here that’s full of fun stuff but the area is not crowded with bars just everyday things like restaurants, salons, cornerstore, a harris teeter, that kind of thing!
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Randolph towers
Tons of restaurants/bars, very walkable and safe. Close to metro. I don't have a car and everything I need is in short walking distance.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
4040 Wilson
The food and bar scene is great! There are lots of parks nearby and running trails! Metro is on the Orange/Silver lines.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
I enjoy my neighbors and the common crowd around this area is young professionals it seems. We are close to george mason university and marymount college, so there is sometimes a younger crowd in the area as well. We do have some houses around the area that I have seen mainly have newly established families (i.e. little kids or new to the area) and I feel safe walking around my area at night.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
Ballston can be loud, but it's better to be on Fairfax Dr. where things are conveniently removed.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
JSOL
Best middle point for Mclean and DC, metro/ uber takes you either direction easily.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
The apartment is super close to a Giant, the Custis Trail, Rocklands BBQ, Carpool, Arlington Central Library, and plenty of other delis and restaurants. It's less than a 10 minute walk to either the Ballston metro or Virginia Square, and I've never felt unsafe in this area.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Quinton Arms
The neighborhood is pretty commuter-heavy. While there are a few restaurants in Ballston, a lot of the night scene of Arlington is in Clarendon (about a 10 minute walk, or a couple stops on the Metro). Ballston is a little bit less expensive than Clarendon, though.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Richmond Square Apartments
The neighborhood is quiet, full of families and feels safe.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
N vernon St
Ballston is great. It's a quick metro ride to DC and there are plenty of bars and restaurants near by. I've never felt unsafe walking at night. There's a few small parks around, and are great to walk your dog to.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
Compared to Clarendon, there are less bars/restaurants but still lots of food options nearby. The Central Public Library is in Ballston and is beautiful and has a huge selection of books, movies, etc.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
The neighborhood has a lot of office space, but it is very close to Clarendon/Court House which has all the restaurants (at least in NoVA). I think it is a relatively quiet area which I like.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
Lots of bars and restaurants in walkign distance, young people, grocery stores, everything by foot.. Close to metro stations. Everything walkable and easy to get to.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Liberty Tower Apartments
Neighbors are very friendly. The building is between a high school, library, and park. A short walk from bars and restaurants on Fairfax.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Mason Properties of Northern Virginia
Pretty good area. Bit dead while the mall is being renovated but should improve after that.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Westview
have everything you need. close to the metro.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
Arlington is the place to live for a new grad.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
1020 Apartments
Very pleasant. Lots of things going on.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Avalon Ballston Square
Lots of young people, safe. Occasionally noisy near bars.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Meridian at Ballston Commons


Getting to Know
Ballston

Neighborhood Boundaries
East to West Boundary: N Glebe Rd to N Quincy St
North to South Boundary: Custis Memorial Pkwy to N Glebe Rd
dining
Kapnos Taverna
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Rus Uz
World of Beer
grocery
Harris Teeter
convenience
7-Eleven
fitness
Ballston Crossfit
Coco Fitness
Solidcore
Studio Body Logic
parks
Quincy Park
coffee
Buzz Bakeshop
Natural Cafe
Republik Coffee Bar
Tivoli Gourmet-Deli
bus
25B (bus)
41 (bus)
52 (bus)
53A/62 (bus)
About your Neighbors
Data from the 2013 American Community Survey
Zip Codes
Ballston includes zip codes 22201 and 22203
Rent vs Own
57
% of Ballston residents are renters
Driving to Work
52
% of Ballston residents drive to work
New Construction
26
% of housing units in Ballston have been built in the last 15 years
Building Types
42
%
<20 units
4
%
20-49 units
54
%
50+ units
Demographics
Children (under 18)
11
%
18 - 34
49
%
35 - 54
24
%
55+
17
%
Unit Mix
3
%
Studio
44
%
1 Bed
31
%
2 Bed
22
%
3+ Bed
Occupation or Education
Working Professional
78
%
Undergrad Student
3
%
Grad Student
7
%
Unemployed
3
%
Retired
8
%

Best Apartments
in Ballston

Avalon Ballston Square
1 Bed $1,965
2 Beds $3,120

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East View Condominiums
1 Bed $1,900
2 Beds $1,950

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Thomas Place
2 Beds $3,075

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Quincy Plaza
Studio $1,695
1 Bed $2,650
2 Beds $2,785

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Origin Ballston (Ballston Quarter)

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The Continental at Ballston
Studio $1,595
1 Bed $1,900
2 Beds $2,950

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