Berea

Whether you choose Berea for D.C. proximity or tangible suburban ease, your lifestyle includes both a quiet neighborhood and abundant conveniences. Will Montminy, Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices who is one of the Top 100 agents in Virginia, says “Across Berea, there are a couple of communities and mostly newer single-family housing with a little bit more land than what you’d get in North Stafford. And one of the biggest benefits of your home location in Berea is the new I-95 HOV lane extension, giving residents direct access points from Route 17 all the way to D.C. You just jump right on the express lane.”

Within Berea, you can find a four-bedroom home built in 2021 on a 1.25-acre lot in the Woodlands at Berea community for around $630,000. You can also find a five-bedroom on a cul-de-sac built in 2012 in Berea Knolls for closer to $675,000. Adds Montminy, “A lot of homes here fall within the $500,000 to $600,000 range, and there are also some comparatively affordable town house communities along the 17 corridor.” Home styles vary from Colonial to modern farmhouse to large Cape Cods, many with high ceilings and open floor plans.

Public-school students can begin their education at Rocky Run Elementary School before heading to T. Benton Gayle Middle and Stafford High schools, which both earn a B grade from Niche. Depending on your address, older students may head to Colonial Forge High, which Niche gives an overall A grade. Says Montminy, “The county is actually working right now to add a new, state-of-the-art high school that’s anticipated to open in the next few years.” This new high school, temporarily named High School 6, plans to welcome its first class of students in 2026. Just northwest of Berea, higher-level education can be pursued at the University of Mary Washington Stafford satellite campus, offering career development programs for business professionals and educators.

Living in Berea puts you within just a couple miles of all the recreational options on the 520-acre Lake Mooney to the west. This central water feature opened in 2014 and began offering public fishing by 2017. Formerly the Rocky Pen Reservoir, the lake’s name was changed to honor the late Stafford Sheriff’s Office Deputy, Jason Mooney. And although Montminy says it’s not a place for swimming or powerboats, locals love to drop in kayaks along 33 miles of shoreline or hike the River View Trail.

Adds Montminy, “There’s also so much entertainment and history to explore within minutes of the area. You’re only a couple miles from all the shops and pubs and eateries in downtown Fredericksburg; and within 4 miles or so of George Washington’s boyhood home at Ferry Farm. Residents also love that new local lanes make it easy to reach the new Riverfront Park on Sophia Street in downtown Fredericksburg.”

Berea residents live near familiar big-box retailers such as Target and Walmart, as well as both Lidl and Giant for grocery shopping, all within easy reach along Route 17. And if you’re wanting to branch out from the host of chain eateries in the neighborhood, you can head to Six Bears and a Goat Brewery, aka 6B&G, for $10 Growler Tuesdays, or live music on the weekends. This local gathering place also serves a popular Sunday brunch with “beermosas.”

“For a fancy date night,” adds Montminy, you can drive downtown in minutes. One of my favorite picks is Fahrenheit 132. It’s a top-notch steakhouse with all hand-cut steaks.” You can also stay within the neighborhood and enjoy The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, focal point since the late ‘90s. This 36,000-square-foot facility combines a dinner theater and conference center to offer some of the D.C. area’s finest musicals and three-course chef-prepared meals.

Says Montminy, “Berea is laid-back suburban living, that’s away from all the hustle — yet still within minutes of downtown and D.C. access.”

Written By

Lia Girard

Photography Contributed By

Anna Cheng

Video By

Melinda Anselmo