Washington DC Rental Homes
Alexandria-DC, Annandale, Arlington, Bethesda, College-Park, DC, Forestville, Hillcrest-Heights, Rockville, Silver-Spring, Wheaton, in DC.
DC Information
The Washington DC Metropolitan area is filled with opportunity and growth. The housing market in Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland is diverse and competitive. While the entire Metro area is currently experiencing slower growth, only a year ago nearby Loudon County was home to the fastest growing community in the country.
Most people move to Washington DC and its expanding suburbs for the vast employment opportunities and for the educational and political institutions. There are those who come to Washington DC who desire to make a difference in the world and to support those in positions of power. It is an area of transition and change. It boasts a very diverse population of people who arrive from all over the world. There is a fast-paced culture which fuels the adrenaline-driven lifestyle of its residents.
For those looking for a reprieve from the stress that breeds in Washington DC, you may be pleasantly surprised to find an abundance of recreational outlets in and around the Washington DC area. If you are someone who enjoys the outdoors you will be impressed with the beauty of this city with its historic monuments, majestic old trees, national parks and open space, not to mention the void of tall buildings. There are many places within only 5-10 miles of downtown Washington DC which will feel like you are hours from a major metropolitan area.
The abundance of paved and dirt trails are waiting for those who enjoy hiking, biking, roller blading, walking and running. Let's take a look at a sample bike ride along some of the trails to give you an idea of what is available for your enjoyment and relaxation. In Virginia, you can ride your bike along the Potomac River on the Mount Vernon Trail from where George Washington once lived into Old Town Alexandria stopping for something to eat or a little window shopping perhaps. The trail continues down past the Regan National Airport where you can watch planes landing and taking off from Gravely Park. For a quick tour in Washington DC, you can cross the Potomac River on the 14th street bridge which will take you into West Potomac Park and will allow a close up view of the Awakening sculpture. As you ride out of the Hains Point peninsula and along the Potomac you will pass by the Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial and reach the Lincoln Memorial where you can enter the National Mall, home to war memorials, the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian museums, the National Arboretum and the Capitol. The weekends are always a better option for visitors in the DC area in terms of avoiding traffic congestion and finding more parking options. You will not only find many others outside enjoying the trails but the many grassy and sandy areas where teams complete in volleyball, rugby, soccer, cricket, Frisbee and sports popular from all over the globe.
In and around the Potomac River there are several trails and roadways to choose from in addition to Virginia's Mount Vernon Trail, these include: the Captial Crescent Trail which will take you into Maryland, Rock Creek Parkway which winds up toward the National Zoo and the Historic C&O Canal trail which heads 184 miles north and west to Cumberland, Maryland. Heading more west into Virginia you will find the 45 mile rails- to-trail called the Washington and Old Dominion or the W&OD which not only has a hard surface for road bikes but a horse trail (soft surface) option for mountain bikes and trail runners. The newest trail system in Northern Virginia is the CCT or the Cross County Trail a more wooded and remote trail which takes you 40 miles from the Potomac River at the Great Falls National Park along the Difficult Run stream valley and the Accotink stream valley to the Occoquan river at the southern end of Fairfax County. Farther west, you will find simliar trails along the Bull Run Creek and the Manassas Battlefields.
Despite the tremendous commercial, governmental and residential development that has completely altered the landscape along the roadways of VA, MD and DC, there seem to have always been forward-thinking people not only of hundreds years ago but also today who continue to push for preserving some of the natural environment for the enjoyment of its residents. This is only a sampling of the major trail systems which extend 40-45 miles outside of the city. There are even more smaller trails where you can explore while you relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings outdoors.