In the mid 1970's my college roommate and her husband settled into their first apartment in West Springfield.  A few years later those apartments became part of the condominiums that make up the Cardinal Forest neighborhood.  Still welcoming newlyweds, military families and retirees the community has matured and maintained its charm.  Buyers and owners can say thank you to a diligent homeowners association which makes sure that the neighborhood has been well taken care of over the years.

Buyers may be surprised when they drive through the neighborhood at the wide variety of condominiums available in the Cardinal Forest neighborhood.  There are 1, 2 & 3 bedroom single level units, two different models of two level townhouses and a 2100 square foot three level townhouse as well. There are a total of 68 buildings and 1050 units that make up the neighborhood.  The condominium fee in Cardinal Forest includes everything but your "plug ins" and whatever internet/cable/phone bundle you may choose.  

If you are looking for outdoor recreation you can walk to the back entrance of Lake Accotink Park or take a short drive to Hidden Pond Nature Center.  With two swimming pools, multiple tot lots and easy access to shopping you can't find too much to complain about.  Metro buses, Fairfax County Connector buses and drivers looking for slugs run right through the community so you can leave your car at home if you work in DC or at the Pentagon.  The neighborhood is also convenient for any one stationed at Fort Belvoir.  Multiple roads will lead you to the base in less than 30 minutes.

When our family lived across the street in the Charlestown subdivision we walked to the Giant, Whole Foods, Starbucks and the Washington Sports Club, all within a mile.  Cardinal Forest is just one of the many terrific West Springfield neighborhoods you might want to call home.

If a move to Northern Virginia is in your future give me a buzz.   Let's talk about how we can find the best home for your needs.

Are you relocating to Northern Virginia?  Are you worried about finding the right home in a neighborhood close to work or within a reasonable commuting time to your new job?  A standard question for anyone new to Northern Virginia to ask is "how long will it take me to get from here to there?"

Fortunately it is a question I can answer from years of experience.  Why would you take commuting advice from a Realtor®?   Let's face it most agents are not out at 7 am in Northern Virginia driving into the city, around the beltway or on the local parkways.   DC has been named the #3 worst commuting area by Forbes Magazine behind LA and SF so our ever changing traffic patterns can be a mystery for someone just moving to the area.
 

The reason I feel qualified to speak to the commute is because prior to getting my real estate license I had successful careers in the private sector which required me to commute throughout the area.   For years I lived in different neighborhoods in Northern Virginia and commuted to other parts of the area, DC and even for a year to PA.  I drove the streets during morning and afternoon rush hour, rode the metro, connector buses, VRE and even Amtrak.  For three years I picked up slugs every morning for a commute into DC.  

When a military family asks me if they can drive from Burke to Fort Belvoir at 7AM in the morning in less than 30 minutes experience tells me "yes" and I can give you multiple options for the drive.  Ask me if you can slug from Springfield to the Pentagon in 20 minutes and I'm going to tell you "yes" because I did it for years.  Ask me if you can commute from Springfield to Reston Town Center in 30 minutes and I'll tell you "no" because I did it.  Northern Virginia commuting changes with the seasons as well.  When the time changes in the fall the evening commute can get longer due to nighttime driving conditions.  And my best advice is if the weather channel even hints of one snowflake then you need to take public transportation if you want any chance of getting home at all.

If you are a buyer who is looking for realistic information about commuting in the Northern Virginia area give me a call.  I am still on the roads every day, finding new ways to get around both the old and new neighborhoods and keeping current on traffic patterns.  I can help you make buying decisions that include not only the neighborhood that works for your family but also an understanding of commuting patterns in Northern Virginia.

This isn't about a pay per view fight coming to you from our area but the fact that every day in Northern Virginia hitchhikers are jumping in strangers cars and headed in to DC.  Our slug lines are famous around the country as a unique form of carpooling not often found in other major metropolitan cities. 

Many like to associate the term "slug" with the slimy creatures you find in your garden but the term actually started with the bus drivers who would find riders who had slipped in "slugs" or fake tokens into the token box instead of the real ones.  The term stuck and became linked with grabbing a free ride in our area.

Slug lines have flourished and become one of the easiest and certainly cheapest ways to get into town during the work week.  The protocol for slugging is well established, the routes defined and though it is not officially sanctioned by any local jurisdiction there are no laws against it.  Most of the official slug lines are along the I-95 corridor from as far south as Fredericksburg in Stafford County.  The best hours to be picked up in the morning vary by location but generally coincide with the HOV lane restrictions of 6-9 am and 3:30-6PM.

At first newcomers to the area are skeptical about jumping into a car with a perfect stranger, lets face it we all have heard the horror stories about hitchhiking but in the case of slugging you won't find any problems.  There are official pick up and drop off spots in the suburbs of Fairfax, Prince William and Stafford Counties and there are official pick up and drop off spots in DC.  Lines are orderly and if anyone tries to break ranks and skip ahead in the they quickly learn that drivers will leave them stranded. 

Combine slugging with our extensive bus routes, rail lines and subway routes and smart commuters find out quickly that with the price of gas over $3.00 a gallon that they can leave the car at home and enjoy getting to the city with far less stress by taking public transportation.  The Pentagon is one of the major drop off and pick up points for slugs and makes it perfect for active duty personnel!

My map is a sample of slug line locations in our area.  To see more of the official slug lines check out the Official Slug-Line Website.  If you are relocating to Northern Virginia and want to know more about slugging or getting around the area give me a call.  As a native of the area I have a few secrets I can share about how to get from here to there!

©2008. All Rights Reserved. Cindy Jones "Slugging It Out in Northern Virginia"

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If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Prince William County give Cindy Jones a call at 703-346-2213. My team also serves other areas of Northern Virginia including Alexandria, Burke, Clifton, Lorton, Fairfax Station, Manassas, Woodbridge and surrounding neighborhoods. . Stop by VaRealEstateTalk, Cindy Jones Homes or Military Relocation News for more information. Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

Need to commute north to the Pentagon?  You can hop on the VRE right inside the community and head north.  You can do a quick change at different locations to the metro and be in the Pentagon in less than 30 minutes.  If Ft. Belvoir is your destination then you are only 15 minutes outside of Tulley Gate.  Quantico is a reverse commute on I-95 south and can be done in 20 minutes.

Just a stoplight away from the Pentagon and tucked in the trees off of I-395, sit the seven neighborhoods that make up the community of Fairlington.  The connection between military families stationed at the Pentagon, Fort Meyer or other Military District of Washington facilities remains as strong today as it did in the 1940’s when Fairlington was first built.

If you are considering buying a home while you are stationed at the Pentagon you might want to dust off your VA Certificate of Eligibility. If you find yourself headed to the Pentagon give me a call at 703-346-2213. We can talk about your housing needs, financing options and get your started towards buying your new home in Northern Virginia.

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Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

You will feel as if you have stepped back in time when children sold lemonade on street corners when you stroll the streets of South Run in Fairfax County VA.  Located just 25 miles south of DC in Fairfax County, the South Run neighborhood exudes southern hospitality and old fashioned neighborhood charm.

Homeowners in South Run enjoy the feel of a long lost neighborhood spirit.  With BBQ's in the summer, pool parties, Halloween activities and an active neighborhood social committee that plans dozens of events a year the neighborhood has an unusual community feel in an area known for the commuter lifestyle. 

Nestled on tree lined 1/3 acre or larger lots the 530 homes that make up the South Run neighborhood in Fairfax Station are a great find in the Northern Virginia area. Unlike other neighborhoods close by South Run owners don't have to worry about new home construction destroying their peace and tranquility.  Careful planning made use of all of the available building area leaving owners a neighborhood that has been undisturbed for 20 years. 

For families with school age children these neighborhoods are served by terrific Fairfax County Schools. Elementary age students attend Silverbrook Elementary School or Halley Elementary School  and older students attend the new South County Secondary School The new Lorton Arts Workhouse is nearby which provides the opportunity for students interested in the arts to participate in a number of theater and arts workshops offered throughout the year.

When homeowners need more space to roam they can hop on their bikes and head to the neighboring Burke Lake Park.   Nearby attractions include the historic town of Clifton, St Mary's of Sorrows Church and Old Town Fairfax.

With a location just minutes away from the VRE, slug lines and metro South Run owners can leave there car close to home and not worry about emptying their gas tanks to get to work. With its close proximity for Fort Belvoir and The Pentagon, South Run is also a favorite for military families who move to the area,  

If you would like to make South Run your new home give me a call.  I'd be glad to buy you a tall glass of lemonade to sip on our tour of this great neighborhood. 

See currently available homes in South Run

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As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

Trying to pick the top five things to do in the DC area is like a Smothers Brothers comedy routine.  Mom always liked you best; no she always liked you best, how are you supposed to choose?  But choose I must.  As a native of the area I've had the good fortune to run up the stairs of the Washington Monument as a child with my out of town cousins and dip my feet in the Reflecting Pool on a hot summer day.  Since the stairs of the monument are now off limits and the Park Police frown on cooling your feet you will have to settle for a few snapshots of my favorite places in the DC area.







Lets face it no one can resist a Panda Bear.  So of course you have to put the National Zoo on the list.  Besides the Panda's there are of course Lions, Tigers and Bears.   With the beautiful setting nestled in Northwest DC the National Zoo is a place that you can enjoy at any age.   Bring a picnic and make a day of it.  Personally I'm always taken in by the Otters.  Any creature that gets to lie on its back in the water and shuck oysters has my vote!

No trip to DC is complete without visiting Arlington Cemetery.  Though it isn't a place that you hear people laughing, it is a place where you find reverence and history.   Whether you are stopping at the eternal flame at JFK's gravesite, watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns or looking over the grounds from the Lee-Custis Mansion you can't help but reflect on all of hero's known and unknown that keep America free.

Great Falls National Park in McLean Virginia is one of the wonderful National Parks in our area that residents and visitors can enjoy.  With over 800 acres and 15 miles of trails weekend hikers can find plenty of room to roam.  Even more impressive than the trails are the falls themselves and watching the kayakers who take them on.  Watching the daredevils on a summer day can't help but cool you down a bit and make you think about the first travelers who may have pondered how to cross the river at this awesome spot.

You can't help but feel a little smarter knowing that you are surrounded by so much knowledge when you visit the Library of Congress.  Started with the donation of the Thomas Jefferson book collection in 1815 the library now houses the largest rare book collection in the U.S.  The books aren't the only attraction.  The architecture of the building which was once considered controversial was called "the largest the largest, the costliest, and the safest" library when it was officially dedicated in 1897.

The fifth choice is definitely the hardest.  If I'm forced to stop at five then I'll have to go with the Lincoln Memorial at night.  Designed after the Parthenon in Athens the 36 columns represent the number of states in the union at the time Lincoln was assonated.  Famous for not only honoring our 16th US President but also where Martin Luther King stood and made his famous "I have a Dream Speech" in 1963 and where so many gather today to reflect how far our country has come. 

If you are coming to visit the area this summer make sure you bring plenty of water and call on your local Active Rain friends for a tour of our town.  We always love to show off the famous and infamous spots around town. 

More things to see and do while you are visiting the DC area:

Riding the Rails from DC to Alexandria
A Hero's Tour
Magical History Tour of Northern Virginia

The PCS orders have arrived! The phone has been ringing as military families around the world have gotten the word that their next duty station is in the Northern Virginia area.  The first few days after the PCS orders arrive all the questions about housing, schools and transportation can lead to sleepless nights.  Don't worry it is easy to find your way through the maze of options and get you settled in the area in no time.

Most military personnel headed to the area choose to live in either Fairfax, Prince William or Stafford Counties and whether you are going to buy or rent there are plenty of neighborhood options for you to choose from.  If you are thinking of buying a home, the current Northern Virginia market provides you the chance to find a good value on homes in neighborhoods scattered through out the area. Military personnel are dusting off their VA Certificate of Eligibility and checking with local lenders about the options available to use their VA loans. If buying is the plans make sure you have talked to a lender prior to making your house hunting trip. Knowing what monthly payment you are comfortable with is important for looking at homes in neighborhoods that meet your price criteria.

There are a number of neighborhoods in Northern Virginia that have always been popular with military families stationed throughout the area including Cardinal Forest, Belmont Bay, and Westridge are just a few of the choices.  The options are as varied and there is something for everyone in a wade range of prices.

If you have school age children starting with information on local schools through the Fairfax County or Prince William County or Stafford County  school sites or the Great Schools website will also assist you in determining the right neighborhood for your family.

