Describe Fredericksburg? (Richmond, Arlington, Orange: for sale, apartment complex, new home)

[loveautumn]

I'm hoping you can describe the Frederickburg area for me in terms of....is it flat, hilly, are there any lakes/water around, lots of trees (what kind), what are suburbs like, rural areas, are there nice apartments in the area, how about shopping? I know the downtown area is very quaint and all but I'm trying to get a feel for where the real people live thanks!

[EricD]

Fredericksburg is on the Fall Line (Fall line - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) with Piedmont to the West (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piedmont_(United_States) ) and a Coastal Plain to the East (Coastal plain - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

In short, it's kinda hilly to the west, getting more so the further west you go (Eventually forming mountains about an hour west), where-as to the east it's more flat.

There are a decent amount of small lakes in the area. None in the City of Fredericksburg, but there are lakes in Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, and Orange Counties. Some allow gas motor boats, and others do not. About 45 minutes south of Fredericksburg is Lake Anna, one of the biggest in the state. There are lots of deciduous trees (Deciduous - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), such as Beech, Oak, Poplar, and Maple. There are some pine trees, mostly in areas that have been logged, where they go in after and plant pine trees, since they are faster growing. There are some flowering trees like dogwood and pear trees.

Suburbs are mostly new homes (built since 1980), with most homes built from mid 1990 through mid 2000's. Most neighborhoods are of a few hundred homes off of former rural roads that twist and turn. There are some larger neighborhoods with HOAs, pools, and all that. The rural areas are mostly farm land, with some areas that are still dense forest.

They just built a new apartment complex in the back of Central Park (the biggest shopping district in the area). The Haven: http://thehavenapartments.com/celebrate/top.swf There are some nice ones off of Rt. 17 in Southern Stafford as well.

Shopping is either in the Spotsylvania Towne Center (the mall), or across the street at Central Park. (Mostly big-box stores). Downtown has a lot of the cool small shops, and of course there are plenty of little shopping centers with a grocery store, CVS, fast food restaurant, and a few other small shops. There are other malls within a short drive to the north or south, if there is a store that you are missing in Fredericksburg.

I hope this helps!

[slowlane3]

Being south of the Mason-Dixon line, downtown F'burg has generally older detached homes with big trees and lawns . It's not like Northern towns of comparable size which are crowded full of row-houses and minimal yards.

F'burg is linked with Washington, DC and Arlington, VA by Vre.com . Although I've never known anyone who rode it - they seemed to feel the commuter bus was cheaper.
F'burg is also home to University of Mary Washington - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Much of the local population growth in recent decades has occured to the West, toward Chancellorsville. and near the two huge, aforementioned shopping complexes at the I-95 and VA Rt 3 interchange.

[ShiShisHouse]

I just relocated here July 6 2011. I came expecting to hear slow Southern accents, and overalls. That was pretty hard to find actually. The area is totally mixed with all types of people. It seems to be a working class and a retired set. One thing I noticed is that there are soooo many mixed couples like my situation, so I feel totally comfortable here. There are South of the Borders here, and I noticed they DO NOT mix and mingle with the other races. All persons I come in contact with speak very well. So I am totally impressed. There is an eerie quiet around the Universities at this time, but I have a feeling that by the end of August, the stores and the roads will be packed! And no one wants to tell me. Fuel prices are good here. I don't notice any upscale places, just everything middle class, to buffet type eating. I've not noticed any racial discrimination, but I work in public service and the social service system is being drained by the illegals, the ball is already rolling...There are gangs here, but they seem to only fight with each other. There is a shopping center where the day laborers hang out, so I just stay away from that area. It's not a "dirty" town. I feel safe here on my own, this is a very family oriented place. Fredericksburg is NOT the place for 20 somethings looking for a club scene. Another thing I noticed is alot of people have mustangs & dodge chargers (new ones)? Muscle cars are popular here. I think the job scene is holding on, but if you are in the medical field, that is where your security lies. Nurses are needed desperately here. The apartments I have seen are all older and priced $900 and up. I do not see alot of "for sale" signs on homes, there is new home construction on Cowan Blvd, but there was a $30,000 price jump so things, I am sure are looking up. Definitely check it out. I did so much research for my move, we settled on Stafford but I travel thru Fredericksburg to get to Culpeppa. Good Luck! Oh! and weekends start on Thursdays in Virginia. 95 South is rough starting Thursday's 4pm.

[Tiger Beer]

I just went through Fredericksburg a few days ago. Went to one of the malls, just off the highway. Very international feel! I liked it a lot. Very busy as well.

I also drove through the downtown, and it was quite busy, with quite a few foot traffic and people about. Sorry, I can't be more specific, but F'Burg seems like an interesting small town.

[cb at sea]

Downtown Fred'bg is "quaint"...sort of.... The rest of the area is a bedroom community of No. Va......about 75% commute to DC or that area. A few commute to Richmond.

Lots of hills and trees west of I=95.. East of the interstate gets flatter the closer to the shore you get. This is a typical suburban area....we are neither southern or northern....either by accent or manners. Drivers around here are pushy and rude. Traffic is horrendous, since the interstate cuts right through us! However, once you get to know the folks, they will be friendly.....
We used to be a "close-knit" community where everyone knew everyone else.....but we've grown leaps and bounds in the last 20 years....it's pretty much a zoo now!!

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by cb at sea

Downtown Fred'bg is "quaint"...sort of.... The rest of the area is a bedroom community of No. Va......about 75% commute to DC or that area. A few commute to Richmond.

Lots of hills and trees west of I=95.. East of the interstate gets flatter the closer to the shore you get. This is a typical suburban area....we are neither southern or northern....either by accent or manners. Drivers around here are pushy and rude. Traffic is horrendous, since the interstate cuts right through us! However, once you get to know the folks, they will be friendly.....
We used to be a "close-knit" community where everyone knew everyone else.....but we've grown leaps and bounds in the last 20 years....it's pretty much a zoo now!!

The mall in F'Burg feels exactly like NoVA...Asian, Latino, Middle Eastern, White, Black...

[Deluusions]

Originally Posted by cb at sea

Downtown Fred'bg is "quaint"...sort of.... The rest of the area is a bedroom community of No. Va......about 75% commute to DC or that area. A few commute to Richmond.

Lots of hills and trees west of I=95.. East of the interstate gets flatter the closer to the shore you get. This is a typical suburban area....we are neither southern or northern....either by accent or manners. Drivers around here are pushy and rude. Traffic is horrendous, since the interstate cuts right through us! However, once you get to know the folks, they will be friendly.....
We used to be a "close-knit" community where everyone knew everyone else.....but we've grown leaps and bounds in the last 20 years....it's pretty much a zoo now!!

Fredericksburg is still very southern.