“A list of the organizations who call Fort Belvoir home reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of the Department of Defense.” That’s quite the statement. Today, we are going to delve into the world of Fort Belvoir.
Fort Belvoir is a United States Army installation. It is located in Fairfax County, Virginia. The base sits on the Potomac River. It is just south of Washington, D.C. Fort Belvoir provides logistical, intelligence, and administrative support to many United States military organizations.
Let’s talk numbers. Fort Belvoir has more than 50,000 employees. This makes it the largest employer in the town of Fort Belvoir. It’s a big operation.
Living here? The Basic Allowance for Housing or BAH is a key factor. BAH rates in the DC area are consistently high. Your monthly allowance depends on your rank. It also depends on the number of dependents in your household.
If you are thinking about living on base, there’s privatized military housing. It is offered at The Villages of Belvoir. There are 15 distinct villages. They include Belvoir, Cedar Grove, and Fairfax. Housing options include one- and two-story houses. Residents enjoy amenities like fitness centers and dog parks.
What about off-base housing? You can find options in Alexandria, the city of Fairfax, and Springfield. These communities are within 16 miles of Fort Belvoir.
Cost of living is something to consider. Fort Belvoir is part of the Washington DC-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan area. Housing and living expenses align with Alexandria’s cost of living. The average rent for a studio apartment here is around $1,496.
Families with children have school options. There are two schools on base. They are Fort Belvoir Primary School and Fort Belvoir Upper School. Several local school systems serve families off-base.
There is plenty to do here. The National Museum of the United States Army is on base. It offers exhibits covering over 240 years of military history. Golfers can visit the Fort Belvoir Golf Club. It offers two 18-hole courses. The Oktoberfest celebration in Fort Belvoir is also a big event.
Outside of Fort Belvoir there are many attractions in nearby Washington, DC, and Alexandria. You can take DC Boat Tours or visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The Smithsonian Museums are always a great option.
Before we move on to our next destination, remember Fort Belvoir. It is more than just a base. It’s a community with a rich history and a wide array of opportunities.