New Modern Apartment Homes

If you’re new to Arcadia Run and Manassas, Virginia, then you’ll love the idea of being a tourist in your new hometown. What better way to fully explore and enjoy this wonderful place you now call home? In fact, even if you’ve been in the area for a while, it’ll still be fun to hit all the most popular places in Manassas!

According to Apartment Guide, here are a few ways you can get to know your city like a true tourist:

Start Small

With all there is to do in Manassas and the surrounding area, it might be overwhelming to try and tackle it all in one day (if not impossible!). If you’ve just settled in your new apartment home at Arcadia Run, we suggest taking a stroll around the community to familiarize yourself with the amenities, walking trails, and your new neighbors. Use this time to seek out where you’ll go grocery shopping, any restaurants you’ll frequent or even parks you’ll want to enjoy a picnic in.

Utilize Maps, Guidebooks and Brochures

Now that you’re familiar with the Arcadia Run community, it’s time to really be a tourist. Head to the Manassas Visitor Center to pick up a few brochures and guidebooks. You’ll also find helpful information here about the Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express commuter trains.

Take Tours

While sifting through your brochures, keep an eye out for any guided tours through parks, or even Historic Manassas, that pique your interest. The Manassas National Battlefield Park offers several walking tours and the Manassas Museum even hosts monthly bike tours.

Visit Attractions

Whether you go on a guided tour or venture off on your own, visit all the notable attractions Manassas is known for. With several landmarks and historical buildings scattered throughout town, you’ll find a gem around every corner. Take a look at this Yelp page to see a list of attractions in Manassas.

With town-wide events, farmer’s markets throughout the summer months, and an endless list of things to do, Manassas is certainly a town you’ll love living in. And what could make living in Manassas even better? Living in a new modern apartment at Arcadia Run! Check out our latest floorplans available to find the one that’s perfect for you.

Source: Apartment Guide

Anyone in search of a new place to live will have to make the choice of whether to rent or buy their home. Buying a home has it’s own appeal but today’s market conditions are making a great case for Renting an apartment. While the age-old debate of buy vs. rent can’t be settled in one article, hopefully these points will guide you in making your decision.

You Are Investment Minded

It used to be a sound part of any retirement plan to buy a home with the intent to downsize later to add to your nest egg. But this strategy is quite a bit riskier in today’s market where home values can just as easily go down as they can go up.

Some believe the downside to renting is you will never obtain the valuable asset of a home after paying off a mortgage. However, as a renter you can take the down payment you would have put down on a house into a more sure investment.

And while the mortgage you pay may be less than rent, your actual expenses as a homeowner may be more when you factor in things like property tax, insurance and maintenance. Experts say these expenses can add around 3% to the cost of your home annually—money that could be invested wisely instead.

Your Life Is A Little Unpredictable

According to the New York Times, it takes at least five years of paying a mortgage before the monthly savings catch up to extra cost of your monthly rent. Most experts believe in the “5-year rule,” which is if there is a chance you will be moving again in 5 years, then you should stick to renting.

If you have a job that is unpredictable or if you feel you are in an unstable job market, then it probably makes more sense to rent. Also, if you want the freedom in the future to look for jobs outside of your current city, then renting is an easier way to keep that option open.

You Have A Busy Schedule

Owning a home not only requires an investment of money, but often requires your time to maintain the home. This may not be an issue for some, but for those with busier schedules it’s a point worth considering.

The benefit to renting, especially for a busy professional, is the fact that it’s the landlord’s responsibility to handle costly and time-consuming maintenance issues. Not to mention the peace of mind that comes from not being financially responsible for surprise maintenance issues that are inevitable with any home.

You Want to Grow Your Family

This goes back to the 5-year rule. If you are growing your family it’s important to consider if you will outgrow your space over the next few years. Moving expenses, down payments and closing costs can really add up especially when moving multiple times in a span of just a few years.

You’re Not Particularly Handy

This one may be a little difficult for some of us to admit, but it’s important to consider what we can and can’t do ourselves before investing in a home. Consider the expense of the maintenance you can do yourself as well as the cost of hiring professionals to do what you can’t.

While the decision to rent or buy will depend on your individual situation, hopefully you now have a little more insight to make the best choice for you. Check out the new modern apartment homes in Manassas, VA we have available at Arcadia Run.

SOURCES: NYtimes.com, USnews.com, WSJ.com

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