'Absolutely peaceful,' with room to roam

Va. community popular with military families

In 2000, Del Bender and his wife, Pat Mulcahy, who were renting in Springfield, searched for a house with some land and a wooded setting. They had no idea they would find their dream home only five minutes away from Woodbridge's busy Route 1 corridor.

"It's just absolutely peaceful here," said Bender, a retired military police corps captain. Their back yard in Dawson Landing slopes down to a grove of mature trees. When the leaves fall, they enjoy a view of Neabsco Creek, a tributary of the lower Potomac River.

After the couple adopted two toddlers in 2001, Bender said, "they would run as far and as fast as they could." Now, both 10 years old, the children enjoy pickup baseball and soccer games in their yard.

Adding to the bucolic setting, Leesylvania State Park is just to the east, across the water, where the creek meets the river.

While Dawson Landing is not exactly a rural setting -- Rippon Boulevard bisects the community -- most of the houses sit on large lots ranging from about one-half to two-thirds of an acre. About five lots in the community remain undeveloped because of nesting eagles. Many homes back to wooded settings, while others perch on low rises, offering panoramic views of the community.

"There's a visual attractiveness here," said Tom Booth, a board member of the homeowners association. The community, built between 1997 and 2003, features underground utilities, sidewalks and numerous cul-de-sacs and now harbors 260 homes.

Booth moved to Dawson Landing with his wife, Chris, five years ago, and they chose their home primarily because they wanted a good-size yard for their yellow Labrador. They also appreciate having the commuter train station for the Virginia Railway Express just over a mile away -- walking distance for some, an easy drive with plenty of parking for others.

Tom, a retired Air Force colonel, now takes the VRE to and from his civilian job at the Pentagon, a trip that takes about an hour. Chris, who works with Ann Hand jewelry in Georgetown, can often make her trek in less time by driving in the HOV lanes on interstates 95 and 395 during off-peak hours.

Dawson Landing's location, about midway between Quantico Marine Base and Fort Belvoir, makes it a popular community for military families. While that adds a transient nature to the community, some military families, like the Benders, rent their homes to others while away on active duty. Returning after five years, Bender said, he and his wife, who recently retired, found a warm welcome by neighbors and a neighborhood that had really blossomed, both in size and greenery.

Home sizes range from about 3,500 to 4,500 square feet -- with brick, frame or stone facades. Although described as colonials, these are not the traditional center-hall styles found in Alexandria or Arlington. They might be described more as modern colonials -- many with open floor plans perfect for entertaining.

While many of the houses have traditional windows, doors and trim, there are enough arches, angles and circles sported by others to keep the community visually interesting. The first homes built in the community have one-car garages, while later homes have two or three bays.

The Benders' four-bedroom house has formal living and dining rooms, a large family room, and a full basement. They recently added a screened porch with a gas fireplace that has dual openings to the family room and porch, making the latter a good year-round place for enjoying the view.

Dawson Landing seems to be a good community for those who like a low-key homeowners association where basic architectural guidelines and what several residents referred to as "gentle reminders" help maintain property values, but where there's not a lot of rah-rah socially.

You won't find a pool, clubhouse, HOA social traditions or other recreational amenities in the community. Hence, association dues are less than $200 a year, with money used primarily for common-area upkeep. A review of association minutes shows that many meetings last only about half an hour.

Dawson Landing residents may not be active in the collective sense, but they are neighborly, noted Dee Shirley, a five-year resident. Shirley, a career-switcher who plans to avail herself of classes at the nearby Woodbridge campus of Northern Virginia Community College, said, "While we don't pop in and out of each other's houses, there are at least eight immediate neighbors who are there if needed." If a garage door is left open at night, someone will either close it or call. If a tool is needed, someone probably has one to lend. Neighbors are helpful but not intrusive, she said.

Shirley also touts the accessibility of nearby parks. For short walks, she and her 110-pound Catahoula Leopard dog join friends at nearby Rippon Landing community park. For longer treks, Prince William Forest Park's extensive trail network, about a 10-minute drive away, is their favorite.

Long & Foster real estate agent Robin Borum, a resident since 2003, described his community as "a secluded little neighborhood, but not cramped."