This is for
Doug who stopped by my other blog and wanted to know more about Bristow. So here are some thoughts, Doug.
I've been in the PWC area for going on ten years. I used to live in Manassas. Then I lived in Vienna for about 8 months. I've lived in Bristow for six years now. We came here when my older daughter was entering Kindergarten and my younger daughter was still in pre-school.
Living in Bristow is interesting. We have Manassas, Gainesville, Nokesville, Haymarket and Brentsville as our immediate neighbors. So there is lots going on.
Here's what I love about the area:1. GREAT schools! The teachers and administrators have been very responsive. I feel my children have been given a superb and I'm so thankful for the dedicated people who work in our schools. Let me not forget the office staff, lunch and facilities people and the nurse, all of whom I interact with enough to give this kind of praise.
Parents are very involved with the schools, which really helps. Proactive parents ensure their kids get the most out of school, and I'd say the school folks want that, too.
2. Lots of playgrounds for little ones. If you live in a newer subdivision, you probably will have a playground near you. You probably will also have a community pool. If you don't, there are local playgrounds and the George Mason Freedom Center, which has a terrific indoor pool and gym.
3. Low crime. I feel safe here.
4. Shopping centers in Bristow, Gainesville and Manassas close by. Salvation Army close by!! If you like to thrift shop, this will make you happy. But there are other more upscale stores here as well if you are into that kind of thing. Restaurants galore.
5. Charity organizations doing great things for the community.
6. A new police station which is I think only about 3 miles from where I am. Since Bristow isn't a big place, it's got to be pretty close to most of the area. We also have a fire station about two miles from us (maybe less). Again--pretty close by.
7. Active churches/spiritual places of all flavors.
8. Full-service libraries with lots of programs for children and adults.
9. Lots of history and local hiking at Manassas Battlefield Park.
Here is my main concern specific to Bristow and the surrounding area, the one that has bothered me since moving here:
Over-development.There doesn't seem to have been very good planning in some ways so roads and school boundaries are irritating at times. The area is growing and it requires a tremendous amount of smarts to do it right.
You mention Bristoe Station, and that's one subdivision that is kind of plunked in the middle of an historical area. This drives the history and nature lovers nuts. Since I appreciate both history and nature, it kind of drives me nuts as well : )
We've talked about moving several times because I'm not really a subdivision kind of person. I love older houses and yards and more trees. If it were up to me, we would have chickens and cows, but we live in a townhouse. This is a me-personally thing. My kids and husband don't seem to notice it as much. I'm more of a nature nut than they are.
I sometimes think if we won a lot of money, I would move, but then I think again--the kids are so settled here, I wouldn't want to uproot them, and after all, it's a nice place to live. So if I get lots of money, I will most likely just buy a bigger house or hire a cleaner for this one and go away on more vacations where there are lots of petting zoos. : )
If you read my blog, you will notice I grouse and gripe a lot about the county, but that's because I tend to focus on political and social issues. This is part of my nature, so you don't want to base your decision on this (God forbid!) because as I'm sure you recognize, belief systems are highly personal.
I wonder if you have a friend or family member around here. It would be great if you could come out and "taste test" the area first. Bring your family and just experience daily life here for a week or so.
Hope this helps! Good luck, and visit again!
Posts
