Job Offer in Fort Belvoir... Not Looking for "the usual" (Alexandria: rent, hotel)

[Liebertron]

My wife just accepted a job in the Fort Belvoir area and we are looking to relocate there in a few months.

We previously lived in Athens, GA and loved the farmers markets, farm land, hipster style, small city, local bars, dog happy hours (you know what I mean if you know what I mean :-P), and green atmosphere.

While I dont expect farm land in VA near DC, I am hopeful in finding some locations which offer some of the stuff my wife and I loved in Athens. I am well aware of Del Ray but Del Ray is SO expensive and seems too crowded. I would love somewhere like Del Ray, is there anything else out there within 45 minutes of Fort Belvoir... something that is on its way to Del Ray but not quite so known?

We will probably rent for a few years and then buy a home once we really know the area and understand the cool places to live.

[CAVA1990]

As hip but cheaper than Del Ray? Nothing comes to mind anywhere near Fort Belvoir. Athens is a college town. You won't find anything like that here. If it's cool, it's expensive. Otherwise it's chains and lowbrow everything else for the masses.

[stpickrell]

There *might* be parts of downtown Fredericksburg worth a look, but the commute will be lengthy.

Occuquan might have some charm for you, but I understand it gets pretty pricey there.

Parts of Vienna or Fairfax City *may* have enough charm for you, but be prepared to cough up $300k for a townhouse and $500k for a SFH even there.

[robbobobbo]

Fredericksburg popped into my head as well, and the commute would probably be awful.

The city of Alexandria (including Del Ray) has farmers markets, local bars, dog happy hours (at least they did, not certain if there are still establishments doing this) and plenty of people of a liberal bent with environmental concerns. But not hipster. Although the politics are liberal, their outward appearance and self-expression is rather conservative, middle of the road. People with piercings and tats stand out (if you see them at all). Fixie sightings have only recently been reported It's not Portland or SF. It's people with knit Polos and top-siders.*

I've often said Del Ray needs more funkiness. Old Town has none that I know of, if it's not a restaurant, it's an antique store*. But then, you said you feel Alexandria is too crowded. Take a look at Fredericksburg and maybe there are decent commuting options.

*a generalization, partly-true.

[FindingZen]

I have to agree with the others that the progressively hip quotient is in short supply in Northern Virginia. I thought of the aforementioned areas myself while reading the original post. You may do better to pinpoint some neighborhoods within your budget that are close to Fort Belvoir - as traffic is a nightmare here - and enjoy the relative proximity of Del Ray, Old Town Alexandria* and Occoquan each being a short drive away.


*Yes, dogs are still a welcome sight on the patios of many Old Town restaurants. Jackson 20 at the Hotel Monaco in particular has a weekly dog happy hour.

[tgbwc]

How about some of the neighborhoods near Old Town Manassas? I don't know how long it would take to get to Belvoir from there, but I always thought some of the houses (to the north I believe?) in some neighborhoods that were walkable to downtown were pretty nice with great lots.

[robbobobbo]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Yes, dogs are still a welcome sight on the patios of many Old Town restaurants. Jackson 20 at the Hotel Monaco in particular has a weekly dog happy hour.

Ah, so they are continuing this from the days of the Holiday Inn. That's cool, I didn't know if they did it with Monaco. I stopped there once a few years ago, without a dog, for an outdoor drink and was surrounded by friendly dogs. A great idea.

[Liebertron]

Good info, but it seems the more I research the more I realize that NoVA isnt that cool of a place to live.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Liebertron

Good info, but it seems the more I research the more I realize that NoVA isnt that cool of a place to live.

One of the most astute statements I've ever read on here. C-D (and whatever else you've been reading) just saved you several months or years of disappointment.

I live just up the road from Fort Belvoir and would be open to starting an aging hippie commune on my back property. If only we didn't have those "squaresville" zoning ordinances.

[ShadowBat]

Originally Posted by Liebertron

Good info, but it seems the more I research the more I realize that NoVA isnt that cool of a place to live.

Well it is the suburbs after all. I haven't found many cool suburbs either anywhere. The cool places are in DC.