Houses for Sale in Bristow, VA

Bristow is one of Prince William County's unincorporated communities in Northern Virginia. It's approximately 30 miles away from Washington D.C. and is home to the famous outdoor concert arena Jiffy Lube Live. Because of its reasonable commuting time to and from D.C. and more affordable homes in Bristow compared to other areas near D.C., houses for sale in Bristow, VA, are highly desirable.

Bristow History

A large part of what is now Bristow was part of the Ford plantation owned by John Tyler Linton and his family during the 1800s. His daughter, Sarah Linton, donated the land in 1894 to the Roman Catholic Church when she converted to Catholicism. She became a Benedictine nun and the donated land was used to build schools for poor children. In 1922, the Linton Hall Military School was founded, but this was changed to a coeducational school in 1989 after the school stopped its boarding and military programs.

Bristow also has history from the Civil War, such as the Battle of Bristoe Station in October 1863. This took place during the “Bristoe Campaign,” which was a series of minor battles between Union and Confederate units. General Lee had attacked Union troops at Bristoe Station but suffered heavy losses. The Confederates had destroyed much of the Alexandria and Orange Railroad and it wasn't until the Union troops reoccupied Bristoe Station that repairs were able to be made.

Today, houses for sale in Bristow, VA, are set within a well-manicured suburban landscape. Those looking at houses for sale in Bristow, VA, will be pleased by the many local amenities, including golf courses, dining, shopping, entertainment, history and hiking paths.

Living In Bristow 

Bristow has been ranked 54 out of 327 as the best postcode in Virginia for buying homes and 84 out of 340 as one of the zip codes in Virginia with the best public schools. Houses for sale in Bristow, VA, sit between Manassas, Nokesville and Gainesville. The Bristow real estate market has many different neighborhoods and includes several elementary schools and two big supermarkets.

Houses for sale in Bristow, VA, are appealing because of the town’s low crime rate, affordable homes, highly rated schools, reasonable commute to D.C., and access to many restaurants, shops, outdoor attractions and movie theaters.

So Many Outdoor Activities

One of the things that residents love is the many paths for jogging, walking and biking around houses for sale in Bristow, VA, as well as several nearby parks to enjoy. There's also a large outdoor concert venue, Jiffy Lube Live, which hosts a variety of entertainment throughout the year.

Residents of Bristow homes also have access to loads of softball, soccer and T-ball fields; four main playgrounds; three swimming pools; and many areas to play in. The Bristow real estate market is quite an active area when it comes to year-round outdoor fun, and people tend to be healthier from all the outdoor exercise they can get.

Nearby Shopping 

Houses for sale in Bristow, VA, are close to two local shopping centers: Bristow Center, which is close to Nokesville, and Braemar Village Center, which is closer to Gainesville. Bristow Center has a Harris Teeter, a number of restaurants, a veterinary office, a doctor's office, a daycare, a pet store, a Tae Kwon Do school, and several banks. Braemar Village is home to a Safeway shop, several small restaurants, a dentist, banks, salons, a Kindercare center, and another veterinary office. There's also the Center at Innovation off of Nokesville Road, where you can find a Target, a T.J Maxx, and some lovely restaurants.

Bristow Manor Golf Club

Golf lovers interested in houses for sale in Bristow, VA, will be pleased by the Bristow Manor Golf Club, which is tucked away in Northern Virginia's serene, historic countryside. From 1998 to 2000, it was chosen as one of the top 100 courses to play by Golf Digest. It also has a gorgeous wedding facility, a large pub, and a full-grass range for teeing. These amenities are set against the beautiful backdrop of a 19th-century manor home.

Get Crafty at the AR Workshop

If you love creating custom décor using raw materials, you will love this boutique-style DIY studio. It offers hands-on classes led by knowledgeable instructors, all in a lounge-style environment. From creating wooden décor to fabric accents, there is something here for all ages. They host summer camp sessions and you can even order DIY-To-Go kits so that you can craft from the comfort of your Bristow home.

PWCS Aquatics Center

If you want to enjoy a plethora of pool attractions, Bristow home residents have the PWCS Aquatics Center, which hosts a 40-meter heated swimming pool with 25-yard lap lanes, shallow water areas, and hot tubs that can fit 12 people.

Great Dining and Entertainment

There are many restaurants and pubs near houses for sale in Bristow, VA, where you can experience a variety of menus and drinks. One such place is MurLarkey Distilled Spirits Distillery, which is one of America's 25 best distilleries and home to some of the best craft spirits you can find, like their Coffee Whiskey, Cinnamon Whisky, and Divine Clarity Vodka. They host Thirsty Thursday, Friday Papi Hour, the tiki-bar-themed Saturday MurLarkaritaville, mixology classes, and a day at the distillery where you can learn how to craft spirits.

