22306 (Alexandria, Fairfax, Groveton: for rent, crime, house)

[Newbern73]

Hi all!

My husband just got a job offer in the DC area (not sure yet if Crystal City or Fort Washington). I've heard that Alexandria might be a good midpoint location. We found a house for rent at 3221 Memorial St., Alex., VA 22306. Who can tell me about that area?
We have two school age children, so are looking for good schools and a safe area. Any other suggestions for good places to look? We're looking to rent at first, something with 3 BR, and $2000 or less.

Thanks for any help!
Mary

[Alanboy395]

Originally Posted by Newbern73

Hi all!

My husband just got a job offer in the DC area (not sure yet if Crystal City or Fort Washington). I've heard that Alexandria might be a good midpoint location. We found a house for rent at 3221 Memorial St., Alex., VA 22306. Who can tell me about that area?
We have two school age children, so are looking for good schools and a safe area. Any other suggestions for good places to look? We're looking to rent at first, something with 3 BR, and $2000 or less.

Thanks for any help!
Mary

If you are going to rent in 22306, make sure you are FAR away from Rt. 1. The adjacent Rt 1 area is just ugly and has a considerable crime problem. Personally, i'd rent in 22307 or 22308 (before 22306) if you wanted easy access to Rt 1 (crystal city) or I-495 (Fort Washington).

[pcity]

I have some friends who rent on that street. They're moving, so for all I know you could be renting the house they're leaving!

Decent neighborhood. Not too much to worry about crime-wise. One of my friends got his tires slashed by some punk kid, but that can happen pretty much anywhere. Don't know anything about the schools.

I would agree with Alanboy that you don't want to be right on Route 1, but once you get away from it a little bit, things do get nicer in that part of town.

[Tone509]

I used to live just off Route 1 for a few years until recently. It's not a utopia but with the proliferation of new retail and restaurants as well as the impending arrival of Fort Belvoir employees via BRAC, it will only get better.

That said, the east side of Route 1, especially heading towards George Washington Parkway and the riverfront, is reliably nice. West of Route 1 can be a bit tricky. Where you're looking is practically on the borderline between some nicer and not-so-nice neighborhoods. If you have elementary-aged kids, then the best school in that immediate area would be Stratford Landing. Located in the neighborhood of the same name southeast of route 1, it's not an inexpensive area but it is decidedly upscale and safe.

[Yankeesfan]

The neighborhood is nice. However, your kids would go to Groveton Elementary School, where 42% of the children have limited English proficiency and 60% get free or reduced-price lunches:

FCPS - School Profiles - Groveton ES - Demographics

Here's a link to find out what schools a house in Fairfax County is assigned to. Then you can click the links to see the profile, test scores, etc.:

Fairfax County Public Schools Boundary Information

[saganista]

Sometimes this map of FCPS High School Districts is also a useful tool...

[Pavement]

I went to this school and it is excellent. Don't let a little diversity sway you.