Old Town Manassas, Underrated? (Alexandria, Leesburg: appointed, homes, neighborhoods)

[justtitans]

I have heard a ton of negative things said about Manassas but I rarely hear people mention the Old Town section. There are some nice restaurants, little shops, a museum, cultural activities, and mass transit (Amtrak and VRE). It seems like a very under the radar place. Granted, I know the schools aren't great and I know some of the neighborhoods nearby **cough*cough** Georgetown South **cough*cough** aren't really the greatest, but for the money you can do a lot worst. Just curious on the general thoughts of Old Town Manassas, not the whole city.

[Bigfoot424]

I've been in the Manassas area since 73 and moved into Manassas City in my current home near Old Town in 86. Old Town has seen a huge transformation over the years. It's not as large as OT Alexandria but that's fine with me. It does offer a lot here in the form of entertainment. From ice skating, concerts, albeit not big names, parades, festivals and so on. The neighborhood surrounding OT has some beautiful homes as well as regular everyday homes. The old courthouse is across the street. Restaurants range from chains such as Subway and Foster's and on up to Carmello's.

[Ben 'n Jen]

It needs some different shops for night life. Barber shops, collectible, and book stores don't draw crowds at night.

I'd like an old fashined soda fountain or a greazy spoon midnight-meal place you can go after drinking at Okra's all night.

[stpickrell]

I think it's the schools that do it -- it doesn't have the "OK schools" vibe that surrounds downtown Frederick, Annapolis, Leesburg, downtown Fredericksburg, and even Old Town Winchester (and brings families out that way), but it's too far out to appeal to the "hip youngsters without kids" crowd (they probably feel uncomfortable even out in Fairfax City.)

[tgbwc]

I was disappointed that we couldn't make it to the Fall Jubilee last weekend.

[leighland]

Originally Posted by Ben 'n Jen

It needs some different shops for night life. Barber shops, collectible, and book stores don't draw crowds at night.

I'd like an old fashined soda fountain or a greazy spoon midnight-meal place you can go after drinking at Okra's all night.

I like it *exactly* because it is not a nitelife central like OTAlex. I dont like my neighborhood crowded with obnoxious trader joe slumming 29 yo six figure salary policy wonks. Blech.

I think I could live in that bookshop!

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

I was disappointed that we couldn't make it to the Fall Jubilee last weekend.

It was really nice and the weather was very summer-ish.

[queenswake]

I never go to it for the same reason I never go anywhere else in Manassas -- PITA to get to Old Town because of the traffic and all of the traffic lights trying to get to it from 66. I used to live in Manassas and I have never wasted so much of my life waiting at traffic lights before. You have to travel through so many lights and strip mall upon strip mall, overhead wires all over the place, just to get to it.

Old Town Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Annapolis, etc are so much more accessible from the major roads.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by leighland

I like it *exactly* because it is not a nitelife central like OTAlex. I dont like my neighborhood crowded with obnoxious trader joe slumming 29 yo six figure salary policy wonks. Blech.

I think I could live in that bookshop!

Exactly.

[Ben 'n Jen]

Originally Posted by leighland

I like it *exactly* because it is not a nitelife central like OTAlex. I dont like my neighborhood crowded with obnoxious trader joe slumming 29 yo six figure salary policy wonks. Blech.

I think I could live in that bookshop!

Anywhere in my post did I mention OT Alex? If that bookstore was open past 6, then maybe I would too.