If you're familiar with Fredericksburg, maybe South Stafford, VA please help. (Woodbridge: foreclosed, crime)

[xshowjumper]

We are relocating from CA to Northern VA and have the opportunity to purchase a home on a lot of land. We now live in a typical residential neighborhood with a small yard. With 2 small children, would a home on 10 acres (Fredericksburg area) be too isolating or is that type of property more common for the area?

[StrategicSaver]

It's not unusual for families with kids to have 5-10 acre plots in the greater Fredericksburg area. But you'll have fewer neighbors that you interact with compared to more typical house spacing. So your children will have fewer playmates to choose from. For example, we live in a neighborhood where all the lots are 5+ acres. On our street (within reasonable distance) there's only two other children besides ours.

But there are plenty of families in Fredericksburg that live in neighborhoods that have 1/8-1 acres plots.

Hope that helps!

[vthokie87]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate the insight! I see by your zip code that you live in Bealeton, which ironically is one of the areas we are looking at too. We saw a house on Surry Lane, are you by any chance familiar with that area and the school system? We have a 4 year old and a 2 year old so my concern really is finding a good school over the property issue.

Thanks again for your help,

xshowjumper
(sorry for any confusion, I was logged in under my husband's account!)

[StrategicSaver]

You're not going to believe this but I live in Coventry! Small world, eh? The neighborhood is a wonderful place to raise children, I think. Lots of woods to play in. We love swimming and fishing at the lake. Almost no one else swims there so it's like our own private lake. It's very safe. And on Surry Lane there will be almost no car traffic to worry about. The people are nice. A fair number of them are retired but there are some families. Everybody has large lots so you don't necessarily see your neighbors that much but they are neighborly.

Unfortunately, I can't answer your questions about the school system from personal experience. I do have children (lots of them) but I homeschool. I suggest joining the FauquierCounty yahoogroup and ask there.

If you have other questions feel free to email me personally at "StrategicSaver". I'm at yahoo. It will certainly be faster. For some reason this forum didn't email me until today that you had responded. That's why there was such a delay in my response.

[1eliz]

Just wondering if you are looking for land for horses? I'm working at the new hospital in Stafford, but commuting from Warrenton because that is where my horses live.

[xshowjumper]

Originally Posted by StrategicSaver

You're not going to believe this but I live in Coventry! Small world, eh? The neighborhood is a wonderful place to raise children, I think. Lots of woods to play in. We love swimming and fishing at the lake. Almost no one else swims there so it's like our own private lake. It's very safe. And on Surry Lane there will be almost no car traffic to worry about. The people are nice. A fair number of them are retired but there are some families. Everybody has large lots so you don't necessarily see your neighbors that much but they are neighborly.

Unfortunately, I can't answer your questions about the school system from personal experience. I do have children (lots of them) but I homeschool. I suggest joining the FauquierCounty yahoogroup and ask there.

If you have other questions feel free to email me personally at "StrategicSaver". I'm at yahoo. It will certainly be faster. For some reason this forum didn't email me until today that you had responded. That's why there was such a delay in my response.

How Funny! It's definitely a small world! Well, the house in Coventry is 12528 Surry Lane, I know this is probably asking a lot but you wouldn't happen to know anything about that property per chance or the owners? I liked the fact that the area is gated (looked that way online anyway) and we're going to check back in case other lots come up. But it's good to know the acreage issue about neighbors being "neighborly" even though they're not typically next door. I'll try the yahoo group too, thanks for that! And if I have more questions I appreciate your personal email! I have a feeling you'll hear from me again! Thanks so much for your insight!

[xshowjumper]

Originally Posted by 1eliz

Just wondering if you are looking for land for horses? I'm working at the new hospital in Stafford, but commuting from Warrenton because that is where my horses live.

Well, we are considering space for horses because at this point our kids, who are 4 and 2, are too young to know if they want to ride or not. So we want to have that option should we need it. Plus, if I ever get the time again, I may just want to ride again too! Does Warrenton have many horse properties? Our other concern is the commute for my husband who's going to be working at Quantico. How long do you think the commute might be from Warrenton or the surrounding area?

[StrategicSaver]

Originally Posted by xshowjumper

How Funny! It's definitely a small world! Well, the house in Coventry is 12528 Surry Lane, I know this is probably asking a lot but you wouldn't happen to know anything about that property per chance or the owners? I liked the fact that the area is gated (looked that way online anyway) and we're going to check back in case other lots come up. But it's good to know the acreage issue about neighbors being "neighborly" even though they're not typically next door. I'll try the yahoo group too, thanks for that! And if I have more questions I appreciate your personal email! I have a feeling you'll hear from me again! Thanks so much for your insight!

Yes, I know the previous owners. Very nice family with three little children. They foreclosed on the house so the bank owns it now. Unfortunately, I never visited the house so know little about it. you could call them (Jonathan 540 * 788 * 9404 ).

I know of another property on Surry Lane that the owners have been wanting to sell. It was on the market forever. Don't know if it still is or not. They may still be interested in selling even if it's not on the market. Would you like me to find out?

FYI, the neighborhood isn't actually gated. The little building which looks like a guard house is actually the mail house. But there's only one way in/out most of the time (unless there's snow or ice on the road). Keeps it safer. We've lived here for 13 years and not heard of any crime here.

I don't remember to check back in this forum very often. So if you want quicker response from me be sure to email me directly.

Laurie

[scarter10]

Hello:

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