Commute from Woodbridge, VA to Alexandria (Arlington, Springfield: buying a house, buying, schools) - Northern Virginia - Virginia - City-Data Forum

buyingahome · 08-03-2009, 02:13 PM

My husband and I are interested in buying a house soon. We've been looking into many different areas. I will be working in Alexandria, leaving between 7 - 7:30 AM. Can anyone tell me what this commute would be like from Woodbridge? We haven't visited the area yet, but are very curious ... thoughs are welcome!

v2009 · 08-03-2009, 02:46 PM

Commute from Woodbridge will be bad even that early in the morning. A lot of people have to leave suburbs early to get to DC, especially government employees Most of them take I95 from Woodbridge.
Could you buy something in Alexandria itself? The prices there have gone down a lot...

buyingahome · 08-03-2009, 02:53 PM

Thank you! We're both prepared for a rough commute. At this point, other options are Fairfax, Oakton and Vienna, which we think would be equally bad. We've seen some places in Alexandria, but I don't think we've been looking in the right places ... haven't been too thrilled with what we've found. Arlington, where we live now (and love it here) is probably too expensive. :-( Can you tell me anything about driving up Rt. 1?

robbobobbo · 08-03-2009, 03:12 PM

Commuting from Fairfax, Oakton or Vienna to Alexandria will be several magnitudes worse than from Woodbridge.

What haven't you been thrilled about in Alexandria and in what areas have you looked? But prices will not be less than Arlington for the equivalent house. Yes, prices have gone down - but down from $800,000 is still expensive, in my book.

v2009 · 08-03-2009, 03:18 PM

driving up Route 1 would be BAD, but if it gets REALLY bad, you can make a left on some streets and take I95 North (which can be equally as bad too)
Also, I would NOT recommend buying anything in Woodbridge if you can afford anywhere else. Especially if you have kids.

buyingahome · 08-03-2009, 03:26 PM

We looked a little bit in Cameron Station, which was VERY nice, but a little expensive. Also, we would like a small yard, and Cameron Station seemed to be lacking in this area. Sorry i don't remember names of other areas we looked in... we saw one place very close to Old Town, which was super cute, but was also very small. I don't mind small, but my husband really wants his space. And by the way $800,000 is WAY out of our price range. We are looking in the mid $400s.

ChristineVA · 08-03-2009, 03:29 PM

Leaving at 7:00-7:30 from Woodbridge is not considered "early" down here. In fact, we consider you a "late riser" here!!!

I will estimate that, driving solo, it will take you an hour and a half to get to work. If you can carpool, slug, or take a bus, you will probably have an easier commute since at the "late" time of 7:00-7:30, the HOV lanes are pretty thin and you can fly up them. Route 1 is a nightmare.

You will find that Woodbridge will be much cheaper than Fairfax, Oakton, and Vienna, but you have a tradeoff of I-95 to deal with and schools that aren't quite as good. Other than that, I really don't mind it here and sometimes it is all one can afford.

I would suggest that if you are going to move here, seriously investigate some form of public transportation or ridesharing. It will save your sanity.

buyingahome · 08-03-2009, 03:32 PM

ok, i guess we'll rule out Woodbridge! Thanks.

slim04 · 08-03-2009, 04:14 PM

Where in Alexandria to you need to commute? If it's Old Town, it will only take 20 to 30 minutes by VRE from Woodbridge. Also, it probably takes about 45 to an hour to drive from Woodbridge to Old Town via Rt. 1 and then picking up the GW Parkway at Mt. Vernon. This is the reverse of the route I take during weekends to go to IKEA or Sam's Club if I-95 is slow.

michgc · 08-03-2009, 04:56 PM

What about Kingstowne or Springfield?