Possibly working in Fort Belvoir, commuting times from Alexandria? (Richmond: middle-class, apartment complexes)

[Optimus]

I may be possibly moving to NoVA soon, working in Fort Belvoir. I already know of the traffic horror stories so I want to plan accordingly. I want an relatively easy commute and was looking to live in Alexandria since I've been told it's a nice area.

I'd like to know how bad would the commute be taking 395/95 or Richmond Hwy. I assume it's the 'reverse' commute so it would be a bad as say from Woodbridge?

Also, I've heard living off Richmond Hwy is sort of shady. Does this mean I should stay inside the Beltway part of Alexandria?

Thanks so much!!!!

[kate71421]

I've just completed my apartment search in Alexandria and yeah from what I've seen, which isn't a lot but enough, Richmond Highway is a sketchy area. Some areas are decent, and some apartments along there are certainly livable, but there are better areas. Basically the closer you can stay to Old Town Alexandria the nicer it gets.
As far as the commute, I agree and think it is a backwards commute but I'm not entirely positive.

Hope this helps a little!

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by Optimus

I may be possibly moving to NoVA soon, working in Fort Belvoir. I already know of the traffic horror stories so I want to plan accordingly. I want an relatively easy commute and was looking to live in Alexandria since I've been told it's a nice area.

I'd like to know how bad would the commute be taking 395/95 or Richmond Hwy. I assume it's the 'reverse' commute so it would be a bad as say from Woodbridge?

Also, I've heard living off Richmond Hwy is sort of shady. Does this mean I should stay inside the Beltway part of Alexandria?

Thanks so much!!!!

Richmond Highway is a decent place to visit for its midscale restaurants and shopping but if you're a single person making a middle-class salary (at least $40K-$50K around here IMO) or more, there are better options out there.

Actually there are some fairly nice places right near the Huntington Metro (in order of increasing rent): Belle Haven Towers, Riverside and Huntington Gateway. Montebello, between BHT and HG, is a condo community that may have some owners renting out.

Anything in Old Town Alexandria won't be inexpensive but you'll be paying for convenience and history. A reverse commute down from Alexandria City down to Fort Belvoir shouldn't be bad at all. Coming back up may be a bit of a pain if during rush hour as a lot of people will indeed be getting on the Beltway or crossing over to MD via the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

[Alanboy395]

Originally Posted by Optimus

I may be possibly moving to NoVA soon, working in Fort Belvoir. I already know of the traffic horror stories so I want to plan accordingly. I want an relatively easy commute and was looking to live in Alexandria since I've been told it's a nice area.

I'd like to know how bad would the commute be taking 395/95 or Richmond Hwy. I assume it's the 'reverse' commute so it would be a bad as say from Woodbridge?

Also, I've heard living off Richmond Hwy is sort of shady. Does this mean I should stay inside the Beltway part of Alexandria?

Thanks so much!!!!

I live in the Landmark area (West End of Alexandria) and work North of Belvoir. About 25 min each way (236 W, 395/95 S, 7100 S, Rt 1 N and the inverse to go home.) Rt 1 S gets congested in the afternoon between Belvoir's main gate and 7100 which is the toughest part of the drive home (but still easy by DC standards). My boss lives in Dale City (Woodbridge) takes him 35-40 min on good days but do not let there be an accident. I have the much easier time getting home.

The part about Richmond Hwy being shady is very true. But the farther you are (East or West) from the highway the better it looks. If you want to live in outer-beltway Alexandria the only places i'd consider are Huntington, Belle View, and Hollin Hall.

[kate71421]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Richmond Highway is a decent place to visit for its midscale restaurants and shopping but if you're a single person making a middle-class salary (at least $40K-$50K around here IMO) or more, there are better options out there.

Actually there are some fairly nice places right near the Huntington Metro (in order of increasing rent): Belle Haven Towers, Riverside and Huntington Gateway. Montebello, between BHT and HG, is a condo community that may have some owners renting out.

