Manassas - Older SFH - What's the deal?

[blossom4792]

Originally Posted by bungalowmo

Does it have to be in Manassas??

I have mixed feelings about Manassas. I think it is "misunderstood" - I always say that it should be considered like a city with good parts and bad parts, but instead, we hear the name and think of the lowest common denominator. But still, the op said she wants a house, not a townhouse/condo, and would like a decent yard with no HOA, and mentioned a price range. So, let's at least try to be helpful here, to answer her question and to give her feasible options. We all know that Great Falls and Potomac are ideal, but are not realistic for most of us. If there are specific (alternate) places that fit her criteria, ... let's list them.

[DC Oldtimer]

Originally Posted by blossom4792

We all know that Great Falls and Potomac are ideal, but are not realistic for most of us. If there are specific (alternate) places that fit her criteria, ... let's list them.

We looked in Great Falls and Potomac. Every house had airplane noise.

I wasnt about to spend the better part of a million bucks to listen to the roar of 747s.

So for some of us, places like Vienna, Fairfax, and Oakton really are better.

[blossom4792]

Originally Posted by DC Oldtimer

We looked in Great Falls and Potomac. Every house had airplane noise.

I wasnt about to spend the better part of a million bucks to listen to the roar of 747s.

So for some of us, places like Vienna, Fairfax, and Oakton really are better.

for 150K? Awesome, if you have any single family homes, on large lots, with no HOA(s), please let me know! [I mean noooo slight to the original poster; honestly - for one, I think that for sooo many places in the country that price range is excellent; for another, I just don't care if someone's price range is 25,000 or 5 million. I'm so beyond judging people on the price of their home.

[Newk]

Originally Posted by blossom4792

for 150K?

No obviously not. That is far from possible.

[Mike From NIU]

Amanda,

I live in Woodbridge, Manassas' cousin in PWC that is also denigrated by the many Fairfax County residents. There are a few distinct disadvantages of Prince William places, but also some advantages.

Disadvantage: Commute to DC. Unless you're really lucky, as I am, you are unlikely to have less than 1 hour each way commute from PWC.

Advantage: Reasonable housing prices with opportunity for a yard (and I don't mean a 8'x12' patch of stubble behind a townhome).

Disadvantage/advantage: Reasonable housing prices attracts "undesirables"/diverse working class families. Yes, the low house prices do mean that some neighborhoods may have more than the usual share of people with questionable occupations. However, many neighborhoods in both Manassas and Woodbridge are filled with hard-working, dedicated families who care about their neighbors and go out of their way to help others.

Advantage: Schools. While probably a half-step lower than Fairfax County Schools, PWC schools as a whole are better than 80% of the schools in the country. PWC schools are by no means a version of DC-South.

Disadvantage: Lack of public transit. PRTC (Omniride) does a good job with the resources the have, but the sprawl and configuration of the area force a substantial amount of driving.

Advantage: Closeness to large forest preserves/open field historical sites

Disadvantage: Current housing market. The reasons for the drastic decline in Manassas/Woodbridge housing prices (median price down 40-50% from same month 2007) are varied, but include: a) general housing fiasco; b) flight of illegal immigrants and legal immigrants after PWC crackdown law; and c) investors who were hoping for quick flips but who were nabbed by the overall housing downturn.

Advantage: Current housing market. If you are a potential first-time buyer, prices might finally be reaching as reasonable of a level that they ever will in this area.

Anyway, good luck with your search, and I hope people who have actually lived in or know Manassas provide more insight on good/bad neighborhoods.

[AmandaVA]

Well, Manassas because of the price range. Found some nice/decent homes last weekend, but most are short sales and we all know how much of a pain those can be.

I work in Vienna, my boyfriend works near Fort Belvoir. We'd been contemplating the Woodbridge area, but I'm a bit nervous about my commute. He doesn't have a problem driving, but I'm not good with long drives which is why I wasn't too sure about Woodbridge.

We also have multiple dogs, so a SFH is just the better choice. Not the "patch of grass" a townhouse has.

[blossom4792]

Originally Posted by AmandaVA

Well, Manassas because of the price range. Found some nice/decent homes last weekend, but most are short sales and we all know how much of a pain those can be.

I work in Vienna, my boyfriend works near Fort Belvoir. We'd been contemplating the Woodbridge area, but I'm a bit nervous about my commute. He doesn't have a problem driving, but I'm not good with long drives which is why I wasn't too sure about Woodbridge.

We also have multiple dogs, so a SFH is just the better choice. Not the "patch of grass" a townhouse has.

Well, good luck looking, ask questions as needed, and don't be leary of Manassas - look at the options on a case-by-case basis. I would still pay particular attention to the "Wellington" area and the area off 234 (Walton, Woodbine etc.); and/or the Old Manassas/Robnel areas.

[AmandaVA]

Thanks for your help! Looks like some properties are popping up in the Sudley area, which we like a lot more than the Loch Lomond/West Gate of Lomond areas. Hopefully that works out for us!