If you could live anywhere in Virginia...

[Mickey Fliers]

Honestly, I have had a great time living here in the City of Alexandria!

 

[hereyago]

I live in Newport News, but it is growing with too much traffic for our area and road work is a joke.
I work in Williamsburg, no way would I live there, summer time, too many tour buses and tourists who make u turns on 4 lane streets.
I would live in Yorktown though.
To the New Kent people, your area is lovely, I do go through there every other weekend taking the back way to Hanover.
I could never live across to NOrfolk or anywhere I would have to go through the HRBT. But I do make a occasional trip to Doumar's for the people in Norfolk who know what it is.
Northern Va people, how do you deal with the traffic espec going on the beltway.ya'll are brave, I can't stand 64 on a friday and take an alternate route

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

I'd have to pick Roanoke/Salem area, but then I'm partial to Southwest VA myself. I do have to say this area is much different than other parts of VA. It is more small town than big city, everyone seems to know everyone like a small town. If you like the mountains, this is the area for you. If you don't, the beach is only a few hours away.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

I live in Norfolk and work in Hampton. I have to go through the HRBT daily. It really is not that bad. I like the Tidewater area. If I ever move again, it will be to southern Cheaspeake.

 

[CindyKansas]

We just got back from visiting my brother-in-law and his wife and they live outside of Moneta, VA. It's beautiful country. We drove to their house from Nags Head, NC and we drove back roads most of the way, wonderful experience. When we left their house we drove up to Luray, VA and that ride was beautiful too. I told DH that I would really consider moving to that area.

 

[olena]

Great thread!

We are grappling with a similar issue.

Persoanlly, I was utterly charmed by Charlottesville. University towns are becoming the best places to retire because of medical facilities, arts, culture, etc.

We are possibly relocating to DC and are trying to decide between NoVA and Maryland. It looks like the job will most likely be in Rockville, MD, and I don't know if it would be insanity to try and live in Reston or Leesburg, VA. We live in Atlanta, so we aren't unaccustomed to horrible traffic, but it would be nice to be somewhat close to work.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Definitely Roanoke/SW area. Charles City/New Kent isn't bad either as you are still within driving distance to Richmond/Williamsburg. I work in Williamsburg and live in Yorktown (born and raised). It's nice as there's always something to do (beaches within 10 minutes drive, mountains within 2 hour drive, ALWAYS a festival somewhere, Busch Gardens, waterparks, trails, parks, etc.) but the traffic drives me crazy, especially April through October. It's definitely not as bad as Northern VA (my cousin lives 10 miles from her job in NoVA and it takes her anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours to get to her job but she can't walk as it's interstate) and if you don't have to travel across the water to Norfolk/VA Beach during work traffic (or if you aren't in a hurry to go anywhere on Friday afternoons). I lived in Cincy for 2 years but I guess the traffic didn't bother me there because it was more manageable (like 5 lanes of interstate, not 2 ). The weather is generally nice. Winters aren't too cold. Usually see snowflakes once or twice a winter, sometimes they stick for a couple of inches, most of the time they don't (and sometimes they stick a lot!). Sometimes you have 70 degree days in December. Sometimes you have 50 degree days in the Summer. Gloucester is nice but is becoming more populated by the day. Some areas are more expensive than others, but you can usually find cheaper housing even in the more well known expensive areas (like Williamsburg).

We've been pretty lucky lately with hurricanes. Hurricane Isabel (2003) is probably the last "major" hurricane that came through that left damage. We get tropical storms that come through occasionally (and some of them do go as far inland as Richmond) and some leave damage or power outages.

Be sure, if you are looking seriously at moving, to look into school systems. They are VERY different from county to county (or city to county, whatever ). My parents moved 15 miles when I was 5 or 6 so that my brother and I wouldn't go to City of Hampton schools (although almost all of my cousins and even my parents went through Hampton). Definitely check out Richmond/Midlothian school systems if that's where you are considering.

 

[frndofpooh]

I have to speak up for Charlottesville. I am a No. Va. native but the traffic drove my DH nuts so we moved here. It is a wonderful town, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounded by fantastic trails, waterfalls and rivers to explore. We are a university town and that brings many cultural and educational opportunities. We recently restored a 100 year old theater and have brought everything from the Bolshoi Ballet to Hall and Oates to Cville. In addition, there are several fantastic art collections to be seen here. The John Paul Jones Arena opened about 5 years ago and we have been treated to shows from U2, The Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen and broadway touring company performances. It is an area steeped in history - I live within 8 miles of two president's homes and about a quarter mile from the birthplace of Meriwether Lewis. Traffic is very reasonable and shopping options keep improving all the time (and Richmond is only an hour away if you need more!)

