Thanks for joining us Scott. You launched ARLnow less than a year and a half ago, and it’s already one of DC’s most popular blogs. What motivated you to start blogging about Arlington?
When I started out, there was no other site like this devoted to Arlington. Nobody was offering broad, up-to-the-minute coverage focused just on the Arlington County. I wanted to fill that void.
A lot of our readers are renters who are about to move to DC. How would you briefly summarize the geography and neighborhoods of Arlington to an outsider?
Courthouse and Clarendon have the most nightlife. In Rosslyn, Crystal City and Ballston, your neighbors across the street will probably be office buildings. The Columbia Pike area is a developing neighborhood where cheap rents can still be had, but you’ll have to take the bus to the nearest Metro stop. Pentagon City is almost as pricey as Courthouse and Clarendon — it has a mall and a fun strip of retail, but isn’t nearly as much of a nightlife hub. East Falls Church is quiet and residential.
What part of Arlington do you live in?
Columbia Pike
What are the best things about living there?
It’s cheap, convenient by car, I like watching it develop.
What hot topics on your blog these days would be of most interest to residential renters and landlords?
Rising rents and pedestrian safety issues.
Please share some of your local favorites:
Favorite bar: Fire Works in Courthouse. Great beer selection!
Favorite restaurant if someone else is paying: Either Liberty Tavern or Eventide
Favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant: Thai Square on Columbia Pike
Favorite part of Arlington to walk around: Clarendon on a warm summer night
Favorite Arlington hidden gem: Lower Arlington Bar and Grill
Favorite (other) DC area blog: Prince of Petworth, DCist and We Love DC
