My wife is looking at full time Air Guard jobs on Andrews for a few years in length. We would most likely sell our house in Kansas and rent on base.  Her job would be covered and I'd find something.  No children so schools aren't an issue.  D.C. was my first duty station but that was twenty- six years ago.
Maybe after we are there awhile we would buy a place if it looks like a long stay.  Obviously D.C and Maryland suck, and I want my wife close to base so she doesn't have to suffer a long commute.  

I know this will be a big change compared to Kansas and many aspects will be a pain in the ass.  What advice or words of wisdom do you have? I enjoy old cars and NFA goodies in addition to regular AR15s.

I don't know the NFA rules on base, but I seem to have heard that MD is not as terrible at NFA toys as they are on the "regular ARs."

The answer all depends on cost - if you have a bucket of cash, living in or near Old Town is a viable commute. Other than that, the idea of commuting to Andrews from VA makes me queasy.

-shooter

If you can live in Virginia your life would be easier

I know quite  few folks who live near Dahlgren, VA and commute up 301.... but it's a traffic crapshoot.  Nice area to live, though, and fairly inexpensive.

This

Go for Alexandria, Huntington, Belleview, Franconia, Rose Hill, etc.  Just on other side of bridge. About 20 min to Andrews. Traffic not too bad. You are mostly going against traffic.

Problem with Dahlgren is your are against traffic until about Waldorf then a parking lot until Andrews. Plus $6 a day for the Nice bridge.

This is likely the correct answer.

What hours will she be working?

I live in Centreville and occasionally have to go to Andrews for work.  Now I try to arrive at Andrews about 6:30,  it's usually about a 50 minute drive.  Ride home in the afternoon is usually a bit longer.

That would be a hell of a hike in terrible traffic everyday.

Greatly depends on time of day.

Confirmed.

Housing prices are going to suck though.

I'm now at Andrews and live in Woodbridge, VA.  I wanted VA for the same reasons you mention above.  On a good day the 33 mile commute takes 45 minutes using the normal I95 lanes.  If you have deep pockets you can use the I95 Express lanes at the tune of about $12 going north in the AM and then another $9 headed south in the afternoon - but they will shave 20 minutes off the commute.  Best time for the 33 miles has been 39 minutes door-to-door.  I think the real trick is avoiding I95 to the best of your ability - if you get on I495 N/E you will typically be going in the opposite direction of traffic.  It is living south of DC and using I95 that causes all the problems.

Unless you live on base at Andrews the minimum commute time is 30 to 35 minutes.  Not sure if kids and schools factor into the deal at this point or not but that adds another level of pain to the decision.

Also, we have a 4000 sqft house for about $2500 a month in rent.  It seems the closer to the DC area you get the more you will spend on houses.  Talking to friends in the Alexandria area our house would easily rent for $4000 a month.  And houses and rentals go FAST here.  Heard a story of a landlord asking $2400 a month and renters wanted it so bad the bid up the rent to $3000 a month!