Does anyone know anything about Manassas Va? I think I got a job thererince William County Public Schools. Is is a good area? What can you tell me about it? I would have to move next week!
Well, I grew up in neighboring Fairfax County. While I can't give you first hand, specific knowledge about Prince William Co. I can tell you about that part of VA in general. Northern Va is pretty affluent area. Most people are either military or professionals that commute to DC. I don't know what they pay teachers there, but it is pretty costly to live in No. VA. Manasas has some great shopping. Occoquan is a very quaint town and you can go crazy shopping at Potomac Mills (outlet shopping.) http://potomacmills.com/static/node1877.jsp If I think of more, I'll post it.
I was just at Greatschools.net and Prince William Co. schools does not have any schools listed as "needs improvement" as deemed by NCLB.
Yeah, I visited Great schools too. I literally spent all day llooking into rentals. I own my home right now and the cost of living where I live is LOW. My mortgage for a 3 floor ,3 bd, 2bath, garage and full basement, LR, DR small yard is $260.00 per month. As for as I can see, rentals in Manassas and surrounding areas ave $1000.00 per month. Of course we will be making much more in Va than we do here. Beginnig teachers make about 37,000 in Prince William compared to 25,000 here.
Holy cow, the cost of living there IS low! You couldn't rent a room around here for $260 a month never mind pay a mortgage that's that low! Maybe I should think about moving.... Like you said, though, the pay is different. First year teachers here make between $30-$35,000...roughly. So I guess it's all relative.
yes, it's all relative. My house is kind of old and a fixer upper. But it's still a nice house and I love the low payments. I am going to hate paying rent again but I will be glad to have a job.
I used to live in Northern Virginia so I know a little bit about Manassas. It used to be a fairly rural area but as cost of living in DC skyrockets, more and more people have been moving out there. It's expensive but nowhere near as expensive as DC itself or the more immediate surrounding suburbs. So Manassas is going through a bit of a transition. Still somewhat rural but becoming more developed with plenty of strip malls. There's also some Civil war history in the area if you're into that sort of thing (the Battle of Bull Run took place there). Here are a couple of links to information on Manassas that might be helpful: http://www.manassascity.org/ http://www.visitmanassas.org/ Manassas is probably a 45-60 minute drive to DC. Hope this helps. Good luck with your decision!
I lived there and went to Price William County Schoools when I was in K and 1. We lived in Woodbridge. It was a pretty nice area to live in (as I remember from being a kid!) and I liked the school I went to. My parents liked the area, but said it was a little fast-paced for them, being so close to DC. Good luck! Before I got my job here, I almost applied for jobs there!
Hi Carolinesmom18. My sister teaches in Pittsburgh: North Allegheny (forgive my spelling). I have been looking into Woodbridge and all the surrounding areas. They all seem expensive. I guess I won't know until I get there.
Hey Katrina, That's about 45 minutes from where I teach. Thats without traffic. It seems like this area is begging for teachers. At least manassas isn't as cityish as where I am.I know that Fairfax County and Arlington County pays really well and has good retirement benefits. You only have to work five yrs in va to be vested in their retirement system. We had friends of the family that retired from teaching in nh then worked in va for five yrs and got two retirements. If you have questions e-mail me! Sarah
Thanks Sarah. What county are you in, because if PWcounty doesnt work out, I will apply to other districts. It seems like a great area, but rent seems so high! Can you tell me of cheaper places to live that is within a 15 minute drive. I would like to pay no more than $700 dollars permonth for a 2 BR. But I am beginning to doubt that's possible. What county are you in? I applied and would have been hired in Westmoreland county in June, but declined.
kat- I have lived in Northern VA and have friends there now- Moving from a fairly large house and looking for something less than $700 in NOVA- it's going to be tough, I'm sorry to say. Like may areas in the North east, the housing market is a little out of control and even my friends who bought 5 years ago say they could never afford to buy there now. I know you're looking to rent but I still think it's going to be tough to even find an apt for $700. There are bad areas too, so you need to be careful. Contact a national real estate office where you live now (ERA, etc) and see if they can do a search for you and then maybe call the Northern VA office of that real estate company and ask them if the properties you're looking at are in good areas- It's not gong to be worth the move, job, or money if you don't feel safe where you are living.
Yes, That is the scariest part about moving: not knowing the area. The area I live in now is one of the safest areas in America. But there are no jobs and what jobs we do have are very low pay. I am willing to pay a lot to be safe-which is what I guess I have to do. My sister also told me to find a realtor. I will do that tomorrow. Thank you for the info.I appreciate it. I have been looking on this MSN website to complare cities, cost of living, neighborhoods safety and all kinds of stuff. It has been helpful. http://houseandhome.msn.com/pickapl...oCity=23165.9388646288&Ratio=1.15829694323144
Overall Northern Virginia is a very safe area. Due to the presence of the federal government, the whole DC area has one of the largest middle classes in the country. Outside of some areas within DC itself, you really can't go wrong. That being said, you'd be hard pressed to find a one-bedroom in the area for $700 let alone a two-bedroom. Here's a site with lots of apartment listings that may be useful: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/apa/ Looks like two-bedrooms in the Manassas area goes for about $1200.
Kat - It will cost you at least $1,300 a month for a 2 -bedroom apartment -- and that will not be a plush apartment, just a basic one in a basic complex. Also, check the location carefully! Manassas and Prince William Country have several MAJOR superfund sites. As I recall, there is even a High School built on one of the sites in PW. It is beautiful, historic country -- but I have a real problem with living in close proximaty to toxic waste.
Hey I live in Alexandria which is pretty close to Manassas and I have a really nice apartment. It is definitly one of the cheapest I could find. I pay a little over $1000 for a one bedroom. It also has an office which is really nice. It could be made into a small bedroom if needed. I'm working in the Fairfax County Public School District and it is well paying but with the high cost of living it is definitly an adjustment; especially after coming from Pittsburgh because the cost of living there is very affordable. If you would like to know anything else about my place or any other things down here just let me know! Good luck and congrats on the job!
