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Fairfax County planned community
Living in Kingstowne
Kingstowne carries an Alexandria mailing address, but it sits in Fairfax County. It is a planned community of townhomes, condos and single-family streets wrapped around a large shopping center, close to two Blue Line stations.
The short answer
What is it like to live in Kingstowne?
Kingstowne is a planned community in southeastern Fairfax County, developed from the 1980s onward, with an Alexandria (22315) mailing address but no connection to the City of Alexandria's government. Townhomes and condos make up much of the housing, with single-family sections mixed in, and most homes belong to a community association. Shopping centers sit at the core, and the Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street Metro stations are each a short drive away.
- Jurisdiction: Unincorporated Fairfax County, VA (Alexandria address)
- Metro: Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street (Blue Line)
- Commuter rail: VRE at Franconia-Springfield (Fredericksburg Line)
- Typical homes: 1980s to 2000s townhomes, condos, single-family homes
- Major roads: I-495, Franconia-Springfield Pkwy, Telegraph Rd, Beulah St
- Public schools: Fairfax County Public Schools (verify boundaries)
Kingstowne
What it's like to live in Kingstowne
Kingstowne was laid out as one master plan, and you can see it on a map: loops of townhouse courts and condo buildings, ponds and greenways between them, and a commercial spine along Kingstowne Boulevard and Kingstowne Village Parkway. Grocery stores, restaurants, a movie theater and big-box stores sit within a few minutes of most front doors.
The newest anchor is the Franconia District Governmental Center, which opened in April 2026 on Beulah Street. It houses the expanded Kingstowne Regional Library, the Franconia police station, the district supervisor’s office, a center for active adults, a child care center and the Franconia Museum.
When buyers ask me why Kingstowne feels different from older Springfield next door, the answer is mostly age and design. Streets are newer, garages are more common, and nearly everything shares a common set of association rules.
Kingstowne
Homes and housing types in Kingstowne
Development began in the 1980s, and building continued into the 2000s and beyond. Expect consistency within each section and variety across them.
| Housing type | What you’ll find | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Townhomes | The largest share: two- and three-level homes, many with garages or assigned parking | Roof, windows and deck age; sub-association rules on exterior changes |
| Condos | Garden-style and mid-rise buildings with lower entry prices | Condo fees, reserves, special assessments and lender approval |
| Single-family homes | Colonials on suburban lots in several sections | HOA architectural rules for fences, sheds and additions |
| Rentals | Large apartment communities near the town center | Lease terms and whether condo rules cap rentals if you plan to buy and lease |
Since many homes are now 25 to 40 years old, original roofs, HVAC systems and windows are reaching replacement age. A good inspection and a close read of the association’s reserve study tell you who pays for what.
Kingstowne
Getting around Kingstowne
- Metrorail: Franconia-Springfield, the Blue Line’s southern terminal, lies to the west, and Van Dorn Street sits to the north near the Beltway. Neither is inside Kingstowne, so most residents drive, bike or take a bus to the platform.
- VRE: Franconia-Springfield also serves the Fredericksburg Line on a weekday schedule toward Alexandria, Crystal City and Union Station.
- Roads: the Beltway is just north, and the Franconia-Springfield Parkway links to I-95 and the Express Lanes. Telegraph Road and Beulah Street run north-south toward Route 1 and Fort Belvoir.
- Airport: Reagan National is reached via the Beltway and Route 1 or I-395.
For more on Express Lanes, slugging and rail, see my commute guide.
Kingstowne
Parks, shopping and things to do in Kingstowne
- Huntley Meadows Park: just over 1,500 acres of Fairfax County parkland with an ADA-accessible wetland boardwalk, an observation tower and the Norma Hoffman Visitor Center.
- Kingstowne Regional Library and Franconia Museum: both inside the new governmental center.
- Kingstowne town center: grocery stores, restaurants, retail and a cinema along Kingstowne Boulevard.
- Springfield Town Center: a larger indoor mall a short drive west.
- Lake Accotink Park: a lake loop trail and carousel a few miles northwest in Springfield.
Community pools, courts and tot lots inside Kingstowne are run by the associations, so check which ones a given address can use.
Kingstowne
Owning a home in Kingstowne
The Alexandria mailing address is the most common point of confusion. Kingstowne is in unincorporated Fairfax County. You pay Fairfax County real estate tax, set at $1.12 per $100 of assessed value in the FY 2027 budget adopted May 5, 2026, and nothing to the City of Alexandria.
- Association layers: most homes belong to the community-wide Kingstowne Residential Owners Corporation and often to a smaller townhouse or condo association as well, each with its own dues and rules. Review both resale packets; see the Virginia resale certificate.
- Exterior changes: paint colors, fences, decks and storm doors usually need association approval in addition to any county permit.
- Parking: many townhouse sections assign spaces and limit commercial vehicles. Ask before you buy if you have more than two cars.
- Prices: vary by section, home type and condition more than by the Kingstowne name itself. Ask me for current comparable sales or see the Fairfax County market report.
For questions about association documents or title, a Virginia real estate attorney can review them with you.
Kingstowne
Is Kingstowne a good fit?
If you want a townhome with shared pools and green space, and you’re comfortable with association rules, Kingstowne lines up well. If two Metro stations within a short drive matter more than walking to one, it’s worth a tour. If you’d rather have an older house with fewer rules and a bigger yard, look at nearby Springfield.
Kingstowne
Keep exploring Kingstowne
Read more about Kingstowne and the area
- Living in Kingstowne and Lorton, VA: Southern Fairfax for Commuters and Outdoor Lovers
- HOA and Condo Fees: What They Cover and 7 Red Flags to Watch For
- Condo vs. Townhouse vs. Single-Family Home: Which Fits You?
- The Northern Virginia Commute Guide: Metro, VRE, Express Lanes and Slugging
Run the numbers
- Mortgage Calculator
- Rent vs. Buy Calculator
- Closing Cost Estimator
- Fairfax County housing market report (updated monthly)
- More neighborhoods in Fairfax County
Sources: Fairfax County: Franconia District Governmental Center opens; Fairfax County Park Authority: Huntley Meadows Park history; WMATA: Franconia-Springfield station; VRE: Stations; Fairfax County: FY 2027 budget and tax rate; FCPS Boundary Locator. Details checked October 2026; confirm anything time-sensitive with the source.
Neighborhood Advice
Not sure which neighborhood fits?
Book a call and I’ll help you compare neighborhoods around your commute, budget and lifestyle, and figure out where you’ll be happiest living.
Kingstowne FAQ
Questions about living in Kingstowne
Is Kingstowne in Alexandria or Fairfax County?
Fairfax County. Kingstowne homes use an Alexandria mailing address, but they are outside the City of Alexandria and pay Fairfax County taxes.
Does Kingstowne have its own Metro station?
No. The closest stations are Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street on the Blue Line, each a short drive away. Franconia-Springfield also has VRE service.
Do all Kingstowne homes have an HOA?
Nearly all homes in the planned community belong to the master owners corporation, and many townhomes and condos also pay a separate sub-association. Confirm the exact dues in the resale packet.
What schools serve Kingstowne?
Kingstowne is in Fairfax County Public Schools, which adopted boundary changes in January 2026 for the 2026-27 school year. Verify the assignment for a specific address with the FCPS Boundary Locator; my guide at /school-boundaries-and-home-values/ walks through it.
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Let’s find your place in Kingstowne.
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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