Fredericksburg or Winchester? (Arlington, Alexandria, Reston: Valentine's day, apartment, renting)

[Alicia Bradley]

Ok, I'm going nuts living here. I absolutely hate it. One compromise my SO and I have considered is buying a house in a cute little town way outside of DC (like Fredericksburg or Winchester) to live in on the weekend (and part of the week - we're both on compressed schedules) and renting a studio apartment near a metro for our weekday commutes.

Which of these two communities (or others, if you know of any) would allow me to live the kind of lifestyle I like? That is, would either be sort of a bikeable town with little restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, libraries, etc., but also safe, quiet, natural areas within biking distance of most of the homes? I visited Fredericksburg (for Valentine's Day dinner a couple years ago) and loved it, but I didn't get to see very much of the town, since it was already dark when we arrived and we were in a bit of a hurry. (The reason I'm also considering Winchester is that I likey the mountains. Appalachians [including Appalachian sub-ranges] good!!)

Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Caladium]

What happened to Clifton? That seemed like such a perfect fit for you.

[Stephen 81]

What about Annapolis? It's more expensive than Fburg or Winchester, but I think it's got a lot more going on, and it's closer to DC.

Between Fburg and Winchester, I think Fburg has better cultural offerings. The area has more history and I think the presence of Mary Washington helps out the town a lot. As far as nature goes, Winchester is probably slightly better. If you want to bike around Frederick County, though, I hope you like hills!

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by Alicia Bradley

Which of these two communities (or others, if you know of any) would allow me to live the kind of lifestyle I like?

OP, I lived for 20 years in the DC suburbs (Sterling/Ashburn) and finally made the move west to Winchester (last month). Similar reasons for what you've stated. Love it so far--a very different world than NoVA. Here are some other threads you may find helpful. There are some good folks who live out here with some good advice. Hope they comment on any questions you have!

https://www.city-data.com/forum/virgi...inchester.html
https://www.city-data.com/forum/virgi...alifornia.html
https://www.city-data.com/forum/virgi...inchester.html
https://www.city-data.com/forum/north...inchester.html

[SteelCityRising]

Can I piggy-back on this thread if you don't mind? I, too, have recently broached the subject of purchasing a small fixer-upper in Winchester near the historic district in a few years and power-commuting to work in Tyson's Corner. I'd work four 10-hour days. I'd commute to Tyson's Monday and Tuesday, use Wednesday as my floating day off, commute to Tyson's on Thursday, and then request to telework on Fridays (if all goes well I'll be a senior auditor by that time and won't have difficulty proving I'm autonomous enough to work from home once per week). On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays I'd leave my home around 4:40 AM (waking up around 4 AM) to make sure I'm in Tyson's to start work at 6 AM. I'd leave at 4:30 PM, likely getting home around 6 PM. That would be pretty miserable for sure, but doing it only three days per week and not more than just one two-day-in-a-row stretch makes it seem feasible.

There are many in the same boat as Alicia and I. We crave the sort of historic nostalgic charm, walkability, down-to-earth attitudes, charm, etc. that you simply can't find anywhere in a place like Fairfax County that was designed around the automobile and around those with six-figure incomes. It actually amazes me that more on this forum don't seem to mind living in a giant HOA or generic planned community instead of craving to be a part of an established community with beaming civic pride.

I took a sick day today and considering heading out to Winchester AGAIN today to do more scouting. I'll be bringing you all a photo tour during the famed Apple Blossom Festival in a few months (so please nobody else cut me to the chase by doing a bleak winter tour). I'm familiar with both Fredericksburg and Winchester, and, to me, Winchester wins hands-down. Shopping may be more convenient in Fredericksburg (Potomac Mills) vs. Winchester (Apple Blossom Mall and the small outlet mall on Route 11), but other than the absence of a Best Buy there's really nothing I'd "sacrifice" with a move to Winchester.

[robbobobbo]

I like the geographical location of Winchester better, with its mountains and proximity to other mountain and valley towns, but for some reason I like the "feel" of Fredericksburg better. Somehow it reminds me of the small Southern town I grew up in, where I could bike everywhere. I visit Winchester regularly, and it doesn't strike me as a place for biking around town.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by robbobobbo

I like the geographical location of Winchester better, with its mountains and proximity to other mountain and valley towns, but for some reason I like the "feel" of Fredericksburg better. Somehow it reminds me of the small Southern town I grew up in, where I could bike everywhere. I visit Winchester regularly, and it doesn't strike me as a place for biking around town.

