Gainesville commute to Fairfax (Arlington, Centreville: house, neighborhoods, to buy)

[Texas-Lloyd]

We are a family of four (2 kids 6 & 4), relocating to Fairfax. Will be working at the Exxon plant on Gallows Rd and are looking for a good balance between commute and house size. What would the commute time be from Gainesville/Haymarket to Gallows Rd (which is just before you get to I495)? And what about that same commute from Manassas? Appreciate all your suggestions.

[thatch03]

I make this commute every day from Haymarket. If you leave before 6 AM then it is usually a 45 min to 1 hour drive. If you leave after 6 then it can take 1.5 hours minimum. There are a lot of different ways in from here including 50, 28, and 66. Manassas is horrible. I lived in temp quarters there and centreville rd out of Manassas is very bad.

[Texas-Lloyd]

Thanks thatch03 for that helpful information. We'll have a house-hunting trip in about 5 weeks. We then have 9 days to decide on what to buy. Before then, I'm trying to narrow down a list of potential areas to look at. So far, as well as Haymarket, I'm shortlisting Centreville and Manassas. Any thoughts on these with respect to commute times to Fairfax (Gallows Rd at Arlington Blvd)?

[FindingZen]

Centreville would definitely be the shortest commute, given that its in the same county. Its distance from rail transit - a very desirable trait around here - will work to your benefit since you'll be driving anyway as you'll see relatively low asking prices compared to much of Fairfax County.

If you can find somethng in your preferred range in Centreville, go for it. You'll save yourself a considerable amount of traffic headache compared to Manassas and Haymarket.

[Texas-Lloyd]

The more I research this and other forums, the more I'm placing Centreville at the top of my wish-list for housing. Can anyone suggest neighborhoods to aim for and any to avoid in Centreville? Any advice on elementary schools in that area? Thanks everyone.