Moving to DC area-Working at Bolling AFB-Where to live? (Alexandria: rental, houses)

[kacee1]

My husband is military and we will be moving to the DC area around July 2008. My husband will be working at Bolling AFB. Where would anyone suggest living? We do not want a long commute (over 30 mins) and would like to live in a nice, safe area. We have heard that PG County, MD is a definite 'no'. We are only going to be in the area for one year, so we are planning to rent; preferably a house. We are looking at spending no more that $2000/mo. We have a dog and a cat to consider also.

No kids so schools are not an issue.
I think we would like an area with small city excitement.

I have been looking online at the Alexandria & Springfield areas.
Any suggestions? Also, what is the best way to find houses for rent?

Any info would be helpful!
Thanks!!

[blinkf16]

Hi Kaycee,
I am military too. I would be happy to help you with any questions you have! Feel free to email me anytime!
Best of luck to you!
Carolynn

[Alanboy395]

Originally Posted by kacee1

My husband is military and we will be moving to the DC area around July 2008. My husband will be working at Bolling AFB. Where would anyone suggest living? We do not want a long commute (over 30 mins) and would like to live in a nice, safe area. We have heard that PG County, MD is a definite 'no'. We are only going to be in the area for one year, so we are planning to rent; preferably a house. We are looking at spending no more that $2000/mo. We have a dog and a cat to consider also.

No kids so schools are not an issue.
I think we would like an area with small city excitement.

I have been looking online at the Alexandria & Springfield areas.
Any suggestions? Also, what is the best way to find houses for rent?

Any info would be helpful!
Thanks!!

for finding houses to rent i'd recommend homesdatabase.com

Alexandria and Springfield are both good choices to rent houses. Just in Alexandria avoid the 22306 and the 22309 zip codes and in Springfield avoid the area right around the Springfield Mall. And i disagree about PG County in MD being a definite no. Some good areas in PG that are safe and close enough to Bolling are Southern Fort Washington, Accokeek, and Clinton. The key there in PG is, the further away from DC the safer you'll be.

[lindsayd]

By far the best rental resource is Craigslist.com

[mlv311]

Originally Posted by kacee1

Also, what is the best way to find houses for rent?

Craig's list and military by owner are two good places to look for houses for rent.

[kacee1]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Keep'em coming!!

[irisheyes13]

We live in Alexandria and work on Bolling. We are about 2 miles from the Franconia Springfield metro in zip code 22315 to give you a frame of reference. The area is great but, I would not say this area had a "small city excitement". I think you will find most of the area to be very pet friendly but the closer in you go, the higher the prices. Good luck!

[kacee1]

irisheyes13,

Do you take the metro to Bolling?

[kacee1]

Anyone else have any input?

[McScootch]

The Alexandria or Springfield to Boling AFB commute is more that 30 minutes at peak hours. Why no military housing? Summerfield Housing up by Fed Ex Field isnt horrible, though it is in PG County. Remember, it's only for a year.

I would say stay out of Maryland though!