8511 Stable Drive sits in the heart of Riverside Gardens, one of those neighborhoods people move into and tend to stay for a long time because it simply makes daily life easier and more enjoyable. Sidewalk-lined streets, top rated schools, and a true sense of community define the area, where neighbors gather for holiday parades, chili cook-offs, block parties, and fitness classes organized by the Riverside Gardens Citizens Association,(not an HOA), giving the neighborhood a genuine small town feel that is hard to find this close to Washington. Just a short walk away is the Riverside Gardens Swim and Tennis Club where summer revolves around swim team, tennis lessons, yoga classes, and relaxed evenings with friends, while everyday errands are minutes away at the charming Hollin Hall Village Center with its grocery store, bakery, butcher, restaurants, and local shops. From here you are also moments from Old Town Alexandria, the Mount Vernon Estate, the Potomac River, Fort Hunt Park, the Mount Vernon Bike Trail, and one of the most beautiful drives in the region along the George Washington Parkway with easy access into DC, the Pentagon, Reagan National Airport, Fort Belvoir, and the Defense Logistics Agency. Inside, this rarely available Lexington model has been thoughtfully updated with the kind of improvements buyers appreciate right away. The kitchen has been expanded and reimagined from the original layout and now offers generous counter space, abundant cabinetry, new appliances, and a comfortable breakfast area that makes it easy to gather throughout the day. The living room is welcoming and anchored by a gas fireplace that naturally becomes the focal point of the space, while hardwood floors run throughout the main and upper levels, recently refinished to bring out their warmth. Upstairs you will find three well sized bedrooms and two full baths including a primary suite with its own ensuite bath, while the lower level offers additional flexibility with a fourth bedroom, half bath, and new luxury vinyl plank flooring that works equally well for guests, an office, or extended family. Large windows and a new eight foot slider bring in natural light and connect the home to the outdoor space, where a newly refreshed deck overlooks a spacious, fully fenced backyard with plenty of room for gatherings, gardening, or letting kids and pets roam freely. A long driveway provides parking for up to four cars, buried power lines keep the streetscape clean and open, and recent updates such as renovated bathrooms, new windows, refinished hardwoods, and a roof installed in 2011 add to the sense that this is a home that has been well cared for. It is the combination of a comfortable, updated house and a neighborhood that people truly love living in that makes 8511 Stable Drive such a special opportunity in Riverside Gardens.