If you are heading into retirement, keep in mind that the healthcare here is excellent - UVA is often at the top of the US News and World Report list for doctors. Plus, our community hospital is top notch (you have to be to compete with UVA!) especially in the areas of cancer and heart disease. Also, it is a very healthy community itself. People exercise and take good care of themselves - it is rare to see anyone smoking. There is a vibrant senior/retiree community but also a lot for kids to do.

Good luck in making a decision and welcome to Virginia!

 

[frndofpooh]

Great thread!

We are grappling with a similar issue.

Persoanlly, I was utterly charmed by Charlottesville. University towns are becoming the best places to retire because of medical facilities, arts, culture, etc.

We are possibly relocating to DC and are trying to decide between NoVA and Maryland. It looks like the job will most likely be in Rockville, MD, and I don't know if it would be insanity to try and live in Reston or Leesburg, VA. We live in Atlanta, so we aren't unaccustomed to horrible traffic, but it would be nice to be somewhat close to work.

Oh, please don't do that to yourself. That would be a hellish commute! If the job is in Rockville, stick to Md. The Rockville area can be so congested itself that you don't want to add any more than necessary on to it. Good luck!

 

[Pin Wizard]

If I were looking for the beach, I'd be on the Eastern Shore. I love Midlothian. Been there several times. But I love Glen Allen and the Short Pump area of Richmond even more. Good luck deciding!

P.S. Williamsburg is gorgeous, but it certainly isn't cheap.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Great thread!

We are grappling with a similar issue.

Persoanlly, I was utterly charmed by Charlottesville. University towns are becoming the best places to retire because of medical facilities, arts, culture, etc.

We are possibly relocating to DC and are trying to decide between NoVA and Maryland. It looks like the job will most likely be in Rockville, MD, and I don't know if it would be insanity to try and live in Reston or Leesburg, VA. We live in Atlanta, so we aren't unaccustomed to horrible traffic, but it would be nice to be somewhat close to work.

Have you checked into Olney, MD? My aunt and uncle lived there for decades! They worked in Rockville.

 

[Christine]

Oh, please don't do that to yourself. That would be a hellish commute! If the job is in Rockville, stick to Md. The Rockville area can be so congested itself that you don't want to add any more than necessary on to it. Good luck!

I agree!!

 

[Cee]

Ferum. Hardly and pollution, college, nice community.

My son graduated from Ferrum. It's beautiful and quiet there. A much slower pace. He chose to stay in the area.

 

[DisGirlAllie]

What's up with all this anti-Northern Virginia energy? I love NOVA!

 

[welovedisneyx4]

My vote would be for the Radford/Blacksburg area. Small towns, but w/ the colleges there, lots of things to do. If we ever had to move from Roanoke, we would go to Radford.

I also think Roanoke and Charlottesville are nice areas as well.

Ferrum is a nice, pretty place, but it is very country. Disclaimer...I mean no disrespect by that!!

 

[Green Tea]

I would push Charlottesville, it is lovely here - less than an hour from the mountains, 2 hours from DC, 2 hours to Bay, 3 hours to Beach. It is expensive but with the University there are lots of benefits including good medical care.

If I wanted mountains, I love Lexington, lovely historic college town.

My husband loves the Smith Mtn Lake area.

I would like to retire to the Northern Neck area, between Tappahannock and Gloucester as I love the Bay and tidal marshes.

All this is good, as was the Lynchburg suggestion. Charlottesville housing will be more than Lynchburg or Roanoke, but lots of great shops and things to do. I think Charlottesville traffic is tough. Northern VA is so different from the rest of the state. It could be its own state.

 

[Green Tea]

What's up with all this anti-Northern Virginia energy? I love NOVA!

NOVA! It's a great place to visit.

 

[DisGirlAllie]

NOVA! It's a great place to visit.

I fail to see what's so bad about living there....

 

[Denine]

This is fun reading!

We are a family of three. DD is 6-1/2, so she will be around 8 or 9 when we can make the move. I homeschool, so that is not an issue.

I like the mountains, but don't want to live there.

I would like a more rural area with shopping 15-20 minutes away.
I HATE traffic!

I don't want beach living either. Both are nice to visit though.

 

[Green Tea]

Here are a couple of links:

Roanoke- http://www.visitroanokeva.com/ Ferrum that was mentioned, as well as Smith Mountain Lake are outside of Roanoke. In the Ferrum area is also Rocky Mount which is slightly larger, still very rural.

One place that hasn't been mentioned is the Staunton-Waynesboro area. It is between Charlottesville and Lexington. Rural area, but nice, small cities in the rural county. http://augustaguide.net/

http://www.lexingtonvirginia.com/ Rockbridge is a rural county. The city of Lexington is small, but very nice with 3 colleges in the county there is a lot offered. Many homeschoolers in the area.

About an hour from Lexington or half hour from Augusta county is Charlottesville: http://www.charlottesville.org/

Richmond is an hour from Charlottesville.