Linton Hall - Manassas, VA Area Guide

The Linton Hall neighborhood was named after the Linton Hall School. Formerly known as Linton Hall Military School, the military program ran on and off over the course of a few decades until 1988. Founded by Benedictine Sisters, the school has a long history of inclusion and helping the underprivileged. The goal of the Sisters was to serve the kids in the local community, particular those who needed help the most.

Summer camps at Linton Hall School were discontinued in 1996 and since then, the facilities and grounds have been rented to other sports organizations for their use. Linton Hall still provides swimming lessons and a technology-based program.

Much of the Linton Hall neighborhood's land was bought by developers from the nuns over a few decades.

A lot of great restaurants set up shop in this neighborhood, most of which have locations at the southern end of the neighborhood in the Bristow Center shopping area. Two fantastic Asian restaurants in particular stand out from the crowd: Aka Sushi and Asian Garden. They're both so incredible that it really just comes down to whether you feel like eating Japanese or Chinese that night.

If you head to Aka Sushi, make sure to get a piece of the yellow tail tuna. The Godzilla roll also makes the "must-have" list, as does the sushi. If you'd rather have Chinese staples such as fried dumplings, beef and broccoli, or pineapple shrimp, then head to Asian Garden.

When you're not in the mood for Asian food, check out Tony's New York Pizza. The pizza here tastes killer, but try the focaccia as well. You won't regret it. For your main dish, go for the namesake, Tony's Special.

Just north of Linton Hall, Gainesville has a few bars that locals head to. Grafton Street Restaurant & Irish Pub serves as the primary local watering hole with the casual vibe and good drink selection. The pub often features a couple of local breweries such as Lost Rhino and Starr Hill as well. Grab some friends together and head over for trivia on Wednesday nights.

Residents rely heavily on cars for transportation in the Linton Hall neighborhood. Walking the neighborhood, while extremely safe, proves too time-consuming as the houses, shops and restaurant sprawl out over such a large space.

Biking feels more reasonable, especially along the main thoroughfares of Linton Hall Road and Sudley Manor Drive where riders can make use of the bike lanes. The terrain gets hilly at times, though.

The only public transportation option for Linton Hall residents comes in the form of the Linton Hall Metro Direct commuter bus. The bus runs every weekday during rush hour and drops passengers off at the Tysons Corner Metro Station.

Uber cabs remain the only other non-driving option. Linton Hall sits at the edge of the company's service area, so while you can't use them to take you further away from the D.C. homebase, they can pick you up and take you anywhere in the greater DMV area. A ride into the District from Linton Hall runs around $60.

In general, residents have no problem with driving, which comes along with the territory of living in the suburbs. Although Linton Hall residents have some of the longest commutes in the country, their quick access to I-66 just north of the neighborhood makes thing easier. Parking within the neighborhood proves easy as well thanks to the neighborhood's well-designed streets.

Many nature trails follow the brook that flows through the neighborhood. Broad Run Trail provides a great place for jogs, dog walks or just a leisurely stroll on a nice weekend afternoon.

Head to Bridlewood/Rocky Branch Park and sit along the stream for a nice picnic and let the kids run around in the open grass for a while. If the kids want a playground to jump and climb over, take them to Clareybrook Park on Sir Reynard Lane.

Head to Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park just south of the neighborhood for a self-guided tour of Civil War history.

Linton Hall rental prices sit significantly higher than those of Virginia as a whole. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood comes in at $1,480, a 40 percent jump from the Virginia average of $1,060.

Gas prices, however, remain relatively on par with national averages. Residents can expect to see a roughly 3 percent savings at the pump. Using the commuter bus, public transportation riders can get into major commercial areas of northern Virginia for under $6. Stop at a local pub for a beer for $4, and make sure to check out the local happy hour specials.

At the southern end of the neighborhood, locals do much of their shopping at the Super Target and T.J. Maxx in Sowder Village Square. Drive two minutes west to Harris Teeter, located right in between Aka Sushi and Tony's Pizza, for all your major grocery needs.

Several specialty shops highlight this neighborhood, including Barber Shop Bristow. The barber shop reminds customers of a time gone by thanks to the old-fashioned feel of the place.

Get out and practice your swing at Broad Run Golf and Practice Facility. Seniors receive discounts, which works perfectly if you retire and want to save money. A five-day pass gets you on these beautiful links and into the warm weather for less money than a year-long membership. Check out the fuss at the capital-area golfing treasure.

For even more shopping, simply cross the Prince William Parkway into the Bull Run neighborhood where Walmart, Costco, Pier 1, Lowe's, Burlington Coat Factory and others provide anything you need.

For farm-to-table produce, locals head to the Old Town Manassas Farmers Market, 15 minutes by car to the east. While the market opens every Thursday and Saturday morning, visitors should plan to visit on Thursdays to avoid the massive weekend crowds.