Buy a 3rd Property or Commute? (VA)

BLUF: Buy a 3rd property in Northern Virginia or commute 1.5hrs one way?

I am transferring from sea duty to shore duty in the next year. Most likely, I will end up in DC (Pentagon) for at least 2 years. We own a home south of DC and the commute is about 1.5hrs via commuter rail. Driving is about 60 miles one way (1-2 hours depending on traffic OR paying for the HOV lanes). My spouse already works in DC, and uses the commuter rail most of the time.

We own 2 homes currently:
– South of DC Single Family / $290K left at 2.25%. We do not intend on selling this. Bought at $380K, probably worth around $$500-550K now.
– Norfolk Condo / $185K left at 3.25%. Purchased in 2021. Currently empty while I'm on deployment. Plan would be to rent out the condo once I transfer to shore duty. Ideally, I would return to Norfolk for remaining sea tours (not guaranteed, but hopeful).

Finances: We have no other debt besides the two mortgages. No kids, so school districts are less important to us.

COA 1: Buy a 2/2 condo in NOVA and hope to find one close to METRO to DC/Pentagon as a weekday base or late nights in the office. Rent out a bedroom to another professional to help with mortgage.

I don't think we are interested in a SFH in NOVA due to the cost ($1+ million), taxes, and land (we have a nice backyard in our suburbia home).

My fear is the working hours while on shore duty may require early morning commutes (e.g. 0500 train to be at work by 0700) and late nights (e.g. 1800 train home means getting home around 1930-2000).

Thoughts and recommendations?