Quantico base work - Stafford or Woodbridge to live? (Manassas: real estate, apartment)

[unionjack007]

Hi,

I'll be moving and working at the Quantico base. My two current courses of action are renting a house in the Stafford area and dealing with the "regular" commuter traffic going north/south during the am/pm commute. Or rent a house or apt in Woodbridge area and do the "contrarian" commute against the majority of traffic. However I am somewhat concerned about the crime issues based on previous posts.

If you have specific areas in Woodbridge for me to focus my housing search, I'd appreciate it. Can you offer specific neighborhoods/subdivisions and proposed route to the base's main gate?

Otherwise, please offer choice areas in Stafford to ease the commuting impact. I've been looking at areas west of I-95 that do not rely on Garrissonville Rd to get to I-95 or route 1.

Thanks.

[HereinVA]

Are you married with children? Are you looking at renting a single family home, or a townhome?
I'm very fond of a community off of route 234 called Ashland. I think it is considered Manassas, but is right on the border of Manassas/Woodbridge. I've heard excellent things about their public elementary school, Ashland elementary. The community has a pool, playgrounds, etc. I think it is about 5 miles (I could be off on that) from the I-95, and one exit north of Quantico.

[unionjack007]

Single, no children. Schools obviously not an issue. Prefer Single family detached home, open to townhome, but must have garage and prefer basement.

[MovefromFla]

If you are going to settle in the Woodbridge area, look at Lake Ridge zip code 22192. We live here, and we love it. It is very safe, and please read all of the posts by "nitrovic". He has lent a lot of information about the Woodbridge and Lake Ridge areas. He is a former law enforecement officer that can attest to the safety of the areas.
22192 is also very close to the stores, restaurants, and mall. Good luck and welcome to PW County!

[va_lucky]

Originally Posted by unionjack007

Hi,

I'll be moving and working at the Quantico base. My two current courses of action are renting a house in the Stafford area and dealing with the "regular" commuter traffic going north/south during the am/pm commute. Or rent a house or apt in Woodbridge area and do the "contrarian" commute against the majority of traffic. However I am somewhat concerned about the crime issues based on previous posts.

If you have specific areas in Woodbridge for me to focus my housing search, I'd appreciate it. Can you offer specific neighborhoods/subdivisions and proposed route to the base's main gate?

Otherwise, please offer choice areas in Stafford to ease the commuting impact. I've been looking at areas west of I-95 that do not rely on Garrissonville Rd to get to I-95 or route 1.

Thanks.

In general, if I was renting an apartment, I would pick Woodbridge over Stafford.

When I worked at Quantico, I believed all the hype from my co-workers on how great it was moving to Spotsylvania. It is ok, but I miss Woodbridge.

I thought I would be working at Quantico forever, until I got a job paying me 50% more in DC. Now I have a piece of real estate I can't get rid of in Spotsylvania. Wish I stayed in Woodbridge. Now I am stuck with a 3 hour commute to DC that I can't refuse because of the almighty (well not compared to some currencies) dollar!

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by unionjack007

Hi,

I'll be moving and working at the Quantico base. My two current courses of action are renting a house in the Stafford area and dealing with the "regular" commuter traffic going north/south during the am/pm commute. Or rent a house or apt in Woodbridge area and do the "contrarian" commute against the majority of traffic. However I am somewhat concerned about the crime issues based on previous posts.

If you have specific areas in Woodbridge for me to focus my housing search, I'd appreciate it. Can you offer specific neighborhoods/subdivisions and proposed route to the base's main gate?

Otherwise, please offer choice areas in Stafford to ease the commuting impact. I've been looking at areas west of I-95 that do not rely on Garrissonville Rd to get to I-95 or route 1.

Thanks.

Rent in Lake Ridge (try getting a townhouse in Westridge or Springwoods).

[unionjack007]

I've also been looking at the Montclair region of Dumfries. They have some decent single family detached houses with plenty of basement storage so the total cost is roughly equal to living in a Woodbridge apt and separate rental storage unit.

I remember Nitrovic mentioning positives about Montclair. Anyone other opinions?

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by unionjack007

I've also been looking at the Montclair region of Dumfries. They have some decent single family detached houses with plenty of basement storage so the total cost is roughly equal to living in a Woodbridge apt and separate rental storage unit.

I remember Nitrovic mentioning positives about Montclair. Anyone other opinions?

BTW, they (Motclair) have their own zip code now. They get very angry when told they are part of Dumfries.

[sokayinvest]

Originally Posted by nitrovic

Rent in Lake Ridge (try getting a townhouse in Westridge or Springwoods).

He can also try (1 and I mean 1) spot in Dumfries/Montclair right off of Arcadia Dr. (which is right off of Rt. 234) it's literally 1 min. drive to 95 south. Plenty of inventory. not sure about the crime but we had a listing in there that I fell in love with and would've kept...if I didn't have to commute to DC every day. Notrovic..what about the crime in that area?? I didn't seem to find it to be so bad there. What are your thoughts??

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by sokayinvest

He can also try (1 and I mean 1) spot in Dumfries/Montclair right off of Arcadia Dr. (which is right off of Rt. 234) it's literally 1 min. drive to 95 south. Plenty of inventory. not sure about the crime but we had a listing in there that I fell in love with and would've kept...if I didn't have to commute to DC every day. Notrovic..what about the crime in that area?? I didn't seem to find it to be so bad there. What are your thoughts??

I didn't work that exact area but heard the street name a bunch of times (which usually isn't good). There is a very nice community across the street called "Brittany". That would be my pick along with Motclair. The whole area is getting better though. The shopping has really improved since I lived there in the early 2000 era.