If you’re after nightlife, you can dance the night away at the Club Carneros Valley's dance floor or enjoy great food in their restaurant area. The nightclub has a modern feel and all the premium drinks you need to socialize and party.

Getting Around Bristow

People who live in Bristow real estate find it easy to get around due to its easy access to main roads, including I-66, Route 28, Route 29, and Prince William Parkway. The VRE is only 10 minutes away and there are many public bus stops around the city. Bristow homes are about 45 minutes away from Dulles International Airport by car. The nearest Metro station is 30 minutes away at Vienna/Fairfax Orange Line. There is also the newly planned Metro Station at Dulles Airport. Washington D.C. and the beautiful Shenandoah Mountains are each about a 45-minute drive away, and if you like a bit of a road trip, four hours in the car will take you to Virginia Beach.

Bristow Neighborhoods

Bristow itself is a medium-sized town and has six neighborhoods. Over recent years, the Bristow real estate market has seen quite a bit of housing growth as a result of people moving to the area for its healthy local economy, jobs, high-rated schools, and friendly communities.

Suburban Areas

There are several suburban neighborhoods with houses for sale in Bristow, VA, including medium- to large-sized single-family homes and townhouses. The areas of Linton Hall, Vint Hill Road/Nokesville Road, Linton Hall Road/Ashleys Park Lane, Rixlew, Weathersfield Drive/ Worthington Drive, and Vint Hill Road/Pioneer Drive are all neighborhoods that were built in 2000 and have grown and developed over time. About 60 to 85 percent of the Bristow homes for sale in these areas are newer builds. These houses for sale in Bristow, VA, are spacious with 3-5 bedrooms. The areas are well landscaped and homes are well maintained and keep their value over time. Nearly 15 percent of the households living in these areas have government jobs. Suburban houses for sale in Bristow, VA, are a good choice for multigenerational households, college students, and residents with an executive lifestyle.

Urban Areas

If you want to live somewhere more urban within the Bristow real estate market, the area of Weathersfield Drive/Worthington Drive is a good option. This neighborhood offers houses for sale in Bristow, VA, including 3- to 6-bedroom single-family homes and townhomes. Thirty-five percent of the Bristow homes for sale in this area are row houses.

This neighborhood has some of the more expensive houses for sale in Bristow, VA, and is home to many "urban sophisticates,” or people who have refined tastes in literature, music, the arts, and live theatre.

Communities in Bristow

The Bristow real estate market is also home to several master communities, such as Braemer. Braemar is one of the first large residential communities to be developed in Bristow. It consists of more than 2,800 homes and is so large that it has its own shopping center, parks, playgrounds, sports fields, pools with water features, and trails. The community blends suburban peacefulness with the hustle and bustle of urban life. Bristow homes for sale here come in a variety of styles, such as patio houses, single-family homes, and townhomes. Braemar also has a strong community feel.

Victory Lakes

If you are looking for houses for sale in Bristow, VA, in a community that offers an active lifestyle, Victory Lakes is a good choice. This neighborhood consists of 1,296 homes that are a mix of single-family houses and townhomes. It's also within commuting distance to D.C. and in close proximity to I-66. Spread across 580 acres, this neighborhood of Bristow homes has three stocked ponds for fishing, sports courts, an inline hockey rink, a fitness center, multiple parks and dog parks, trails, three pools, and many green spaces bordered by trees.

Bristow Housing Market

Bristow real estate is affordable and diverse. You can find every type of home for sale in Bristow, from single-family homes and townhomes to what some may consider to be small mansions. Most of the homes in Bristow are 15 years old or newer. Most single-family homes cost between $350,000 and $700,000, with an average price around $500,000. Townhouses cost between $200,000 to the upper $300,000s. The further away from D.C. and the Metro Stations, the lower the cost of houses for sale in Bristow, VA, will be.

Bristow Schools

Bristow has some of the top-rated public and private schools in Virginia and are part of the Prince William County Public School District. Here are some of the top schools for residents of Bristow homes:

Elementary/Pre-K Schools

• Bristow Run Elementary School
• Cedar Point Elementary School
• Chris Yung Elementary School
• Victory Elementary School
• Piney Branch Elementary
• Kindercare Learning Center (Private)

Middle Schools

• E.H. Marsteller Middle School
• Linton Hall School (Private)
• Youth for Tomorrow (Private)
• Oak Hill Christian School

High Schools

• Patriot High School
• Linton Hall School
• Gainesville High School
• Oak Hill Christian School

Colleges

• NOVA Manassas Campus Community College
• Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus
• DeVry University
• Northern Virginia Community College - Innovation Park
• ECPI University

Things To Do In Bristow

Bristow has a wide variety of things to do and places to visit, from its Jiffy Lube Live center to its historic parks.

