Best and most similar lifestyle in Northern Virginia( near Manassass) compared to Cleveland OH (Arlington: rental, daycare)

[peronne]

Hello

I am considering moving to NOVO in July and need to figure out best place to live.

I am moving from Cleveland OH so I am looking for similar cost-of-living in an area within 30mins of Manassas.

I am looking for culturally/ethnically diverse neighborhoods, preferably closer towards the DC/metro are. But I will be working in Manassas. I will have annual salary of $80k and I am a single parent of a kindergarten aged child, so school districts, fun activities, etc., childcare expenses, not too far of a commute, are all weighed heavily for me.

Please let me know your opinions. TIA

[Flamingo13]

The cost of living here is nowhere close to Cleveland - assume you've researched this

[tgbwc]

If you were to throw out a monthly house cost or monthly rental amount, what pops into your mind as an ideal number? What size home would you need? It does sound like a tall order, but I’m thinking that might give us a better idea on what you are thinking.

Are you in CLE proper or one of the suburbs?

[columbusboy8]

You should definitely consider the Montclair Community in Dumfries, VA.

https://www.montclairva.com/the-montclairion

[Veritas Vincit]

There's no shortage of diverse neighborhoods in Manassas with affordable rents.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Veritas Vincit

There's no shortage of diverse neighborhoods in Manassas with affordable rents.

"Affordable" being relative, of course, in an otherwise very expensive metro area.

[slduvall]

Originally Posted by peronne

Hello

I am considering moving to NOVO in July and need to figure out best place to live.

I am moving from Cleveland OH so I am looking for similar cost-of-living in an area within 30mins of Manassas.

I am looking for culturally/ethnically diverse neighborhoods, preferably closer towards the DC/metro are. But I will be working in Manassas. I will have annual salary of $80k and I am a single parent of a kindergarten aged child, so school districts, fun activities, etc., childcare expenses, not too far of a commute, are all weighed heavily for me.

Please let me know your opinions. TIA

If you don't have to commute to DC you don't want to pay the $$ that it will cost to be on the closer side to DC. I would look at areas on the far side of Manassas. Reducing your commute is pretty vital as they can be brutal in the area. That will reduce your childcare expenses as well. Those places nearer to the beltway etc can be pretty pricey. You also want to be within a quick pickup time for the kid. After you settle on a neighborhood, look for the school in it, and then look for a daycare that provides before and after transfer to your school. Lifesaving having that!

As others have mentioned you need to tell us what your budget is.

And the whole area is very diverse. BTW it's NOVA.

[NOVAmtneer82]

This has been pointed out above but I will just reiterate- there is absolutely no comparison between the cost of living in Cleveland and that in Northern Virginia. None.

I am assuming your job is in Manassas and that is the reasoning you need to be within 30 minutes? I can assure you 30 minutes during commuting periods doesn't get you far in this area so you might want to settle on Manassas itself (but the schools can be iffy) or neighboring Gainesville/ Bristow which are in Prince William County.

[Flamingo13]

The OP hasn't come back

[DCarea]

No idea what Cleveland lifestyle is, but the only places worth living in NoVa are either Old Town Alexandria or Arlington along the Metro line (Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon).