Gainesville or Haymarket, VA? (Manassas, Springfield: real estate, houses, to buy)

[efirebird]

Relocating from overseas and have found two houses to buy. Can't decide between the two.

Houses are just right with the right price. Have kids in elementary, middle and college age. Will have in-law moving in with us so near hospitals and shopping is a plus.

Basically, I have the whole package, 2+ kids and dogs and maybe soon the white picket fence!

Any input is appreciated.

[tarp]

This question is impossible to answer because Haymarket and Gainesville are right next to each other and basically the same thing, with Gainesville covering more territory and not being an incorporated town, and Haymarket being an incorporated town with a small historic town center that used to be dingy but has been revitalized.

You just need to go look at the houses and see which one you like better. Both areas are constantly congested with traffic during rush hours.

[Dorothy1960]

All depends on where your commute is to, which roads you will be taking. DC, Tysons, Herndon, Springfield, etc.
Personally, I like Haymarket better - right on I-66. The traffic down by Gainesville by Linton Hall Road is insane during rush hour & on the weekend.

We came back from overseas 1 year ago, and I can't wait to get out of here!!

[dullnboring]

I have to agree that Gainesville and Haymarket are essentially one in the same. The actual town of Haymarket has only around 600 residents so usually the area referred to as Haymarket (particularly in regards to real estate) refers to the surrounding areas which sort of indistinguishably bleed into Gainesville. Comparing these two areas, the unincorporated parts of Haymarket and Gainesville, there really is very little if any difference and I would say the choice would be based more on the house (i.e. if one offers better amenities and such) rather than the actual location.

Development is coming fast and furious to the area, and you'll have all the typical strip mall amenities nearby like grocery stores, Starbucks, Blockbuster and the like, but for more specialized shopping and hospitals and things of that nature, you'll typically have to venture into Manassas, some 10 miles away.