Moving from FL to Ft Belvoir Area this Summer
 

Hey guys, just found out today I'm being transferred to Ft Belvoir this summer. I'm heading up to house hunt next week and wanted to see if any of you had recommendations or places to avoid? I'm looking to rent a 4/3/2 house in an area with a good elementary school. I've looked at the Dumfries, Woodbridge and Fairfax areas online already so that's where we'll start. I want to keep rent under $3k a month.

On a more important topic, where are the good car hangouts, C&C, and shows in the area?

If firearms possesion and conceal carry are important to you in that area definitely look at the laws in the tri-state area first before you head up and waste any of your days of house hunting leave or your own personal days of leave.

If not, then the rest of it depends on how much traffic you want to drive in really. The whole D.C. region and even the outer areas are always a mess.

Woodbridge gas the WORSE traffic EVER tbh.
It is cheaper there though.

Springfield is a NICE area but more expensive. Also, you can get to anywhere easily since all the highways are near it. Also, everything is close. Grocery store, gas station, mall, movies, etc. Also, better people

Fairfax is far from Ft. Belvoir and the most expensive of them. Woodbridge is far from anything fun in the city.

Springfield is nice, a good compromise between cost and location. You would still have the metro access which is nice if you plan to go into the city at all. As for cars, the beltway is right through Springfield so you could get anywhere in the DMV area relatively easy.

You can easily find a place to rent for less than 3k a month in any of those locations. Just for reference I live in Fairfax/Vienna and commute to the Anacostia base. Don't recommend a commute that long which is similar to what you would have to Ft. Belvoir. I don't know about schools except that Fairfax area might be slightly better.

Fairfax station is a great community. I don't personally live there, but my father does and I'm usually visiting him every other week. There's a few golf courses, and you're only like 15-20 min's away from two separate malls.

And from what I hear the school system there is pretty good. My step-sisters graduated and went off to Virginia Tech.

It seems that many military families live in my area of West Springfield (roughly between Old Keene Mill, Fairfax County Parkway and Rolling Rd), and we are close to Ft Belvoir, with easy access. There is also an interstate going to the Pentagon (usually jammed during rush hours). The only bus in the neighborhood goes to the Pentagon. So you might feel comfortable ;-)

Areas closer to the river (on Rt 1, Hybla Valley, Mt Vernon etc) are considered not so good. Some places long Telegraph Rd look pretty nice.

Honestly, Springfield may be your best bet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice. We'll definitely look in Springfield!

Well, we spent 5 days in the area and decided on a home in Woodbridge. We looked in Springfield, Manassas, Fairfax, Dumfries (too far away) and Alexandria, but Woodbridge worked out best. I know it's not super convenient for going downtown, but there's a VRE station 1.5 miles from the house, and it's only 25 minutes (traffic dependent of course) to work. More importantly, it has a 3-car garage, storage shed, and finished basement!


Looing forward to meeting y'all at the meets this summer!

Nice! Glad things worked out great for you!
There are usually meets IN Woodbridge sometimes. Went to one this past Thursday!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great, congratulations!

3 car garage?! Time to buy two more 86's!

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Possibly, or maybe a new Miata hardtop!

Not a bad choice either!

Regardless, congrats on the move! Welcome to the DMV :thumbsup: