News

Virginia Tech is setting up a new Institute for Advanced Computing in Alexandria. The university-wide institute will be based in Academic Building One, focusing on cutting-edge research and education in computing and technology.

Graduate programs in computer science and computer engineering will be offered at the institute. It’s also aiming to build strong partnerships with industry leaders and government organizations.


Sponsored

Among the movers serving Alexandria, VA, 495 Movers stands out for a simple reason: its local hourly rate includes packing materials, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and protection for floors, walls, and elevators. The company has been in business since 2009 and has completed more than 20,000 moves, a number that keeps climbing.

Anyone who has hired movers in the DC area knows the familiar pattern. A low hourly rate wins the call. Then the invoice arrives with a charge for boxes, a charge for taking the bed apart, a fee for the stairs, and another for the elevator. By the end, the number on the bill has little to do with the number in the ad. 495 Movers was built to avoid that.

495 Movers at a glance

  • In business since: 2009 (17 years)
  • Moves completed: more than 20,000, local and long-distance
  • Licensed in: Virginia
  • Serves: Alexandria and the rest of the DMV
  • Local hourly rate includes: packing materials, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and home protection on every move
  • No separate fees for: stairs or elevators
  • Also offers: junk removal, custom crating, and self-storage
  • Reputation: 4.7 stars across nearly 1,000 Google reviews

Who is 495 Movers?

495 Movers is a full-service moving company serving Alexandria and the rest of the DMV, founded in 2009 by people who had worked as movers for several other companies first. They wanted to do it differently.

“We wanted to take a different approach, offering a simple, honest, and transparent approach for the customer,” said Moti Kachlon, co-owner at 495 Movers. For local moves, that meant building the most common extras into the hourly rate. Seventeen years and more than 20,000 moves later, the company is still growing.

What makes moving in Alexandria different?

Alexandria is a hard place to move. A truck on an Old Town block gets watched by neighbors, property managers, and a family wondering whether the sofa will make the turn on a staircase built long before sofas got this big.

Old Town’s rowhouses have narrow staircases and tight turns, which is why large furniture often has to come apart to get out. Del Ray’s bungalows and rowhouses have basements that hold more than anyone remembers. And condo and apartment buildings in Carlyle, Potomac Yard, and the West End often require movers to carry a certificate of insurance and book the elevator, with building managers who care a great deal about scuffed hallways. The street adds its own complications, from cobblestones to limited curb space.

That’s the context for how 495 Movers prices its work.

What does 495 Movers include in its hourly rate?

For local moves, the rate covers four things that many movers bill separately:

  • Packing materials. Boxes, tape, paper, and wrap are provided at no additional cost, whether a move needs a few or a few hundred.
  • Furniture disassembly and reassembly. Beds, tables, desks, sectionals, and wardrobes are taken apart, moved, and put back together at the new home. In an Old Town rowhouse, that’s often the only way a dresser gets down the stairs.

    (more…)


Around Town

The Birchmere, “America’s legendary music hall”, has an impressive June 2025 calendar scheduled, featuring a mix of iconic performers spanning multiple genres and generations.

The month kicks off with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Steve Earle performing a special solo acoustic show on June 3. Billed as “50 Years of Songs & Stories,” Earle will be joined by Zandi Holup for the 7:30 p.m. performance. Tickets are priced at $69.50 and $39.50.


Event

Curious about strength training but not sure where to start? Or perhaps you're looking for a more efficient alternative to traditional gyms?

Imperium Strength & Longevity invites the Alexandria community to an Open House on Sunday, November 1, from 11 AM to 2 PM.


News

It wasn’t just raining outside today. Tears of happiness streamed from students, parents, educators, and city leaders as 984 Alexandria City High School seniors graduated at George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena. That’s the largest graduating class in ACHS history.

Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt told the students that now is the time for them to harness their potential, creativity, brilliance, and resilience.


News

For the third consecutive week, the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities has been forced to cancel a community cookout due to inclement weather.

The city announced on Wednesday (May 28) that their next cookout, scheduled for Thursday (May 29) at Mason at Van Dorn (140 South Van Dorn Street) has been cancelled.


Around Town

Alexandria residents have spoken, and The Dairy Godmother is their top pick for ice cream in the city. The results are from a recent ALXnow reader poll, which concluded on May 27, 2025, with 1,475 local food lovers casting their votes.

The Dairy Godmother (2310 Mt. Vernon Ave.) picked up 23.73% of the votes, while Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato (111 S. Payne St.) received 15.05% of the votes, and Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream (109 King St.) rounded out the top three with 14.44% of the votes.


Opinion

Roberta Finkelstein of Alexandria writes in strong support of Abigail Spanberger for Governor, citing her impressive background and focus on issues critical to Virginians.

This Letter to the Editor is in response to an April 10 ALXnow story on Spanberger’s rally and stance on gun safety.


Opinion

In an era where reliable local news is more crucial than ever, ALXnow is thrilled to offer readers an enhanced way to stay informed, save time, and directly contribute to the journalism that serves Alexandria. We invite you to become a founding member of the ALXnow Press Club, an exclusive membership designed to bring you closer to the news you care about while championing independent local reporting.

For those who value being in the know and want to ensure the continued vitality of community-focused news, the ALXnow Press Club offers a suite of benefits designed with you in mind: