Living on Base at Fort Belvoir

Posted by Cade Gaede on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 6:05 AM By Cade Gaede / June 1, 2022 Comment

Have you recently been stationed at Fort Belvoir? One of the first things you’ll need to do is find housing. Fort Belvoir is located in a great area of northern Virginia, and there are plenty of great housing options for Army members stationed there. You can either opt to live on base, or you can buy or rent a home off-base. At V Star Real Estate, we help our clients find amazing homes throughout northern Virginia. Here’s what you need to know about your off-base housing options and what it is like living on base at Fort Belvoir.

On-Base Housing Options

All of the on-base housing options at Fort Belvoir are in the Villages at Belvoir. There are 15 unique neighborhoods within this community, each of which is designated for members of different ranks. Within each neighborhood, there are also a few different floor plans to choose from. These range from 3-bedroom to 5-bedroom homes.

Most homes on base come with modern appliances. Some also have large yards and garages. There are also a wide range of community amenities available. These include healthcare clinics, gyms, a business center, community centers, a movie theater, and a bowling alley. For families with children, there are two schools on base. There are many outdoor amenities such as playgrounds, swimming pools, bike trails, a golf course, and more. There are also 24-hour maintenance services and landscaping services available.

Fort Belvoir hosts a variety of social events throughout the year, which gives residents an opportunity to connect with one another. Most of these events are kid-friendly, and there are also some pet-friendly events. There are even venues you can rent if you’d like to host your own party.

Pros and Cons of Living On Base

There are pros and cons to living on base at Fort Belvoir, and it’s important to understand these before you move. The biggest advantage of living on base is that you’ll have a very short and easy commute to work each day. Base housing also comes with a number of handy amenities, and your neighbors will all be military families with a similar lifestyle to yours. If you’re looking to be a part of a tight-knit military community, on-base housing is an easy way to make that happen.

However, there are also some disadvantages to living on a military base. On-base housing is in very high demand, which means there is a very long waitlist. Many members who apply for on-base housing have to wait years before they are approved! This means it isn’t a realistic option for many military families.

Another major disadvantage of living on base is that you don’t have the opportunity to buy a home. This means that you can’t build equity through homeownership. You also won’t have the opportunity to customize your property to suit your needs. In each on-base community at Fort Belvoir, there are only a few different types of homes to choose from. There are also restrictions on how you can change your home.

While some people love the tight-knit nature of living in a military community, others find it to be a bit isolating. The community can feel very small, and you’ll have to make a dedicated effort if you want to spend time off-base.

Living Off-Base Near Fort Belvoir

There are so many great communities to choose from if you want to live near Fort Belvoir. Some popular areas nearby include Mt. Vernon, Woodbridge, and Springfield, just to name a few. To see all of the homes currently for sale near Fort Belvoir, check out our listings page.

There are many different types of homes to choose from in this area. If you’re looking for something smaller, there are plenty of modern condo communities and apartment buildings available. These tend to be located near shopping centers and public transportation options. For those who want more space, there are also plenty of suburban neighborhoods with single-family homes. There is a good mix of historic properties and new construction in northern Virginia - it all depends on what you’re looking for. Homes in this area can vary widely in price. In general, communities closer to Washington D.C. are going to be more expensive than those that are further away.

Living off-base puts you closer to all of the fun things to do in the northern Virginia area. There are plenty of excellent restaurants and shopping centers to explore here, as well as fun outdoor activities like hiking and boating. If you have family members that work or attend school in Washington D.C. or the surrounding area, living off-base can make commuting easier for them.

Pros and Cons of Living Off Base

Living off base at Fort Belvoir has its advantages and disadvantages. The biggest advantage of living off base near Fort Belvoir is the number of amazing communities you have to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a spacious historic home or a brand-new modern condo, you’ll be able to find it in northern Virginia. There are plenty of wonderful properties with large yards and plenty of privacy in the suburbs. You can also choose to live near Washington D.C. and commute out if you prefer the city life.

The other major advantage of living off base is that you can choose whether to buy or rent your home, rather than being limited to renting. While there are plenty of great rentals near Fort Belvoir, we recommend buying a home if you are able to. Buying a home helps you build equity over time. Even if you end up stationed somewhere else later on, you can rent out the property to generate some passive income.

A major downside of living off base is a longer commute, especially with northern Virginia’s heavy traffic. However, you can still find properties that are just a short drive away if a short commute is important to you. It is possible to find homes that are just 10 minutes away from base.

Living on base comes with convenience and community, but living off base gives you freedom of choice and the opportunity to build equity. Ultimately your choice will depend on your needs and what you’re looking for in a home. If you are looking for a home near Fort Belvoir, don’t hesitate to reach out to VStar Real Estate. We can help you with other options and what you need to know about living on base at Fort Belvoir.