I'm most likely taking a Job at Pax River and will be moving there from Las Vegas. I'm from northern VA but southern MD i know nothing about. I am 26 year old man, single, with no kids. Anyone know what a good area to live in would be, preferably somewhere that has people like myself? Any recommendations on apartments, or cities live in? I'd prefer to live closer to DC as most of my family and friends live in that area, but if anyone has any insight you'd be doing me a huge favor to sahre it with me! Thanks!
Moving to Pax River Area and need info!
- Thread starter Pag83
- Start date
foodcritic
New Member
Try the Charlotte Hall area. North in the county. Not a lot of apartments or TH. Easy commute to PAX 40 mins. Easy to get to DC about 1 hr. Low crime area.
Beta84
They're out to get us
Try to get a job in Northern VA. For as close as the two places are, they are NOTHING alike and that's not a good thing. You're welcome.
But the Charlotte Hall vicinity is probably a decent choice. Wouldn't suggest being as far north as Waldorf. Hughesville, Mechanicsville, that area I guess.
A lot of us have faced the same delima. If you live close to DC and all the goodies that come with it, then you have a long commute every day and just exhaust yourself. If you live down here close to the base, then there's not much to do and you will end up driving to DC pretty much every weekend and having "sleepovers" with friends. I personally chose to live close to work and drive for fun vs live close to fun and drive to work. If you go with Charlotte Hall, you are far from work and far from fun so that never made much sense to me. Plus in Charlotte Hall you would have to drive one way or the other just to do basic shopping. I can't think of anything there except a grocery store, a thrift store, and a farmers market that's open 2 days a week. I'm sure someone will correct me.
There are plenty of apartment complexes here. Abberly Crest is a popular one. It was just opened a few years ago. Has all the ammenities and is close to base. If you want to go the super cheap route, I've heard of people renting out rooms in their houses for like $400-500/month. If you plan to be away every weekend that might be something to consider. Just a place to crash during the week. Then you could save up some cash and buy your own place. Real estate prices are moderate here, and we have a solid market because of the constant influx/outflux from the base. We've seen a decrease in housing prices from 3 years ago, but nothing like what happened in Las Vagas. I'm a real estate agent btw - I just find it hard to resist throwing in my 2 cents on the market.
From everything I've heard, it seems that either way 'm gonna have to commute to either fun or job. I do have a place to crash for weekends in NOVA, so living closer to work might be a better option. Thank you for the input thus far! Clearly I'd prefer to get a job closer to the metro area but this is just an opportunity I can't really pass up.
terbear1225
Well-Known Member
Yeah, that's how we all got sucked in. An opportunity too good to pass up. And really this place is a good spring board for moving on to bigger and better things. The work here is generally pretty laid back, well paying, and somewhat interesting. I was a programmer for 4 years and just recently switched to doing real estate full time so I could have more control over my schedule. I've known plenty of people who come down here, work for 2-3 years, and then get their dream jobs in DC/Northern VA or wherever else.
I should probably warn you though, most of my guy friends refer to southern MD as sausage city, and that name has nothing to do with processed meat. Single guys waaaay outnumber single girls. But if you plan to spend weekends in NOVA then you probably won't notice.
I sent you a PM pag83.
Oh, and just so you know ahead of time, cell phone service is kinda weird down here. Verizon and AT&T work great, but pretty much all the others have issues. Some people like sprint, but I had it years ago and used to hit dead spots constantly. It may have improved since then.
Oh, and just so you know ahead of time, cell phone service is kinda weird down here. Verizon and AT&T work great, but pretty much all the others have issues. Some people like sprint, but I had it years ago and used to hit dead spots constantly. It may have improved since then.
Beta84
They're out to get us
If you're going to be working on the base then just remember that getting on the base can sometimes take awhile. If you get there during "rush hour" then that'll add a nice chunk of time just waiting at the gate or at the light to turn into the gate. Abberly Crest, Wildewood, and Spyglass are 3 of the popular apartment complexes in the area. A little more expensive, but probably the best idea for apartments if you can afford it. Most of the rest near the base are ghetto.
