Woodbridge, VA

Woodbridge was named after Thomas Mason’s wooden toll bridge in 1795. The bridge was built over the Occoquan River along the King’s Highway, and subsequently helped establish the area as settlers traveled through en route to access ferries in the river. Large agricultural endeavors filled the area through the 1940s when the local economy shifted from farming to dairy production, which steadily fostered the community until most sites were sold for industrial developments in the 1960s.

Residents interested in history head to the Rippon Lodge historic site on Blackburn Road for a short tour of life in Woodbridge’s past. Annual events hosted in the community focus on the charity events with exercise related themes; prominent music or art scenes don't exist here. Aside from organized 5K races and walkathons, the most popular annual event remains the Prince William County Fair, though it technically occurs in Manassas.

Restaurants and local cafes line the length of Jefferson Davis Highway and pack tons of flavor into Woodbridge's 11-mile radius. For a true local favorite that also brings in crowds from out of town, head to Astoria Pizza Restaurant. In addition to authentic New York-style pies, the restaurant is also known for impeccable gyros. Locals call the thin crust and zesty tomato sauce the best in the whole state, and paired with chunks of fresh veggies, there is no rival for miles. For a bit of spice, try a plate of savory tacos from Ricos Tacos Moya. With dishes at bargain prices, there's no reason not to sample various favorites from the menu. Carnitas mavens call Ricos the holy grail for "little meats" grilled in signature flavors. If the huge portions don't slow you down, order the chorizo tacos or the alambres fortachon for a medley of ham, onions and peppers grilled to perfection and served with flour tortillas.

Relax and enjoy a hearty meal at Dixie Bones BBQ. This small restaurant smokes a variety of meats, including the signature pulled pork. Choose your own meat to top the loaded baked potato, another local favorite.

The nightlife scene in Woodbridge is relatively quiet. In fact, the majority of local hangouts are restaurants that host live bands and stay open later on weekends. For more low-key bars, locals head to Potomac Mills for beers at the Bungalow Alehouse or frozen tropical delights from Bahama Breeze.

Residents in Woodbridge depend on cars for the majority of their transportation. Likewise, most roads are not walker or bike-friendly and only Rippon Boulevard and sections of the Prince William Parkway have designated lanes for cyclists. Taxis cannot be hailed, but locals in need of temporary rides use Uber to schedule outings around town. Commuting to the city via car takes roughly 35 minutes by accessing Interstate 95 from the Richmond Highway in Lorton. The Prince William Parkway is known as the backbone of the area and is a routine park of most residents’ daily commute. Parking is easy in residential areas, but residents use the Horner Road Commuter Parking lot to park and ride during business hours. The area is serviced by the VRE Fredericksburg Line, and the Blue Metro Line can be taken to the District from the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station in Springfield. Destinations in and around Woodbridge can be reached by riding the OmniRide, a bus service that locals consider essential to quick commutes.

Between the five parks and nature preserves in Woodbridge, residents take their pick between vast expanses of grass or colorful playgrounds. For scenic views along the water and all the activities that come with water access, locals head to Leesylvania State Park on Daniel K. Ludwig Drive. Regular visitors suggest hiking up Freestone Point for stunning views and a relaxing walk through winding paths on the way back down. Residents looking for a bit of exercise appreciate being able to jog through the paths with their furry friends. As both a beach and popular park, the $5 entrance fee is a bargain. Athletes prefer the free Veteran’s Memorial Park for its incorporation of sporting fields and recreational facilities, such as a public pool and skate park. Beyond the main grounds lie miles of nature preserves where residents can take in the best of local wildlife while wandering through marked trails. Families flock to the location since it offers something for everyone, including a playground and picnic areas. Neither park hosts large annual events, but the Veteran’s Memorial Park offers organized sports, dance and fitness classes, and summer camp activities.

The average cost of living in Woodbridge is about 4 percent lower than D.C.’s. Residents in Woodbridge pay the same amount for standard services and goods, such as groceries and health care, as they would in the city. However, a more affordable housing market accounts for the difference in costs of living. The average rental price in Woodbridge sits at $1,368 per month for a standard one-bedroom apartment. Additionally, fuel prices hang equal to or a few cents less than the national average. A one-day metro rail pass runs $14.50, but a one-way bus fair is only $1.75. In addition to lower overall costs, small luxuries such as beer at a local pub cost residents $3.50, making Woodbridge one of the most affordable areas in the D.C. suburbs.

Local shopping options cluster along the Jefferson Davis Highway with a second small hub on Horner Road. In addition to stand-alone corporate chains, residents also shop at the Potomac Mills shopping mall and Potomac Festival Shopping Centers, since small strip malls characterize the retail environment in Woodridge. Aside from the eclectic mix of department stores, locals looking for bargains head to B-Thrifty for great deals on men and women’s clothing and gently used furniture. Few local shops manage to break through the chain offerings, so locals looking for boutiques and high-end retailers head a few miles north to Occoquan or just over the Interstate to Potomac Mills.

Locals also buy groceries from chain stores such as Wegmans or Aldi on Gordon Boulevard. There aren't many specialty grocers in Woodbridge, but Kumasi Supermarket on Build America Drive brings locals a trove of international treasures from West Africa. The store is known for boxes full of produce, including hard-to-find items such as raw red peanuts and yucca root. Similarly, Todos Super Market appeals to locals with an affinity for Latin ingredients. The community doesn’t host its own farmers’ market, however the Dale City Market operates just outside Woodbridge. Locals frequent this market for its abundance of vendors and endless crates of seasonal produce and handmade products.