Possible move to Quantico (Alexandria, Reston: rental homes, house, neighborhoods) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

bhalpin · 10-11-2008, 06:17 AM

Can anyone tell me anything about Stafford. Possible move this next 6 months. I need information on schools, rental homes b/c we do not know exactly where we want to buy, area information things/places to beware of. Thanks.

tgbwc · 10-11-2008, 07:33 AM

What are your requirements as far as $ and home size?

bhalpin · 10-11-2008, 10:26 AM

I think we would like to stick to 2K a month, more than 2200 square ft but not too big less than 3500 sq ft. I think we need to be in Stafford school system, Garrison elementary ranked good but I hear Stafford is good in general, although I heard they are looking at closing some schools/re doing the districts? Not too far from the base. Definitely a family neighborhood with kids. By the way do you know where the nearest hockey/ice rink is? My son is 9 and plays youth hockey.

mielcre · 10-11-2008, 02:49 PM

Hi there.

If you want to be closer to Quantico, try Norhern Stafford. We bought our house about 3 months ago. Its 3 miles to the front gate, and 1 mile to the TBS (FBI academy) gate. Its about 2700 sq ft and is in a great, quiet neighborhood. I really like it here. I do not have any kids but the kids next door are going to Tidewater elementary school. (Its right down the street). You can look at, Port Aquia, Widewater Village, Hillside Terrace. All are good and safe. I would avoid the mall area, and the neighborhoods around.. The traffic is backed up in the mornings. We rented a temporary place at Aquia Terrace and the commute was terrible. (About 30 minutes) Now it takes him 8 minutes to get to Marine Corps University from our house.

If you need help, let me know.
Good luck with your move, i know its hard!!!

tgbwc · 10-11-2008, 06:42 PM

Another option might be to look around the SW portion of Prince William County. That way you would have a quick shot southbound to the base. You would be closer to the PW Ice Center

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tgbwc · 10-11-2008, 06:48 PM

Rentals - 15532 WINDWARD COURT, DUMFRIES, VA, 22025 - Realtor.com (http://www.realtor.com/rentals/search/listingdetail.aspx?ctid=35648&ml=3&mnp=24&mxp=26&t yp=40&sid=9fd406e27a294ae6a3aaeae5e191ef05&pg=2&li d=1101978085&lsn=18&srcnt=26#Detail - broken link)

I am thinking something like this. It would only be a few minutes reverse commute to base and is in a very good elementary, middle, HS pyramid. Montclair is a nice community. Like mielcre said, feel free to contact me if you need help.

mielcre · 10-11-2008, 08:45 PM

$2200 for Dumfries is ALOT! She can get a newer place for $1700 in Stafford.

If you want to be closer to the DC area and still looking for a nice commute for your husband, try the Lake Ridge area. (zip code - 22192). Its a great place to live. Again, feel free to ask anything.

tgbwc · 10-11-2008, 09:09 PM

That was just one I found on a quick search. Montclair just came to mind as an option since they mentioned the ice rink, it would still be an easy commute and the schools are good (IMO). Lake Ridge is similar to Montclair, it would just be further from base.

bhalpin · 10-12-2008, 09:58 AM

Wow, thank you, I will look that up today, there is still an option to buy but with the economic market and that we already own a house in Ala we are renting b/c we are taking a loss on due to appraised values to market values we still may rent for a while. Is this area very "busy". We are coming from a small laid back area, and although we have lived in bigger cities, none the size of this area.

tgbwc · 10-12-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhalpin

Wow, thank you, I will look that up today, there is still an option to buy but with the economic market and that we already own a house in Ala we are renting b/c we are taking a loss on due to appraised values to market values we still may rent for a while. Is this area very "busy". We are coming from a small laid back area, and although we have lived in bigger cities, none the size of this area.

Like you said, it depends on what you are used to. Friends of mine and people I work with think who live in Fairfax County (Springfield, Alexandria, Reston, etc.) think this is way out and on the slower side. My in-laws from NE PA and my brother from SW VA think we live in the "city" and there are too many people. If you are spending most of your time in the local area, and not commuting to DC, I don't think you will find it too bad. If you want an urban feel, you can get there pretty quickly if you want to, but the same can be said if you want that rural feel. BTW, Prince William National Forest Park is right "next door" and is a nice resource for the area.