Shirlington, like many neighborhoods, has varying definitions and borders; however, Shirlington Village (sometimes known as downtown Shirlington) is the dense commercial and mixed-use corridor from which Shirlington radiates. Shirlington Village was founded in the 1940s, grew for several decades, and then experienced urban disinvestment - like many urban centers - in the 70s and 80s. For the past two decades or so, it began its trajectory of steady improvement and revitalization: Arlington County made significant investments by expanding the main street and building. The county built a theater, a library, a grocery store, and hundreds of residential units. This critical mass of residents, businesses, and amenities has paid off, and continues to do so. Much of the housing stock surrounding Shirlington is garden-style condos and apartments built post-World War II, most of which have been well maintained and modernized. Shirlington has many of the amenities and character of Clarendon - though on a more human scale, but lacks a Metro station. This results in more affordable housing prices, relatively to Shirlington's counterparts with easy Metro access.

 

Shirlington has excellent amenities, and not just the great restaurant offerings. It has a two theaters with solid productions, access to bike trails, a modern library, a walkable commercial district with public art and plazas. Residents patron the Harris Teeter, as well as restaurants like Busboys and Poets, Carlyle Grand Cafe, Cheestique, Copperwood Tavern, Guapo's, Osteria da Nino, Palette 22, and T.H.A.I. in Shirlington.​

 

Although Shirlington doesn't have a Metro station, it does have a $2 million commuter hub, with bus lines that get commuters and visitors to Pentagon Metro station (Blue/Yellow lines) in 7-ish minutes. In addition to abundant MetroBus lines, it provides mass transit throughout Arlington via the Arlington Rapid Transit (ART) bus lines. If you have a car, or use ride-share services frequently, Shirlington is perched conveniently along I-395 shuttling cars into DC (in 15-ish minutes), points south, and I-495. Clarendon and Old Town Alexandria are each 10-ish minutes via car. Many, if not most, multifamily and condo communities have ample parking.