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park

Considered to be hallowed ground, this historic park saw two important battles during the Civil War. The first was the Battle of Kettle Run, which occurred in 1862, and the Battle of Bristoe Station in 1863. The park is spread over 133 acres and is preserved by Prince William County. You can enjoy guided tours from May through October, or just enjoy the beautiful trails from sunrise to sunset.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre

Spread across 28 acres, this site is home to several historic buildings, which include a courthouse and jail from 1822, an 1850s farmhouse, an 1880s church, a one-room schoolhouse from 1928 that served Brentsville’s young children from 1929 to 1944, and the Brentsville Tavern archeology site.

The area once served as the seat of Prince William County and was a hub of activity more than 75 years ago. It is also reputed to be a haunted historic center and was once featured on the popular show Ghost Hunters. Apparitions and knocking sounds have been reported in the jailhouse and some claim to have seen ghostly figures in the windows of the old courthouse.

Paranormal Places of Interest

Do you love haunted sites? If you buy a house for sale in Bristow, VA, you will find there are plenty of creepy places to go ghost hunting in Prince William County. We've already mentioned the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, so here are some other well-known haunts to visit:

Weems-Botts Museum – considered to be the second-most-haunted home in all of Virginia, the museum has had reports of hauntings from Civil War soldiers in the nearby cemeteries and park, and the voice of a small child who haunts the house.

Ben Lomond Historic Site – many odd occurrences have been reported here, including phantom footfalls, closing doors, and objects that seem to move to different places. It was once the site of a hospital during the Civil War and a home for many enslaved people. Locals say the grounds and the house are haunted by these spirits from the past.

Historic Occoquan – this quaint little town has walking ghost tours throughout the year and it's reported that a person’s face is often seen in a local restaurant's bathroom mirror, a young man's ghost visits a busy street corner, and one store owner has had their shop’s merchandise thrown around.

The Winery at La Grange – the home and property on this site have a rich history, including many reports of ghost sightings. From the home's piano playing on its own to the spirit of a little girl haunting an upstairs bedroom, the staff will leave a glass of wine out to appease the spirits.

Jiffy Lube Live

This large outdoor stage has been hosting live entertainment for over a decade in a variety of genres, including rock, pop, country and rap. It seats 10,000 in the pavilion and an extra 15,000 on its lawn areas. Shows run from May through October and the stage sees around 650 concerts throughout the year, including the popular WMZQ Fall Festival.

Vertical Rock

If you want to try rock climbing in a safe environment, this is the place for you. Vertical Rock has rock climbing walls for all ages and experience levels as well as their own fitness center. They teach courses from beginners to advanced crag climbers and have a number of youth programs and camps. The fitness center hosts a number of exercise programs from yoga to pilates.

Prince William County

Bristow is part of Prince William County, which was once home to the Doeg Native American tribe. It was also the first place that non-Native Americans set foot in 1608, when English explorers led by John Smith explored the area. The area was named after the third son of England's King George II in 1731 and originally included what today is known as:

• Fairfax
• Arlington
• Loudoun
• Fauquier

And what are now the independent cities of:

• Falls Church
• Alexandria
• Fairfax
• Manassas
• Manassas Park

There's an entire range of ecosystems to be discovered, with thousands of areas of green open spaces, parklands, and a shoreline that runs for 48 miles. 

Real Estate Taxes in Bristow

Your tax payment will depend on what county and city you live in. In Prince William County, the county-wide tax rate and district rate are set annually. The funds from these taxes are used to support the area's public services, like emergency volunteer operations, programs for stormwater management, and waste management. Tax rates are calculated per 100 dollars of assessed value. For example, if the value of your Bristow home was $300,000 and the tax rate was $1.2075 per 100 dollars, you would pay $3,622.50 per year. Taxes are paid in two installments.

Are You Ready to Move to Bristow?

Houses for sale in Bristow, VA, are located in a beautiful area to live. We've only touched on some of the many benefits of the Bristow real estate market and its surrounding areas. Bristow neighborhoods and communities offer a variety of options, from suburban to urban life and some with a blend of both. Whether you're a history buff, a concertgoer, or someone with an active lifestyle, there is something here for everyone. The best way to find the right house for sale in Bristow, VA, for you is to give our real estate advisors a call at 703-462-0700.