safest and least expensive place to live between quantico and d.c. (Dale City: real estate)

[jenniferm1]

I will be moving to Virginia within the next 6 weeks. I will be working near Quantico, but don't want to live near the base. I want a place that is scenic, affordable, maybe quaint, but near restaurants and shopping.
Any suggestions?

I will need a place to rent. Hopefully, a duplex or something along those lines.
Thanks,
Jennifer

[ChristineVA]

You could try the Occoquan area (which right on top of Woodbridge). Not sure what the rents are like there but it is scenic, quaint and near restaurants and shop. I'd love to live there. I know they have a lot of new townhomes and condos built overlooking the river but not sure of their cost. It would be about a 15 minute drive to Quantico.

[Mike From NIU]

What's your definition of affordable, and for what size? That will greatly limit or expand your choices.

Occoquan does fit your bill for most criteria, but it's not the cheapest place to live. Of course, there's a few apartment/condo complexes just down the road from Occuquan, technically in Woodbridge, that are much cheaper and a quick walk to the town.

[RehobothBeachDela_where]

Any of those trailer parks on Route 1 should work!

[jenniferm1]

Affordable meaning, 1000 or under.
all of your comments are very helpful

[jenniferm1]

Any comments about Dale City?

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by jenniferm1

Any comments about Dale City?

It's not quaint. Would be easy to commute to Quantico.

[tgbwc]

This is right in the town of Occoquan.
300 ELLICOTT STREET Unit: 2, OCCOQUAN, VA, 22125 - MLS ID#PW6946831 - Rentals Real Estate - REALTOR.com®

and there is this listing
12753 DARA DRIVE Unit: 302, OCCOQUAN, VA, 22125 - MLS ID#PW6911058 - Rentals Real Estate - REALTOR.com®

Walkable to town
http://www.realtor.com/search/listin...lsn=7&srcnt=23

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by jenniferm1

Any comments about Dale City?

I don't think it fits your description of quaint. I live in Dale City (in a home) but sort of out of the heart of Dale City. You couldn't pay me to live in an apartment in Dale City. Check the Lake Ridge area of Woodbridge (it is closest to Occoquan). Most apartments there look really nice and I've read decent enough reviews on them on these boards. Don't rent in Dale City.

[GreenGene]

Originally Posted by jenniferm1

I will be moving to Virginia within the next 6 weeks. I will be working near Quantico, but don't want to live near the base. I want a place that is scenic, affordable, maybe quaint, but near restaurants and shopping.

If you look at places to the north of Quantico, you'd have a "reverse" commute (going against much of the traffic both morning and evening), and I suspect that your options in terms of restaurants and shopping would be better, as would the number of apartments to rent. But it would also tend to be more crowded, more expensive, and other than Occoquan, I'm not sure there's anything I'd call quaint.

If you look at places to the south of Quantico, the opposite would be more or less true.

There are some apartments in Dale City, but even though I live in Dale City, these apartments would not be my first choice. I suspect there are other apartments in other areas that would be much better.

Unfortunately, like most of the rest of the country, "safest" and "least expensive" is a combination that's a bit challenging to find.