Fredericksburg vs Frederick (Richmond, Alexandria, Dale City: how much, schools, property taxes)

[FLgirl367]

I can't speak for Frederick's downtown, so I can't compare. If all was equal I'd look at houses in both and go with the best house.

[jacmadhel]

Property taxes should be lower around Fredericksburg. Taxes and insurance in Virginia are often less than Maryland.

[Steelers10]

Originally Posted by jacmadhel

Property taxes should be lower around Fredericksburg. Taxes and insurance in Virginia are often less than Maryland.

Another common misconception perpetrated on these forums. While Maryland INCOME taxes are higher, on a municipality basis, Maryland counties in metro DC tend to have lower property taxes than Virginia counties (and independent cities such as Alexandria). For example Frederick County, MD's property tax rate is 0.93 while Stafford County, VA's property tax rate is 1.10--a considerable difference. Montgomery County, MD often regarded as the bastion of liberalism, high property taxes, and an anti-business climate has the lowest property tax rate in metro DC at 0.69, whereas Loudoun County often regarded as a somewhat conservative swing district has by far the highest property tax rate in the metro area at 1.30!

FYI--The property tax rate of Arlington County is at 0.86, the City of Alexandria is 0.99, Fairfax County is at 1.07, and Prince William County is at 1.21! On average, the state of Maryland actually has lower property tax rates than the state of Virginia. The figures above are from 2010 but as of 2007 the average rate in Maryland was 1.06 versus 1.12 in Virginia, and this even takes into account the massive skew caused by the city of Baltimore with a 2.26 property tax rate. Without Baltimore, the tax rates of Maryland versus Virginia wouldn't even be close.

[FLgirl367]

Originally Posted by Steelers10

Another common misconception perpetrated on these forums. While Maryland INCOME taxes are higher, on a municipality basis, Maryland counties in metro DC tend to have lower property taxes than Virginia counties (and independent cities such as Alexandria). For example Frederick County, MD's property tax rate is 0.93 while Stafford County, VA's property tax rate is 1.10--a considerable difference. Montgomery County, MD often regarded as the bastion of liberalism, high property taxes, and an anti-business climate has the lowest property tax rate in metro DC at 0.69, whereas Loudoun County often regarded as a somewhat conservative swing district has by far the highest property tax rate in the metro area at 1.30!

FYI--The property tax rate of Arlington County is at 0.86, the City of Alexandria is 0.99, Fairfax County is at 1.07, and Prince William County is at 1.21! On average, the state of Maryland actually has lower property tax rates than the state of Virginia. The figures above are from 2010 but as of 2007 the average rate in Maryland was 1.06 versus 1.12 in Virginia, and this even takes into account the massive skew caused by the city of Baltimore with a 2.26 property tax rate. Without Baltimore, the tax rates of Maryland versus Virginia wouldn't even be close.

Interesting....I just paid my taxes and I was really irked at the press about Stafford Co's housing taxes going down some. The car taxes went up, and I still paid more this time around.

[scottfs]

I like Virginia better than Maryland for the state...but I like Frederick itself better than Fredericksburg...

One further consideration...on the weekends, you could also visit Baltimore from Frederick, or you could visit Richmond from Fredericksburg. Personally, I'd rather visit Baltimore.

[slowlane3]

Isn't it true, that downtown Frederick has more old ROW-houses, and they're built of stone.

As opposed to downtown Fredericksburg, where all the houses have yards, grass, trees, and are frame or brick. Am I right?

VA also taxes the value of motor vehicles, and boats. So it's advantageous in VA to own an older or cheap vehicle.

[Northbound81]

Frederick, MD has better weather. It is slightly less humid and hot in the summer. But we are talking about a negligible difference here.

Frederick, MD is also a better commute to DC proper. I have heard much better things about the MARC vs. the VRE. Also, 270 is better than 95 which is total traffic hell. 270 is bad but not as bad.

Frederick has a better downtown, and better people. Fredericksburg is still stuck in the civil war.... Don't get me wrong, Frederick is still... too. Personally I would shoot for suburban Montgomery County if I could afford it over Frederick, and use Metro,not the MARC train, to get into DC.

[FLgirl367]

Originally Posted by Northbound81

Frederick, MD has better weather. It is slightly less humid and hot in the summer. But we are talking about a negligible difference here. That is subjective. I prefer a slightly hotter, humid summer to a colder snowier winter. I like snow, but I always notice that Frederick area gets much more than we do.

Frederick, MD is also a better commute to DC proper. I have heard much better things about the MARC vs. the VRE. Also, 270 is better than 95 which is total traffic hell. 270 is bad but not as bad. I think the VRE has improved since we moved here several years back.

Frederick has a better downtown, and better people. Fredericksburg is still stuck in the civil war.... Well, that is true. There is a confederate cemetery downtown. However, it all depends on the circles you run in. I only have one friend that is actually from this area. Everyone else is a transplant, and I rarely even here a southern accent. Don't get me wrong, Frederick is still...too. Personally I would shoot for suburban Montgomery County if I could afford it over Frederick, and use Metro,not the MARC train, to get into DC. I agree on the metro, but my husband works down here, so we're here.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by FLgirl367

I prefer a slightly hotter, humid summer to a colder snowier winter. I like snow, but I always notice that Frederick area gets much more than we do.

The weather is an interesting difference between Fredericksburg and Frederick. I think I also read of 'The Fall Line' which basicaly goes across DC. Does that mean that the trees/foilage are a bit different? More of the large hardwood trees in Frederick?

I'd be curious comparing weather like snow, below freezing days, and how they two compare. Kind of interesting.

[sregorat3]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

The weather is an interesting difference between Fredericksburg and Frederick. I think I also read of 'The Fall Line' which basicaly goes across DC. Does that mean that the trees/foilage are a bit different? More of the large hardwood trees in Frederick?

I'd be curious comparing weather like snow, below freezing days, and how they two compare. Kind of interesting.

The Fall Line is probably referring to the place where river levels reach sea levels. Fredricksburg, Richmond, and DC are all on the fall line, having waterways navigable to the ocean. Trees are all the same in these areas, as well as in Frederick.