Trying to buy a place near Alexandria 22312, what's not safe? (Annandale: rentals, sex offender) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

joham123 · 07-07-2010, 10:19 PM

My husband got a new job and we are moving to Alexandria. His job is in the 22312 zipcode. Can any body tell me what townhouse communities or neighborhoods to steer clear from? We are on a tight budget and have a child. We need to stick to under 330K- even under 300 is possible. Its been kind of hard knowing what's a decent neighborhood in that price range. And checking the sex offender registry has made the search even harder.

There were some single family homes in the Rose Hill area. How is that neighborhood? Any bad pockets in Falls Church? What are the bad parts of Springfield. We are trying to stick to within 30 minutes from work so moving out far from the beltway is not an option.

Thanks!

CAVA1990 · 07-08-2010, 06:33 AM

Asking people to dish trash on certain areas is not a good way to get helpful information on here and just sets off incendiaries. If you'd stated your question more positively as in "Please tell me where I can buy a townhouse near 22312 for under $330,000 that is a safe place to raise small children" I'm sure you'd have gotten more suggestions.

pcity · 07-08-2010, 07:59 AM

It's also that there isn't a lot in the stated price range, safe or unsafe.

The only 22312 TH community on MLS in that price range is Jefferson Green. I pass it a lot but it's set back from the main road a bit so I've never been in there. It seems OK to me. Certainly the surrounding area is not unsafe.

Try Franconia- zip code 22310. There seems to be a lot more selection there and it's still pretty close (and safe).

weezycom · 07-08-2010, 09:01 AM

There may be a possibility of getting a smaller SFH in North Springfield for that price (that's a specific neighborhood located between the Beltway/Braddock Road/Backlick Road).

bmwguydc · 07-08-2010, 09:17 AM

West Springfield, in the vicinity of Rolling Road, 22152, or the Kings Park area, 22151, should have options in your price range, and are within the preferred time to work, without having to use the Beltway or 395.

NYmama2dallas · 07-08-2010, 07:57 PM

I would plan on *renting* a townhouse for a year or so before committing to buy.

joham123 · 07-11-2010, 06:42 PM

CAVA1990 I didn't mean to be offensive. Its just been rather stressful trying to find a place to live in our price range and would like any opinion on the matter.

We're actually surprised at how much is available to us in our price range. Right now we like a townhouse in Leawood in North Springfield. But there seems to be single familes that pop up in Bren Mar Park. Does anyone have opinions on bren mar park? Its older homes, some are kept up and some aren't. It would be nice to have a yard but I'm not sure of the neighborhood situation. Its near bren mar elementary...anyone know anything about the school? I know fairfax county in general has a good public school reputation.??

JD984 · 07-11-2010, 07:07 PM

Here's the FCPS page for Bren Mar Park ES (right now that area is also assigned to Poe Middle and Annandale HS):

FCPS - School Profiles - Bren Mar Park ES

pcity · 07-11-2010, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joham123

We're actually surprised at how much is available to us in our price range. Right now we like a townhouse in Leawood in North Springfield. But there seems to be single familes that pop up in Bren Mar Park. Does anyone have opinions on bren mar park? Its older homes, some are kept up and some aren't. It would be nice to have a yard but I'm not sure of the neighborhood situation. Its near bren mar elementary...anyone know anything about the school? I know fairfax county in general has a good public school reputation.??

I've gone running and biking through that neighborhood. It's not bad. It's like you said- huge variation in the homes. It's a safe area, but from what I know, there's a lot of rentals. Some of the places are not that well kept up and some of them have like 10 people living there. If you can find a nice house, it seems like a nice place to live.

joham123 · 07-13-2010, 06:47 AM

Thanks pcity...I think that is the conclusion we came to. We spoke with some neighbors which was helpful too. Right now we are trying to get in a townhouse in the Leawood Forest area in North Springfield. Bren Mar is still attractive since we get a house with a yard. So if this contract falls through we are keeping are eyes open in that area. I think we just take it house by house.