PCSing to Joint Base Andrews can feel like a sprint. You are balancing orders, family needs, and a fast-moving market while trying to land a home that fits your BAH and your commute. This guide gives you a clear, local view of off-base options so you can compare neighborhoods, drive times, and rent vs. buy decisions with confidence. You will also find on-base housing contacts, SCRA basics, and a simple PCS checklist. Let’s dive in.
Start with orders, BAH, and timing
Your timeline drives your choices. As soon as you receive orders, map out your budget and commute window, then start outreach.
- Apply to privatized on-base housing and contact the Military Housing Office.
- Shortlist 2–3 off-base neighborhoods that fit your BAH or mortgage target.
- Decide if you will rent first, then buy, or purchase right away.
- Estimate drive times at your actual duty hours using Google Maps or Waze.
For on-base contacts and the privatized housing application at Liberty Park at Andrews, use the official base housing page that lists the Military Housing Office and leasing information on one site. You can find it on the official base housing page.
Closest commutes: Camp Springs, Suitland, Forestville, Temple Hills
If a short drive is the top priority, start here. These neighborhoods sit next to the base, and many local commutes are under 10 to 15 minutes in normal traffic. You will find garden-style apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes in established subdivisions.
Most families who pick these areas want minimal time in the car and a quick route to the gate. Compare options street by street, since prices and home updates vary widely within each neighborhood.
Upper Marlboro: short drive, suburban feel
Upper Marlboro, the county seat, is about 8 miles from Joint Base Andrews with a generally short commute in normal traffic. You will see a mix of small-town center streets, traditional single-family neighborhoods, and newer subdivisions. Recent market snapshots show median sale prices around the mid 400s to about 500 thousand, with many 1 to 3 bedroom rentals in the roughly 1,700 to 2,700 range depending on size and community. Prices and rents change, so check current MLS and rental platforms the week you search.
For distance context, tools like Travelmath show the base-to–Upper Marlboro drive at about 8 miles in many cases. See the ADW to Upper Marlboro distance reference.
Bowie: more inventory and amenities
Bowie sits north to northwest of the base and typically runs 15 to 30 minutes by car depending on route and traffic. It offers a large selection of planned neighborhoods with both townhomes and single-family homes. Recent MLS-based reporting places median sale prices roughly in the 470 to 515 thousand range.
Average apartment rents commonly sit near the low 2,000s per month. You can review a local benchmark from RentCafe on Bowie’s average rent trend. Your actual rent will depend on unit size, age, and amenities.
Oxon Hill, National Harbor, and Fort Washington
Southwest of the base, these communities offer waterfront living, townhomes, and high-rise condos near the Potomac. Commutes to Andrews are often 10 to 25 minutes by car, depending on your exact address and traffic. National Harbor’s mixed-use setting offers dining and entertainment nearby, while Fort Washington neighborhoods are generally quieter and more residential.
If you want a condo near walkable amenities, start at National Harbor. If you prefer a detached home on a residential street, explore Fort Washington.
Living in DC or in Northern Virginia
Parts of Southeast DC, like Anacostia or Congress Heights, are geographically close to the base. Other DC neighborhoods, such as Capitol Hill or Navy Yard, are farther but still commutable. Driving from Joint Base Andrews to central Washington often takes about 25 to 35 minutes outside peak congestion, though this varies. Aggregated planners show typical ranges for the route; see examples via Andrews-to–Washington travel estimates.
Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Alexandria, and Springfield, offers established amenities and a different set of school systems. The tradeoff is usually higher home prices and longer commutes to Andrews. Regional coverage notes that Northern Virginia pricing pressure has outpaced some nearby submarkets in recent years. For context on regional cost trends, review this Washington Post analysis.
Commute and transit basics
Driving routes to the base typically use I-495 and local arteries like MD-5 or MD-4. Prince George’s County’s mean travel time to work is about 35.5 minutes, a useful baseline when you compare options. See the county benchmark in the Census QuickFacts.
