Family locating to area (Alexandria, Burke: rent, HOA, townhouses)

[herewegoagain16]

Hello all,


My family and I will be relocating to the area in a few months for a job at the Pentagon. We are military. Looking for a SFH with 4 bedrooms and preferably over 2k square feet. Our budget is no more than 2700.


We are planning a trip up to look at houses/areas this weekend and would like some input. I would prefer to be somewhere within walking distance to either the metro or I read something about a Pentagon express bus, that would be fine too. I would prefer not to drive if I don't have to.


Safety is really paramount to us and good school districts. Our daughter will begin Kindergarten next school year. We are open to suggestions about private schools as she is in a private Pre-K right now, but good public schools are fine as well.


We are thinking about Woodbridge, but I have read good things about Alexandria and Springfield on here and would like to know if those are good areas. I didn't really see anything within budget/square ft requirements in Vienna or Burke.


Thanks in advance.

[Deluusions]

Both Alexandria and Springfield are a lot nicer than Woodbridge with better schools as well and more amentities. Also closer to DC too

[Vectorhead]

Check West Springfield. Lots of express buses to the Pentagon running through those neighborhoods. Zip code 22152 will give you about a 30-minute commute. That's hard to beat in NOVA. The schools are excellent and it's a really nice, safe, family-oriented area. Your budget might be on the low side for houses but there are really nice townhouses in this area (often with the square footage you're looking for). Townhouses here don't have the stigma they do in some places so don't discount them as a possibility.

[HokieFan]

The Lake Ridge area of Woodbridge is pretty nice (22192) and has buses to the Pentagon. And if the house is in the Lake Ridge HOA (LRPRA) you'll have access to a lot of amenities.

OmniRide Lake Ridge-Pentagon & Crystal City AM Schedule

And there are some 4BD SFH homes within your budget.

People aren't too keen on the schools in the area but you said private is an option.

Originally Posted by Deluusions

Both Alexandria and Springfield are a lot nicer than Woodbridge with better schools as well and more amentities. Also closer to DC too

What amenities are you referring to?

[Deluusions]

Originally Posted by HokieFan

The Lake Ridge area of Woodbridge is pretty nice (22192) and has buses to the Pentagon. And if the house is in the Lake Ridge HOA (LRPRA) you'll have access to a lot of amenities.

OmniRide Lake Ridge-Pentagon & Crystal City AM Schedule

And there are some 4BD SFH homes within your budget.

People aren't too keen on the schools in the area but you said private is an option.



What amenities are you referring to?

Alexandria has a lot more amentities than Woodbridge. Don't know why this is being asked but old town, del ray, Eisenhower, Mount Vernon, etc

[Deluusions]

I would also look at Lorton as well. Lorton has the VRE and is in your budget, also good schools. It's basically an extension of Alexandria IMO

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by Deluusions

Alexandria has a lot more amentities than Woodbridge. Don't know why this is being asked but old town, del ray, Eisenhower, Mount Vernon, etc

But can you rent a SFH, over 2000 SF, 4 BDRMS etc for no more than $2700? I ask in all seriousness. I don't know. I feel like it's more costly there.

[gomason]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

But can you rent a SFH, over 2000 SF, 4 BDRMS etc for no more than $2700? I ask in all seriousness. I don't know. I feel like it's more costly there.

Doubtful. That's more like a TH.

[HokieFan]

Originally Posted by Deluusions

Alexandria has a lot more amentities than Woodbridge. Don't know why this is being asked but old town, del ray, Eisenhower, Mount Vernon, etc

I asked because Woodbridge has a lot of amenities as well and wasn't sure what you think Woodbridge is lacking. It looks like you're referring to walkable neighborhoods which Woodbridge does lack.

Although I'm still not clear on Eisenhower being an amenity. As for Mount Vernon, it's a beautiful place but I wouldn't call it an amenity.

[Ffxdata]

Originally Posted by HokieFan

I asked because Woodbridge has a lot of amenities as well and wasn't sure what you think Woodbridge is lacking. It looks like you're referring to walkable neighborhoods which Woodbridge does lack.

Although I'm still not clear on Eisenhower being an amenity. As for Mount Vernon, it's a beautiful place but I wouldn't call it an amenity.

What Woodbridge lacks: great schools, safety (which OP says is paramount), reputation.