Ballston Vs Clarendon Condos: Amenities And Fees Compared

Trying to choose between a Ballston condo and a Clarendon condo in Arlington? You are not alone. Both neighborhoods deliver great transit access, lively streets, and strong resale demand, but the buildings often feel very different once you dig into amenities and monthly fees. In this guide, you will learn how to compare building features, what typically drives HOA costs up or down, and how to align each neighborhood’s tendencies with your budget and lifestyle. Let’s dive in.

Ballston vs. Clarendon at a glance

Ballston centers on Ballston Quarter and the Ballston‑MU Metro station. You will find many larger high-rise buildings, full-service concierge setups, and amenities that appeal to commuters and tech corridor professionals. Retail is anchored by Ballston Quarter and along Wilson Blvd, with a more daytime office-oriented profile.

Clarendon clusters around Clarendon Circle and Wilson Blvd. It is a dense, walkable corridor with long-standing dining, boutique shopping, and an active evening scene. Many buildings are mid-rise or converted from older stock, with lifestyle amenities like roof decks and lounges. Newer luxury towers exist too, but the overall mix trends more intimate and pedestrian-oriented.

Both neighborhoods are prized for transit access and walkability. For current Metrorail service information, check the official WMATA resources. For a quick sense of walkability and transit convenience, you can also review Walk Score’s neighborhood metrics.

What amenities to compare

When you tour buildings, organize your notes by category. This helps you line up lifestyle wants with fee realities.

Building services

• Concierge or front desk hours, on-site management, and 24/7 security
• Package rooms or smart lockers for deliveries
• Cleaning and maintenance coverage in common areas

Clarendon buildings often offer smaller-scale, lifestyle-forward services. Ballston towers more commonly provide full-service concierge and larger operations, which can increase monthly dues.

Wellness and recreation

• Fitness center size and equipment level
• Pool type and season (indoor or outdoor), plus lifeguard staffing requirements
• Sauna, steam, yoga or studio spaces

Pools, large gyms, and 24/7 staffing are among the biggest drivers of higher HOA fees. Clarendon mid-rises may have boutique fitness rooms and shared terraces. Ballston high-rises more often include larger gyms and full pool setups.

Common spaces and technology

• Lounge or party rooms, business centers, and roof decks or terraces
• Building Wi‑Fi in common areas, access control technology, and package lockers

Ballston’s larger towers often bundle tech-forward features. Clarendon’s mix skews toward intimate community rooms and roof decks that complement the neighborhood’s dining and nightlife.

Storage and pet policies

• Extra storage cages or rooms, secure bike storage
• Pet rules, including number, weight limits, breed restrictions, and fees
• On-site pet wash or dog run

Confirm pet details in the building rules. Policies and deposits vary by association and can affect your total monthly cost.

Parking specifics

• Deeded vs. assigned garage spaces, tandem arrangements, and guest parking
• EV charging availability, installation rules, and any waitlists

Clarendon’s older mid-rise buildings may have tighter parking or assigned outdoor lots. Ballston towers usually feature larger underground garages and sometimes better EV options. Street parking is limited in both neighborhoods. Review Arlington’s residential permit rules and curb regulations through Arlington County before you rely on street options for guests.

How condo fees work

Condo fees fund building operations, staffing, maintenance, insurance, and reserves. Two buildings with similar list prices can produce very different monthly housing costs based on how they structure dues and what they include.

What fees typically cover

Common inclusions can be:

• Master insurance policy, exterior and common-area maintenance
• Landscaping, elevator service, cleaning, pest control, snow and trash removal
• Security and concierge salaries
• Water and sewer, sometimes gas or hot water
• Amenity upkeep, management fees, and contributions to reserves

Always confirm what is included vs. billed separately. A higher-fee building that covers most utilities can cost less overall than a lower-fee building that bills utilities and parking outside the HOA.

Why fees differ from building to building

Fees scale with staffing levels, amenity scope, and whether utilities and parking are bundled into the dues. Large fitness centers, indoor or lifeguarded pools, and 24/7 front desk coverage materially increase operating costs. Insurance costs can also be higher for amenity-rich buildings.

Utilities and inclusions to verify

Ask precisely what is included: water, sewer, gas for cooking, hot water, trash, and internet or cable. Request recent utility averages for a similar unit size so you can model apples-to-apples monthly costs.

Reserves and special assessments

A well-funded reserve reduces the risk of special assessments for big-ticket projects like roof or façade work, elevator modernization, and mechanical replacements. Ask for the most recent reserve study, ideally updated every 3–5 years. For best-practice guidance on reserves, see the Community Associations Institute.

Building age, construction, and maintenance

Arlington’s condo stock varies widely.

• Clarendon features a broad mix of older conversions, 1980s–1990s mid-rises, and 2000s–2010s infill, plus a few newer luxury towers.
• Ballston has a larger concentration of higher-rise development from the 1980s forward, with many 2000s–2010s towers near Ballston Quarter and the Metro.

