Moving to VA (Alexandria, Dale City, Woodbridge: renting, condos, townhouses)

[melzee]

My husband is working at Andrews AFB,,,we are looking at moving to Alexandria or somewhere so the commute isnt to bad. We dont like highrise or condo living..we would like a single family home without having to go into a huge mortgage. What cities, communities are safe and neighborly? We have read Woodbridge isnt the safest area but DelRay is nice..Schools arent a concern as our children are in college. We dont want a retirement area but we also dont want to dodge bullets in our living room.. any help would be greatly appreciated. He is willing to drive 30-40 min with easy access to highway. Thanks in advance for any help

[kevinm]

Try across the river in Charles County, MD.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by melzee

My husband is working at Andrews AFB,,,we are looking at moving to Alexandria or somewhere so the commute isnt to bad. We dont like highrise or condo living..we would like a single family home without having to go into a huge mortgage. What cities, communities are safe and neighborly? We have read Woodbridge isnt the safest area but DelRay is nice..Schools arent a concern as our children are in college. We dont want a retirement area but we also dont want to dodge bullets in our living room.. any help would be greatly appreciated. He is willing to drive 30-40 min with easy access to highway. Thanks in advance for any help

i'd stick with MD. Three communities i really like are Clinton, Fort Washington, and Upper Marlboro. Even though all three are in PG county they are all safe. Also real close to Andrews.

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by melzee

My husband is working at Andrews AFB,,,we are looking at moving to Alexandria or somewhere so the commute isnt to bad. We dont like highrise or condo living..we would like a single family home without having to go into a huge mortgage. What cities, communities are safe and neighborly? We have read Woodbridge isnt the safest area but DelRay is nice..Schools arent a concern as our children are in college. We dont want a retirement area but we also dont want to dodge bullets in our living room.. any help would be greatly appreciated. He is willing to drive 30-40 min with easy access to highway. Thanks in advance for any help

There are areas of Woodbridge that are quite safe and quite nice, particularly in the Lake Ridge area. You really shouldn't be considering them, though, since trying to get all the way up I-95 from Woodbridge to the beltway, then crossing over the Wilson Bridge would be MURDER. Try doubling or tripling your 30-40 minute goal. (Probably closer to tripling)

You might take a good look at Upper Marlboro in Prince George's, as it's a nice area where the prices have been beat down because the schools in PG are beyond crappy. That doesn't matter to you now, though. Ditto with Bowie, and if you want to go beyond Prince George's, check out Calvert County!

[goldenmom7500]

At the risk of agreeing with knopfler too many times, I agree. There are some very nice areas of Woodbridge so I would hate to leave anyone with the impression that "Woodbridge" is a terrible place. (Aah, I've been in several, several million dollar homes in Woodbridge, including one with an elevator). But ... the commute ...

[Zack]

I agree with the above. Look in AA, PG, Charles, or Calvert county. Much more manageable and there are plenty of nice towns in there. If you insist on a more urban experience, then the areas of Old Town Alexandria would probably put you at 30-40 mins each way, but you do have to fight the WW bridge twice a day, though next year the 2nd span does go up and that shouldn't be a problem any more.

[Flamingo13]

I am a Virginia person, like Alexandria alot, but in your price range I'm not sure if you can do it. MD might be a better choice given the Andrews location.

Woodbridge term encompasses many areas (I think) Lake Ridge, Occaquan (sp?), Dale City - it depends, but I think you'll know the areas when you seen them. Do you have to choose before visiting?

[TheStarLiesWest]

Occoquan or Triangle, or even Dale City or Woodbridge.. I just wouldn't want to drive on 95 that long every day to get to work, but people do it all the time. Woodbridge has nice places, and they're traditionally less expensive when renting, but with you looking to buy who knows. Old Town Alexandria is wonderful, and considerably closer to your husband's work direction, but the WW Bridge will still come into play.

Personally, my experience in Maryland is not a good one with any areas surrounding Andrews AFB, and I can understand wanting to settle in VA. So the commute, to me, would be worth it in the end.

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by TheStarLiesWest

Occoquan or Triangle, or even Dale City or Woodbridge.. I just wouldn't want to drive on 95 that long every day to get to work, but people do it all the time. Woodbridge has nice places, and they're traditionally less expensive when renting, but with you looking to buy who knows. Old Town Alexandria is wonderful, and considerably closer to your husband's work direction, but the WW Bridge will still come into play.

Personally, my experience in Maryland is not a good one with any areas surrounding Andrews AFB, and I can understand wanting to settle in VA. So the commute, to me, would be worth it in the end.

I would stick with Occoquan or points north. Triangle has very few nice areas and Dale City isn't real nice either. Woodbridge isn't real good either.

[rockyblues]

HAyfield View is a nice area that is near Kingstowne and Ft Belvoir. Plenty of access to areas of interest and every major road in NoVa. Housing is plentiful with SF homes mixed with townhouses and condos.