Transferring to DC this summer, opinions on Woodbridge??? (Burke, Springfield: school, to live)

[ChristineVA]

Potomac Club is a newer townhome/condo neighborhood located adjacent to the Wegman's and the brand new town center. The neighborhood is gated; however, don't think you *need* a gated community. You don't. That said, Potomac Club is kind of "stark" looking to me and is the kind of place I'd rent if I was single or married, no kids. It just doesn't have a particularly "family friendly" look to it (rolling streets, grass, kids playing out, etc). It may be perfectly fine. I would definitely check the zoning there to see which elementary school you feed into.

Port Potomac is a nice neighborhood, but is further south, located right off Rt 1 (as is Potomac Club) and would add some added misery to an already bad commute. You are bordering on Dumfries there so you are in the southern most part of Woodbridge.

Look in the area of Woodbridge called "Lake Ridge". This is a bit north of where you are looking, is much more family oriented and has the better schools.

[oneasterisk]

Originally Posted by ct2012

We have found a few really nice looking rentals in the Potomac Club and Port Potomac areas. Any opinion about these places? They look nice and one is even gated (which is neither here nor there for me), but at least it seems "safer"?

If we pick one of the properties mentioned above, hubby plans on driving to the Horner Rd commuter parking lot and taking Prince William metro connector to Franconia-Springfield Metro into DC. Does that sound feasible?

I own a rental home adjacent to the Port Potomac subdivision so I'm sort of familiar with it. I've jogged through Port Potomac and the homes look nice, although on smaller lots. The homes feel like they're right on top of each other. I guess if you don't want to deal with a lot of lawn maintenance that is a good thing. Further back is Powell's Landing and even larger homes on larger lots. It should feed into the Leesylvania Elementary school, Rippon Middle and Potomac High. I guess a drawback is that it's pretty far south, while still considered part of Woodbridge it's right near the boundary to Dumfries. Also it's pretty close to Georgetown Village/Village Gate. Older TH area that's got a bad element to it. Not sure if there is much spillover to the newer homes, but do realize that they are nearby. If your DH is willing to use the VRE, the Rippon Station is not too far from Port Potomac/Potomac Club.

Like ChristineVA mentioned, Potomc Club is right across the street from Wegmans. There are also a few restaurants/banks there and more planned to open.

As well as Lake Ridge to investigate, also look into Belmont Bay. A perk is that the Woodbridge VRE is walkable to the community, but it doesn't have the access to shopping like Potomac Club. Westridge is in Lake Ridge and the elementary school has received high marks. There's a commuter lot on Minnieville road not too far away that you can use buses to get you to the metro.

[slduvall]

Originally Posted by ct2012

Sorry! I should have indicated that he will be working at Headquarters in DC.
!

Not to be a pain - but that still isn't very clear - HQ for what? Most HQ's are located at the Pentagon - which is actually located in Virginia. But then there are sections of the Navy at the Navy yard, which makes for a different commute than others. Does he have an address - (not the one that is located on the orders - they all say HQ if they assigned to the pentagon)

For instance VRE isn't the best way to get to the pentagon, since you have to change to metro to get there. And he could be at the Mark Center - where a lot of OSD is located now.

That said - with your BHA - you can find a decent TH in the Kingstowne, Island creek area, which allows for great access to the metro.

[ct2012]

Originally Posted by slduvall

Not to be a pain - but that still isn't very clear - HQ for what? Most HQ's are located at the Pentagon - which is actually located in Virginia. But then there are sections of the Navy at the Navy yard, which makes for a different commute than others. Does he have an address - (not the one that is located on the orders - they all say HQ if they assigned to the pentagon)

For instance VRE isn't the best way to get to the pentagon, since you have to change to metro to get there. And he could be at the Mark Center - where a lot of OSD is located now.

That said - with your BHA - you can find a decent TH in the Kingstowne, Island creek area, which allows for great access to the metro.

I totally forgot to put "CG" in front of headquarters, it's located on Second St., in DC. Another thing to consider though is that they will be relocating to St. Elizabeth/Anacostia? I'm guessing that is even further away from Woodbridge area?
Today we looked briefly online at some available rentals in Springfield per everyone's suggestions. The school's seem so much better there. Hubby keeps saying don't worry about his commute, but I really don't want it to take him 2+ hours to get to/from work.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by ct2012

I totally forgot to put "CG" in front of headquarters, it's located on Second St., in DC. Another thing to consider though is that they will be relocating to St. Elizabeth/Anacostia? I'm guessing that is even further away from Woodbridge area?
Today we looked briefly online at some available rentals in Springfield per everyone's suggestions. The school's seem so much better there. Hubby keeps saying don't worry about his commute, but I really don't want it to take him 2+ hours to get to/from work.

Coast Guard?

[newvadad]

Base housing is pretty good but you can do so much more with the BAH out in town. I recommend all military families stay close to base, just for the comissary/exchange because prices on everything are skyrocketin***

The best bet is to stay near public transportation because the govt will pay you to use it so it's virtually free. You have a family so I recommend that you look in the Kingstowne are*** It's a little congested but still nice for families and close enough to public transpo.

The rental prices in the NoVa area are outrageous to say the least.

[cjnaspen]

I also have kids and live in Woodbridge. The town if fine but I would avoid both of the areas you mentioned. They are fine areas but Potomac Club has NO where to play besides one playground on one side of the neighborhood. Potomac Club is off Jefferson Davis highway. This will easily add 15 min+ to anywhere you want to go. Lakeridge is nice but like others said the schools are better and commute will be less going north. Springfield is a nice area. Find someplace on the metro and that will decrease his commute significantly!

[ct2012]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

Coast Guard?

Yes, Coast Guard

[ct2012]

Originally Posted by cjnaspen

I also have kids and live in Woodbridge. The town if fine but I would avoid both of the areas you mentioned. They are fine areas but Potomac Club has NO where to play besides one playground on one side of the neighborhood. Potomac Club is off Jefferson Davis highway. This will easily add 15 min+ to anywhere you want to go. Lakeridge is nice but like others said the schools are better and commute will be less going north. Springfield is a nice area. Find someplace on the metro and that will decrease his commute significantly!

Thanks for the info about kids. We are also considering some rentals in Springfield and Fairfax now. They seem to have better schools and are more family friendly. Oh decisions, decisions!

[ct2012]

Originally Posted by newvadad

Base housing is pretty good but you can do so much more with the BAH out in town. I recommend all military families stay close to base, just for the comissary/exchange because prices on everything are skyrocketin***

The best bet is to stay near public transportation because the govt will pay you to use it so it's virtually free. You have a family so I recommend that you look in the Kingstowne are*** It's a little congested but still nice for families and close enough to public transpo.

The rental prices in the NoVa area are outrageous to say the least.

Totally agree about taking advantage of Comissary/exchange! We usually make a weekly trip and try to buy most everything on base. Plan on using public transportation a lot as well....especially with gas probably going up to $5+ this summer!