Single Mother DATING: Bristow (Alexandria, Reston: schools, quality of life, living in)

[undecided2]

I know this might seem like a bizarre and insignificant question but I'm curious, so here it goes! I"m divorced and a single mother of 1 child and am considering moving to Bristow. I'm trying to think of everything before possibly moving out there (a lot of people I talk with say "Bristow is far out there!"). For those of you who are single or who once were single, is that considered a far drive in terms of dating...say from DC or Alexandria,etc. Bristow seems like it is mostly 2 parent families and not a place for singles. My main priority and focus is my child, however I know that I have to eventually think about myself, I don't want to be alone forever! Thank you to all who have read this and thanks to anyone who responds!!! Just a single mother trying to figure out what is best for her child and herself. I hope I have not offened anyone!

[tamitrail]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I would move to where it would be best for my child, not for dating. You didn't mention if you will be working and where. Will you need to commute? If so, you will want a short commute time to spend more time with your child.

Make the best decision for your child, and the rest will work out for you. Check out the schools and activities in the town first. Moving closer to DC is no guarantee that you will meet someone. You could move to Timbucktoo and your soulmate could be living in a hut next door.

[Tone509]

If your potential dating pool were to be in say, Reston, Tysons Corner, Fairfax City or even "next door" in Manassas (their "Old Town" area would be a fairly lively gathering spot, I'd think), then Bristow would probably be a convenient enough place. It would be quite a trek to Alexandria and DC if your would-be suitors all lived there.

I do get the impression that Bristow's growth is primarily due to families priced or spaced out of closer suburbs. I also agree with tamitrail that securing a comfortable place for your child would be in both of your best interests; Bristow would seem to provide that.

[mlv311]

ITA with Tamitrail and Tone509. Choose a place that will afford you the best quality of life for you and your child. While you may find more 'two-parent families' in the suburbs, I think a single parent may be more likely to live in the suburbs than closer to the city. Your dating pool in DC or Alexandria may include more men who have never been married or divorced men with no children and that brings a whole different dynamic to any relationship you might want to develop.

BTW, while I'm not familiar with this group, I have two friends who met their second spouse through Parents without Partners. Meeting another person who was a single parent too made the whole dating a lot easier. GL!

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by undecided2

I know this might seem like a bizarre and insignificant question but I'm curious, so here it goes! I"m divorced and a single mother of 1 child and am considering moving to Bristow. I'm trying to think of everything before possibly moving out there (a lot of people I talk with say "Bristow is far out there!"). For those of you who are single or who once were single, is that considered a far drive in terms of dating...say from DC or Alexandria,etc. Bristow seems like it is mostly 2 parent families and not a place for singles. My main priority and focus is my child, however I know that I have to eventually think about myself, I don't want to be alone forever! Thank you to all who have read this and thanks to anyone who responds!!! Just a single mother trying to figure out what is best for her child and herself. I hope I have not offened anyone!

While I'm not single, I do work in the community and have noticed there are a TON of single mothers living in the suburbs (PWC as a whole). If you put yourself out there (church groups, singles groups etc) you will meet a lot of good people. My 60 year old single mother in law is having a blast meeting with the singles group and we live farther out "in the sticks" than Bristow. The Gainesville area has a lot of places like Bonefish, Tap Room etc. that attract an "older" crowd for drinks and happy hours. With the divorce rate at over 50% I doubt a lot of the people there are married. Good luck!!

[undecided2]

Thank you to all of you for your time and advice! My main priority is my son; the only reason I 'd be moving over 2 hours from where I live now and completly changing my life, is for my child to be closer to his father..my ex husband. The thought of most likely being screamed at by my ex husband every day in my yard is not very appealing...but my son could see his father more often.