Re: What is the difference between Fredricksburg and Fairfax County?
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1266 a month 2 BR Apt in Nova
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Date: December 14, 2014 07:50PM
Thats what my 2 bedroom apt was when I left in 2011 and moved to the Fredericksburg area after many years in Fairfax Co.Plus I paid electric in the apt, some months the bill was 240 in the summer. I bought a house here a short sale for 185,000 with 20 % down my mortgage was 148,000. My payment at 4.75% is 996 a month real estate tax and insurance included.Today I owe 139000, thats it after only 3 years.
The house is a 4 bedroom 2 story colonial 1/4 acre 24x24 2 car garage fireplace, deck, public water and sewer 25 years old gas heat regular central Ac Large master Br with large walk in closet large bath with Jucuzzi tub and shower. 2 other bathrooms, Very quite subdivision with nice home that is layed out just like Mantua was, sewer water phone lines, roads, but no side walks and in some places a small ditch at the road for the rain water run off.Mantas lots are larger 1/3 to 1 acre here there 1/4 to 1/3 in my subdivision.
Utility bills run up to 240 for the gas heat in the winter last year, 210 for electric 22 for gas in the summer,(gas stove) Electric water heater, Electric runs close to 100 a month until summer. Water is 30 dollars a month I can get Fios , I have Dish and Verizon phone.
You can buy a house like this for 225,000 in the Fredricksburg area of Spotsylvania Co. Im 5 miles from I95 at Rt 3. Try 475,000 or more in Fairfax Co. Property taxes here are 141 a month vs 350 in Fairfax. Any kind of store you want is here Wegmans, Giant, Food Lion
All kinds of stores, the Central Park shopping area is the 3rd largest retail place on the east coast when combined with the Spotsylvania Mall and the other Rt 3 shopping. Much less traffic overall, Good fire and rescue and good schools.
The area is also close to Richmond a area with lots more stores and sites and tings to do. The Blue Ridge is close by as it the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers, The Northern Neck is close by as well as the Central Va area.
Spotsylvania is a growing area as a result. And theres no emissions tests on cars. Lots of federal employees and a large US Marine presence as Quantico is just up the road.
Fairfax has much more expensive housing ,My apt is over 1400 a month today plus electric, less miles to commute but it can take as long as a Fredericksburg commute to DC on some days depending where you are and how I95 is running. Fairfax has the Fire and Rescue edge, much bigger dept and I would rate it as great with excellent EMS and rapid response. same The Park Authority with the 9 indoor Rec centers is wonderfull in Fairfax, Nothing like that down Fredericksburg.Although we do have two YMCA's nearby and both have big gyms lots of exercise machines like Fairfax,saunas, steam rooms, spas, pools and indoor tennis at 1. Under 65 its 55 dollars a month dues. Fairfax Rec's pass isabout 550 a year. Theres more golf up Fairfax Fx is closer to DC and Baltimore. Distance to the Blue Ridge is about the same.
Bottom line is it costs at least 700-1200 dollars a month more to live in Fairfax with higher mortgage payments and real estate taxes in equal size homes.
The commute can be more enjoyable by using van pools, theres loats of them here with special parking lots for the vans, plus commuter parking lots to get oin the van pools, plus the VRE train, The new EZ Pass lanes will help a lot if youve got 3 in the car. Its not as hectic here and on weekends the real country is very close by. Did I mention Lake Anna 22 miles from my front porch.
And theres a big new motorsports place race track coming down at the Thornberg Exit this coming spring, The Owner is Mr Britt who owned the track in Prince William that was closed Old Dominion Speedway