Why I Love Being Stationed in Northern Virginia
by PCSgrades Staff - April 24th, 2018
Military families stationed in NoVA, DC Metro, DC, Maryland, the DMV
If you are stationed at one of the military bases near Washington D.C., you know living here is like living in one giant state comprised of four different places. It’s really hard to talk about one and not mention one of the other states (or District) nearby. You can easily have co-workers living as far away as West Virginia.
Love being stationed at the military bases near Washington DC
It’s a very strange experience having lived on the west coast where it takes you forever just to get to a different state. So, while the downside is that you might live in a different state than your co-workers, the upside is there is three or four states worth of cool stuff that you can see on an easy day trip.
Day trip for days!
You will never find a shortage of things to do on the weekends. We’ve lived here for six years, and we’ve only begun to scratch the surface of the never-ending list of things to do and see. You can hike the waterfalls at Great Falls National Park. The Vineyards in Virginia’s Wine Country make a great date night. And history buffs will love walking the Civil War Battlefields at Bull Run and in Fredericksburg.
History, history, history
There is no end of historical sites to see here in the Northern Virginia area. The name is somewhat synonymous with the birth of a nation. As one of the thirteen original colonies, Virginia was the first part of the country to be permanently settled by the English. You can head down to visit Jamestown and walk the same paths those settlers did. Since we are the birthplace of eight presidents, you can also visit their famous homes, birthplaces and even Presidential Library of Woodrow Wilson.
The weird and the wonderful!
Virginia and the surrounding areas have some of the coolest and unique places to see. The National Inventors Hall of Fame in the US Patent Office displays patents and inventions such as the Edison light bulb prototype. It also features trademark histories, such as the Energizer Bunny.
Head to Schuyler, and you can visit the film site of the Waltons TV show. If you ever read Misty of Chincoteague, you can actually visit the island. It is really neat to witness the running of the wild ponies. In Bristol, Virginia you can stand in two states at once – Bristol, VA and Bristol, TN and see the place where country music was born.
Our favorite duty station
There are so many reasons why I love being stationed in Northern Virginia. Moving here has been such a wonderful experience for my entire family. You can experience history, open spaces, and outdoor adventures in the mountains or on the beaches. You can also be sure that your children will be receiving some of the best that education has to offer. The diversity here provides so many amazing cultural experiences. It’s also an opportunity to eat some of the best food from around the world. It is exciting to be stationed at one of the military bases near Washington D.C. There is a little something for everyone. Enjoy your time here and all the area has to offer.
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