I visited family this weekend just outside of Washington, D.C. Our nation’s capital is truly a remarkable place, and I am amazed every time I visit. It is within fairly close proximity to New York City. It is about a six-hour car ride (with stops), a three-hour Amtrak trip and only a 35-minute flight. While it was great to visit with my family, I also enjoyed a visit with a friend in Arlington, Va., as well. It was great to see him and visit a part of the D.C. area I had never been to before. I definitely got to know the areas surrounding Washington, D.C.; they are being re-urbanized as people rediscover the value of building in those areas. The rebuilding also helps diminish the awful commute from the farther-out areas. I visited the Clarendale area of Arlington, which has easy access to Northern Virginia and downtown D.C. via the Metro. We compared Clarendale with Brooklyn — the community is strong and there is a mix of urban and suburban areas. From this New Yorker’s point of view, no place is like Manhattan by any means, but I found Arlington and its many neighborhoods to be a welcoming place to live and work. I was impressed with its close proximity to the city, the Pentagon, the Capitol and other landmarks. Not to mention, the perfect 70-degree weather we were fortunate enough to experience in mid-November! — Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher