Northern Virginia (NOVA) can be a challenging real estate market for military families. NOVA is one of the most expensive regions in the country, and the location’s cost often pushes military member’s housing budgets well past BAH. 

To help remedy tight budgets and find larger homes with more land, home shoppers stationed in  the Washington, D.C., area looking for housing near Fort Belvoir or MCB Quantico often head to Woodbridge, Virginia, to search for houses, but affordability is just one of many reasons military families love living in Woodbridge.

Get to Know Woodbridge, Virginia

Woodbridge, Virginia, sits right off I-95 between Alexandria and Stafford and has straight commutes to:  

• Fort Belvoir- 10 miles 
• Quantico- 15 miles 

• The Pentagon- 19 miles

The commutes range from 20-30 minutes on perfect traffic days, but it’s more common to experience longer drives during peak traffic timeframes. It’s routine for the drive time to push to 45 minutes or more, especially if there is an accident or road construction. Many of those living in Woodbridge agree that the sometimes difficult commute is worth the access to larger, more affordable homes. 

Are you relocating to the Woodbridge, Virginia, area? Take a look at this home available for rent in Woodbridge!

4277 Decatur Dr, Woodbridge, VA, 22193

• 4 Bed, 3.5 Bath (Single Family)
• Rent: $3,600/mo.
• MilitaryByOwner Listing MBO1471620

It’s been a long PCS season so far. So why not rent a comfortable, move-in ready home? You’ll only need to add your personal touches to make this rental your own. Upgrades include a gourmet kitchen, low-maintenance Trex deck, and hardwood floors. The walk-out basement has a pool table waiting for the next family to enjoy. You’ll also have the chance to relax after a long day on a covered front porch. Plus, the house is pet-friendly!

3 More Reasons Why Military Families Love Woodbridge

1) It's Family-Friendly, Diverse, with Great Access to Public Schools 

Residents of Woodbridge quickly mention how much they enjoy the diverse group of people they call neighbors; many backgrounds and cultures are represented. Overall, young families mixed with mid-career professionals make up most of the population in Woodbridge. 

Woodbridge is in the middle of a growth spurt, and several new schools have been built or planned. Overall, families seem happy with the educational opportunities in the area. If you're interested in public schools in Woodbridge, you’ll choose from Pennington School, Occoquan Elementary School, Mary G. Porter Traditional School, and Woodbridge Highschool. 

2) So Many Amenities in Woodbridge 

Woodbridge is located in Prince William County and has a population of 4,300, which is not indicative of the large number of shopping and restaurants in the area. You'll find all of the big names in retail and well-known eateries and grocery stores. 

Image from Wikimedia Commons

And, if you're familiar with the popular Mills Malls dotted across the country, you’ll feel right at home at Potomac Mills. Potomac Mills is an anchor location in the middle of a wide selection of retail choices that spreads for miles, including the region’s closest Ikea, perfect for redecorating after a PCS! 

3) Don't-Miss Outdoor Adventures! 

Woodbridge is a busy city with plenty of people going about their daily activities—it is a distant suburb of D.C., after all—but tranquil parks and countryside settings are just around the corner. 

Image from Wikipedia

• The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Visitors enjoy more than four miles of trails to watch water birds, especially ospreys and bald eagles. The views from the dock at Painted Turtle Pond are also crowd favorites. 
• Prince William Forest Park is part of the National Park System and a quick drive down to Triangle, Virginia. Camping, hiking, and events like the Heritage Festival are locals’ favorites. 
• Leesylvania State Park sits in the southeastern portion of Prince William County along the shores of the Potomac River. Historic ties are strong and reach back to Captain John Smith in 1608. Today, visitors hike, bike, picnic, fish, and boat. 

After you find the perfect home with room to spare, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Woodbridge. Tight-knit neighborhoods, plenty of shopping and dining, and access to the great outdoors wait for newcomers to arrive. 

Moving to the Washington, D.C., area? Download our free guide to the area!