Orders to the D.C. area? Where to live near Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon and Quantico, plus tips for buying or renting from out of state.
If you just got orders to the D.C. area, welcome! Northern Virginia is home to a lot of military families, and for good reason. You’re close to several major installations, the schools are well regarded, and there’s a wide range of neighborhoods to choose from.
It can also be a lot to figure out from a distance. Commutes here can change dramatically depending on which side of a highway you live on. Here’s where I’d start looking, depending on where you’ll be reporting.
Fort Belvoir
Fort Belvoir sits along Route 1 in southern Fairfax County. Popular nearby areas include:
- Lorton. Right next door, with newer communities, established neighborhoods, parks along the Occoquan River, and a VRE station. Read the Lorton guide.
- Springfield. Central and convenient, with Metro, commuter buses and quick access to I-95 and the Beltway. Read the Springfield guide.
- Alexandria. The Kingstowne area and other Fairfax County neighborhoods with Alexandria addresses are a short drive away. Read the Alexandria guide.
- Woodbridge. A little farther south, often with more space for the money. Read the Woodbridge guide.
The Pentagon
For the Pentagon, being near Metro or a slug line can make a big difference. Slugging is a local form of casual carpooling: drivers pick up riders at set spots so everyone can use the HOV lanes, and many lines run straight to the Pentagon.
- Alexandria has several Metro stations on the Blue and Yellow lines.
- Springfield has Metro access and slug lines.
- Burke has two VRE stations, commuter buses and slug lines. Read the Burke guide.
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Quantico sits along I-95 south of Woodbridge. Woodbridge and the surrounding Prince William County communities are a natural fit, with the I-95 Express Lanes and VRE service for trips north.
Buy or rent?
It depends on how long you expect to be here, what your housing allowance covers, and whether you’d like to keep the home as a rental after your next move. I help families on both sides: I’ve helped military families find a rental after a PCS move, and I work with buyers, sellers and landlords of investment homes too.
If you’re thinking about buying, ask your lender about a VA loan. It may let you buy with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance. A VA funding fee usually applies unless you’re exempt, so a good lender will walk you through the numbers.
Buying or renting from out of state
You don’t need to be here to get started. Here’s how I help families who are still at their current duty station:
- Video tours. I’ll walk homes for you on a live video call and point out the things photos don’t show.
- Neighborhood scouting. I can check out the street and the commute for you, and tell you honestly what I see.
- Electronic signing. Most paperwork can be signed online, so distance doesn’t slow us down.
- Timing around your orders. We’ll plan your search, settlement or lease start around your report date.
Let’s talk about your move
Every PCS move is different. Send me your report date, your duty station and what you’re looking for, and I’ll put together a short list of neighborhoods to consider. Contact me here, or learn more on my Military & Relocation page.
