Possibly moving to NOVA and need some help!

[Cardiff Kook]

Sorry for the comment, but sometimes it helps to know the nick names for an area to get a sense for the place

[5stones]

It is so much easier to just drive in DC for weekend sightseeing trips. Parking is not that hard to find and we used to find lots of free parking (esp over by the Jefferson Memorial or China town, by the spy museum)

By the time you get to the metro station, park, buy your ticket, get on the train and arrive in DC... you would have been there by car. (just less hassel for us, of course we had 3 kids in tow!!)

If you take metro then take it out of Arlington, then wwhen you get back you can stop and have a choice of bars resturants etc...to spend so "night life" time in.

Manasas, is NOT horrible. When you drive around...or use google street view, you will get a feel for the more run down areas etc...
There are some very nice places to live and it's ALOT cheaper than most areas, so you will have more $$ for weekends! You are single male, you can live pretty frugally instead of spending $$$ ofr a more prestigious address.

[stpickrell]

Manassas is just fine for a single guy, the schools might be a bit subpar by Northern VA standards but that is not a concern for you.

I'd avoid areas like Georgetown South (bigfoot and others can tell you where in Manassas City to avoid).

Live in the historic district, that way you can go to a restaurant/bar, have a few, then walk home from time to time. I look forward to doing that in Leesburg (the entire district is a mile or less from me).

You'll be working 5 days a week guaranteed, going out anywhere from 1-3 times a week.

If you have a friend living in Orange Line Arlington or Old Town Alexandria (which are the meccas for professional singles) then treat them to dinner in exchange for crashing @ their place.

Also, get used to the smell of jet fuel, something I've adopted to working @ the Leesburg Airport.