Ft Belvoir Housing--wait time? (rental, get credit, houses)

[fatgroundhog]

We're moving for a job in Rosslyn in early July and I'm trying to narrow our rental housing options before we get there. The base housing on Ft Belvoir comes highly recommended and the web site makes it look like a solid choice. Can anyone tell me:
1. How long can we expect to wait for a 4 bedroom? Our mid-summer arrival probably means a mad rush for housing.
2. How is the size of the house you get determined, first available? So we could get a 1800 sq ft house or the 2100 sq ft house, just luck of timing?

Thanks for the help!

[LLSheen]

My understanding is that: 1) wait-time depends on which neighborhood you're qualified for; 2) rank plays a role in which neighborhood; 3) the size of the home depends on how many children you have, as well as their gender and ages (they won't make a 12 year old girl share a room with her 4 year old brother -- but they might make 8 & 6 year old girls share, etc...); 4) wait-times can vary immensely depending on the previous 3 factors

I know that's not much help but the housing office should be able to help you more. Also, be aware, although Ft. Belvoir Elementary is a FFX County school, it gets mixed reviews from a lot of folks. I know many people choose to home school their kids on Ft. Belvoir -- but that might be just a growing trend in the military in general -- not just a statement against FBE. YMMV. Good Luck!

[khkabowski]

I would call the housing office, and ask for Heather. She is the only one that I have talked to there who seems to know what she is talking about.

[fatgroundhog]

Thanks for the input. I called today, and after a less-than impressive conversation, I learned (with some degree of certainty) that there are 158 families on the waiting list for 4 bedroom houses and they estimate 9-12 months of waiting. Funny, a friend moved there last summer and waited less than 30 days. Hmm...I guess when I get orders, I'll get on the list and see what develops.

[dotty704]

Originally Posted by fatgroundhog

Thanks for the input. I called today, and after a less-than impressive conversation, I learned (with some degree of certainty) that there are 158 families on the waiting list for 4 bedroom houses and they estimate 9-12 months of waiting. Funny, a friend moved there last summer and waited less than 30 days. Hmm...I guess when I get orders, I'll get on the list and see what develops.

You get credit for deployment time, so we had an 18 mo wait and it went down to 6. Things also go much faster in the summer time, due to all the moves. Also, are they same rank/ bedrooms? There are different factors to wait time.

[fatgroundhog]

I'm not 100% confident I got the complete story, but in any case, we'll get on the list as soon as we have orders and see if the wait time shrinks. From what I've read, I think we'll aim to have Ft. Belvoir our "hub" of life so the wife and kids are near it for all it has to offer; if we aren't on base, we'll try to be nearby.

[JusRight]

Although my hubby and I only have 1 child, we immediately got a 3 bedroom. Many of the neighborhoods are in the renovation stage or are complete. I absolutely LOVE our home, the first since living in military housing. You will love the communities. Hopefully you will also get something very quickly!