Any Safe Suburbs around Fredericksburg, VA? (Virginia Beach, Richmond: appointed, oceanfront, low crime)

[MandieBunny]

Hi there -

I post this as very much a forward thought, but I may have an opportunity to relocate to around Fredericksburg, VA in a year or two. Since I've never been to VA (..only lived in northern and central NJ, and Phoenix), I was hoping someone could shed light on any safe suburbs in the area! And if there are none, then perhaps some other nice neighborhoods in Northern VA..

We're a young couple, just looking for somewhere safe to raise a family, good schools, a yard for the dogs, parks and vegetation, and hopefully a reasonable commute to the ocean.. (Essentially the opposite of crime-ridden Phoenix!)

I work as a Physician Assistant - currently in Urgent Care, and he is finishing up his business degree at ASU.. A branch of my new company is in Fredericksburg, so that is why I am looking there first - but we're definitely open to moving anywhere an hour or two from the ocean, preferably more north, and foremost with a low crime rate!

Thanks in advance for any advise! I apprechiate your help!

[Nemesis16]

Fredericksburg is hicksville. Take that for what it's worth!

[quixote1974]

I'm actually not from the area, but I think it's a nice town. Good place to raise a family, and still some cultural things to do, and 1 hr away from DC (though longer if there's a traffic or accident on 95). All in all, calling it a hick town doesn't do it justice even if it feels more rural or Southern.

[Tone509]

Fredericksburg has evolved into a bedroom community for commuters north to DC as well as south to Richmond. Without a lot of first-hand knowledge, I would say that you would probably be fine choosing a home in the city let alone its suburbs. One could say that it's a crossroads to between the DC metro's international influence and Virginia's more southern flavor.

As the cost of living only gets more expensive to the north, it may be advisable to look at homes south of where you need to be.

While you will be close to some waterfront along the Potomac River - which is itself a considerable body of water - the closest actual oceanfront would be in Virginia Beach, a good two hours or so southeast of Fredericksburg.

Originally Posted by MandieBunny

Hi there -

I post this as very much a forward thought, but I may have an opportunity to relocate to around Fredericksburg, VA in a year or two. Since I've never been to VA (..only lived in northern and central NJ, and Phoenix), I was hoping someone could shed light on any safe suburbs in the area! And if there are none, then perhaps some other nice neighborhoods in Northern VA..

We're a young couple, just looking for somewhere safe to raise a family, good schools, a yard for the dogs, parks and vegetation, and hopefully a reasonable commute to the ocean.. (Essentially the opposite of crime-ridden Phoenix!)

I work as a Physician Assistant - currently in Urgent Care, and he is finishing up his business degree at ASU.. A branch of my new company is in Fredericksburg, so that is why I am looking there first - but we're definitely open to moving anywhere an hour or two from the ocean, preferably more north, and foremost with a low crime rate!

Thanks in advance for any advise! I apprechiate your help!

[ajzjmsmom]

Fredricksburg seems like a nice, friendly place. You would be more likely to find someplace with your prerequisites for housing there and for a better price than say if you were going to move to Woodbridge. If my husbands work was in Fredricksburg as opposed to DC I would have no qualms about moving my kids there. The further away from DC you get the more house for the money in most instances. Can you come out for a visit and look around before making that decision?

[Nemesis16]

Originally Posted by quixote1974

I'm actually not from the area, but I think it's a nice town. Good place to raise a family, and still some cultural things to do, and 1 hr away from DC (though longer if there's a traffic or accident on 95). All in all, calling it a hick town doesn't do it justice even if it feels more rural or Southern.

Compared to Nova it is. And it doesn't help to make a statement if you're not a resident here.

[MandieBunny]

We'll definitely have time to visit - but no idea where to look yet! =] But you guys have been very helpful. Any other places I should check out?

[Fairfax Mom]

I am from central NJ - Fredericksburg and the surrounding area is very safe - much safer and prettier than say Middlesex County NJ

You are lucky to be relocating to the Fredericksburg area - housing is much nicer and cheaper than further north - Fredericksburg is a cute little town and the surrounding area is beautiful. Not as crowded down there as more nothern VA - you will love it!

PM me if you have any more questions

[militarymom]

I am in my mid thirties, 2 small kids and I live in fredericksburg and enjoy it.

I'm sure people call it hicksville without really experiencing it and I'd bet most people in the DC area would catagorize it as so but its actually quite charming. I admit that I thought it was kind of redneck myself when I first moved (I came from california, san diego area and monterey area...and grew up in the midwest near milwaukee) but reality is that it is a nice town, cute downtown area, alot of history and a ton to do as far as hikes/parks, exploring historical areas like battlefields, great place to raise kids, very family oriented, lots of shopping and people are nice here. Again, it took me a few months to get used to the lifestyle here though since it is suburban and slower paced. On the surface the town looked pretty boring but that was my first impression without actually living here (I was disappointed during our househunting trip to say the least). I was wrong.

I personally like not living next door to DC. It takes 35-40 min to drive up to the springfield metro and get into dc that way. That is close enough for me personally since it can get to be a zoo up there yet close enough you can easily enjoy a day visiting museums or whatever you chose.

There is a more 'southern' feel down here though and it did take me a few months to get used to that. It just is 'slower' paced than milwaukee and san diego were but it sounds like that might be something you're looking for with wanting to raise a family. The schools are pretty good here. I work as a RN and make very good money doing homecare (more than I made in california). Our home is 3500 sf, 5 bed4 bath,large back yard, fenced, nice neighbors, community pool. I feel safe here. I would say about half of our neighbors do commute to DC for work, many are military. There really aren't any bad areas of the city to live.
That's my take from an actual resident. If you'd like any more info let me know!

[EricD]

Just about the whole area around Fredericksburg is nice. There are some.. not-so-nice areas, but they should be obvious when you start looking at homes.

PM me if you have any questions... lived in the Fredericksburg area my whole life. (well, besides college)