Arlington Virginia’s Lyon Village neighborhood

Lyon Village could be mistaken for small town America if it were not located just blocks from one of the most popular neighborhoods in the DC area: Clarendon.  The neighborhood has parks, recreation, events, and is surprisingly quiet and laid back for being so close to all the action in downtown Clarendon.  Lyon Village has numerous forms of transportation within walking distance in addition to being close to I-395 and I-66.  Shops, restaurants, and nightlife are all just blocks away and there are many community events that are held in Lyon Village.  The small neighborhood known as Lyon Village has everything you could want within walking distance while still retaining a feel of a small town.

History of Lyon Village

In 1825, an Englishman by the name of Robert Cruit bought the land known as Lyon Village and turned it into a farm.  Generations later, in 1923, his heirs sold the land to developer Frank Lyon who purchased the 160 plus acre land for $185,000.  He then divided the land into the lots in what is now known as Lyon Village.  There are many homes here that are still under “historic” classification although there are also a lot of builders that are creating new homes in the area.  This video helps to visualize the progress and history of Lyon Village.  The Clarendon metro and development of the orange line corridor has made Lyon Village one of the most popular places to live in Arlington.

Lyon Village’s Vibe

Lyon Village is a historic neighborhood that consists of many long time home owners as well as wealthier new comers who can afford to purchase in this exclusive neighborhood.  The local community is very active here and routinely has various events and classes at their Community House.  According to the Lyon Village Citizens Association the community has produced “a legion of community leaders, elected officials, and good ideas.” Also, the local community watch program has helped to deter crime and has had great results.  Residents in Lyon Village are very active and there are a couple parks for kids and adults to enjoy. 

Recreation options in Lyon Village

Lyon Village is great for outdoor activities and includes a park with tennis courts, a basketball court, two playgrounds as well as a separate dog park.  The park even has a massive fountain setup that kids love to play in during the summer.  If you are looking for gyms you are in luck as many of the workout facilities are located just blocks away in Clarendon: Gold’s Gym, Washington Sports Club, and the Clarendon Fitness Collective.  Lyon Village has a local community house as well that hosts numerous gatherings every year including a December Holiday Party, 4^th of July Picnic, Spaghetti Dinner and an Easter Egg Hunt.  The area is great to walk around and look at the beautiful tree lined streets and the mixture of both historic and brand new homes, no one house is the same. 

Where do people live in Lyon Village?

Lyon Village is almost exclusively single family homes, many of which are historic yet some that are brand new and very impressive.  The builders did a great job of creating homes that do not clash with the historic homes and fit in very nicely with the flow of the neighborhood.   Although the houses are beautiful and the location is right next to downtown Clarendon, the houses in Lyon Village do not come with huge lot sizes.  You can find houses with larger lots and yards however most of them have small front or back yards.    On the outer boundaries of Lyon Village you will find some condo and apartment projects, but for the most part the neighborhood strictly consists of single family homes.  Home prices routinely reach some of the highest prices in all of Arlington and it does not look like that trend will be reversing any time soon as the area becomes more and more popular. 

Transportation options in Lyon Village

Transportation in Lyon Village is easy and you have a variety of options to choose from.  Washington, DC is just minutes away by driving, metro, or riding the bus.  There are two metro stops that service Lyon Village including the Clarendon and Courthouse metro that run along the orange line.  Major highways including I-395, the George Washington Parkway, and I-66 are just a few blocks from Lyon Village.  Parking in Lyon Village is great if you are a resident of Lyon Village.  The zoned parking in this area is strictly enforced, which prevents a lot of the Clarendon overspill from parking there and parking options include both street and driveway parking.   

Lyon Village Boundaries

Lyon Village is bordered by Lee Highway to the North, Wilson Boulevard to the South, Kirkwood Rd to the West and Veitch Street to the South.  Many people consider Lyon Village to be an extension of Clarendon

Entertainment & Restaurant options in Lyon Village

Lyon Village is entirely residential but outside the neighborhood lies one of the most popular commercial strips in all of Northern Virginia, which is Clarendon.  Lyon Village is walking distance to the Whole Foods, restaurants, and the rest of the eclectic boutique stores that Clarendon is known for. Some of these restaurants include Faccia Luna for Italian food, Mexicali Blues for great Mexican and Central American food, or East West Grill for delicious Middle Eastern food. 

Lyon Village Conclusion

Lyon Village is a relaxed and quiet community even though it lies just blocks away from Clarendon and minutes from Washington DC.  It is an oasis in the heart of Arlington and the beautiful tree lined streets and historic homes make for a great pedestrian experience.  Prices for Lyon Village are near the tops in all of Arlington and houses in this highly sought after neighborhood do not last long on the market.