Top Neighborhoods
Alexandria isn't just one city—it's a patchwork of distinct zones where your zip code dictates your lifestyle, commute, and even your safety. Choosing wrong means burning cash on a place that doesn't fit your life, so let's cut through the noise and get you the real intel.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Alexandria
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Garden District | Upscale, walkable | $1,100-$1,600 | Professionals, history buffs | ~65 |
| Paragon Casino Resort Area | Tourist, transient | $800-$1,200 | Casino workers, short-term renters | ~35 |
| LSU Alexandria Campus Area | Academic, youthful | $650-$950 | Students, young academics | ~55 |
| South Alexandria (MacArthur Pkwy) | Family, suburban | $750-$1,050 | Families, value seekers | ~40 |
| Downtown Alexandria | Urban, gritty | $600-$900 | Artists, budget-conscious | ~70 |
Historic Garden District
Overview: This is Alexandria's crown jewel—think antebellum homes, tree-lined streets, and actual sidewalks. Centered around the Alexandria Museum of Art on 3rd Street, it's the only neighborhood where you can walk to dinner without checking your six.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,100 - $1,600/mo (1BR) | $1,400 - $2,000/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $280k - $350k
- 🚗 Commute: 5 min to downtown | 10 min to Rapides Parish Courthouse
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~65 (Mostly Walkable)
Local Intel: Park near the Alexandria Museum of Art on First Friday events for free entertainment. Avoid leaving valuables visible in cars—break-ins spike near the nightlife corridor on 3rd Street after 11 PM. The best trick: use the alley parking behind the historic homes if your rental offers it.
Who Thrives Here: Remote workers who want to walk to Houndstooth Coffee on Congress Street and need a 5-minute buffer to the medical district. Also ideal for professionals who work at St. Francis Medical Center and hate suburban sterility.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Highest appreciation potential in the city (8% year-over-year per Redfin data)
- ✅ Real walkability to 15+ restaurants and cafes including the beloved Hook & Barrel
- ❌ Parking is a nightmare during events at the Rapides Parish Coliseum
- ❌ Older homes mean higher maintenance—expect plumbing issues in pre-1940 builds
Schools: Rapides Parish District. Alexandria Middle is rated 6/10, but families here often send kids to private schools like St. Frederick's.
The Verdict: Move here if you want character and can afford the premium. Avoid if you need a garage and quiet streets—this is a living, breathing neighborhood with noise and parking wars.
Paragon Casino Resort Area
Overview: This is the city's economic engine and its most transient zone. Centered around Paragon Casino Resort on Highway 107, it's a strip of chain restaurants, hotels, and service-sector housing that moves fast.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $800 - $1,200/mo (1BR) | $1,000 - $1,400/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $180k - $220k
- 🚗 Commute: 12 min to downtown | 15 min to Alexandria International Airport
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~35 (Car-dependent)
Local Intel: The casino shuttle runs 24/7 and can save you $50/month in parking and gas if you work there. Traffic on Highway 107 backs up hard between 4-6 PM—use the service roads. The Walmart here is one of the busiest in the state; shop early morning or late night to avoid chaos.
Who Thrives Here: Casino employees, flight crews from AEX, and anyone needing a furnished short-term lease. Also decent for truckers using I-49 access.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ 24-hour amenities—Waffle House, Taco Bell, and gas stations never close
- ✅ Easy highway access to I-49 and US-71
- ❌ Crime spikes in the extended-stay motels along Highway 107—check local sex offender registry before signing
- ❌ Zero walkability; you're driving for everything
Schools: Right on the edge of Pineville High district (7/10), but most families don't plant roots here.
The Verdict: Perfect for a 6-month work stint or if you're saving for a house elsewhere. Avoid if you want community, safety, or walkability—this is a pit stop, not a home.
LSU Alexandria Campus Area
Overview: The academic bubble around LSU Alexandria's 200-acre campus. Think student housing complexes, fast food, and the occasional professor's cottage. Centered on College Drive and John Allison Drive.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $650 - $950/mo (1BR) | $850 - $1,100/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $160k - $200k
- 🚗 Commute: 8 min to downtown | 15 min to Alexandria Tech Park
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~55 (Somewhat Walkable)
Local Intel: The LSU Alexandria campus shuttle is free and runs to Walmart and downtown. The best cheap eats are at the campus cafeteria (open to public) and the nearby Popeyes on MacArthur Drive. Avoid renting in the complexes directly on College Drive—noise from traffic and students is brutal.
