Fredericksburg, Virginia

Fredericksburg is a small city located about an hour and a half south of Washington, DC, depending on traffic. The area is more quaint than suburban and commercial, though it is very close to I-95 and has its own Amtrak and VRE stations. Originally, Fredericksburg was considered to be part of Southern Virginia, but suburban sprawl from DC has made it a popular choice for people who work in DC or Fairfax and Arlington counties. The area's residents are mostly white and middle class, with a lower-than-average overall crime rate. The area is very self-sufficient, with a branch of the popular grocery chain Wegmans, and several restaurants, bars and offerings for entertainment. Fredericksburg is also home to the University of Mary Washington, a four-year liberal arts college. Fredericksburg would be a great place to raise a family, as there are many single homes here, and the schools have very good ratings. Younger folk in search of nightlife and convenience may not enjoy Fredericksburg, since it is a considerable distance from DC and even Arlington County. However, if that is not important to you, and you don't mind a bit of a commute, Fredericksburg would be a good place to consider living.