Reviews & Comments
Alexandria, VA
Southwood Subdivinis in SE Fairfax County, Virgini -
4/4/2015The mailing address in this area is Alexandria, or Engleside. Either way, it's SE Fairfax County between Fort Belvoir and Mount Vernon. The neighborhood has been here since 1971 and most of the houses are on lots of 1/3 of an acre, or more. The proximity to Fort Belvoir and it's newly built, massive hospital in addition to the standard commissary and base exchange draws military retirees here. Proximity to the Pentagon brings lots of younger military families because of the typical Pentagon stint. These families may buy a house, expecting a later stint in the Pentagon and/or retirement to the area. Still others are drawn to the area because of the mature trees and settled appearance of the area coupled with an easy commute into DC via the George Washington Parkway. The neighborhood has a few social activities per year -- 4th of July parade and annual block party -- that creates a sense of community. The proximity of Grist Mill Park and the dog park there and the larger sized lot may be the reason that many people in the neighborhood own dogs and walk them regularly. The dog walkers interact with one another and their neighbors, further elevating the sense of community and making it a comfortable place to live.