Del Ray - Alexandria, VA

Charles Wood organized the grid pattern of Del Ray in 1894. As time went on for the next century, the neighborhood would hardly be considered one of the safest. Starting with the development of the nearby Potomac Yard Shopping Center in the mid-1990s, however, Del Ray has undergone substantial gentrification. Gradually, Mount Vernon Avenue became home to independently owned businesses, which also helped to breathe life back into the community.

While just a couple of decades ago, Del Ray was the kind of place you might not feel comfortable being out by yourself at night, today the neighborhood has a fresh, coffee-shop vibe and maintains a high level of safety.

The annual Art on the Avenue festival and the Halloween parade held in October, as well as the popular First Thursday events held every month, contribute to the wellness and community feel of Del Ray.

Independently owned artsy coffee shops and quaint restaurants dominate the food scene in Del Ray. You'll find everything from Mexican to Italian to burger joints, and even sushi. Conveniently, residents only need to head to one place to make their pick: Mount Vernon Avenue. This road runs north and south directly down the center of the neighborhood and contains the vast majority of the neighborhood's restaurants.

The best of the bunch can be debated, but Swing's Coffee Roasters undoubtedly gets a mention. Located just off Mount Vernon on East Monroe, Swing's Coffee is not just a cafe, but a roastery as well, making a peek into the production of the bubbly flat white you're drinking part of the experience. Grab an apple turnover to complete your meal.

Another staple of the neighborhood is Cheesetique. This restaurant specializes in cheeses. Patrons can sample cheese platters paired with wines, or try one of the famous mac 'n cheese dishes. Cheesetique also offers its own non-traditional, gourmet take on the Philly Cheesesteak, and while it's very good, if you want something classic, you're better off going to Al's.

There's no big nightlife or party scene in Del Ray, except for a couple of local bars. Majestic Lounge and Front Porch compete for the best Del Ray bar. Luckily, if you don't like one, you can simply go right next door to the other. Both are very low-key establishments, perfect for an after work drink with coworkers. Majestic has a bit more of a hipster vibe than Front Porch. Whether it's craft beer you're after or just local staples like Yuengling, these two bars are good choices.

Del Ray is very walkable. Neighborhood residents are frequently spotted socializing along Mount Vernon Avenue, often with strollers and dogs in tow. The streets are quiet enough to allow bikers to feel safe as well, despite the lack of bike lanes.

Public transportation options abound in the area. The blue and yellow lines of the D.C.-based Metrorail service the Braddock Road Metro station, located at the south end of the neighborhood. These trains run between $1.75 and $5.90 depending on how far you go and the time of day you ride. Bus lines AT3, 4 and 10 of Alexandria’s DASH bus system also serve he neighborhood. DASH buses only charge $1.60 a ride.

However, having a car has great advantages in Del Ray. Prime access to the George Washington Parkway, Highway 1 and I-395, in addition to the relative ease of public parking in the neighborhood, make driving an attractive option. As the bulk of the resident population consists of young families, driving remains the most popular transportation option.

If all else fails, Uber cabs provide a reliable alternative and serve the greater D.C. area.

Del Ray has many free and family-friendly parks. Eugene Simpson Stadium Park, better known to neighborhood residents as the dog park, sits just across the street from Swing's Coffee. The fields, courts and playground round out the park, making it an ideal place for all ages.

While Simpson Park serves a wide age range, E. Del Ray Avenue Park & Playground was designed specifically for small kids under five. The rock and lawn-themed playground provides a nice complement to the open grass area.

The Mount Vernon Recreation Center field plays host to fun events such as Cinema Del Ray, a free outdoor movie night held multiple times every summer, and the Del Ray Music Festival, an all-day music festival held every summer featuring local and nationally known bands.

The comfort of Del Ray comes with a sizable price tag. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Del Ray, $1,680, trumps the Alexandria average of $1,440 by 15 percent.

Gas averages sit at about 5 percent less in Alexandria than the rest of the nation, while average restaurant meals and beer at local bars go for about $15 and $5, respectively.

A somewhat hipstery, small business-filled neighborhood like Del Ray typically has no shortage of boutique shops. At Truly-Life Eco Gifts, you can help owner Mellenie and partner Andy's mission to reduce the carbon footprint by purchasing their homemade loofahs, balms, soaps, and skincare products.

For more commercial shopping, Del Ray residents find great options to the east and south. To the east, Potomac Yard Center, just on the other side of Highway 1, caters more towards those looking for the best deals in town with staples such as Pier 1 Imports, Best Buy and T.J. Maxx.

Residents can also head south into Old Town, where home furnishing stores like Ten Thousand Villages, Crate & Barrel or the very high-end Chinoiserie line King Street. Budget-conscious shoppers also have a number of options at stores such as The Twig Thrift Shop and Gap Outlet.

Giant Food on Monroe Avenue serves as the neighborhood's main grocery store, while the Del Ray Farmer’s Market on Mount Vernon also brings in the masses every Saturday morning.