Moving to Salem Fields in Fredericksburg any thoughts? (Quantico: for sale, 2015)

[7xovr]

Hello everyone this is my first post. I just purchased a home in the Salem Fields community in Fredericksburg. It looks like a great safe community for me and my wife and kids. I was doing research which I always do, and noticed a lot of people moving out of the community. This sorta worries me a bit, so I'm turning to those that know more than me for help or just information about the community and the area surrounding it. Any information would be great thanks all.

[EricD]

In the top of the market, you couldn't find any home in there for under $300k. Even the townhomes were starting at $275k.

Once the market crashed, people lost a LOT of value in their homes, and unfortunately some were foreclosed on.

The area and schools are nice. The only think I don't like about Salem Fields is how the home types are so segregated. One area is all 1 story homes that are the same size, another is smaller 2 story homes with 1 car garages, and another is larger 2-story homes with 2 car garages. There's the 1-story townhomes, 2 story townhomes, then a section of 3 story townhomes. It just has a stange feel to it.

I hope you enjoy your house! If you like fishing, there's a lake where you can rent a boat if you keep driving down Gordon Rd for a few more miles.

[Optimistic]

I'm moving there too! I have a close friend who has lived there for a few years.

We visit her often and love the neighborhood.

We were fortunate to find a nice SFH to rent. I am excited! Yes as the previous poster noted many of the homes in the community unfortunately have been foreclosed on.

However I am confident that the community is a safe sound one. Many FBI and Police personnel live there too!

Hope this helps.

[7xovr]

Thanks all for the great information now I'm more excited to move. Anybody else with another perspective or more info?

[constops]

If you don't have a church home, check out Salem Fields (behind the Rubicon Cafe sign). There are great programs for kids - and more than a few things for the grown ups to get involved in too.

[camrynh]

We just moved *out* of Salem Fields a few months back. I LOVED the neighborhood, but my husband was transferred for work. Had his job not been moved, we would have been there a long time. I know of at least 2 other homes that recently closed that were in the same boat.

The neighborhood is great for kids. We really miss the community pool. Some neat things: The weekend before Labor Day, the church across Gordon Rd does a big fireworks display that you can watch from the shopping center parking lot. On Christmas Eve (or perhaps 12/23?) the firestation around the corner sends a firetruck through, honking it's horn and doing the little siren bit. On the back sits Santa, throwing candy out at the kids who come outside to gawk.

ETA: Also, I see there are currently 32 (or so) homes for sale there. That's really not that much, once you consider how big the neighborhood. I think there are around 1200 homes, including townhomes and villas and SFH, there. So that's, what, less than 3% of the available homes there that are for sale?

[onevthoki]

Wow, how long do you have? We lived in Salem Fields from 2004-2007. Hubby commuted to northern VA and that is the entire reason we headed south, it was just too brutal.

Anyway, I loved Salem Fields, which has aprroximately 1400 homes. We still have friends there and get up there every two months or so. The development started back in 1999, and was built on the planned community concept. You have single-family homes that are divided into two types - affordable housing and then move-up homes, townhomes and then one-level villas (not age restricted) that are both attached and detached. The townhomes and attached villas are on private streets and the SFHs and detached villas are state-maintained (comes into play with repair, snow removal and funds in the reserve accounts for the HOA). Lee's Hill developed the community, and originally had other builders in the community, so once they realized how much money they could make, they pretty much kicked the others out. Our home was built by Lee's Hill Construction and I never had any problems. The majority of the SFHs have basements, some finished, some not.

The pool is a wonderful asset for the community. With the walk-in entry, it is perfect for toddlers and those that need to use a wheelchair. There is also a swim-team for the kiddos. The swim team is self-supporting and no HOA funds are used. You have two playgrounds, one behind the pool and the other is over on Hot Spring Lane. There are also some tennis courts over by the pool. When we left, the HOA fees were about $62.00/month and that included your pool membership and trash pick-up twice a week.

There is also a nature trail that winds through the community. We didn't use that often but when we did it was a nice feature. And of course the community is side-walked and you get lots of folks out walking/jogging.

Someone mentioned the fireworks, that is really fun. Even if you are not a member of the church, you can go up to enjoy them. We would always park over by the day care center/doctors office to enjoy them.

If you are looking for a church, we attended Tabernacle United Methodist Church, which is off of Old Plank Road. Great church family and my daughter attended the preschool that rents the basement space from them.

Where did you purchase in Salem Fields? We were on Versaille Drive. I think the main thing is to take an active interest in the community - volunteer your time - I used to deliver newsletters and served as both a member and chair of the Architectural Guidelines committee. And if you can, attend HOA meetings - that is the best way to stay informed and protect what for many is your most important investment - your home!

Enjoy your home and let me know if you have any more questions.

[JenaB]

Good day to you all. This is my first time here on this site. My attempt at starting a new thread was unsuccessful :-(
I and my family will be moving into Salem Fields the end of June, and would love to hear how you like your neighborhood.
I have also read a few things here about the commute to DC, but how is the commute to Quantico? Any back roads or ways to avoid 95? Any information is helpful.

[Jeanai F]

I am interested in renting a 2 bedroom Villa, can anyone provide me with any contact information? My email is [email]jeanaif@hotmail.com[/email]. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.

[bentontoni]

Good morning, I've lived in the community since 2001 and love the community. I would like to see neighbors come together and support each other. We are a community of all people and I would like to see that. I moved here because my first impression were nice and clean community, close shopping center, away from busy main rodes for my child, daycare close, community center with a nice pool, tennis court, schools close by, and when I moved here I knew my neighbors but they all have moved. I'm getting to know my new neighbors. I think the community needs to have an community event so the community can know each other and know who their neighbors are. If we are a community we should be able to come together like a community should.
Its 2015 and yes communiting is a bear but once I get home its still refreshing to come home to serenity. I would like to help my community helping with child care services for those parents that communte and help plan family events. If you looking for any of these services please post.
Thank you for being a part of a wonderful community in Salem Fields in Fredericksburg, Va