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View Poll Results: Which city do you prefer living in?
Occoquan? 3 27.27%
Stafford? 2 18.18%
Woodbridge? 3 27.27%
Fredricksberg? 3 27.27%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 12-06-2012, 09:32 AM
 
1 posts, read 29,347 times
Reputation: 11

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My Husband and I are moving to Quantico, VA for the Military April 2013 after OCS. We need to have an idea of where we want to live before we get there.
<br>
We are looking to live no more than 30 Minutes from base so that commuting is easy for him.
<br>
We do not want to pay more than $1,500 in rent based on his BAH.
<br>
We are young and would prefer to be in a more lively area.
<br> Since I will be alone most of the time, I would prefer it to be a safe place. Although, I have a dog that would bite an intruder. <br>
I am interested in meeting people, finding artsy classes and a decent martial arts academy.<br>
We do not want to live in an apartment. The home doesn't need to be big, but it would be great to have a little yard and set in a nice community. <br>
We do not have kids, so schools are of no importance to us.

Thank you.
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Old 12-06-2012, 12:15 PM
 
12,905 posts, read 15,650,359 times
Reputation: 9394
I would pick Occoquan or Woodbridge; however, I think you are going to have a tough time with the rent. You can probably get into Fredericksburg within your budget but I think the commute is going to be an issue from there. Traffic can be very heavy up from Fredericksburg depending on your work hours.

Coming from Woodbridge or Occoquan, you would have a reverse commute. I just think it's going to be hard to get something for under $1500 that is not an apartment but I don't think it's impossible.

I do think that Occoquan (the greatest place) is probably out of the question.
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Old 12-06-2012, 12:46 PM
 
Location: Central Virginia
6,556 posts, read 8,381,935 times
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Just to clarify - what do you mean by "lively"?

Woodbridge is a typical suburban town as it has shopping, dining, movie theater, bowling, etc. but it's not what I would consider lively for a young couple. Most of the bars are sports bars/restaurants.

Out of your list - Woodbridge and Fredericksburg are the "liveliest". Woodbridge would be a better commute for your husband.

If you decide to look in Woodbridge, I suggest looking in the 22192 zip code. This is what we call Lake Ridge, and I feel is mostly safe. There are some really not-so-nice areas of Woodbridge.

I would consider Occoquan as a sleepy little town that gets hit with heavy traffic during the evening rush (it's used as a short-cut).
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Old 12-06-2012, 01:27 PM
 
Location: Censorshipville...
4,437 posts, read 8,122,653 times
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I think Fredericksburg would probably be pretty "lively" especially if your near Central Park. There are a lot of restaurants and stores in that area. Like Christine mentioned though, you'll be stuck in traffic with everyone else. If you pick a location north, you'd be doing a reverse commute.

Woodbridge is your typical suburban enclave. You'll have access to Potomac Mills Mall and surrounding restaurants, as well as the new restaurants/shops opening up in Stonebridge where the Wegmans is.

While Occoquan is quaint, there really isn't much to do there.
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Old 12-06-2012, 01:38 PM
 
Location: Prince William County, VA
722 posts, read 1,922,494 times
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Have you considered living on base?

Won't he be going to OCS at Quantico, so you (or at least, HE) will already be there?

Living on base will give you a good opportunity to meet other spouses.
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Old 12-06-2012, 01:42 PM
 
Location: Fairfax, VA
1,449 posts, read 3,170,151 times
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Isn't the wegman's in woodbridge? I think that area of town (whatever that town center development is called) is really coming along - and they are building the new baseball stadium there. I'd live in a TH close to that if there are any in that price range.
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Old 12-06-2012, 02:10 PM
 
12,905 posts, read 15,650,359 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hilsmom View Post
Isn't the wegman's in woodbridge? I think that area of town (whatever that town center development is called) is really coming along - and they are building the new baseball stadium there. I'd live in a TH close to that if there are any in that price range.
Yes, it is quite nice and seems to be attracting a "younger" crowd. I have several 30-somethings where I work who have bought townhomes there. They are in the process of building some luxury apartments also.
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Old 12-06-2012, 03:47 PM
 
Location: Northern Virginia
499 posts, read 2,156,254 times
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One important consideration--- Woodbridge rent prices generally exceed Quantico BAH rates. I'm stationed at Belvoir and my BAH is based off of Washington, DC. If I were stationed at Quantico, my BAH would be considerably less. I think you're generally better off looking in Dumfries and south to get the most for your money.

You should look at the Military By Owner website. You just might find what you're looking for in your price range north of Dumfries.
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Old 12-06-2012, 06:51 PM
 
707 posts, read 1,407,075 times
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Mountclair is very nice, its a little older but houses are somewhat affordable for Northern Virginia lots of military families live there.
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Old 03-03-2013, 08:01 AM
 
5 posts, read 33,392 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hilsmom View Post
Isn't the wegman's in woodbridge? I think that area of town (whatever that town center development is called) is really coming along - and they are building the new baseball stadium there. I'd live in a TH close to that if there are any in that price range.
I am also interested in that part of town . Do you know any realtors or private landlords I should contact? Any information will be helpful.
Thanks.
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