Single Family Homes in Belmont Bay? (Fredericksburg, Montclair: neighborhoods, to buy, new construction)

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by JLJH7809

I didn't really think of it as being "encamped" next to the train. I just thought having access to transportation would be a bonus for traveling period. Is there something about living next to the train that I should know about???

The train is pretty darn close to many of the homes on the front side of Belmont Bay. My mom did not buy a townhouse there in the early days of the Belmont Bay for that very reason, although we loved the townhome. I'm sure there are noise ordnances but I can't help but think that it has GOT to be noticeable at night.

The Belmont Bay train station is predominantly for commuter purposes and if you wanted to do an real train traveling, you'd most likely have to go up to Lorton to catch the Autotrain, or Union Station for an good routes up into New York.

[oneasterisk]

IMO the VRE (Rail service in Virginia - VRE) isn't a flexible method for commuting in this area. It's ok, but not as good as slugging or the PRTC bus lines. It's also a bit more expensive than Metro, although there aren't any Metro stops in PWC. For future planning, it might be good to consider a neighborhood close to commuter lots in the event you ever have to work in DC.

I just thought of another area near a train station. There is a development at the end of Rippon Boulevard that is near the Rippon VRE stop. There's also a smaller community off Featherstone road on Marseille Lane. That one is right off Occoquan Bay and I believe they have a community dock. It's a little too close to the tracks in my opinion though.

[oneasterisk]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

The Belmont Bay train station is predominantly for commuter purposes and if you wanted to do an real train traveling, you'd most likely have to go up to Lorton to catch the Autotrain, or Union Station for an good routes up into New York.

Amtrak also stops at the Belmont Bay Station. I've taken Amtrak to Penn Station NY before from Belmont station.

[JLJH7809]

Okay

Maybe I need to clarify. The reason we were really interested in the Belmont Bay area has nothing to do with the train. It was the quality of homes, community feel and clean grounds. I guess we were thinking having close access to the train would be a bonus. It sounds like to me (from the replys) that living next to the train unless necessary for travel is a bit silly???

My husband will be commuting south, by car. We thought being nice to the interstate would shorten his commute as well.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

Amtrak also stops at the Belmont Bay Station. I've taken Amtrak to Penn Station NY before from Belmont station.

Yes, they do but I have found the routes to be quite limited. For instance, my daughter had to go to New Jersey over the summer and there were no places to catch that particular train except Union Station. I just wanted to point out that it's not a full service train station.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by JLJH7809

Okay

Maybe I need to clarify. The reason we were really interested in the Belmont Bay area has nothing to do with the train. It was the quality of homes, community feel and clean grounds. I guess we were thinking having close access to the train would be a bonus. It sounds like to me (from the replys) that living next to the train unless necessary for travel is a bit silly???

My husband will be commuting south, by car. We thought being nice to the interstate would shorten his commute as well.

You know, don't get me wrong here, Belmont Bay is a nice community. It, however, has never lived up to what they had hoped for the area. We home shopped there right when the development broke ground and there were LOTS of big plans for the community that have never really materialized or they did not form in such a way as advertised. It was supposed to be a bustling mixed residential/corporate/commercial community that kind of fizzled a bit.

While it has GREAT access to I-95, it is situated in one of the worst "blight" areas of Woodbridge off of Rt. 1. Granted, you are only "driving through" these areas and they are not dangerous but they have a very industrial and beat up look to them that's downright depressing. Of course, the powers that be have been promising for years to fix that area up but it never happens. I think that has really put a damper on that community as sales go.

[oneasterisk]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

Yes, they do but I have found the routes to be quite limited. For instance, my daughter had to go to New Jersey over the summer and there were no places to catch that particular train except Union Station. I just wanted to point out that it's not a full service train station.

I've had to do that before too, and they allowed me to catch the Amtrak to Union Station and then depart from there. No extra cost. This was probably 5 years ago though so I'd call to make sure they still allow you to do that.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by oneasterisk

I've had to do that before too, and they allowed me to catch the Amtrak to Union Station and then depart from there. No extra cost. This was probably 5 years ago though so I'd call to make sure they still allow you to do that.

That's good to know. We were trying to book online and there just seemed to be no flexability in the online system to book from Woodbridge to Union Station and then on to New Jersey.

It was a real PAIN too because her train left Union Station at 5:30 on a Friday evening. That was a real pleasure getting her there.

[JLJH7809]

So not to change the entire direction of this thread....but what about Fredericksburg? If comparing it to Woodbridge are we talking apples to oranges????

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by JLJH7809

So not to change the entire direction of this thread....but what about Fredericksburg? If comparing it to Woodbridge are we talking apples to oranges????

Fredericksburg is nice. Plenty to do, lots of "new" stuff. New homes, new shopping centers and LOTS of people. Housing should be cheaper there. The big drawback is that instead of having a reverse commute, you would be in the thick of traffic getting from Fredericksburg to Quantico and, depending on the time you work, that traffic is very heavy.

It's always a good idea to aim for a reverse commute. Not many people get that lucky. But if you are willing to have some commute aggravation and spend a bit more time on the road, you will probably get more house in Fredericksburg.

Edited to add: You could try Stafford. It's one exit south of Quantico.