Who Thrives Here: Graduate students, adjunct faculty, and young professionals starting out. Also good for hospital workers who want a cheap commute to St. Francis.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Cheapest legitimate housing in Alexandria with decent quality
- ✅ 24/7 campus gym and library access if you can get a community pass
- ❌ Party noise from student housing on weekends, especially near Fraternity Row
- ❌ Limited grocery options—Dollar General and Walmart are your main choices
Schools: Rapides Parish, but this area feeds into lower-rated Alexandria Senior High (5/10). Not ideal for families with school-age kids.
The Verdict: Best for students and young professionals on a tight budget. Avoid if you need peace, quiet, or top-rated schools.
South Alexandria (MacArthur Parkway Area)
Overview: This is where Alexandria families plant roots. Centered on MacArthur Parkway shopping corridor and the residential streets south of Highway 28, it's pure suburbia with decent schools and big-box convenience.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $750 - $1,050/mo (1BR) | $950 - $1,300/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $200k - $260k
- 🚗 Commute: 15 min to downtown | 20 min to Pineville medical district
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~40 (Car-dependent)
Local Intel: The MacArthur Parkway corridor has every chain you need—Target, Home Depot, Chili's—but traffic is a nightmare on Saturdays. The hidden gem is the Alexandria Zoo, which is free for residents on Wednesdays. Use the back roads through Red Oak to avoid Highway 28 congestion.
Who Thrives Here: Families with kids, healthcare workers at Pineville hospital, and anyone who wants suburban amenities without Pineville's higher prices.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Best school district access in Alexandria—Pineville High is 7/10
- ✅ Low violent crime rate compared to north Alexandria
- ❌ Traffic on MacArthur Parkway during peak hours adds 10-15 minutes to any trip
- ❌ Zero walkability; you're driving to everything including the park
Schools: Rapides Parish District. Pineville High School (7/10) and several decent elementary schools. This is the main draw for families.
The Verdict: Move here for the schools and space if you have kids. Avoid if you want walkability, nightlife, or a short commute—this is pure car-dependent suburbia.
Downtown Alexandria
Overview: The gritty heart of the city where old buildings are being carved into lofts and apartments. Centered on 3rd Street and the Red River waterfront, it's trying to be something but hasn't fully arrived.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $600 - $900/mo (1BR) | $800 - $1,100/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $140k - $190k
- 🚗 Commute: 0 min to downtown | 12 min to Paragon Casino
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~70 (Very Walkable)
Local Intel: The Alexandria Riverfront Center hosts events that can make parking impossible on weekends. The old train depot area has some cool hidden bars, but stick to well-lit streets after dark. The best deal is the lofts above the Alexandria Museum of Art—often under $800 but hard to get.
Who Thrives Here: Artists, musicians, and budget-conscious professionals who work downtown. Also good for night owls who want to walk to bars.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Highest walkability in Alexandria—15+ restaurants/bars within 4 blocks
- ✅ Cheapest rents for actual urban living
- ❌ Property crime is elevated—bike thefts and car break-ins are common
- ❌ Some blocks have homeless encampments; check the immediate area before signing
Schools: Downtown feeds into Alexandria Middle (6/10) and Alexandria Senior High (5/10). Not a priority for families.
The Verdict: Ideal for artists and young professionals who want urban grit on a budget. Avoid if you have kids, need parking, or want suburban safety.
Final Advice
For young professionals: Historic Garden District is your winner if you can swing $1,400/month—it's the only neighborhood that feels like you're "in" the city. If you're saving, LSU Alexandria area gives you the same commute for $300 less.
For families: South Alexandria (MacArthur Parkway) is the clear choice for schools and safety. Don't let the walk score fool you—20 minutes of driving beats 20 years of bad schools.
For retirees: Historic Garden District offers walkability to healthcare and restaurants, but Paragon area gives you cheaper living if you're on a fixed income and don't mind driving.
Traffic pattern warning: Alexandria has two chokepoints—Highway 28 at MacArthur Parkway (4-6 PM weekdays) and I-49 at US-71 (5-7 PM). Plan your commute accordingly.
Counterintuitive pick: Downtown Alexandria is actually the best value if you work from home and want character. The crime stats look scary, but it's mostly property crime in specific blocks. The $200/month savings over Garden District can fund a security system and still leave money for the best tacos at El Cazador.