There is no Metrorail station on base. The nearest heavy-rail option many commuters use is the Branch Avenue station on the Green Line in the Suitland/Camp Springs area. Learn more about Branch Avenue station. Many residents either drive and park at a Metro station or use Metrobus routes that connect neighborhoods to Green, Blue, and Silver Line hubs. Check WMATA bus and rail schedules before you plan a transit commute.
Tip: Always test your door-to-door commute at your duty hours with a live map app, then add a margin for Beltway traffic.
Rent or buy near Joint Base Andrews
Your PCS length, BAH, and mortgage preapproval will point you toward the right path. A common PCS plan is to rent for the first 6 to 12 months, then buy with more local knowledge. Others choose to buy immediately to lock in a payment.
Price and rent ranges shift, but here is a general guide based on recent snapshots:
- Bowie: many recent median sale price reports cluster around the 470 to 515 thousand range.
- Upper Marlboro: many reports fall in the mid 400s to about 500 thousand range; rentals span roughly 1,700 to 2,700 for common 1 to 3 bedroom units.
- Average apartment rents: Bowie has averaged near 2,200 per month in recent indexes. Individual properties vary by age, size, and amenities.
Typical housing by budget tier in nearby PG County areas:
- Under about 350 thousand: smaller townhomes, condos, or homes that may need updates.
- About 350 to 550 thousand: a wide selection of townhomes and single-family homes in Bowie, Upper Marlboro, and nearby suburbs.
- Above 550 thousand: larger single-family homes, newer subdivisions, or closer-in locations with premium amenities.
Note: Prices and rents change. Check current MLS and rental platforms at the time you search.
Lease flexibility: SCRA basics for renters
If you rent off base and receive PCS or deployment orders, federal protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act can allow early lease termination in specific situations. To invoke it, you usually provide written notice to the landlord and a copy of your orders. Termination generally becomes effective 30 days after the next rent due date. Review the steps and details in this SCRA overview. Local rules can add procedures, so confirm Maryland requirements with legal assistance.
Your PCS housing checklist
Use this quick list to stay on track:
- Apply to Liberty Park at Andrews and contact the MHO using the official base housing page.
- Set your housing budget using BAH and target monthly payment.
- Shortlist 2–3 neighborhoods and test commute times at your duty hours.
- Decide rent vs. buy, then set tour days for homes or rentals.
- If renting, understand SCRA steps in case of future orders.
- If buying, get VA preapproval, plan inspections, and timeline for closing.
A local advocate for your move
You deserve a guide who knows the DC–Maryland–Virginia market and understands the pace of a PCS. As a multi-jurisdiction agent with military relocation experience, I help you compare neighborhoods across PG County, DC, and Northern Virginia, align the search with your BAH or VA loan, and keep your timeline on track. If you need to rent first, I will line up showings fast and protect your interests through the lease. If you are ready to buy, we will target homes that fit your commute and long-term goals.
Ready to plan your move with a trusted advocate by your side? Reach out to Sharron Owens. Let’s connect and map your PCS step by step.
FAQs
What are the closest off-base neighborhoods to Joint Base Andrews?
- Camp Springs, Suitland, Forestville, and Temple Hills sit next to the base, with many local drives under 10 to 15 minutes in normal traffic.
Is there on-base family housing at Joint Base Andrews?
- Yes, the base has privatized family housing at Liberty Park at Andrews and a Military Housing Office; find contacts on the official base housing page.
What are typical home prices and rents near the base?
- Recent snapshots show many Upper Marlboro medians in the mid 400s to about 500 thousand and Bowie around 470 to 515 thousand, with average area rents near 2,100 to 2,200 depending on location and unit.
Which Metro station is closest to Joint Base Andrews for commuting?
- Branch Avenue on the Green Line is a common choice for nearby residents; learn more about Branch Avenue station.
How long is the drive from Joint Base Andrews to downtown DC?
- Outside peak periods, many trips run about 25 to 35 minutes, but times vary; see example ranges via Andrews-to–Washington travel estimates.
