Working in Manassas, need to live within 45 minute drive (Front Royal: short sales, houses)

[Middlin]

Schools are great in Western Prince William, but you aren't going to get a SFH with 1/2 acre for 350k. You'll be hard pressed to find a 1/2 acre even if you upped your budget considerably. In live in Bristow (20136) and I can get to the hospital in 15 minutes. True, you could look in Warrenton but that drive on 29 is a parking lot. I would really consider the true cost of living further out and see that it makes more sense to live closer and spend the commuting money on a house closer in.

[dmv101010]

This is the first time I have every recommened Front Royal but to get the land this is the only choice. Even getting a townhome in your price range would be a challege. In your shoes I would for a nice updated townhome or a SFH in a subdivision, neither will give you land but you be close to work.

[Middlin]

The HS for our area is Patriot High School which is actually located in Nokesville, VA (20181)

[movingsomewhere2014]

Originally Posted by Middlin

Schools are great in Western Prince William, but you aren't going to get a SFH with 1/2 acre for 350k. You'll be hard pressed to find a 1/2 acre even if you upped your budget considerably. In live in Bristow (20136) and I can get to the hospital in 15 minutes. True, you could look in Warrenton but that drive on 29 is a parking lot. I would really consider the true cost of living further out and see that it makes more sense to live closer and spend the commuting money on a house closer in.

From Warrenton, how long do you think the drive would be? If we bump up our budget to ~400k, there seems to be some decent choices out that way.

[movingsomewhere2014]

Originally Posted by dmv101010

This is the first time I have every recommened Front Royal but to get the land this is the only choice. Even getting a townhome in your price range would be a challege. In your shoes I would for a nice updated townhome or a SFH in a subdivision, neither will give you land but you be close to work.

I haven't heard much about Front Royal, it looks very rural. But wouldn't that drive be worse than Stafford (near route 17)?

[spleuchan]

Originally Posted by Middlin

Schools are great in Western Prince William, but you aren't going to get a SFH with 1/2 acre for 350k. You'll be hard pressed to find a 1/2 acre even if you upped your budget considerably. In live in Bristow (20136) and I can get to the hospital in 15 minutes. True, you could look in Warrenton but that drive on 29 is a parking lot. I would really consider the true cost of living further out and see that it makes more sense to live closer and spend the commuting money on a house closer in.

Hard pressed, but doable. A coworker of mine just bought a SFH that meets the OPs criteria in Haymarket near mountain road. There isn't a lot to pick from so timing may be off, but its not impossible.

The commute from Warrenton wouldn't be bad. If 29 gets backed up you can take Vint Hill Rd to 28.

[Middlin]

I'm not sure how long it would be. I just looked at one address to the hospital and it's 35 minutes right now, and that's going against traffic (Warrenton to PW Hosp) The rule of thumb is between 2-3 times the number of miles. The problem is that 29 is a very long stretch with many, many lights and everyone is heading that way to (usually) get on 66. The more that 66 is backed up, well, you get the drift. As another poster pointed out, you can take Vint Hill, but Vint Hill is not a secret and it's one lane each way. I think if you're comfortable with 90 minutes and it's worth the trade off's then you should go for it. Warrenton compared to Gainesville, Bristow, etc is very different.

[stpickrell]

Originally Posted by movingsomewhere2014

I haven't heard much about Front Royal, it looks very rural. But wouldn't that drive be worse than Stafford (near route 17)?

If you get something in Linden, not really - straight shot, exit 13 to 47 on I-66, whereas you'd be going 95 to 234 or something like that from Stafford.

[CleoShahateet]

Bristow, Nokesville or Gainesville are a very easy driving distance to the hospital and good schools but finding a home like others mentioned with a 1/2 acre plot for under 350,000 will be hard. If you can compromise on that for an easier commute you could find something faster. There are some homes with a 1/4 acre but still generally upper 300's in Bristow. Warrenton would be my next suggestion. Check out MLS# FQ8175956 in Warrenton. It is pending now, but there is more likelihood of finding what you want there. Like "Middlin" said you could use Vint Hill instead of 29 which tends to get backed up is you are traveling during rush hour. I have never seen Vint Hill backed up - I could be wrong, but it is never bad and very pretty too.

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

Look around in Dumfries/Montclair area. This is located off Rt. 234 with a straight shot to Manassas. You probably won't get the half acre.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe something around Forest Park HS? How about the 20112 zip code?