OP, there are options in the Kingstowne/Franconia area that would be much better for you and your family.k

I have never heard the word "ghetto" used to reflect a place unless it was meant to be demeaning to people of color.

This sentence. Jews are not people of color and ghetto doesn't always refer to colored folks

The schools in Manassas aren't particularly good. Fairfax has better schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I would stay away, I was out there this week st an indoor bounce place and was glad to not live there. It's a suburban ghetto. Scary folk-for real! There are some places in Fairfax county that you can afford. There's an area called Mosbys Landing on 123. Flint Hill-Thoreau-Madison pyramid. Very good schools. You can get a 3br townhouse for under 30OK.

http://m.mrishomes.com/Mobile/Listing/ListingDetail.aspx?listing=182760815&search=3146f10b-c15e-4f37-90ab-b3495f8529f2&first=21&mozaic=1

That complex isn't very nice (especially if you are not looking for Manassas type people), isn't usually under 300K, and is a condo complex, meaning OP would have to factor in several hundred dollars a month in condo fees.

For under 300 it's in a stellar school district. OP, if this were all I could afford, I would buy into the best school district in an area with low crime. This will be a very good investment.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I would stay away, I was out there this week st an indoor bounce place and was glad to not live there. It's a suburban ghetto. Scary folk-for real! There are some places in Fairfax county that you can afford. There's an area called Mosbys Landing on 123. Flint Hill-Thoreau-Madison pyramid. Very good schools. You can get a 3br townhouse for under 30OK.

http://m.mrishomes.com/Mobile/Listing/ListingDetail.aspx?listing=182760815&search=3146f10b-c15e-4f37-90ab-b3495f8529f2&first=21&mozaic=1

That complex isn't very nice (especially if you are not looking for Manassas type people), isn't usually under 300K, and is a condo complex, meaning OP would have to factor in several hundred dollars a month in condo fees.

There are pockets that are fine. The issue is that they tend to still feed into crappy schools (namely MS/HS.) If schools aren't an issue that may be ok for you.

But, there are other similarly priced and nicer places, like Bristow and Gainesville.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is a manassas city police officer. He does not want to live in manassas, shop in manassas, eat in manassas or BE in manassas other than the hours he is at work. It is definitely THAT bad. Try Bristow, Gainesville or Warrenton. Especially the last-much more bang for your buck. But the commute can be brutal.

+1. I live in Bristow/Gainesville. If you can flex your hours, it's not so bad. On the road by 6. We've been pleased w the people and the schools. We even have a Wegmans

I love the wegmans!! We can actually walk to it from our neighborhood!

Anonymous wrote:My husband is a manassas city police officer. He does not want to live in manassas, shop in manassas, eat in manassas or BE in manassas other than the hours he is at work. It is definitely THAT bad. Try Bristow, Gainesville or Warrenton. Especially the last-much more bang for your buck. But the commute can be brutal.

+1. I live in Bristow/Gainesville. If you can flex your hours, it's not so bad. On the road by 6. We've been pleased w the people and the schools. We even have a Wegmans

My husband is a manassas city police officer. He does not want to live in manassas, shop in manassas, eat in manassas or BE in manassas other than the hours he is at work. It is definitely THAT bad. Try Bristow, Gainesville or Warrenton. Especially the last-much more bang for your buck. But the commute can be brutal.

How about something like this in the West Springfield district?

http://www.mrishomes.com/homes-for-sale/5908-MINUTEMEN-RD-293-SPRINGFIELD-VA-22152-182742094

I'd consider Leesburg. The developments outside the town are fairly affordable.

I'll take a look at mosbys landing. Thanks for the suggestion

I would pass. Resale is a disaster.

Yes. I would stay away, I was out there this week st an indoor bounce place and was glad to not live there. It's a suburban ghetto. Scary folk-for real! There are some places in Fairfax county that you can afford. There's an area called Mosbys Landing on 123. Flint Hill-Thoreau-Madison pyramid. Very good schools. You can get a 3br townhouse for under 30OK.

http://m.mrishomes.com/Mobile/Listing/ListingDetail.aspx?listing=182760815&search=3146f10b-c15e-4f37-90ab-b3495f8529f2&first=21&mozaic=1

We've been renting in Fairfax for about 10 years. Completely missed the boat on buying when properties dropped. Now we're paying $2,500 for rent and we have been priced out from the neighboor. We don't want to keep renting and can only afford something under $300,000. Thinking of Manassas but everyone gives me a look when a mention it. Any insight appreciated. Or suggestions on any other cities within an hour commute of Fairfax where we both work. Thanks in advance.