Bolling AFB for One Year

[jdnk]

Thanks again to everyone with the great replies. You've offered some really good insight. This is all very helpful for our trip next week.

[slowlane]

Originally Posted by stpickrell

Manassas would be too far, I think. If you want a small town feel, then Southern Maryland is just fine, and you will adjust to the (somewhat longer) commute. IS Charles/Calvert comparable to western Loudoun in terms of lot sizes, rural feel, small towns dotting the landscape, etc?

Stpickrell, just to answer your question. Charles and Calvert Counties are quite different.

Northern Calvert County (Dunkirk) is dominated by many large new mansion homes scattered around on various large lots, although there are some moderately-priced ones too. Housing prices decrease markedly the further South you move in Calvert County. Highway 4, which is the ONLY way in and out of the County, is very tastefully landscaped and non-commercial appearing throughout Calvert. Wineries give the area some class. The town of Chesapeake Beach also has some small-town walkable charm and is affordable. All of Calvert County has excellent-rated schools, however it's a considerable drive to reach any shopping Mall from any part of Calvert. The County does have 2 WalMarts.

Charles County is dominated by the large un-incorporated city of Waldorf (population 80,000 - at least half of which is the giant planned city of "Saint Charles" within Waldorf, which has many Air Force families and a wide range of detached homes and townhouses.) Waldorf has a 2-level shopping Mall, and is a full-service city with nearly everything, including minor-league baseball, an Ice-rink, and a bigger community-college than Calvert has. Charles County schools are only average-rated, and Charles throughout the whole county, both urban and rural areas, has a more racially mixed population than Calvert (40% black versus 15+% black). LaPlata is arguably the best town in Charles County for schools and charm.

[stpickrell]

Originally Posted by slowlane

Stpickrell, just to answer your question. Charles and Calvert Counties are quite different.

OK, thank you. What you say makes sense. Seems like Charles will work if you want something closer in and don't like Northern VA for whatever reason, and Calvert will work if you do want the small-town atmosphere. But does Route 4 become stoplight Hell if you are on it between 5 and 10am and 3 and 8pm?

[jayman1981]

To answer your question route 4 can get backed up pretty fast if your not out of the house in the a.m. by 6:00. Afternoon's be on the road by 3:00. As nice as Calvert county is, really it's only one way in and out.

Originally Posted by stpickrell

OK, thank you. What you say makes sense. Seems like Charles will work if you want something closer in and don't like Northern VA for whatever reason, and Calvert will work if you do want the small-town atmosphere. But does Route 4 become stoplight Hell if you are on it between 5 and 10am and 3 and 8pm?

[Spicey477]

Originally Posted by jayman1981

To answer your question route 4 can get backed up pretty fast if your not out of the house in the a.m. by 6:00. Afternoon's be on the road by 3:00. As nice as Calvert county is, really it's only one way in and out.

I definitely agree with this, but the traffic still cannot be compared to beltway or even 301 traffic. The good thing is that there are few lights on Rt. 4, and during work travel times, the place is a road rally, everyone is on the move.

Jdnk, if you have any other Calvert questions, I am a Calvert native and can help you with anything. I'm a huge fan, but having lived other (i.e. more convinient) places, I understand the concern of rural-ish living.

I live in Dunkirk and my husband used to work at Navy Yard (close to Bolling) and it took him around 30 minutes barring no major accidents.

[jdnk]

Originally Posted by Spicey477

I definitely agree with this, but the traffic still cannot be compared to beltway or even 301 traffic. The good thing is that there are few lights on Rt. 4, and during work travel times, the place is a road rally, everyone is on the move.

Jdnk, if you have any other Calvert questions, I am a Calvert native and can help you with anything. I'm a huge fan, but having lived other (i.e. more convinient) places, I understand the concern of rural-ish living.

I live in Dunkirk and my husband used to work at Navy Yard (close to Bolling) and it took him around 30 minutes barring no major accidents.

We went up last weekend to look around, and I have to say, I was very impressed with the area. It was only a 25-40 minute drive each time I went (drove at all different hours). The homes were spread out and overall very nice. Communities seemed very good overall - expensive, but so is everything else up in the greater DC area. Plus, we are looking to rent, so I think that will help.

We also liked most of NOVA. Burke was a very nice area, very pretty and seemed well planned. We did like Alexandria and the Ft Hunt area, but it was all a little crowded for our liking. RT 1 is a mess, but between there and the Potomac it was very nice.

The issue on the VA side was traffic. It was an easy drive across the WW bridge, but then it took over 45 minutes to go up 295 to the Bolling exit. From what I could tell, it was like that every day.

Spicey477, any other thoughts or advice on the area would be great. Appreciate the info from all on here.

[jayman1981]

My friend at this point it's up to you. The tough part about it is you have many options. Which is a good problem to have. The question I have for you is what area are you and your wife leaning towards?

Originally Posted by jdnk

We went up last weekend to look around, and I have to say, I was very impressed with the area. It was only a 25-40 minute drive each time I went (drove at all different hours). The homes were spread out and overall very nice. Communities seemed very good overall - expensive, but so is everything else up in the greater DC area. Plus, we are looking to rent, so I think that will help.

We also liked most of NOVA. Burke was a very nice area, very pretty and seemed well planned. We did like Alexandria and the Ft Hunt area, but it was all a little crowded for our liking. RT 1 is a mess, but between there and the Potomac it was very nice.

The issue on the VA side was traffic. It was an easy drive across the WW bridge, but then it took over 45 minutes to go up 295 to the Bolling exit. From what I could tell, it was like that every day.

Spicey477, any other thoughts or advice on the area would be great. Appreciate the info from all on here.

[jdnk]

Originally Posted by jayman1981

My friend at this point it's up to you. The tough part about it is you have many options. Which is a good problem to have. The question I have for you is what area are you and your wife leaning towards?

We've really decided on the northern Calvert County area. It just seemed to fit our kind of lifestyle and was a decent commute, relatively speaking. Our only concern is that there doesn't seem tobe many homes for rent in the area, and I'm a little worried that whatever comes up will go quickly.

Anyone who knows of a 4/2 home going up for rent next June in that area, feel free to let me know .

[slowlane]

I live in Dunkirk and my husband used to work at Navy Yard (close to Bolling) and it took him around 30 minutes barring no major accidents.[/quote]

"Mapquest" shows at least 37 minutes to get from Dunkirk to Navy Yard, in light traffic.