Best Cities to live in between DC and Quantico (Arlington: rent, crime rate)

[bschvy]

What are the best cities to live in between DC and Quantico? I am moving there soon. Are there any cities that I should avoid?

[roanoker 4]

I would suggest looking at Alexandria. The town goes back to when our nation was founded. I enjoy visiting Gadsbys Tavern( the place where the father of our country hung out discussing politics over a beer). At night if you walk around some you can see the Washington monuments lit up and boats going up and down the Potomac river. If you like steak, visit Joe Theismans on King Street(next to the Embassy Suites). If Alexandria is too pricey, head further south down to the Fredericksburg area. Its all nearby.

[5stones]

Frederricks burg IS NOT between DC and Quantico! It's south of Quantico.
However, may people who work in Quantico live in Fredericksburg.

Some people will say Woodbridge but I am not a fan of Woodbridge.

Springfield, Burke, Alexandria ($$$) (but those are closer to DC than Quantico.) just know I-95 is a nightmare. Traffic is always bad and accidents are almost a daily occurance. I avoid it all costs (until S of Quantico!)

You could do Centerville and take back roads..about 45min Manassas and Manassas park...although I don't really care for the Manassas area.

[bschvy]

What are some of the bad things about Woodbridge? And what are some of the good things about Burke and Springfield?

[JulieinLorton]

Are you planning on buying or renting?

You may consider Lorton- nice smaller community, between I95 and US1. Just 13 miles north of the Quantico exit. There is also a VRE station in Lorton. Growing community with new shopping, restaurants and convenient to nearby parks.

[5stones]

yes! Lorton would be good.

why I don't like Woodbridge..schools overcrowded and crime rate in the area.

[Dingler]

I think Burke is a nice town and so is the west side of Springfield.

[caution]

Woodbridge has it's pockets of high-dollar homes, but much of it, like the Rt. 1 side looks run down and has it's share of social problems. I lived there for 9 months and commuted to DC. I moved to Arlington VA (22206 area, highly recommended) because of the commute. Sure the rent was cheaper in Woodbridge, but the commute frustration wasn't worth the savings. Woodbridge itself didn't bother me, but I had lived in a pretty bad neighborhoods before, so I'd seen worse.

I'm not too familiar with the other places mentioned but Lorton and pockets of Springfield are nice.

What you may already know is that the stretch of freeway between Quantico and DC is often a total mess. The only way to avoid it is public transportation or travel at off-peak hours with flex time employment. Even at off-peak times, it can be pure hell.

I say "pick one" and live nearest your choice.

[bschvy]

Are you planning on buying or renting?

I plan on renting. I have heard there is an odor in Lorton due to the treatment plant there. Is that true?

What you may already know is that the stretch of freeway between Quantico and DC is often a total mess.

Is the traffic bad in both directions on I-95? I plan on travelling south to Quantico in the morning and north in the afternoon.

[onevthoki]

That will be the reverse commute and should help you tremendously! We live in Fredericksburg and for a while my husband had the reverse commute. He could make it home in an hour heading north at 8pm and south at 7am.