Relocating to the Fredericksburg area (Richmond, Centreville: for sale, foreclosures, HOA)

[Sabsyop]

My wife and I are moving into the DC area. We will be working in downtown DC and we are planning to buy a house in Fredericksburg, VA. We are a young couple with two toddlers.
Can anyone tell me if it is a good idea to buy a house in the Fredericksburg, VA area?
We realized during our house hunt that TOO MANY houses were for sales in Fredericskburg. Is it a safe area? How is the school system?
Does it mean homeowners are moving away for crime reason, any other reason?
Any suggestion will be appreciated.

PS: We are also thinking about buying a house in Centreville, VA. Is it safer and better than Fredericksburg in terms of crime rate and school system?

Thanks

[onevthoki]

I loved my time in Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania. We moved because my husband received another job in the Richmond area.

There are several reasons there are so many homes on the market. I think a lot of people in that area got into ARMs and their payments went up beyond their means. And then there are just the number of short sales and foreclosures on the market. BUT, I still have friends in the area and get up there to visit every few months. And what I am hearing is the inventory is decreasing. If you are going to be in the area for at least five years, you should be fine.

As to the schools, mine were in the Spotsylvania system, and I was very happy with it. If you want some recommendations on neigborhoods, give us an idea on what is important to you and your family. Price range, HOA or not, lot size, do you mind cookie cutter, etc.

Hope this helps!

[Sabsyop]

Thank you so much for your quick response.
We admire a newer home (less than 5 years old) located in a safe area with low crime, not too far from the VRE Station as I will be taking the train to downtown DC. We can afford to spend about $300 000 (4 bedrooms house). HOA will be fine as I will need some amenities such as swimming pools, gym, etc...
We have two toddlers, and we would like to live in the Fredericksburg area for at least 10 years. So, it is also important that I find a good place so my children can get to good schools.
We are willing to start a house hunt in the next 2 weeks.

[cb at sea]

The only problem with living in the Fredericksburg area will be the commute to DC....it's a NIGHTMARE! Traffice used to only be bad during the actual "rush hour", but it's gotten to the point where it's rush hour all day long....one small fender-bender can tie up traffic for hours! So, if you decide to do that, figure 2 hours each way for commuting time....I'm not kidding!
As far as the area goes, it's nice, but lots of traffic here, too! The schools are good, and we've gotten alot more stores and restaurants in the last 5 years or so....but again...the traffic will drive you nuts!

[onevthoki]

CB, unfortunately, you are right. The traffic is why we headed a bit south of Richmond. My hubby commuted to the Pentagon. If he could have gotten on at Quantico, we probably would have stayed. Unfortunately they like to hire Marines (understandable), so we headed south to the Fort Lee area - HOOAH!! :-)