depends what part you live in
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4/9/2017
Alexandria is different depending on what part of it you are in. There is a huge strata of rich and poor, with a few middle class neighborhoods in between. Old town is mostly for the 1%, however there are some "run down" areas of Old town and plenty of Section 8 mixed in. The parts of Alexandria that border Arlington - colloquially called "Arlandria" are more down to earth and livable, but even there you need to have nearly a 6 figure income to buy a house. Arlandria is more peaceful than Old Town, as Old Town is more built up and touristy. Old Town is a city of it's own, reminiscent of New England in some ways, as it is an old port town. Old Town has the air of "old money", and is a favorite haunt of active duty families, and those who work for military or defense government agencies. There are many Tea partiers in Old Town and the immediate area.
Arlandria is more suburban-Virginia, however there are a good number of "hippies" in the area, and the Del Ray neighborhood has somewhat of a hippy vibe.
Sadly, there has been a large increase of gang violence in Arlandria, as seen by the numerous headless bodies and assassinated victims who have been found in the park. There is a large illegal immigrant population in Arlandria, and in other parts of northern Virginia, that has lead to an increase in South American gang violence and drug dealing.
Ally | ,