Living options between DC and Manassas

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by jahutch

To the OP - if Vienna itself is too far a commute for you, you may consider somewhere in between, like Centreville (just an example). Vienna Metro has a lot of parking, so its an easy shot if you want to go into Arlington or DC on a weekend (or week night for that matter). And you'd still have a reverse commute to work.

I am a bit surprised at all the people suggesting living in Manassas though, given the preferences you indicated. I don't know a whole lot about the area, but I was under the impression it was more a "family oriented" suburban type area than a place with a lot of young professionals. And its way out there in terms of distance from the city.

Centreville is a good idea, maybe even Chantilly as well.

I don't think that anyone would necessarily think of Manassas as a bustling metropolis but I was reminded earlier in this thread that the Old Town section has a decent amount of nightlife.
Dining in Historic Old Town Manassas - Restaurants, Cafes, Taverns, Coffee, Deli
Fairfax City may be a bit better but any further commute could have diminishing returns on the ability to actually enjoy the neighborhood during the week.

[Azmordean]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Centreville is a good idea, maybe even Chantilly as well.

I don't think that anyone would necessarily think of Manassas as a bustling metropolis but I was reminded earlier in this thread that the Old Town section has a decent amount of nightlife.
Dining in Historic Old Town Manassas - Restaurants, Cafes, Taverns, Coffee, Deli
Fairfax City may be a bit better but any further commute could have diminishing returns on the ability to actually enjoy the neighborhood during the week.

Yeah, I'm not debating that Old Town Manassas has options... I'm just wondering about the age of the crowd, given that the OP is a recent college grad. Best advice to him though is to make the trip and check some of these areas out!

[anpanman]

I used to live in Fairfax, near Fair Oaks Mall, and commuted to Manassas. It took me 15 to 20 minutes each morning and evening. My job was closer to 66 than Lockheed Martin, so you might want to tack on an extra 5 minutes, say 20 to 25 minutes. You're going against rush hour, so the worst traffic you'll face will be on Sudley Road, but it's not bad at all in the direction you are headed. It was a very nice commute, and it didn't even feel like rush hour, unless I looked over to the other side of the highway!

In Fairfax, you're about a 10 minute ride from the metro station in Vienna, and there are lots of GMU students around, so you'll be around some young people.

[VEIK]

Centreville is actually a very good option, but its not quite recent grad area.

I mean you want recent grad area - head over to Clarendon in Arlington, but commute from there to Manassas is nuts.

[barryhussein]

Originally Posted by jahutch

Bitter at all? You do realize some people prefer an urban lifestyle to a whitebread suburb, right? You seem to be getting awful personal in your post.

20110 is only 67% White.

[Azmordean]

Originally Posted by barryhussein

20110 is only 67% White.

The term "whitebread suburb" as I meant it does not necessarily mean white people, it means your standard suburban fare, far outside the city.

[VRE332]

also depends on the last census, y2k was the last one right?

[DirtyJerz22]

Thanks everyone for all your advice, I really appreciate it. I need to go over some things and visit the area and then I'll be in a better position to make a decision.

[chrspadg]

Originally Posted by VRE332

also depends on the last census, y2k was the last one right?

I am sure the percentage is incorrect. From what I was told is that there was ship loads of illegas who entered into the Manassas, Manassas City, Manassas Park area starting between 8 - 10 years ago. It seems more like 50 % white...Maybe.