Construction type matters for maintenance cycles. Concrete high-rises often have long-lived structures but can face larger capital projects for façade or systems work. Wood-frame or masonry mid-rises have different maintenance profiles. Review recent projects and planned timelines in the reserve study and meeting minutes.

Parking, transit, and walkability

Both neighborhoods score high for daily convenience, with groceries, restaurants, services, and parks within short walks.

• Transit: Clarendon is served by the Clarendon station, with nearby Orange and Silver Line access. Ballston is anchored by the Ballston‑MU station. Check route and service updates on WMATA’s Metrorail page.
• Bus and local mobility: Arlington runs robust local bus service and ART routes, with quick access to regional highways for drivers.
• Walkability: For an at-a-glance view of daily errands and transit access, review Walk Score’s tools.

In both areas, plan for limited street parking and confirm guest parking options. You can find county-level rules and programs through Arlington County’s official site.

A simple building comparison template

Create a one-page snapshot for each contender so you can compare side by side:

• Building name, address, year built, and any major renovations
• Unit mix and typical sizes
• Amenities list: concierge, pool, gym, roof deck, lounges, business center, pet amenities, storage, bike room
• Typical HOA fee range and exact inclusions, plus what is billed separately
• Parking details: deeded or assigned, tandem, guest options, EV charging
• Reserve study date, reserve fund balance, and recent or pending capital projects
• Pet policy summary and fees
• Walkability: nearest grocery, minutes to Metro
• Management company contact for resale documents
• Notes: nearby noise corridors, building condition, or recurring issues from minutes

Documents to request

When you get serious about a building, request:

• Current budget, financials, and the most recent reserve study
• Meeting minutes from the last 12–24 months
• Master insurance summary and deductible
• Special assessment history and planned projects
• Condo declaration, bylaws, and rules, including pet and leasing policies
• Parking agreements, deed restrictions, and any recorded easements

You can verify property and permit context through Arlington County resources.

Your monthly cost worksheet

Use this quick formula to compare buildings on a true monthly basis:

• Mortgage principal and interest
• Property taxes
• HOA or condo fee
• Estimated utilities not covered by the HOA
• Parking or storage fees not included in the HOA

Total these for each building so you can see the real monthly number. A higher HOA with utilities included can be more cost-effective than a lower HOA with large separate utility bills.

Red flags to watch for

• Low or declining reserves relative to upcoming capital needs
• Repeated special assessments or large assessments without a clear plan
• High delinquency rates in dues payments
• Ongoing litigation that could affect finances or insurance
• Ambiguous or restrictive rules on pets, leasing, or renovations without clear guidance

For governance context and owner education, the Community Associations Institute offers practical resources. If you want to dig deeper into local regulations, start with Arlington County and consult the legal framework that governs condominiums in Virginia.

Which neighborhood fits you

• Choose Ballston if you want a higher likelihood of full-service towers, larger fitness centers, robust package and concierge services, and garages with more parking options. Expect that staffing and amenity scope can lift monthly dues.
• Choose Clarendon if you value an intimate building feel with roof decks, lounges, and smaller gyms, plus a vibrant dining and boutique scene outside your door. Fees vary by building, with newer luxury towers carrying higher dues.

Neither neighborhood is universally better. The right choice is the building that matches how you live and what you want to spend monthly.

Ready to compare with a pro?

If you want a focused short list, I can help you line up apples-to-apples building comparisons, pull the right documents, and model true monthly costs before you write an offer. Let’s build your plan with clarity and confidence. Connect with Jennifer Jo to get started.

FAQs

What should I expect in Arlington condo fees each month?

• Fees vary by building age, amenity level, staffing, insurance, and utility inclusions. Compare by listing HOA dues and adding estimated utilities and any parking charges for a true monthly number.

Which amenities drive condo fees higher in Ballston and Clarendon?

• Pools, large fitness centers, and staffed concierge or 24/7 security raise operating and insurance costs. Utility inclusions and structured parking can also increase dues.

Are older buildings riskier for special assessments?

• Older buildings can face more capital projects, but risk depends on reserve funding and maintenance history. Review the most recent reserve study and meeting minutes before deciding.

How do I compare a low-fee building that bills utilities separately to a higher-fee building that includes them?

• Add estimated utilities to the low-fee building’s monthly cost, then compare totals. Ask management for a typical utility range for similar unit sizes.

Is parking usually included with Arlington condos?

• It depends. Some buildings offer deeded spaces, others assign spaces, and some charge separately. Confirm whether a space conveys with the unit and if guest or EV options are available.

How can I check walkability and transit in Ballston or Clarendon?

• Review station information on WMATA and scan neighborhood walk and transit scores on Walk Score for a quick snapshot.

Which documents are most important when evaluating a condo association?

• Request the current budget, financials, reserve study, recent minutes, master insurance summary, rules and regulations, and any special assessment disclosures. County resources are available at Arlington County.