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Arlington County neighborhood
Living in Rosslyn
Rosslyn is the Arlington neighborhood closest to D.C., a cluster of towers on the Potomac with three Metro lines, river views and some of the best trail access in the region.
The short answer
What is it like to live in Rosslyn?
Rosslyn is a high-rise office and residential district in Arlington County, directly across the Key Bridge from Georgetown. Its Metro station serves the Blue, Orange and Silver lines, and the Mount Vernon and Custis trails meet nearby. Housing is mostly high-rise condos and rental apartments, with garden condos and townhouses on the surrounding hills. Streets are busiest on weekdays because of the offices. Owners pay Arlington County real estate tax only.
- Jurisdiction: Arlington County, VA (no town government)
- Metro: Rosslyn station (Blue, Orange and Silver lines)
- Typical homes: High-rise condos, garden condos, townhouses
- Commute to D.C.: One Metro stop to Foggy Bottom; walk Key Bridge
- Getting around: GW Parkway, I-66, Route 50, Langston Blvd
- Public schools: Arlington Public Schools (verify boundaries)
Rosslyn
What it's like to live in Rosslyn
Stand at the top of the Rosslyn Metro escalator and you’re a short walk from Georgetown. That proximity defines the place. Glass office towers hold government contractors, trade groups and corporate offices, and many of the newer residential towers face the river and the D.C. skyline.
Rosslyn runs on a weekday rhythm. Lunch spots and coffee shops fill up during the workweek, while evenings and weekends are calmer than in Clarendon. Most people I show homes to here care about two things: views and a fast trip into the city.
The surrounding hills soften the skyline. Radnor/Fort Myer Heights and North Highlands mix garden apartments, townhouses and houses within walking distance of the station.
Rosslyn
Homes and housing types in Rosslyn
| Housing type | What you’ll find | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| High-rise condos | Towers with river or skyline views, garages and full-service amenities | Condo fee coverage, reserves, elevator and facade projects, view protection from future towers |
| Garden condos | Low-rise brick buildings, including nearby Colonial Village, a locally designated Arlington historic district | Historic district review for exterior changes, parking, older plumbing |
| Townhouses and houses | Infill townhouses and older houses on the hills north and south of Wilson Boulevard | Steep lots and drainage, HOA rules, permit parking on the block |
A view is a big part of value in a Rosslyn tower, and it isn’t guaranteed. Before you pay for one, look at what is approved or planned on nearby lots. Several large mixed-use projects have been approved in recent years.
Rosslyn
Getting around Rosslyn
- Metro: Rosslyn is the only Arlington station on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines. Foggy Bottom in D.C. is the next stop east, and the Blue Line runs south to the Pentagon and Reagan National Airport.
- On foot or bike: The Key Bridge sidewalk leads to Georgetown. The Mount Vernon Trail starts at Theodore Roosevelt Island, and the Custis Trail heads west along I-66.
- Driving: The George Washington Memorial Parkway, I-66, Route 50 and Langston Boulevard (formerly Lee Highway) all meet here.
My commute guide covers toll lanes and bus options across the region.
Rosslyn
Parks, shopping and things to do in Rosslyn
- Theodore Roosevelt Island: a National Park Service memorial island with wooded trails. The NPS says it is a 10 to 15 minute walk from Rosslyn Metro via a path from the downstream side of Key Bridge.
- Gateway Park: the green space at the foot of Key Bridge, home to the annual Rosslyn Jazz Fest (the 34th edition was in September 2026). The County Board approved a master plan in December 2024, and construction is projected to begin in 2027.
- Freedom Park: a two-block elevated park built on a former highway overpass, a quiet walk above street level.
- Georgetown: shops, restaurants and the C&O Canal towpath are across the river.
Day to day, groceries and errands are close by, though the selection is smaller than in Ballston or Clarendon.
Rosslyn
Owning a home in Rosslyn
Rosslyn is in Arlington County, so owners pay county real estate tax and no town tax. The rate for fiscal year 2027 is $1.053 per $100 of assessed value, adopted in April 2026.
- Association health: Older towers can face big-ticket projects such as facade, garage or elevator work. Read the reserve study and recent board minutes. My post on condo fee red flags lists what to watch for.
- Historic rules: Exterior changes in Colonial Village go through Arlington’s historic preservation review.
- Development: The county’s Rosslyn sector plan guides heights and new open space. Ask what is approved within sight of your unit.
- Schools: Assignments depend on the exact address. Use the APS boundary locator and my guide to school boundaries and home values.
For legal or tax questions on a specific purchase, consult a Virginia real estate attorney or CPA.
Rosslyn
Is Rosslyn a good fit?
If you want the shortest Metro ride into D.C. from Virginia, a river view and quick access to trails, Rosslyn is hard to match. If you want an active restaurant scene outside your door every night, compare Clarendon in my Rosslyn-Ballston corridor guide.
Prices depend heavily on floor, view and building age. See my Arlington market report or ask me for recent sales in the buildings you like.
Rosslyn
Keep exploring Rosslyn
Read more about Rosslyn and the area
- Living in the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor: Clarendon, Courthouse, Virginia Square and Ballston Compared
- Living in Arlington vs. Washington, DC: Taxes, Housing and Daily Life Compared
- Buying a Condo in Arlington: Fees, Reserves, Rules and Resale
- HOA and Condo Fees: What They Cover and 7 Red Flags to Watch For
Run the numbers
- Rent vs. Buy Calculator
- Closing Cost Estimator
- Arlington County housing market report (updated monthly)
- More neighborhoods in Arlington County
Sources: WMATA: Rosslyn station; National Park Service: Theodore Roosevelt Island directions; Arlington County: Gateway Park project; Rosslyn BID: Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2026; Arlington County: FY 2027 budget adopted; Arlington Public Schools: information for realtors and boundary locator. Details checked October 2026; confirm anything time-sensitive with the source.
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Rosslyn FAQ
Questions about living in Rosslyn
Can you walk from Rosslyn to Georgetown?
Yes. The Key Bridge has sidewalks on both sides and connects Rosslyn directly to M Street in Georgetown.
Which Metro lines stop at Rosslyn?
Rosslyn station serves the Blue, Orange and Silver lines. It is the transfer point between the Blue Line and the Orange and Silver lines in Virginia.
Is Rosslyn mostly offices or homes?
Both. Office towers dominate the blocks near the station, while high-rise condos and apartments, garden condos and townhouses surround them.
What public schools serve Rosslyn?
Rosslyn is served by Arlington Public Schools. Verify any address with the APS boundary locator before you buy, and see /school-boundaries-and-home-values/ for how to do that.
Is Gateway Park in Rosslyn being redesigned?
Yes. Arlington County approved a Gateway Park master plan in December 2024, with construction projected to begin in 2027.
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Let’s find your place in Rosslyn.
Whether you’re buying, selling, renting or investing, tell me what worries you most. We’ll talk through your goals and build a clear plan, with no pressure and no obligation.
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