Got orders to Fort Lee? Or do they still say Fort Gregg-Adams? Leave it to the DoD to make this one confusing. You'll see signs around town with both names.
Either way, you're headed to the same gate, and you've got a housing decision to make fast.
I'm Chris Stahl. I spent 25 years in the Air Force and moved my family nine times. Now I help military families buy and sell around Richmond. This is the guide I wish someone had handed me before each of those moves: where people actually live near Fort Lee, what the drive looks like, and how your BAH stacks up.
Fort Lee or Fort Gregg-Adams? Same Base
If the name's confusing you, you're not alone. The post was Fort Lee for over a century. In 2023 it became Fort Gregg-Adams. In June 2025 it went back to Fort Lee, this time honoring Pvt. Fitz Lee, a Buffalo Soldier and Medal of Honor recipient from nearby Dinwiddie County.
So you'll still see Fort Gregg-Adams on older orders, websites and listings. It's the same place: Prince George County, just east of Petersburg and about 25 miles south of downtown Richmond. It's the closest active-duty installation to the Richmond metro.
The Short Answer
- Shortest commute: Prince George, Colonial Heights and Hopewell.
- Newer homes and suburban amenities: Chester.
- Land and quiet: Dinwiddie.
- Most house for the money: Petersburg, if you don't mind an older home.
Here's how each one plays out.
| Area | Typical commute | Real estate tax | Median sale price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince George County | 5–15 min | $0.81 per $100 | $360,000 |
| Colonial Heights | 10–15 min | Check with city | $289,000 |
| Chester (Chesterfield) | 15–25 min | $0.89 per $100 | $375,000 |
| Hopewell | 10–15 min | $1.17 per $100 | $250,000 |
| Petersburg | 10–15 min | Check with city | $242,000 |
| Dinwiddie County | 20–30 min | $0.64 per $100 | $315,000 |
Median sale prices are from the most recent CVR MLS data. Commute times vary depending on where you live and which gate you use. Looking farther north? Here's how Richmond-area tax rates compare for 2026.
Prince George County
This is the base's home county, so it's as close as it gets. Many homes sit 5 to 15 minutes from the gates. You'll find a mix of established subdivisions, newer construction and homes on larger lots as you head away from Route 36.
It's quieter than the Richmond suburbs. Shopping and dining are a short drive away in Colonial Heights and Southpark. Kids attend Prince George County Public Schools.
- Typical commute: about 5 to 15 minutes
- Real estate tax: $0.81 per $100 of assessed value (FY2027)
- Median sale price: $360,000
Colonial Heights
Colonial Heights is a small independent city with its own school division. It packs a lot into a few square miles: Southpark Mall, restaurants and errands all close by. Homes are mostly established brick ranches and two-stories from the '50s through the '90s, with some newer pockets.
If you want everything close and a short drive to work, it's hard to beat.
- Typical commute: about 10 to 15 minutes
- Median sale price: $289,000
Chester (Chesterfield County)
Chester is where a lot of military families land when they want a newer home and more going on. You'll find planned neighborhoods, new construction along the Route 10 corridor and quick access to I-95 and I-295. That also makes it a good middle ground if one spouse works toward Richmond.
Kids attend Chesterfield County Public Schools, one of the largest divisions in Virginia, with a wide range of programs.
- Typical commute: about 15 to 25 minutes
- Real estate tax: $0.89 per $100 (FY2027)
- Median sale price: $375,000
I cover Chester in more detail in my Chesterfield County guide.
Hopewell
Hopewell sits right off the base's eastern side, where the Appomattox meets the James. Prices tend to run lower than Chester or Colonial Heights, and many homes are older and full of character. You'll trade that for a higher tax rate.
- Typical commute: about 10 to 15 minutes
- Real estate tax: $1.17 per $100
- Median sale price: $250,000
Petersburg
Petersburg often gives you the most house for your BAH. Old Towne has historic homes, local restaurants and real character. Other parts of the city have more affordable, older homes that can be a strong fit if you're comfortable with some updates.
