Moving to Spotsylvania VA?

[Fairfax Mom]

Its still a terrible commute from Stafford County.

[sunshine74]

I am looking for a single family home. (under300k) My main concern is a safe, friendly neighborhood and good schools. The commute to DC is an obvious concern, however my hubby has already found a vanpool, if needed. If anyone can give insight on good areas or areas to stay away from that would be helpful. Anyone heard of a neighborhood called Summerwood County?

[tarp]

Avoid Stafford County at all costs. It's a bastion of corrupt local politics and narrow-minded religious fanatics.

[fjennell]

Sunshine74: I think I can weigh in here. I lived in Spotsy and now am in Charles County, Md (near St. Mary's) Ok - here it goes: I moved from Spotsy because of the commute. Now, I lived there 4 years and did the commute and it didn't bother me much because I did the bus (they have several) and then I "slugged" - basically you catch a ride with people going to DC - it's free and its GREAT!!! It allows you to get on the HOV lanes easily. This also works if you are driving and you just pick up riders. I will say the bus was longer than slugging and expensive. They also have several van pools and some jobs (mainly govt.) pay for you to commute so this may not be a bad choice. There is also the VRE. When I rode it I found that driving to the train and then taking it ended up being a much longer commute than the bus or slugging, but according to some co-workers (I work in DC) it has gotten much better. Now the reason I got tired of the commute and moved was I had an infant in daycare and every Friday all summer long it is about a 3 hour commute even if you are in the HOV lanes because everyone is heading south to the beaches and I couldn't sit for 3 hours trying to get to daycare. I still have co-workers that commute from Fredericksburg and Stafford and if it will only be your husband and not you, he may be able to tolerate a very long commute. Normal days about an hour and 15 min via HOV lanes. Heavy days an hour and 45 min (which is about the total train time if you count driving there) and BAD days or holiday weekend days is over 2 hours. BUT the plus side to living in Spotsy or Stafford - good schools and pretty family oriented people. Cost of living is overall cheaper in that part of VA than in MD. Now for Southern Maryland - Commute from St. Mary's would be the same for good days an hour and 15 min to an hour and a half. The plus is there really is no Holiday weekend, really awful commutes so you are committing to roughly the same commute time daily unless there is an accident but that happens everywhere occasionally. St. Mary's is a better choice over Charles but I moved here to still be a certain distance from family and also my commute is about 45 min. daily. The schools in St. Mary's are pretty good but MD is a whole different atmosphere than VA - IMO. I like VA much better. The people seem a lot nicer too. In St. Mary's you are going to see a lot of PG county and DC problems spilling over. It's a HUGE problem in Charles but its slowly trickling down to St. Mary's also. Gas is usually about 10-20 cents more in this area of MD than in that area of VA. Car insurance is double in MD than VA. They have a "personal property tax" on cars in VA (MD does not) but its minimal compared to paying the extra insurance and tags and taxes for a car in MD. There is a lot more crime in the southern MD area compared to the areas of VA you are looking at. So really this is a tough one but I would look more toward VA if your husband doesn't mind the train or van and the commute. Stafford would be a little closer than Spotsy and if you can avoid living off of Rt. 3 (this is the main street where all the shops are like Central Park and the mall and gets VERY VERY congested) in Spotsy, it probably wouldn't be too bad. Both areas you can probably find similar homes at similar prices. Further up in VA though, past Stafford you will see a significant increase in price. St. Mary's in more rural overall...you have to drive a little further to get to tons of shopping and malls etc, although there is basic shopping - walmart, few places to eat, etc. In Spotsy and Stafford you can find areas that are more rural but you are still 10-15 min away from major shopping in most areas. Good luck...let me know if you have any questions.

[sunshine74]

Thanks fjennell, I really appreciate your insight! I am going to be visiting in a few weeks. I actually grew up in Charles County! I can't believe how much Chuck county has grown. I will be visiting all the above locations. Being in North Carolina, I forget about the DC/metro traffic and congestion. You made some really great points! I will keep everything in mind. Thanks!!

[jenluvshomes]

Ok grew up in Stafford, lived in Spotsy and F'burg. If you want Spotsylvania go visit Lee's parke close enough to I-95 and within your price range. Spotsy has lower taxes then Stafford, and I think overall the roads are less congested in Spotsy. If you are looking for a used home I would go closer in, like Mountclair in Prince William. If you want the benefits of a new home...which is a HUGE plus and you can do it in this market then stick with Spotsy or stafford you get it a larger home there. Personally I liked Stafford when I was growing up, but as an adult I definantly like Spotsy better.

[AshSov1]

I live in Spotsylvania and commute to D.C. The traffic is HORRIBLE, at least 2 hours EACH WAY. I'm sure it wouldn't be bad if it were just me but that is no life for a family. I get home at 7 each night (if my husband has already picked up the baby, 8 if not) and have to rush around to make dinner, do laundry, give the baby a bath, clean up, pack lunches for the next day, pick out clothes, and get in bed. I always feel stressed for time. I absolutely love Spotsy and have never dreamed of living anywhere else, I'm a country girl at heart, but the commute is forcing my family to seriously consider moving. We are looking in the Lake Ridge area, near Woodbridge. This is MUCH closer to d.c. Be careful, I've heard some scarry things about Woodbridge and the Dale City area. But EVERYTHING I have heard about Lake Ridge has been positive.

[jenluvshomes]

Lake Ridge is nice but pricey. Triangle is just as nice and costs less. Try Stonewall Manor 1/2 acre lots 399k or Cramer Ridge