Anything in Old Town Alexandria won't be inexpensive but you'll be paying for convenience and history. A reverse commute down from Alexandria City down to Fort Belvoir shouldn't be bad at all. Coming back up may be a bit of a pain if during rush hour as a lot of people will indeed be getting on the Beltway or crossing over to MD via the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

In regards to apartments- Belle Haven: decent price, but the apartments are old and it shows. Huntington Gateway: if you can afford this (at least $1400 for a one bedroom apt. no utilities included), the by all means. it's gorgeous but clearly expensive. Those are the only two apartments I looked at on Richmond Hwy and they were kind of night and day which is a little ironic considering they're right next to each other! I feel like either way you go down Richmond Highway from those apartments, it doesn't get much nicer.

[irisheyes13]

Belvoir is such a large installation with gates in many directions so you have lots of options I would think. I am terrible with directions but, I think you could consider some closer in areas of Alexandria (if you are looking for more of a night life) and even avoid 395 or Richmond highway by considering some options around Van Dorn or Seminary or some of the other main roads versus the highway. If you are looking for more of a family area, then consider area code 22315 which is right outside of the Telegraph gate and an easy commute for sure...

[Yankeesfan]

Yes, what kind of area (nightlife, family-oriented, etc.), housing (apartment, townhouse, single-family) and what budget range do you have in mind?

[Optimus]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

I looked up all the places everyone mentioned and it seems that within a couple miles south of the Beltway from the river over to Springfield Mall, the areas are still pretty decent? I'm willing to pay up to $1400 per month for an apartment as long as the area is still decent.

And it seems that as long as I go south/southwest in the mornings and north/northeast in the afternoons, traffic shouldn't be that much of a problem.

Also, I'm looking for a motel with a kitchen and found a national chain with one in Alexandria and another in Springfield. The one in Springfield is slightly more expensive, is Springfield more chic?

Thanks again!!

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by Optimus

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

I looked up all the places everyone mentioned and it seems that within a couple miles south of the Beltway from the river over to Springfield Mall, the areas are still pretty decent? I'm willing to pay up to $1400 per month for an apartment as long as the area is still decent.

And it seems that as long as I go south/southwest in the mornings and north/northeast in the afternoons, traffic shouldn't be that much of a problem.

Also, I'm looking for a motel with a kitchen and found a national chain with one in Alexandria and another in Springfield. The one in Springfield is slightly more expensive, is Springfield more chic?

Thanks again!!

Springfield isn't exactly chic , but more convenient for freeway access as well as mass transit. It's strip mall/big box nirvana with the epicenter being the Springfield Mall which has received overall unfavorable reviews on this forum, You'll find some relatively high-end apartment complexes near the Metro. $1400 should bring you a nice 1B apt.

Adjacent to Springfield and a bit closer to Fort Belvoir is the previously mentioned Kingstowne (22315) which itself is a neighborhood within the Alexandria section of the county. Along with shinier, newer strip malls and big boxes, you'll see a slew of condos and townhomes as well as upscale apartment complexes. $1400 could be a slight stretch here.

[ctribucher]

If you are looking to rent, perhaps you'd like to try renting a condo in Belle View.

DH and I lived there for many years before our move to NC. Yes, the buildings are older, and some of the units do not have the same amenities you'd find in newer buildings (e.g. dishwasher and washer/dryer in unit). But, the location is wonderful and it is a very friendly neighborhood. There are people of all ages, and it is very pet friendly (if that is important to you as well).

Before we moved, I reverse commuted from Alexandria to Newington (Lorton area). I would take the GW Parkway to Mt. Vernon highway to Route 1 (passing Fort Belvoir on the way). Door to door, it did not take more much more than 25 minutes.

Here's a link to a Web site where you can find some pictures of the community (I'm not affiliated with this guy... just found his site by Googling Belle View): I love Belle View

Good luck on your search.