Community Corner

Alexandria Ranks #3 Snobbiest Mid-Sized City in the Nation

Real estate research firm says: "There's a bit of a stereotype in Virginia that the northern part of the state is kind of snobby, and for this city that generalization is pretty true."

Movoto, a real estate research site, has ranked Alexandria the third snobbiest mid-sized city in the country.

Here's what the research firm had to say about Alexandria and its so-called snobby ways: 

"There’s a bit of a stereotype in Virginia that the northern part of the state is kind of snobby, and for this city that generalization is pretty true. For starters, this city had the third highest number of college grads, at over 60 percent, so the brightest and best like to call this area home.The locals definitely have a more cultured and artistic eye, which is why they were second place for art galleries per capita.

Maybe you’re looking to make sure that little Joey is raised right in the Mother of States. That’s not a problem here either, as Alexandria had the sixth most private schools per capita. If you’re worried about paying for that school, never fear, this place had the seventh highest household income as well. Nothing but the best for these fancy folks."

Movoto looked at factors like median household income, private schools, art galleries and country clubs to create the list.

Other snobby stats:
  • Median home price (the higher the better)
  • Median household income (the higher the better)
  • Percent of population with a college degree (the higher the better)
  • Private schools per capita (the more the better)
  • Performing arts per capita (the more the better)
  • Art galleries per capita (the more the better)
  • Fast food restaurants per capita (the fewer the better)
  • Country clubs per capita (the more the better)
The median price of homes currently listed in Alexandria is $487,500 while the median price of homes that sold is $462,290, according to Zillow.com.

Alexandria's median income, according to the U.S. Census, is $83,996.

The city has numerous private or parochial schools including three high schools: Episcopal High School, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School and Bishop Ireton High School.

From Visit Alexandria, here's a bit on the city's art scene: "Named one of America's Top ArtPlaces 2013, Alexandria is nationally recognized as a community with a 'backbone of creative culture...exceptionally successful at combining art, artists and venues for creativity and expression...to make vibrant neighborhoods.' The city's visual arts hub is the world-famous Torpedo Factory Art Center, a former munitions factory transformed into an artistic powerhouse with three floors of artist studios and galleries, plus the headquarters of the Art League School which serves 7,000 students annually."

The country clubs near Alexandria? Technically, there are two in nearby Fairfax County: Belle Haven Country Club, Mount Vernon Country Club and one in nearby Arlington County: Army Navy Country Club

Here are the top 10 snobbiest mid-size cities, according to Movoto:
1. Pasadena, Calif.
2. Thousand Oaks, Calif.
3. Alexandria, Va.
4. Naperville, Ill.
5. Santa Rosa, Calif.
6. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
7. Glendale, Calif.
8. Sunnyvale, Calif.
9. Fullerton, Calif.
10. Eugene, Ore.

What do you think? Did Movoto get it right? Is Alexandria a snobby city?






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