Manassas Park or Dale City? All info is welcome :) (Fredericksburg: condo, low crime)

[HEATHER72]

Originally Posted by azgirl85220

Where is "Splash Down?"

It's on Ben Lomond Park Drive in Manassas.

[HEATHER72]

Originally Posted by Fairfax Mom

There is a good part of town near Splash Down? The neighborhood just surrounding Splash Down kinda looks like gang territory - old brick houses with junk cars on the lawn with guys with bandanas hanging around.

Hehe yeah I though the same thing. Was kinda scary when we drove over there... I thought a water park is here? I'll stick with my neighborhood pool.

[three11]

Originally Posted by ReadytoRetire

Wait till you live there for a while, I lived there for 20 years and recently moved. Take it from me; it is as bad as they say...Check with the Prince William police dept..Gangs and Drugs are rampant..Just letting you know,
in the end it is your decision..

I agree completely...I'm in Dale City, and at first glance my neighborhood seems nice, quiet, etc. We've had many issues though. My biggest advice would be to visit the neighborhoods at different times of the day, particularly after dark, and to look into police blotters for the area. They speak volumes, in my opinion.

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by three11

I agree completely...I'm in Dale City, and at first glance my neighborhood seems nice, quiet, etc. We've had many issues though. My biggest advice would be to visit the neighborhoods at different times of the day, particularly after dark, and to look into police blotters for the area. They speak volumes, in my opinion.

I call that the "heebie jeebie" factor, and I endorse it myself. Funny thing is, Sudley Manor Drive north of Sudley Road/Route 234 Business (in the direction of Splashdown Park) has always passed my "heebie jeebie" test. I just haven't been all way down to Splashdown, where Sudley Manor Drive ends. Perhaps it's true that that far end of it is far more sketch than the rest of Sudley Manor Drive? But, at least for me, the first two thirds of that stretch would pass a heebie jeebie test in my book, and be a nice place to live. There are some incredible deals there for single family properties, too!

[5stones]

if you are concerned with crime and safety of an area, visiting during the day is no indication.
YOU NEED to go and visit at dusk on Fri and Sat nights... drive through, get out of the car. DO you feel safe? would you take your stroller out and wander around? DOES it pass YOUR "HEEBIE JEEBIE" (lol) factor? ONLY you can anwser these questions...
GO into this with your eyes open. KNOW that if the school are poor, you will problably not be gaining "INSTANT equity" esp in this market.

most of these neighobrhoods are ok. not great but ok, blue collar, schools not he best etc...but not gang ridden etc... yes, your car (if it sits out) will probably get broken into if you leave anything in it. but, hey that can happen anywhere. You are more likely to have your house burgled etc... only you can decide what you consider OK for you family.

It's hard in this area to break out and purchase your first home because of the cost. So I understand why staying at 150k is waht you need to do. Finding the "dump" in a solid neighborhood is tricky, but if you do you will be fine and rehabing it yourself will reap many benefits.

GOOD luck.

[chrishaupt]

WE are also looking at Dale City. Is this not a good area?

[plf86]

ask nitrovic,

he is a PWC policeman who will cut to the chase.

I bailed on Dale city five years ago when i couldnt let my kids walk to the 7 11 alone anymore. i lived in the Birchdale section where the gang across the street had ak47s pulled out of the jhouse when they raided it because they took a boy down to Alabam and killed him.
I moved to the kirkdale section where we had cops up and down the street quite often...

of course it may have changed some...

[chrishaupt]

Thanks plf86

[azgirl85220]

Jeez, I never heard of all of this happening. I used to walk to the 7-11 off of Darbydale alot..never had a problem. I just heard the area off of RT. 1 is bad but never in the Dale City section..

Originally Posted by plf86

ask nitrovic,

he is a PWC policeman who will cut to the chase.

I bailed on Dale city five years ago when i couldnt let my kids walk to the 7 11 alone anymore. i lived in the Birchdale section where the gang across the street had ak47s pulled out of the jhouse when they raided it because they took a boy down to Alabam and killed him.
I moved to the kirkdale section where we had cops up and down the street quite often...

of course it may have changed some...

[azgirl85220]

Thanks I've heard of it, just never knew where it was located.

Originally Posted by HEATHER72

It's on Ben Lomond Park Drive in Manassas.