Where do the military members live at in Virginia?

Question

Hi Everyone!

I've been doing my research and it seems like I am looking in all the wrong areas. I am looking to see where members tend to live at that are stationed in Ft. Belvoir and Quantico Marine Corps base. I have noticed Stafford comes up, but is there a mid way point for both military bases here in Virginia?

Thanks everyone!

David W.

Jessica Frasier · Answer

@David Wong So, keep in mind that I grew up in the DMV my whole life so when you ask me why people commute that long, to me, it's really not that unusual. For example, my uncle lives in Woodbridge and commutes up to Maryland for work since his company moved up there. He wakes up at 4AM everyday and takes a van pool so they can use HOV lanes. It's about 1.5 hours one way. And he is able to come home earlier as well and try to miss out on the traffic. All of his neighbors wake up around the same time.

Why do people do it? Because the DMV is expensive! The area is growing, there are tons of jobs, lots of opportunity. Amazon has narrowed down the cities for their second headquarters and look at three of the areas: Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD, and Washington DC. If Amazon comes here, I can't imagine how crazy the traffic will be. We have van pools, toll roads, and slug lines to get people into the city.

People live that far away because they don't have a choice. If you have a family of 4-5 and work in Fairfax, a lot of people have to live further out to afford a home big enough. Off the top of my head, I know dozen of people who live in West Virginia and commute to DC. I also know dozens of people who live in Culpepper and Fredericksburg and commute to McLean. I also once met someone who lived in Pennsylvania and commuted into DC everyday. He woke up at 3:30AM everyday. People in the DMV are motivated and hungry for career progression. Everything is fast-paced.

Also, I have only seen a handful of small multi-families on the market in this area. They are not common in this area. I hope this helps!

Cesar Rebolledo · Answer

@David Wong The C'Vill Investors Meet Up is the second Tuesday of the month at the Omni Hotel in Charlottesville. I would also say to NOT fear the GURU meet ups. Only reason I say that is that you can still walk away with good contacts and some nuggets of information... Just keep your wallet at home!!

Eddy Dumire · Answer

I have two rentals in North Stafford.   One is rented to a marine that works in Quantico.   His commute is about 15 minutes.   The other works at Belvoir.  She routinely commutes an hour or more.  I think you'll find the highest concentration of military around the 95 corridor between Fredericksburg and Alexandria but skewed more heavily between Stafford and Woodbridge.   Woodbridge has the bonus of being a super easy Pentagon commute with the slug lines that form near PW pkwy commuter lot.  Stafford appeals to those looking for something a little less urban.  Cash flow in Stafford is a little more attainable than it is in Woodbridge.  You can Cash flow in Stafford in B properties where in Woodbridge you'll probably need to go to a C.

Amahl Miller · Answer

The answer us really all over.  I am not aware of a concentration of military but they like living iff route one which stretches from Fredericksburg to Alexandria and paases both bases.

Luis Reyes · Answer

@David Wong How are you David? I currently live in the area and have experience with traveling to Belvoir and Quantico. Having lived in Woodbridge & Dale City, i would say that this area is a great midway point for both bases. Without traffic you can reach either base in about 15-20mins.

There is also a local meetup on the last wed of the month in Woodbridge. Great group of people with tons of knowledge. Check out the thread here on BP.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/53...

Good luck and wish you nothing but the best on your real estate goals. Maybe i'll see you at a meetup.

-Lou

David Wong · Answer

Do we have any networking events in the near future in Virginia? I noticed that some seem to be selling a guru course and for some odd reason that does not interest me.

Patrick Shawn Faherty · Answer

Yes, I think you will find very few MFHs in that area, though there are some. I hope you land what you are looking for. I'm looking in less expensive markets for better ROI (and less out of pocket).

And @Jessica Frasier is spot on. I have lived here on and off since the 90s and my commute is 50-75 minutes each way. Pretty much the norm for most here.

David Wong · Answer

@Jessica Frasier That information definitely helps! Looks like I'll make a purchase of a larger SFH instead of what I was planning previously. Thank you for your help!

David Wong · Answer

@Jessica Frasier Why do they commute that type of distance?

To me it seems odd to live so far just to get to work. I was looking at Dale City, VA and almost closed on one, but I essentially lost it with my "low" offer. Bummer.. Gotta keep looking. I've been searching and it seem like Multi - Family that is not commercial is practically non existent in VA.

Stephaney Green · Answer

majority of them stay in Alexandria, Fairfax some in DC

Where do the military members live at in Virginia?

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