Photo from Heather Whitfield
Moving to a new duty station during the fall or winter doesn't always feel natural. The summer is called PCS season for a reason, after all. And if you're a creature of comfort, it probably doesn't ever feel good to pack up and move. Anywhere. But, alas, military life equals change.
But here's the good news. If you have orders to Alexandria, Virginia, you're in for a treat. The city is large and diverse enough that it takes the edge off your untimely move. With Fort Belvoir, The Pentagon, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Mark Center Alexandria, and other nearby bases in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland, there’s a lot of military activity here, which means you won’t be alone if you’re heading to Alexandria during the “off” season.
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How to Find a New Home in Alexandria
Although an off-cycle PCS usually offers less competition for moving military families, this isn't the case in Alexandria. Since the Washington, DC, area is so saturated with the military, there’s always pressure on the housing inventory in the most desirable neighborhoods and school districts.
- Network. It's wise to tap into your network of military friends to get their opinions on where to live. They’ll be the ones to give the real low down on commute times, which are synonymous with the Northern Virginia lifestyle.
- Utilize resources. Another great resource is the Military Family Guide to Washington, DC. This free guide offers in-depth details to help select the best new hometown.
- Find a knowledgeable real estate agent to assist with a search within the areas and neighborhoods that interest you the most.
Insight Into the Alexandria Market
Curious about what house hunting looks like in Alexandria? Here's what local real estate professionals had to say.
1. How do the off-season rental and buying markets look in Alexandria?
The Northern Virginia market holds a resilience that few other markets can claim. While the rental and sales markets soften a little when the holidays approach, the bustling nature of this area keeps the market active.
2. Are rentals with pets allowed easy to find?
Rental properties allowing pets are often challenging (but not impossible) to find. Given the choice, most landlords prefer a tenant without pets. However, if the home is older or needs updating, the landlord is more likely to allow pets.
3. What does inventory look like during, before, and after summer?
Most commonly, the area sees sales inventory increase as more properties are added in the early spring and then again, to a lesser degree, in the fall than any other time of year.
One of the greatest myths about the DC area real estate market is that there is a significant inventory turnover with an election or administration change in the White House. This is not the case. While people do come and go with administration changes, the numbers are so small they have a minimal effect on the market.
4. Why is moving to Alexandria different from other cities popular with service members?
Alexandria is unique in that it offers history as old as our country, predating Washington, DC. Geographically, Alexandria offers fantastic livability and comfortable commuting to and from popular locations and base installations: the Pentagon, Washington Navy Yard, Joint Base Andrews, Ft. Belvoir, and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling are all well within easy commute of Alexandria and its immediate suburbs.
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Resources for School Transition
Another significant hurdle to any PCS move is transferring schools. Thankfully, the city is familiar with the military and does well in accommodating families who move over the holidays. Many schools flexibly account for the loss or gain of a few students in each class into their classroom numbers.
A Military School Liaison Officer can point you toward the best public, private, or homeschool education for your kids and help them integrate into their new school. Not every installation near Alexandria has a SLO, but many are in the area. The Fort Belvoir Student Liaison Officer is a good place to start.
The Fairfax County Public School system, which educates a large part of Alexandria's population, gives military parents a heads-up on important topics like special education enrollment and school boundaries.
If you’re considering an Alexandria City Public School, their NEW TO ACPS tab has pertinent information.
More tips for connecting with your new school:
- Contact the PTO/PTA. Most in this area have an active military family-specific group within the organization.
- Check in with your school counselors. Many earn special certifications to assist transitioning military kids. There might even be a "buddy program" that matches new students with current military students.
For those who haven’t lived in a very active suburb of a major metropolitan city, the lifestyle in Alexandria might take time to adjust to.
Preparing for housing and school well before arrival helps remove some of the trepidation, allowing your family to jump right into one of the best bucket-list destinations in the military.
