any 411 on the Woodbridge, VA area (Arlington, Alexandria: apartments, renting, mortgage)

[rtloucks]

The lake area ...Montclair and a few of the surrounding neighborhoods are nice l, but specifically the neighborhood that surrounds the lake is affordable and beaitiful.

[rtloucks]

The lake area ...Montclair and a few of the surrounding neighborhoods are nice l, but specifically the neighborhood that surrounds the lake is affordable and beautiful.

[SmartMoney]

There are some very affordable neighborhoods where you can get the same below market rates the first time buyers are enjoying. There are spots in the 22192 zip where you can make 200K, owned a home before, and put 3% down and pay a lower rate than the guy putting 20% down.

I am a NOVA native, moved to Prince William when we were priced out of Vienna. We bought a home off Davis Ford road and lived there for 25 years. I moved after my divorce on the edge of Occoquan and love it here. I can be on 95 in minutes, or head North on 123. Not sure I would retire here, but I've been eyeing Colonial Beach - that appears to be a niche community.

[cwitty]

Originally Posted by NOVA_guy

Right - I remember back in the day there was no Wegmans, no Stonebridge, Cheesecake Factory, etc. If you wanted anything nice or upscale you would have to go to FFX. Even the neighborhoods have gotten better, a lot of the newer developments. There's still problems but that's the case anywhere, when I was living in Arlington there were pockets you'd want to avoid.

I always feel like there's a weird racial undercurrent when people say those kinds of comments about Woodbridge (or Manassas). It's definitely changed, PWC as a whole has changed but I wouldn't say for the worst. Like a lot of places in NoVa, it's changed due to growth and development.

^^^ This......


Let some people tell it, "Hoodbridge" is a 3rd world country. Lol...Its far from it. Its just more "colorful" than most places in NOVA

A lot to do here if you have a family. Also a lotta military folks around. Big military population here between Quantico, Belvior and DC.

You'd be fine here. Dont let these people scare you into thinking Woodbridge is some hell hole.

[Alexandria to Prince Will]

Hello,


We are relocating from Alexandria where rent for an old two bedroom apartment is more than a mortgage for a newer home in the Woodbridge area, we are looking at area near Spriggs Road and 234, neighborhood is called Hope Hill Crossing. We found a house that my wife loves and my 7 year old seem to like we have done our research but people here seem to be experts, any additional info on the community, schools, commute, crime also the houses seem to sell fast in the neighborhood.....seems like a good sign, also what are they building near the Target and shoppers food warehouse is new growth coming to the area. I work near L'fant plaza I hope to take the bus.


Thanks and a great day

[NOVA_guy]

Originally Posted by Alexandria to Prince Will

Hello,


We are relocating from Alexandria where rent for an old two bedroom apartment is more than a mortgage for a newer home in the Woodbridge area, we are looking at area near Spriggs Road and 234, neighborhood is called Hope Hill Crossing. We found a house that my wife loves and my 7 year old seem to like we have done our research but people here seem to be experts, any additional info on the community, schools, commute, crime also the houses seem to sell fast in the neighborhood.....seems like a good sign, also what are they building near the Target and shoppers food warehouse is new growth coming to the area. I work near L'fant plaza I hope to take the bus.


Thanks and a great day

also what are they building near the Target and shoppers food warehouse

On 234, right? Pretty sure that's Lidl. They got approval from the county recently.

Also, that area is a pretty nice area. It's a newer community, like I mentioned previously, a lot of the newer developments aren't a problem, especially in the 22192 and 22193 parts of Woodbridge. Best of luck!

[HokieFan]

Originally Posted by Alexandria to Prince Will

Hello,


We are relocating from Alexandria where rent for an old two bedroom apartment is more than a mortgage for a newer home in the Woodbridge area, we are looking at area near Spriggs Road and 234, neighborhood is called Hope Hill Crossing. We found a house that my wife loves and my 7 year old seem to like we have done our research but people here seem to be experts, any additional info on the community, schools, commute, crime also the houses seem to sell fast in the neighborhood.....seems like a good sign, also what are they building near the Target and shoppers food warehouse is new growth coming to the area. I work near L'fant plaza I hope to take the bus.


Thanks and a great day

Where are you commuting to?

[Hal Roach]

I once asked a friend "if someone pointed a gun at you and said you gotta move to Manassas or Woodridge, what would you say?" His response: "Shoot me!"

[Mike From NIU]

Originally Posted by Hal Roach

I once asked a friend "if someone pointed a gun at you and said you gotta move to Manassas or Woodridge, what would you say?" His response: "Shoot me!"

We get it. You don't like the area and think it's a dump, though you offer no examples or basis. You hang out with similarly ignorant people who haven't spent meaningful time in either area for a decade or more (if ever) who will echo said opinions. Thank you for such valuable contributions to this board.


Are all areas of Manassas and Woodbridge perfect, idyllic paradises? No. Neither is every address in Fairfax, Alexandria, or Arlington (or Montgomery County, or anyplace). Are the odds pretty good that someone who is renting a 2 bedroom in Arlington and comparing that to a similarly sized mortgage payment in Prince William County is likely avoiding the "worse" areas of Woodbridge and Manassas? Yep.


As much as you may not like to admit it, Woodbridge and Manassas are very different than even 20 years ago. Prince William County is now the second most populous in Virginia. There's a lot of new construction and new schools (and new congestion, too), and those neighborhoods are just as nice as the new construction north of the Occoquan River. The differences are the price and the subsequent commute.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by Alexandria to Prince Will

Hello,


We are relocating from Alexandria where rent for an old two bedroom apartment is more than a mortgage for a newer home in the Woodbridge area, we are looking at area near Spriggs Road and 234, neighborhood is called Hope Hill Crossing. We found a house that my wife loves and my 7 year old seem to like we have done our research but people here seem to be experts, any additional info on the community, schools, commute, crime also the houses seem to sell fast in the neighborhood.....seems like a good sign, also what are they building near the Target and shoppers food warehouse is new growth coming to the area. I work near L'fant plaza I hope to take the bus.


Thanks and a great day

I'm not far from that area. Very nice and one of the better areas. Mostly new development. The only downside is that you aren't overly close to I95 access so there's some local travel to get there, which could be more congested during typical rush our times. Also, the exit that you would use (I95 and 234) is pretty far south on 95 and one of the toughest parts of "Woodbridge/95 traffic). Many people who live in that area will bail off I95 early and meander through the local roads of Woodbridge to get home, which can be a pain on it's own.

But if you are using public transportation to L'Enfant then that's not too much of a worry.