Stafford

Embrey Mill is a masterclass in master planning. Though this area was once a sprawling forest of maples and pines interspersed with sporadic enclaves of small mid-century homes, today it is very different. Nowadays, the forest only exists in a few remaining patches that sit between splashes of modernity, which take the form of new town house complexes and subdevelopments packed with substantially sized colonial revivals built upon small lots. <br><br>“The idea is that when people come home, they don't necessarily want to be working on a huge yard,” says Realtor Michael Gillies of EXP Realty, whose team has sold over 450 homes in the area over the past two years. “Residents want to be able to come right off of the highway and be at their home, and then use the amenities in that development, such as multiple pools and parks and fields.” <br><br>Subdivisions in Embrey Mill that have exploded in popularity are what sell most often and drive the area’s market conditions. Though many of these are exclusively putting up colonial revivals, “You've got a huge mix of home sizes,” says Gillies. For the most part, they’re all at least modest in size while some are much bigger. The median price for a single-family home in the area is around $600,000, but some sell for around or above $750,000. The price range of town houses is a bit lower, starting around $400,000 and often going above $500,000, depending on factors such as age and amenities. <br><br>Students in Embrey Mill begin at Winding Creek Elementary before moving on to H.H. Poole Middle School. And as the area continues to attract more residents, Gillies says that Stafford County will soon have another elementary school and middle school go into the community. Once they reach freshman year, high school students attend either North Stafford or Colonial Forge High Schools, the latter of which receives an A from Niche and boasts a graduation rate of 96%. Students at Colonial Forge have the option of enrolling in the school’s AP Capstone Diploma program, which allows them to study topics of their choice and receive internationally recognized college course credits. <br><br>Between its wooded landscape and numerous subdevelopments with amenities for recreation, Embrey Mill has plenty of spots to relax under a clear blue sky. On a day with fair weather, many locals flock to the sandy beaches of Aquia Landing Park to enjoy the briny breeze and waters of the Potomac River. But when they want to stay in town, locals head to Embrey Mill Park, which has six synthetic turf fields, five fields with real grass and a playground. If it’s raining, you can still get a workout at the Jeff Rouse Swim and Sports Center in Embrey Mill Park. This ultramodern facility houses three indoor pools, basketball courts, a fitness center and a café, and even offers daycare options for working parents. <br><br>Walkability is no problem within the area’s neighborhoods, but to get to things outside of the neighborhood, such as retail and entertainment, a car is needed. As Gillies points out, “You've got a ton of new commercial development, including a Publix grocery store right across from the Rouse Center." Along with quick access to Interstate-95, drivers can quite easily reach all the amenities they could ever need, such as rows of big box stores along Garrisonville Road to the north, or Stafford Hospital to the South. And if you’re willing to take a drive, Embrey Mill is home to many beloved restaurants and retailers scattered around town, such as Tea’Go Café, which serves organic coffee and boba tea. Some subdevelopments in Embrey Mill even have their own restaurants that act as community gathering places, such as Grounds Bistro and Café in developer Newland’s community of town homes. <br><br>It might be a bit sprawling, but it isn’t complicated. Embrey Mill is made desirable thanks to “quick access to amenities and being able to do most things that you need to do within a small driving radius,” says Gillies.