Commute to Belvoir (Alexandria, Burke, Springfield: home, contractor, to live in)

[ArmySigo]

Hi, I know this topic has been beaten to death, but I will be moving to Virginia in a couple years for several reasons. Mainly to be closer to my daughter and the ISSO job opportunities in the area. The question I have is this. I want to live in the Warrenton/Catlett area and don't mind driving in some traffic, but around what time during the week does traffic really get congested and unbearable? I'm military so I can leave a lot earlier and hit the gym prior to work. I would try Winchester, but that may be a bit much. Thanks.

[Carlingtonian]

What's ISSO?

I work on Belvoir. It starts getting busy at least by 7:30. Remember, most military people are early birds, so to be the early bird among them means being ridiculously early.

Warrenton--why? Plenty of nice places so much closer. Burke, Springfield, Alexandria, Lorton.

But if you don't even have an actual job offer yet, it's way too early to be planning a move. Plus there are lots of DoD jobs not at Belvoir.

[ArmySigo]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

What's ISSO?

I work on Belvoir. It starts getting busy at least by 7:30. Remember, most military people are early birds, so to be the early bird among them means being ridiculously early.

Warrenton--why? Plenty of nice places so much closer. Burke, Springfield, Alexandria, Lorton.

But if you don't even have an actual job offer yet, it's way too early to be planning a move. Plus there are lots of DoD jobs not at Belvoir.

Information System Security Officer...Cyber security basically.

I'm not worried about military personnel, compared to other bases the number is insignificant. Mainly I'm concerned with civilian traffic. I'll be retiring in a couple years and gunning for a GS position. Thanks to networking, I feel good about my chances. Contractor if need be. I'd like to avoid the commute all together, but whatever it takes.

Warrenton honestly because that's the location of my daughter. She's almost a year old and I want to be involved in her life as much as possible. Plus, I want a home with land and it gets pricier the closer to DC you get.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Middlin]

Google maps shows 1 hr 40 mins leaving at 6:00 am from Warrenton to FB

[jmking]

yikes.......Winchester is looking better.

[lqda4]

There is a guy I know commuting from Warrenton to Belvoir. It's doable but you must get out by 3 to have a chance with the traffic. I think he gets up around 3:30-4:00AM.

I hate traffic into Belvoir. It takes me 20 minutes to go 20+ miles, and another 20 minutes to go the next 5 miles into Belvoir.

As Carlingtonian has mentioned, there are jobs at Belvoir that are actually located elsewhere. If your job is one of those, you are golden.

[Ben 'n Jen]

I did the drive from Bristow to Ft Belvoir for 3 yrs. Plan for 1 hr if you leave anytime after 0600. Afternoon drive home can be anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hrs depending on accidents/weather etc. The farther down Hwy 234 you live, the better.

Winchester is not an option. You'd be looking at 2+ hrs on a good day.

Also, where you work on Belvoir will affect time too. The times above are just to the gate. Belvoir is a big post, so you could add 20-30 mins depending on what building you'll be in.


Good luck
Ben