If you're searching for townhomes for sale in Arlington, VA, you already know what draws people here: walkable Metro corridors, urban energy without the high-rise commitment, and a housing style that gives you more space and privacy than a condo without the upkeep of a detached single-family home. Arlington's townhome market spans a wide range — from brick rowhouses near Clarendon's restaurant scene to newer construction closer to Columbia Pike — and each pocket of the county has its own personality, price point, and commute profile.
Below, I've put together ten neighborhoods and considerations worth knowing before you start touring Arlington townhomes and condos. Whether you're relocating for work, upgrading from a condo, or investing in Northern Virginia real estate, this list will help you narrow down where to focus your search. I'm Samantha Bard, and I help buyers navigate exactly this kind of decision every day.
1. Shirlington: Walkable Village Feel Near I-395
Shirlington sits in South Arlington and offers one of the most walkable, self-contained townhome pockets in the county. You'll find a mix of newer townhome developments within a few blocks of Shirlington Village, where restaurants, a movie theater, and a farmers market give the area a small-downtown feel.
Commuters like Shirlington because it sits close to I-395 and offers direct bus access into DC, without requiring a Metro transfer. Townhomes here tend to run on the newer side, often built within the last two decades, which means fewer surprises on major systems like roofs and HVAC.
If low-maintenance living paired with easy access to the Four Mile Run trail system matters to you, Shirlington is worth an early look.
2. Pentagon City: High-Rise Energy With Townhome Options
Pentagon City is best known for its high-rises, but it also has a smaller pocket of townhomes tucked into the surrounding streets, giving buyers a quieter alternative within walking distance of the Pentagon City Metro and Fashion Centre mall.
Townhomes here put you close to Amazon's growing National Landing footprint, Reagan National Airport, and the retail corridor along South Hayes Street. That proximity tends to come with a higher price point than some of the county's more residential pockets.
For buyers who want urban convenience but still want a front door and a small patch of outdoor space, Pentagon City strikes a middle ground.
3. National Landing (Crystal City): Metro Access & New Development
National Landing, which includes the former Crystal City area, has seen significant investment tied to the Amazon HQ2 build-out. Townhomes in this corridor sit within a short walk of multiple Metro stations on the Blue and Yellow lines.
Inventory here mixes older, established townhome rows with newer infill construction, so price and square footage can vary block to block. Buyers focused on resale value tend to pay close attention to proximity to the Metro and the ongoing development pipeline in the area.
This is a corridor where doing a side-by-side comparison of a few blocks really pays off — a five-minute walk can shift both price and long-term appreciation potential.
4. Clarendon: Restaurant Row & Classic Rowhouse Character
Clarendon is one of Arlington's most recognizable commercial corridors, and the townhomes tucked into the surrounding residential streets carry a lot of character — think classic brick rowhouses alongside more updated builds.
Living here puts you within walking distance of the Clarendon Metro stop, a dense restaurant and nightlife scene, and Whole Foods on Wilson Boulevard. Because of that walkability, Clarendon townhomes are consistently in demand, and well-priced listings tend to move fast.
If you want to be in the middle of the action without living in a high-rise, Clarendon is one of the first places I show buyers.
5. Ballston-Virginia Square: A Quieter Metro Corridor
Just west of Clarendon, Ballston and Virginia Square offer a slightly calmer version of the same Metro-corridor convenience. You'll find townhomes mixed in with garden-style condo buildings and newer mid-rise development.
The area has its own retail and dining cluster around Ballston Quarter, plus easy access to both the Orange and Silver Metro lines. Compared to Clarendon, townhome pricing here can offer a bit more breathing room for the same square footage.
Buyers who want Metro access but a slightly less bustling day-to-day often land here after comparing both corridors.
6. Columbia Pike: Value and Ongoing Revitalization
Columbia Pike runs through the heart of Arlington and has been the focus of a long-running revitalization effort, bringing new retail, dining, and housing investment to the corridor over the past several years.
Townhomes along and near the Pike often come in at a more accessible price point than those closer to the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, which makes this a popular area for buyers who want to get into Arlington without stretching to the county's highest price tiers.
Because the corridor is still evolving, it's worth having a current read on nearby development plans before you commit — something I go over with every buyer looking in this area.
7. Westover: Established Streets With a Neighborhood Feel
Westover sits in North Arlington and has a more settled, established residential feel compared to the Metro-corridor neighborhoods. Its small commercial strip includes a well-known local market and a handful of independent shops.
Townhome inventory here is limited compared to areas like Pentagon City or Ballston, so listings can be competitive when they do come up. Buyers drawn to Westover are usually looking for a quieter street with easy car access to Route 50 and the broader North Arlington area.
