Why We Chose To Rent In Northern Virginia As A Military Family

PCSing to Washington, DC or the National Capital Region? I’m sharing why we chose to rent as a military family in northern Virginia.

When Dane and I found out we were coming to Washington, DC, or the NCR (National Capital Region) as it’s sometimes called in military world, the original assignment for Dane was only 12 months. With that in mind, renting seemed like a no-brainer. When we found out his assignment was getting extended, buying a house was suddenly on the table. Owning a house as a military family can make all the difference and can be a really smart financial investment, so we thought long and hard about the pros and cons of buying in Northern Virginia, but ultimately decided to keep renting.

We prioritized cost, convenience, and comfort. After considering various options, we decided to rent in Northern Virginia and today I’m sharing why.

Why We Chose To Rent As A Military Family In Northern Virginia

Deciding to rent in Northern Virginia was a thoughtful choice that has brought us many benefits. The cost of living is manageable for the area, the commute is short, the proximity to DC keeps us connected to a vibrant city life.

Cost of Living

One of the main factors in our decision was the cost of living. While it’s true that real estate prices in the area can be high, renting has allowed us to enjoy the benefits of living in Northern Virginia without the financial burden of a mortgage. Is our rent higher than it has been anywhere else, including Hawaii? Absolutely yes. But we wouldn’t be able to afford a single family home anywhere near our neighborhood and where we could afford a single family home — Dane’s commute would be hell, which leads me to the commuting aspect…

Short Commute

Dane works in downtown DC (not at the Pentagon), so a short commute was a top priority. Northern Virginia’s public transportation system, including the Metro and various bus routes, provides him with multiple options to get to work quickly and efficiently (worth noting that many military members don’t get parking passes, so public transit should absolutely be a factor when looking at housing if you’re a military family PCSing!). His commute is less than an hour and he can listen to podcasts, read, or catch up on work en route. This not only saves him time, but also reduces the stress and fatigue that often come with longer commutes and saves on high cost of parking in downtown DC. Plus, having more free time means we can enjoy our evenings.

Real Estate Prices

The real estate market in Northern Virginia is competitive, to say the least. While buying a home is something we aspire to again one day (maybe), the current prices are a bit out of reach for us. Renting gives us the flexibility to live in a great neighborhood without the immediate pressure of saving for a hefty down payment, getting into a bidding war, showing up with all cash, or any of the other crazy things that are happening right now with home buying in this area. This way, we can continue to build our savings and invest in our future at a pace that works for us.

Proximity to DC

Living close to Washington, DC is incredibly convenient. We can easily take advantage of everything the capital has to offer, from cultural events and museums to dining and nightlife. Being so close to DC means we’re never far from the action, whether it’s catching a show at the Kennedy Center or exploring the latest exhibit at the Smithsonian. 

Yard Space

One of the things that was important to us no matter where we lived was having a yard for the dogs. But because of this, it meant apartment complexes were immediately off the table. There are some seriously amazing apartments in Northern Virginia, but it wouldn’t be fair to the dogs. If yard space is something that is important to your family, just prepare your expectations for a serious hunt, but they DO exist, I promise! 

If you’re looking for a house to rent in the area, I highly recommend AHRN, Military By Owner, and Zillow. It’s also one of the only places in the country I would recommend having a realtor for finding a rental – even rentals go quickly and over posted pricing!

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy How We Planned A Washington,DC Military Promotion On A Budget or 16 Restaurants We Love In Arlington, Virginia