Need Help with apartment search! Tight Budget! (Manassas, Woodbridge: apartment complexes, rentals)

[ejraste]

Hello,

I may be moving to the Northern Virginia area and am in need of some assistance with my ongiong search. I would be working in the Woodbridge area. I am looking for a 2 bedroom unit with at least washer/dryer hookups and is in an area that is somewhat walkable. My wife would like for there to be a park or two, or some shops, or library/church that she would be able to walk to. Our budget is around $1200 per month but would be able to go up to $1300. I know that the areas south of woodbridge may meet our budget, but would the commute be intolerable since I would be going with the flow of traffic in mornings and coming home in evening? Thank you for any information you can provide!

[spencgr]

Where are you commuting to?

[HokieFan]

Take a look at Springwoods at Lake Ridge apartments. They advertise some 2 bedroom units starting at $1300 a month.

This complex is located in a nice area, and is walking distance to Occoquan Bible Church. Libraries and parks are not within walking distance, but are a short drive down Old Bridge Rd. There is a paved trail that runs along Springwoods Drive that is used frequently by walkers and joggers, a pool, and some play areas (if you have kiddos).

There are not many areas in Woodbridge that are walkable to parks and shops and libraries. You'll have to choose which of those take priorities. Occoquan is a cute little town that is walkable to restaurants and shops. There aren't any apartment complexes per se but you may be able to find some private rentals on craigslist.

I can't attest to the neighborhood conditions, but Woodbridge Station has 2BRs for less than $1300. I would recommend driving through the neighborhood before settling. Some areas along that Rt. 1 corridor in Woodbridge are sketchy.

http://www.woodbridgestation.com/woo...tments/photos/

And then there are these: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...080541045.html If you qualify for the income restrictions.

Oh - and Woodland Terrace Apartments has some in your price range. But they are located on a very busy, heavily traveled road. That would be a deal breaker for me, but it may be worth exploring.

I would suggest that Dumfries or Montclair might have okay commutes. You would at least be able to avoid getting on I-95. As a last resort (commute wise), I suggest not going farther south than Stafford.

[ejraste]

Thank you for the suggestions. I will continue my search and hopefully find something that we like under our budget.

[Oldhag1]

Also depending on where you work there are Omni buses than take a direct route to the pentagon and DC. The one nearest Springwood takes 55 minutes to get to the pentagon.

[HokieFan]

He said he would be working in Woodbridge.

[ejraste]

I'm really liking the manassas area and I did see some rentals during my search. I guess we will have to drive through the area when we visit to see if we can find something in our budget. thanks

[ejraste]

How is this area as far as safety? 9300 Witch Hazel Way, Manassas, VA 20110

I know I read that the Georgetown south area is not desirable. My wife would be walking around with our infant son. Old town Manassas is exactly the type of living that we are looking for and want to be close to. Also, does anyone know anything about the courts at historic Manassas? What areas are similar to old town Manassas that have a doable commute to woodbridge?

[stpickrell]

If slugging or VRE are doable, consider Fredericksburg as well.

[ejraste]

it looked like we would like the Fredericksburg area, but the commune would be too much..