George Mason University is located in Fairfax, Virginia, with satellite campuses in Arlington County, Prince William County and Loudoun County. Mason, as it is known by students, is a progressive college strong in law, economics, public policy and nursing.
Fairfax, with around 20,000 souls, offers a quiet country feel and the opportunity to concentrate on your studies! It is ranked #3 on Forbes' list of the top 25 places to live in the US. While Fairfax itself isn't huge, Washington is a pleasant forty minute to two hour drive away, and the cultural diversity of the Fairfax neighborhoods reflects that closeness. There are large Hispanic and Asian populations in Fairfax, especially.
As a small community, Fairfax neighborhoods are all fairly similar and boundaries are fuzzy. George Mason University is located south and slightly west of the city centre, and most housing is west and north of the city.
With the Fairfax city walk score of 55 out of 100, as well as the fact that DC is only a short distance away (if you drive!), there is nothing handier than a car for those attending George Mason University. If you've got your trainers on, you can get to several grocery stores and restaurants with only half a mile's walking, but most other facilities need a bus or car trip.
If you do have a car, there is no parking location in Farifax city more than 5 minutes away from any building, and the CUE bus system serves the city well with George Mason Uni as a stop.
There is little in the way of low priced housing in Fairfax, making co-habitating a great idea. It is possible for 1 bedroom housing (although they are gorgeous apartments, with gym, swimming, security and eating facilities), to run up to $2000 per month. Having a job in the county helps offset the costs of apartments and rentals also.
Fat Tuesday's is one of the best loved dive bars and restaurants in Fairfax, and you have a branch of it right next to George Mason - Fat Tuesday's Raw Bar. The Wine House is also a great spot to walk to from school if your brain just can't take any more thinking, and needs to do some drinking!
You can get something a little more interesting than your peanut butter stir fry at plenty of places to eat around Fairfax. Put your hat on and get out of your apartment for Courtside Thai Cuisine, a cozy restaurant with a great value lunch special. Potbelly Sandwich Works has also helped many a starving student, just south of GMU.