OP, I actually live in Manassas and can give you a realistic POV. I don't live in Manassas City proper, but in the PWC part, just outside the city limits. PWC schools are better than Manassas City, but that's not saying much. The elementary school that my kids attend is fine, but the middle school is not good and the high school is only middling. There is not much in the way of shopping or entertainment. The nicest grocery in town is a Harris Teeter on the Liberia side of town. The Sudley Road side of town is one strip mall after another. There is a Costco on that side. The mall is a joke. There is one large movie theater, which is fine. Gainesville has a bit more going on with newer developments, but that's a 20 min. drive at least. Old Town Manassas is quaint and has some decent restaurants and shops and festivals/parades, but that's about it. Other than that, Manassas tends to be strip malls, used tires, and check cashing joints.

There are plenty of nice folks here, but don't expect to meet many people with professional jobs or advanced degrees. Manassas is an mostly combination of blue collar people and Hispanic immigrants. The PP who said it's like if Donald Trump was a town isn't far off. He's very popular here. Our development is new and does have a lot of professionals, but of course we all commute a long way to work. I spend on average 1.5 hrs a day each way commuting and it seriously impacts my quality of life. I drive but a lot of people take the VRE, which is nice but I hear it's pretty pricey and only tracks with the Orange Line and still takes forever to get to DC.

We've lived here 7 years and I knew it was a mistake as soon as we moved in and I began to get a picture of the community. It's affordable for a reason, but there is still new development going on. There's a huge new townhouse/SFH development going in across the street from us. We are moving out next summer, before my oldest starts middle school. Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lake Manassas area is nicer but I'd look at Chantilly/South Riding if you have kids and are considering moving further out. Or if further toward 95, Lake Ridge or Lorton, although I know less about the school's there. Can't beat Loudoun schools though.

Lake Manassas is in Gainesville. It is actually where I live. It feeds into a very good school pyramid. The schools in Prince William in that part of the county are very good. I think this page seems to think FCPS can do no wrong, but there are other school systems in the area that are quite good.

Everyone thinks their neighborhood school is in a good pyramid. FCPS has been rated top in the country. PWCS have not. They rank lower on SAT scores and college admissions.

If it's zoned for Battlefield or Patriot, it's similar to a school in FCPS like Westfield.

Depends on when you bought. An investment isn't a nice place to live, it's a thing that increases in value over time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

On the road by 6:00AM? Sounds horrid.

I think the same thing about the rent and petty crime closer in.

But closer in has a better, much better ROI.

OP here, I appreciate the feedback.

Anonymous wrote:

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

On the road by 6:00AM? Sounds horrid.

I think the same thing about the rent and petty crime closer in.

South Riding/Aldie/Chantilly - off Route 50. Busy during rush hour, otherwise not a bad commute to Fairfax.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lake Manassas area is nicer but I'd look at Chantilly/South Riding if you have kids and are considering moving further out. Or if further toward 95, Lake Ridge or Lorton, although I know less about the school's there. Can't beat Loudoun schools though.

Lake Manassas is in Gainesville. It is actually where I live. It feeds into a very good school pyramid. The schools in Prince William in that part of the county are very good. I think this page seems to think FCPS can do no wrong, but there are other school systems in the area that are quite good.

Everyone thinks their neighborhood school is in a good pyramid. FCPS has been rated top in the country. PWCS have not. They rank lower on SAT scores and college admissions.

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

On the road by 6:00AM? Sounds horrid.

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.

That's awful. Police officers should live in the areas they police. It would likely lead to a lot less friction. That's what community policing emphasizes.

Anonymous wrote:Lake Manassas area is nicer but I'd look at Chantilly/South Riding if you have kids and are considering moving further out. Or if further toward 95, Lake Ridge or Lorton, although I know less about the school's there. Can't beat Loudoun schools though.

Lake Manassas is in Gainesville. It is actually where I live. It feeds into a very good school pyramid. The schools in Prince William in that part of the county are very good. I think this page seems to think FCPS can do no wrong, but there are other school systems in the area that are quite good.

Lake Manassas area is nicer but I'd look at Chantilly/South Riding if you have kids and are considering moving further out. Or if further toward 95, Lake Ridge or Lorton, although I know less about the school's there. Can't beat Loudoun schools though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That complex has plenty of crime.

Petty crime, yes. OP, check it out. It's safe. Great area! Amazing schools!

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That complex has plenty of crime.

$312

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Alexandria/7287-Hillary-St-22315/home/9785201