Winchester has been trying to make strides in the positive direction though. Route 11 just to the south and west of town now has its own dedicated bike lane and signs reminding drivers to first check for approaching cyclists before attempting to cut across the bike lane into a turn lane. I believe with all of the infrastructural improvements that are still occurring downtown (and are slated for completion before the Apple Blossom Festival attracts thousands of tourists) that cyclists will have an easier time navigating the historic district as well.

I agree that Fredericksburg tends to feel more "Southern." Winchester feels like an odd Rust Belt/Appalachian hybrid. The location is much better for me on a personal level though---only a 3.5-hour jaunt up I-81 to my hometown, only a little over an hour each way to work, and very near to beautiful mountain vistas. My last trip to Winchester was this past Saturday morning, and words can't describe the beauty of the trees coated in ice that were nearly overhanging the roadway through the brief mountainous stretch of Route 7 (Clarke's Gap?) between Round Hill and Berryville. I nearly shed a tear knowing that I had to go back to Reston.

It all depends on one's priorities in life I suppose. I like to live in a community facing challenges so I can become active in helping the place to capitalize upon its opportunities and realize its fullest potential. To me Reston is so "Stepford"-like it makes me want to hurl. I know it sounds weird, but I actually wish I could see a weed somewhere so I could pull it or see front porch with peeling paint here so I could offer to paint it for the homeowner (hell, Reston doesn't even HAVE front porches). I like to pitch in and help wherever I live. There ARE some opportunities to do that in Reston, but not many. The few places there are to help are generally so overwhelmed with support that I feel pretty useless anyways. I get a "Scranton vibe" from Winchester---a city that is still trying to find itself, a city resistant to change, and a city crying out for good people to come in and help make a positive difference. In Reston I get the feeling that people like ME are the blight because we earn so little and can't afford to give back much. Hell, I give $30/week to my church because that's all I can afford. I just served as an offering counter at my church this past Sunday and nearly cried to see I gave nearly the lowest amount---most others give $100/week, $250/week, or even more. I need to move to a place where I don't always feel like the one trashing up the place.

[e2ksj3]

Originally Posted by Alicia Bradley

Ok, I'm going nuts living here. I absolutely hate it. One compromise my SO and I have considered is buying a house in a cute little town way outside of DC (like Fredericksburg or Winchester) to live in on the weekend (and part of the week - we're both on compressed schedules) and renting a studio apartment near a metro for our weekday commutes.

Which of these two communities (or others, if you know of any) would allow me to live the kind of lifestyle I like? That is, would either be sort of a bikeable town with little restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, libraries, etc., but also safe, quiet, natural areas within biking distance of most of the homes? I visited Fredericksburg (for Valentine's Day dinner a couple years ago) and loved it, but I didn't get to see very much of the town, since it was already dark when we arrived and we were in a bit of a hurry. (The reason I'm also considering Winchester is that I likey the mountains. Appalachians [including Appalachian sub-ranges] good!!)

Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Both are really nice towns and think both would offer what you would like. I personally think Winchester might be better, because outside of downtown Fredericksburg, it is pretty sprawly and the traffic is actually pretty bad. I didn't notice really any traffic congestion in Winchester at all. I guess it depends on where you work. If you work in Tysons, Reston, in the Dulles corridor, Winchester might be better, but if you work in DC, Alexandria, or Arlington, Fredericksburg might be better, plus you have more options with VRE and HOV lanes on 95. Winchester also wins hands down when it comes to scenery. I love the mountain views. Either way good luck on whatever you decide.

[FindingZen]

Alicia, seeing another one of your recent posts reminded me of this thread.

FWIW, I'd say why not just move to Fredericksburg? You'd endure a 90 minute commute on the VRE to DC but since you're on a compressed schedule, it might be worth it to be able to come home to a place where you're truly comfortable. As you know, there is no rail option near Winchester and driving to Fairfax/DC would be a bear.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Alicia, seeing another one of your recent posts reminded me of this thread.

FWIW, I'd say why not just move to Fredericksburg? You'd endure a 90 minute commute on the VRE to DC but since you're on a compressed schedule, it might be worth it to be able to come home to a place where you're truly comfortable. As you know, there is no rail option near Winchester and driving to Fairfax/DC would be a bear.

Yes, you seem very unhappy in Alexandria. I forget what part of Alexandria you're in, but it doesn't seem like the best place for you. I know you need to be near a train, and Fredericksburg has one, as well as the small town historic charm you miss so much.