Need to find a place to live between Charlottesville and Washington Navy Yard in DC

[5stones]

BAH is on duty station location. (and rank)
you can commute from wherever you miliage limit is. That's why lots of military assign in this area wiond up in PW county versus fairfax...your BAH goes futher. Those who want convience will live in Fairfax and use the entire BAH for housing. But depending on job some have to be within 30 miles of duty station.

hopefully the OP's husband's offical duty station is the Navy Yard alot larger BAH than Charlottsville.

[Jan Goode]

Originally Posted by trunyon

Please help! We are military and have just found out we will be relocating to Virginia in February. The problem is that my husband has been assigned a job that he will have to spend 2-3 days a week in Charlottesville and 2-3 days a week at the Washington Navy Yard. Obviously this is a nightmare for commuting as far as I can tell. I have been reading a lot of posts trying to get familiar with the area but am dumbfounded on where to live. I am considering the Centreville area since it is right off the highway that leads to Charlottesville and close enough to DC?? We have a 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 year old so family friendly is a must. We haven't completely decided to rent or buy a home but our budget is between 2700 and 3300 a month, good schools since my daughter will be starting school while we are living there, and safe. Need a 3 BR 2 bath with a bit of a yard for my kids to play in. Of course community pool, playgrounds, etc are great but may have to compromise. Not picky on the size or age of the house as long as it is kept up. My priority is finding a place where my kids can see their dad before they go to bed at night at least a few times a week. He has been serving in Iraq the past 2 out of 3 years and we need as much family time as possbile to reconnect. Thank you for any information you may have to help us with this dilemma.

Tracy

I live in Chantilly which is about 15 minutes from Centreville and I work at the Washington Navy Yard (WNY). I travel 66 (5:00 am) to WNY and it takes me about 35 minutes in the morning and I leave the WNY at 2:45pm and most days it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get home. The later you travel the longer the comute will be and with your husband already traveling to Charlottesville 2-3 days a week and depending on his working hours this many not be the route/locaton for your family. Part of 66 (inside the beltway) is restricted (HOV) East Bound in the morning (6:00 to 9:00 am) and West Bound in the afternoon (4:00 to 6:00 pm I think). I refer to 66 as the moving parking lot. Hopefully this is helpful to you.

[trunyon]

Thanks again for all of your responses. I really appreciate all of you taking your personal time to help someone you don't even know. As far as BAH, my husband will get the DC rate, so that it good. As far as the commute from the Centreville/Clifton area goes... is there public transportation that will get him to WNY? He definitely won't be getting off work before 6pm (at least he never has before and this job will be his most demanding yet). And based on the past, I am assuming he will be leaving the house around 5 am (now maybe earlier due to traffic). I printed out the maps for the Metro and train but am unsure of how to link the two. From what I understand there are a few stops where you can switch over pretty easily. I was researching a little about the WNY area and quite frankly am alarmed at the crime rates around there. Of course he is fine with it but I am scared if he has to walk too far in that area. How far is the Metro stop from the WNY? Also, we are really interested in a neighborhood called Little Rocky Run in Clifton because we know someone who lives there. Does anyone have any input on that area? THANK YOU!!

[mrSouth]

My family just moved to Culpeper a month ago. It is very small town with not much to do for children. There is no community pool and the playgrounds and parks are few and far between. You have to travel atleast an hour for anything fun to do. I would check out Fredericksburg or if your looking to go closer to DC check out Manassas

[trunyon]

Thank you for your input mrSouth. Culpepper is definitely out of the running. It doesn't sound like a good fit for our family. We want to be near places that offer activities for the kids (swimming/gymnastics/dance, etc) and I love to take the kids out shopping and exploring. I think we have decided to live closer to DC than Charlottesville. Really looking into Clifton/Centerville area. Does anyone have any input on good family friendly neighborhoods in these towns? We have also definitely decided to rent a home since we may not be there longer than 2 years. Your advice is greatly appreciated!

[Kcerwolf]

There is also a GREAT dance studio 10 min away called Wilson School of dance. There is a Little Gym in Charlottesville just 15. min away. Many classes thru our rec center such as soccer/basketball/etc...
We have many nice parks, Super Walmart and Lowes coming this winter just 5 minutes away. The Skyline Drive National Park is 20 min away. Monticello/AshLawn/DisCovery Museum on our Historic Downtown Mall.
I might also add that the Charlottesville are is not as crazy ans we are still a easy city to get around in. There isn't crowds upon crowds of traffic, and I don't think I would want to deal with that day in and out with children. PLENTY OF Restaurants within 5-10 min.
NOT TO SWAY YOU... But It's worth the time to at least see the pics. My kids LOVED this home.
Charlottesville has been named America's Best City and I think you would love it here. No hassle,no rush,still very neighborly. I can rent the home but at the price is way below market...Many upgrades/many extras/..even a built in aquarium.
Schools are also nearby.

[trunyon]

Thanks for the info. We found a place to live and are happy here. The drive stinks but given the situation, I think we made the best choice. Thanks again and good luck with your house!
Tracy

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by trunyon

Thanks for the info. We found a place to live and are happy here. The drive stinks but given the situation, I think we made the best choice. Thanks again and good luck with your house!
Tracy

Where did you decide to move if we may ask?