recommended Lorton neighborhoods for townhome rentals (Springfield, Falls Church: townhomes, schools, live in)

[SusanMeen]

Hi,

This forum has been a great resource and I'm hoping it can help me now. My husband and I currently live in St. Pete, Florida. We just had our first kid and want to move to NoVa to be near family in Falls Church (22041). We are looking to rent a townhome or single family home, 3BR up to $1800. My husband and I work at home so we don't commute and we have a baby (need safe quiet neighborhood although schools are not an issue since we don't know how long we'll be renting) and a dog (fenced yard a plus).

Lorton has been suggested as a good possibility because the townhomes are newer and spacious. Since we spend so much time at home, we want it to be as nice as possible. There seems to be a "bad side of town" in Lorton near Hagel Circle but beyond that, I don't know much about where to look. Does anyone have any recommendations of a neighborhood or area in Lorton that is safe, quiet, and nice?

I would want to visit Falls Church several times a week so I don't want to be sitting in heavy traffic, although I probably would not be traveling during rush hour (except I might get stuck in evening rush hour traveling away from DC). Will Lorton traffic not make this possible?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[ChristineVA]

There's nothing wrong with Lorton but if you don't *have* to be there for any reason, it probably wouldn't be my first choice for getting into Falls Church. If you have to be on I-95 South regularly during the evening rush, you will quickly get aggravated.

I would look for something more in Kingstowne or Springfield that might get you the same price but limit your exposure to I-95.