If you've already ruled out high-density living, Westover is a good area to keep on your radar.
8. Lyon Park & Ashton Heights: Tree-Lined Streets Near Clarendon
Lyon Park and Ashton Heights sit just south and west of Clarendon, offering tree-lined residential streets within an easy walk or short drive of the Metro corridor's restaurants and shops.
Housing stock in these neighborhoods leans toward classic Arlington rowhouse and townhome styles, often with more mature landscaping than you'll find in newer developments closer to the Metro stations themselves.
For buyers who want proximity to Clarendon's energy but a quieter street to come home to, this pocket is worth touring early in your search.
9. What HOA Fees Really Cover in Arlington Townhomes
Almost every townhome community in Arlington comes with a homeowners association, and the fee structure varies more than most buyers expect. Some HOAs cover only exterior maintenance and common-area landscaping, while others bundle in trash service, snow removal, master insurance, or even water.
Before you fall in love with a listing, it's worth reviewing the HOA's resale disclosure packet, reserve fund status, and any pending special assessments — these details can materially change your monthly cost and your resale position down the road.
I walk every buyer through this step before we write an offer, since it's one of the most common places surprises show up after closing. My Arlington buyer's guide breaks down exactly what to check in an HOA packet and how to read it.
10. Timing Your Purchase & Getting Pre-Approved
Arlington's townhome market moves in cycles tied to school-year timing, interest rate shifts, and seasonal inventory swings, and the right time to start touring depends on your specific goals and timeline.
Getting pre-approved before you start seriously touring gives you a real budget to work with and makes your offer more competitive if you find the right townhome in a fast-moving corridor like Clarendon or Ballston. It also helps you understand how rate movement affects what you can comfortably afford.
For more Northern Virginia real estate tips on timing, financing, and local market shifts, Samantha Bard's blog is a good next stop before you start touring.
Frequently Asked Questions: Townhomes for Sale in Arlington, VA
Q: What is the price range for townhomes for sale in Arlington, VA?
A: Arlington townhome pricing varies widely by neighborhood, ranging from more accessible options along the Columbia Pike corridor to higher price points near Clarendon and the Rosslyn-Ballston Metro corridor. Age of construction, HOA fees, and proximity to Metro all factor into where a specific listing lands. Browse current Arlington townhomes and condos to see what's active in your target price range.
Q: Should I buy a townhome or a condo in Arlington?
A: It depends on how much you value private outdoor space and lower shared-wall living versus lower maintenance responsibility. Townhomes generally give you a front door, sometimes a small yard or patio, and fewer shared amenities to fund through fees, while condos typically include building amenities and exterior maintenance in the HOA. My Arlington buyer's guide walks through the trade-offs in more detail.
Q: Are HOA fees high for Arlington townhomes?
A: HOA fees for Arlington townhomes vary based on what's included — some cover only exterior maintenance and landscaping, while others bundle in trash, snow removal, or master insurance. It's worth reviewing the resale packet and reserve fund status for any community before you make an offer. For more on how to evaluate this, check out Northern Virginia real estate tips on the blog.
Q: Which Arlington neighborhoods have the most townhomes on the market?
A: Shirlington, Columbia Pike, Lyon Park, and pockets of Pentagon City and National Landing tend to have steady townhome inventory, though availability shifts with the season. Reach out directly through samanthabard.com and I can send you a current list matched to your budget and commute needs.
Q: How do I start touring townhomes for sale in Arlington, VA?
A: The first steps are getting pre-approved with a lender and identifying two or three Arlington neighborhoods that fit your commute and lifestyle. From there, a local agent can set up private showings and help you move quickly in competitive corridors. Take a look at Arlington townhomes and condos currently on the market to get a feel for what's out there before your first tour.
Ready to Tour Townhomes for Sale in Arlington, VA?
Arlington's townhome market moves fast, and the right fit often comes down to knowing which block, which HOA, and which commute pattern actually works for your day-to-day life. I'd be glad to walk you through current listings, pull comps for the neighborhoods you're considering, and help you put together a competitive offer when you're ready.
Reach out to Samantha Bard, REALTOR® ABR | SRS, at Coldwell Banker Realty:
- Phone: (703) 298-2651
- Email: samantha.bard@cbmove.com
- Website: www.samanthabard.com
- License: #0225198344 VA
Equal Housing Opportunity
About Samantha Bard, REALTOR®
Samantha Bard is a licensed REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Realty specializing in Arlington and the broader Northern Virginia real estate market. As an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), she provides strategic, detail-oriented guidance to buyers, sellers, and investors navigating everything from first-time purchases to relocations and investment properties across Northern Virginia.
License #0225198344 VA | Coldwell Banker Realty | (703) 298-2651 | samantha.bard@cbmove.com