If you're using a VA loan on an older home, plan for the VA appraisal's condition requirements. I'll flag likely issues before you write an offer.
- Typical commute: about 10 to 15 minutes
- Median sale price: $242,000
Dinwiddie County
Want land, a garden and no neighbors on top of you? Dinwiddie is rural and has one of the lowest tax rates around. The trade-off is a longer drive to groceries and schools, and some homes run on well and septic.
- Typical commute: about 20 to 30 minutes
- Real estate tax: $0.64 per $100
- Median sale price: $315,000
Midlothian and the Richmond Suburbs
Some families take a longer drive for more shopping, dining and new construction. Midlothian and the rest of central Chesterfield are 30 to 45 minutes away, depending on traffic and which gate you use. It can work well for dual-career households, but drive it at rush hour before you commit. Weighing Chesterfield against Henrico? I compare them side by side in my Henrico vs. Chesterfield guide for military families.
What Your 2026 BAH Covers
Fort Lee falls in the Richmond/Fort Lee housing area. Here's the 2026 monthly BAH for a few common pay grades:
| Pay grade | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-4 | $2,157 | $1,728 |
| E-5 | $2,358 | $1,866 |
| E-6 | $2,628 | $1,971 |
| E-7 | $2,676 | $2,163 |
| O-1 | $2,400 | $1,950 |
| O-3 | $2,760 | $2,526 |
| O-4 | $3,030 | $2,670 |
Source: MilPayTools 2026 BAH for Fort Lee. Check your exact rate with your finance office or the official DoD BAH calculator.
BAH isn't taxable income, and VA lenders can count it toward qualifying. I'm happy to connect you with a VA-savvy local lender who can run your real numbers.
Buy or Rent?
My wife and I asked ourselves this one move after move over 25 years on active duty. The answer? It depends on how long you'll be here and what comes next.
- Here for a short course or under two years? Renting usually makes more sense. Selling costs can eat up any equity you'd build.
- Here three years or more? Buying with your VA loan can beat rent, especially if your mortgage payment lands at or under your BAH.
- Might keep it as a rental when you PCS out? Then buy with that in mind. Pick a layout and location that'll rent easily to the next family with orders.
Running the VA numbers? My VA loan vs. conventional breakdown walks through the math line by line. If you have a VA disability rating, read my post on the disabled veteran property tax exemption too. It can change your budget a lot.
Buying Before You Get Here
You don't have to wait until you report. I've helped families buy from overseas and from out of state with live video tours, honest notes on each house and a closing plan built around their report date.
One client bought her family's home during an overseas move with a toddler in tow. Another had 72 hours on the ground to find a house. Both made it work.
FAQ
Is Fort Gregg-Adams the same as Fort Lee?
Yes. The base was renamed Fort Gregg-Adams in 2023 and changed back to Fort Lee in June 2025, now honoring Pvt. Fitz Lee. It's the same installation in Prince George County, Virginia.
What city is Fort Lee in?
Fort Lee is in Prince George County, next to Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights. Mail often uses a Fort Lee or Petersburg address.
What's the closest place to live near Fort Lee?
Prince George County, Colonial Heights, Hopewell and Petersburg are all about 5 to 15 minutes from the gates, depending on where you live.
How much is BAH at Fort Lee in 2026?
For the pay grades above, it ranges from $2,157 a month for an E-4 with dependents to $3,030 for an O-4 with dependents.
Can I use my VA loan to buy near Fort Lee?
Yes. You can buy with no down payment if you qualify, and you can do it before you arrive.
Let's Find Your Spot
Every family's list is different. Commute, schools, budget, how long you'll stay. Tell me yours and I'll tell you where I'd look, honestly.
Call or text me at 804-409-8581, or send me a note through my contact form. I usually get back to you the same day.
Better call Stahl.
Tax rates and BAH checked October 2026. Median sale prices are from the most recent CVR MLS data and change month to month. This is general information, not tax, legal or lending advice.