How bad is the crime in Woodbridge really???? (Dale City, Lake Ridge: condos, crime rate)

[MovefromFla]

My husband and I are planning on moving to Woodbridge from Florida. We currently live in a suburb in Florida which is relatively close to an area in Miami which has been hit with a lot of crime. However, the area where we currently live has not been affected greatly by the close proximity of that crime-ridden area in Miami.

When we took the time this morning to read the police blotters in the local Potomac newspapers, there were horrific crimes in Dale City, Woodbridge and surrounding areas. Armed robberies, shootings, drugs, etc.
.
Are we foolish to purchase in Woodbridge after reading those crime statistics or is basically a situation where there is a “bad” area of Woodbridge and a “good” area, such as Lake Ridge and away from Route I? Are any communities that we should stay away from or is Woodbridge/Lake Ridge a bad idea altogether?


This forum has been so helpful so any input is appreciated
Thanks!

[jessnboys]

Just spotted this question but answered in your other thread. PM me if you have any more questions...
Good luck!

[A James Arnold]

I have the same interest as the Florida writer. Can somebody supply a hot link to crime statistics in the Woodbridge area? I'm specifically interested in new condos near the water. That may have a bearing on the relative crime problem.

[DavidS827]

Originally Posted by A James Arnold

I have the same interest as the Florida writer. Can somebody supply a hot link to crime statistics in the Woodbridge area? I'm specifically interested in new condos near the water. That may have a bearing on the relative crime problem.

Here you go. http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...=1197577170887

Here's another... http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Sa...788&path=!news

Good luck with the search. Regardless of what many people will tell you, there are some really nice neighborhoods down that way.

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by DavidS827

Here you go. http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...=1197577170887

Here's another... http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Sa...788&path=!news

Good luck with the search. Regardless of what many people will tell you, there are some really nice neighborhoods down that way.

Agreed, particularly if you stay WEST of I-95. Lake Ridge (zip 22192) is often quite lovely, and I'd start my search with that area, if I were you.

Welcome to Prince William County!

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by knopfler

Agreed, particularly if you stay WEST of I-95. Lake Ridge (zip 22192) is often quite lovely, and I'd start my search with that area, if I were you.

Welcome to Prince William County!

I agree, stay west. For the most part anything off Rt.1 es no bueno.

[tracivrn]

I am a travel nurse on contract in Fort Lauderdale, and I worked in Miami for a short time. I lived in Northern VA for a year and a half-I miss it there alot. I never felt unsafe in VA, and I even worked in DC, and never felt as unsafe as I do in South Florida. If they don't kill you on the road, the will wear a mask and rob you, and still kill you even though you can't identify them. My car window was smashed in and things stolen right in the parking garage at work. I have lived in 6 states, and have never seen such bad crime as I have in Southern Florida. It's a third world country here, and people do whatever they want to whomever they want. No one cares about anything, and people are desensitized to crime here. I am sure you heard abouth the mother and daughter that were killed in their car in Boca after xmas shopping.
Let me tell you that I never heard of things happening in Northern VA that I have had here. I can't wait to get out of here, and hope I make it out of here alive. You have nothing to worry about in Northern VA if you have lived here. I would feel comfortable raising kids in VA, but not here. I hope this helps, after travelling to different states, this is how I see it. Good Luck. Also, if you do a crime rate comparison, I am sure the numbers will tell you.
Traci

[NOVAmtneer82]

There are some posters on this forum who will act like Woodbridge is the next southeast DC (VERY rough area), it's just not the case. Coming from South Florida I doubt you will find the crime to be bad at all in the area. I have several friends who have lived in Dale City/Woodbridge for a long time and have never had any problems. They are building some very nice developments in the Woodbridge area along both sides of I-95, however I will agree with the above posters that the west side of 95 is definitely a nicer area.

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by jfronz

There are some posters on this forum who will act like Woodbridge is the next southeast DC (VERY rough area), it's just not the case. Coming from South Florida I doubt you will find the crime to be bad at all in the area. I have several friends who have lived in Dale City/Woodbridge for a long time and have never had any problems. They are building some very nice developments in the Woodbridge area along both sides of I-95, however I will agree with the above posters that the west side of 95 is definitely a nicer area.

I don't think anybody is saying it's the worst area in the world. But it's sort of ignorant to tell somebody that it is a great area just because it's better than the areas in south Florida. The crime in Woodbridge is not as bad as southeast DC, but it is there. The schools aren't the best in the area and the traffic sucks. Beyond that they have a very large illegal immigrant problem as well as some gangs/drugs. Again, not as bad as other areas around the country, but also not the better place in the NOVA area.

[NOVAmtneer82]

did i say it was the best place to live in Northern Virginia? pretty sure i didn't. i merely said it wasn't this awful place to go and raise a family. It's also sort of ignorant to imply that just because there are a few more illegal immigrants in Prince William than elsewhere that the crime is so much worse. Last time i checked illegal immigrants are everywhere in Northern VA and the traffic also sucks everywhere in Northern VA. I pointed out that areas east of I-95 weren't the best and I will add if i were looking for a family atmosphere that particular part of Woodbridge wouldn't exactly be my choice. Bottom line, in GENERAL it is not a bad area to live in/raise a family. It's not perfect but I can't really think of any area that is.