The final big piece of the puzzle is how do I get around the area?  If you are coming from a smaller more laid back part of the country then driving around the roads in Northern Virginia can be a bit intimidating.  The good news is there are loads of transportation options for you to consider and there are plenty of families that find they can get by with one car.  With the price of gas at an all time high learning the ins and outs of our public transportation options is critical.

The best way to get through the maze is to call a Realtor® who has been through numerous military moves and is a native of the area. I’ve lived through the best and worst military moves and know how to help your family learn about Northern Virginia and find a neighborhood that you will want to call home during your tour of duty. My military relocation network is at your fingertips through my on-line resources, on the phone and in person. Don’t lose sleep over your orders. I’m here to help you with a smooth transition!

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As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

If you haven’t been stationed in Northern Virginia before one of the first things that you want to become familiar with are all the different commuting options available. Depending on the neighborhood you may have the option for an express bus, a metro ride, VRE or slug line. Many who “slug” in the morning take a bus home in the evening, so you are not stuck with just one choice of how to come and go.

Once you have an idea of your commuting options then we can take a closer look at some of the Fairfax County neighborhoods that have always been popular with military personnel. This tour takes you down Old Keene Mill Road one of the main throughfares in Springfield. One of those neighborhoods is the tree lined neighborhood of Cardinal Forest located in West Springfield.

With well maintained homes spread out on large lots, the ability to walk to Accotink Park and express Metro bus (18G) service to the Pentagon this area has been a prime location since it was built in the late 1960’s. 

Just around the corner is the townhouse community of Charlestown. Built to reflect Colonial Williamsburg the all brick homes are well maintained by the homeowners and the association. Having lived in and owned a townhouse in Charlestown for five years I can personally attest to the popularity of the neighborhood and the convenience for commuting to DC. The HOA is responsible for all of the exterior maintenance of the homes, including a three year paint cycle for trim, brick courtyard walls, roofs, front yard mowing and trash removal.

Just as with Cardinal Forest you can walk to all of the same recreation, shopping and commuting options. The largest model town houses the Concord and Hermatage have 2500 square feet of living space on three levels.  

The final stop on this tour down Keene Mill Road is the neighborhood of Orange Hunt Estates. Orange Hunt also is on a direct bus line to the Pentagon and is only minutes away from one of the major slug lines and connector bus points in the area. Just like Cardinal Forest the homes in Orange Hunt Estates sit on large tree lined lots and have been maintained well over the years by the owners.

Close by is Huntsman Lake, South Run Community Center and Burke Lake Park. Our family called Huntsman Estates home (connected to Orange Hunt Estates) home for seven years and would ride our bikes from our house to Burke Lake Park and back, a perfect 11 mile loop to enjoy on a nice day. 

 All of these neighborhoods are part of the West Springfield HS Pyramid.

So if you are looking for affordable neighborhoods in Fairfax County with loads of commuting options to the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir or other military bases in the area, consider these terrific neighborhoods.  If your orders bring you to Northern Virginia this year give me a call. I've been through the best and worst of military moves and know how stressful it can be.

If buying is not in your plans. Don’t worry I am happy to help you find a place to rent in any of these or other Northern Virginia neighborhoods as well.

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As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

Tucked in the trees just off of Old Bridge Road in Prince William County is the quiet community of Westridge.  Coming down the main tree lined drive you come upon the large community center, pond and fountain and you know you are in a neighborhood that makes you feel welcome.

Within easy driving distance to Fort Belvoir, featuring a reverse commute to Quantico and multiple commuter lots close by offering access to the Pentagon the neighborhood is a great oassis for military families stationed in the area.

Westridge offers a number of different home styles from condo townhouses, townhouses and detached homes.  Are you looking for a Georgian colonial, a wrap around porch or perhaps something a bit more modern?  Then you will be able to find it in Westridge.

Want to get some exercise?  Numerous walking paths meander through the trees, over the bridges at the lake and pass by the community center which offers a huge swimming pool for summer fun and a big play ground for families with children.

Home prices vary based on size and style.  From single family homes on acre lots all the way to condos you can find your first home or a move up home in Westridge.  If you are interested in learning more about the currently available homes in Westridge give me a call for a personal tour.