Quantico Base Housing

If you’ve been stationed at Quantico, one of the first steps to take is figuring out where you want to live. You have a few different options here - you can either opt to live on base, or you can buy or rent a home near base. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options - here’s what you need to know if you’re moving to Quantico.

Quantico Base Housing Options

Liberty Military Housing manages all of the on-base housing at Quantico. There are seven different communities with a total of over 1,000 single family homes. These homes have anywhere from two to four bedrooms. Military members stationed at Quantico and their families can apply to rent homes in one of these communities, although there is a long wait list to get approved. 

The on-base housing communities offer a variety of amenities for residents. These homes come with large closets, updated kitchens, patios, in-unit laundry, and more. Maintenance services are available at any time of the day. There are also a range of community amenities on base. These include outdoor recreation areas such as a golf course, community pools, sports facilities, playgrounds, and walking trails. 

There is also a huge community center on base with a gym, internet cafe, and event spaces. Other entertainment amenities include a theater, bowling alley, and marina. The base hosts community events to foster social engagement. For families with children, there are two schools on base. There are also three health clinics to treat non-life-threatening emergencies.

Pros and Cons of Living On Base

There are definitely some advantages that come with living on base at Quantico. The most obvious advantage here is that you are so close to work, making your commute virtually non-existent. Another huge advantage is that you have so many great amenities close by, and you’ll be part of a tight-knit community of military families. 

However, there are also some disadvantages that come with living on base. The first is that you don’t have the opportunity to buy a home there - you are restricted to renting. This means that you won’t be able to grow your wealth through real estate. 

Another disadvantage of living on base is that it can feel very limiting. There are only a few different home models to choose from on base, and you’re limited in what you can do with landscaping as well. Additionally, living on base can feel isolating for some people, as you are separated from the broader community around you. While the military community is wonderful and can be a great support system, it can also feel a bit small. 

The final downside of living on base is the waitlist. On-base housing is in high demand, which means that there aren’t enough homes available for everyone. It can take weeks or even months to get into on-base housing. Because of this, it’s often more efficient to find a home off-base.

Living Off-Base Near Quantico

If you’re looking to live off-base near Quantico, there are so many amazing communities to choose from. Popular areas to live near base include Dumfries, Woodbridge, and Stafford, just to name a few. Check out our other blog on the The Best Places  to Live Near Quantico Base.

There are many different types of homes to choose from around Quantico, so you can really find a property that suits your needs. Whether you’re looking for a suburban single-family home, a compact townhouse, or a large rural property, you can find it in the areas around Quantico. There are even some planned communities that come with extra amenities like pools and gyms. 

The homes in the area around Quantico vary in price, with properties becoming more expensive as you move north and closer to Washington D.C. If you have family members that work or attend school in Washington D.C., living off-base can make for an easier commute for them. 

One advantage of living off-base is that there are plenty of fun things to do in your free time. The Potomac Mills mall is located nearby. In addition to shopping, Potomac Mills offers a variety of dining options, a movie theater, and an amusement center. The Quantico area is also a great place to live if you like spending time outdoors. There are multiple waterfront parks with trails and boat launches along the Potomac River, as well as a huge network of trails at Prince William Forest Park.

Pros and Cons of Living Off-Base

 The biggest advantage of living off-base is the amount of options you have to choose from. You can choose a property and community that best fits your needs, rather than being limited to the few options that are on-base. 

You can also choose to either rent or own your property, rather than being limited just to renting. While there are plenty of great rentals in the northern Virginia area, we recommend buying a home if it is within your budget. When you buy a home, you have much more flexibility when it comes to renovating. Additionally, buying a home helps you build wealth in the long run. Even if you end up stationed somewhere else down the line, you can rent out your home to generate passive income.  

The biggest downside of living off-base is that your commute will be longer, and you won’t have some of the amenities that come with living on base. You’ll need to account for heavy northern Virginia traffic when it comes to planning your commute.  

While living on base is very convenient, living off-base gives you more flexibility and choice when it comes to your home. Ultimately, your choice will depend on what is most important to you in your living situation. 

View Current Homes Within a 30 Minute Drive of Quantico Base