I'd opt for the short daily commute (makes life easier, saves gas money, etc) and just take the 1.5ish hour haul to DC each weekend. I started by going to DC/Annapolis/Baltimore at least 2-3 times a month, but after finding some things to do down here that has been cut back quite a bit. It's just a pain to do that as a day trip all the time. If you have a place to sleep out there, I'd definitely suggest sticking within 20-30 minutes of the base, because there is more to do near the base than anywhere else out here until you hit Waldorf.
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Baja28
Obama destroyed America
You need to know that we do not have a cop, paramedic or firehouse on every corner and you may have to wait for up to 15 minutes for any of the above to arrive.
man I've been out here for four years and have done enough partying the last 4 years than most have done in a lifetime. After a while all you end up with out here is a dead end job, a possible drinking problem and a terrible dating pool. dont regret a thing however
C
czygvtwkr
Guest
Terrible dating pool? HA, you wouldn't believe the engineers that leave my organization (and southern maryland) cause they can't find a woman in SOMD. This place is full of male dominated professions....... Some resort to going to NOVA to look for a date.
At least SoMD is driving distance to DC and Baltimore if you need to get your big city fix. Sounds like a bit of country living might be a welcome change for you. I will say one thing - if you do manage to settle down this is a really, really good place to raise kids. Not that you are thinking about kids at 26, but the years creep up fast once you are out of college and working. Best of luck to youpag83!
No no kids soon haha. thank you all for the help!
T
toppick08
Guest
You should feel right at home here.......
........welcome, and we don't bite in Leonardtown....
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navywife1984
Guest
If you want an easy commute during the week check out Abberly Crest Apts on Willows Road. We have been in the area for 4 years and it is only about a 5-7 minute drive from Gate 1, less from Gate 2. They are quite new too. We live down that way about 6 miles from gate one and it would take my husband about 10-12 minutes for his commute. If you use Gate 1 to get there once you are out of the gate there are only a very few cars making the left turn in that direction where heading to Wildewood, Leonardtown or other points north you are sitting in traffic. To get to Abberly Crest, from Gate 1 area take a right onto Shang-ri-La Dr (just past Days Inn) and continue straight at the next light, this will put you on Willows Road, stay to the left at the split and the apts are on your left maybe a mile up the road. I think I would stay away from the Hilton Run apts on the right (I believe that is the name of them), I've heard about quite a few problems in there.
Best of luck to you.
Best of luck to you.
Beta84
They're out to get us
Ding ding ding! I can't believe someone is complaining about the dating pool in Las Vegas, a big city! Meanwhile you go to SOMD where the main professions are military and DoD contractors, which are male dominated professions...so most of the women who are out here grew up here (aka SMIBS) or are the kids of military guys. Not many women in comparison to the male population, especially comparing the number that are single. On top of that, most of them really aren't worthwhile. Tough to find quality down here that isn't already snatched up.
If you want an easy commute during the week check out Abberly Crest Apts on Willows Road. We have been in the area for 4 years and it is only about a 5-7 minute drive from Gate 1, less from Gate 2. They are quite new too. We live down that way about 6 miles from gate one and it would take my husband about 10-12 minutes for his commute. If you use Gate 1 to get there once you are out of the gate there are only a very few cars making the left turn in that direction where heading to Wildewood, Leonardtown or other points north you are sitting in traffic. To get to Abberly Crest, from Gate 1 area take a right onto Shang-ri-La Dr (just past Days Inn) and continue straight at the next light, this will put you on Willows Road, stay to the left at the split and the apts are on your left maybe a mile up the road. I think I would stay away from the Hilton Run apts on the right (I believe that is the name of them), I've heard about quite a few problems in there.
Best of luck to you.
There's almost no reason in the world to use Gate 1 if you live in Abberly Crest. I've always found Gate 2 to be much quicker. Maybe leaving from the IPT building area during traffic, but that's about it. They're pretty good, just somewhat expensive. Also I think you're thinking of the Greens...I've heard they're crappy too.