Occoquan Forest Nestles on Peninsula in River
When many people think of suburban Virginia housing, what comes to mind are imposing colonials plunked down on cleared lots.</br></br>The Prince William County community of Occoquan Forest defies those expectations. A heavily wooded peninsula in the Occoquan River, the community's 210 homes are universally and unabashedly contemporary. Houses with cedar walls, high ceilings, skylights and often unusual floor plans dot the area.</br></br>The community struck a chord with Greg and Marianne Alberti, who moved there from Lake Ridge, a neighboring Prince William community, three years ago. "Our Realtor showed us some colonials, but we said, `This will not do. We have to live in that neighborhood,' " said Marianne Alberti, who is expecting her first baby in July.</br></br>"We designed a home and then we set out to look for a place to build it. We eventually found our way out into Prince William County. When we saw Occoquan Forest it seemed absolutely perfect," Barbara Jones said. "After we moved in, we immediately discovered a very close-knit community and have made a large network of friends."</br></br>From its annual community-wide yard sale to the Valentine's Day dance at the Buckhall fire station to the summer crafts and story program for children at the waterfront pavilion, Occoquan Forest seems filled with community spirit. The garden club decorates the street signs each Christmas, and block leaders often alert the community's residents about upcoming events.