Leaving Northern Virginia and looking South (Norfolk, Richmond: real estate, how much, houses)

[MarkB]

My wife and I have lived in the NOVA area now for 5 years and we are ready to get out mostly because we live in a 1200sf house and we need to buy a larger home. The closest we can get to DC and still afford the house we want is in Stafford. I figured if I am going to move that far away, I might as well make a permanent move down to either Williamsburg area or even Raleigh, NC. We need your feedback. I am a IT contrator with a security clearance so I am not worried about jobs.

If you were in our shoes, would you move to either the Williamsburg/Tidewater area or go down to Raleigh? Everybody on this board states that Williamsburg real estate is expensive. The truth is it's cheap compared to N. Virginia area. I am considering Raleigh because I need to stay where there are a concentration of jobs.

[htlong]

i cant compare wmburg with raliegh because ive only driven through the town , but ive spent alot of time in wmburg, i enjoy the outlets stores and restaraunts. lots of tourist year round, and houses are nice , take a weekend trip and drive around its only 2 hrs from northern va.

[dullnboring]

For the record, I think it's a VERY smart move to decide to move to another area altogether rather than deal with such an insane commute. I've always felt it just wasn't worth it, that you might as well just move someplace else rather than move so far out from DC proper that you're practically in the "country" and sitting in your car four hours a day.

I would recommend Raleigh solely for the job situation there, particularly for those in the IT industry. Otherwise, I think the two areas are fairly similar in many respects. The advantages I can think of of Williamsburg are it's proximity to Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens and the beach, but really, how often does the average person go to any of those places? Schools are generally renowned for being really good in Williamsburg so that may be something to consider if you have or are looking to have children. I think the job situation however is what gives Raleigh the slight edge.

[afvet]

I lived in Raleigh for two years and Hampton Roads for four. Williamsburg is very nice but is a rather small town and you may not have a great pick of jobs. It's not the most exciting town.

If you're open to the Hampton/VA Beach region of Tidewater, you'll find cheaper housing, more to do, and more jobs when compared to Williamsburg. I got my A+ cert in Newport News and several of my classmates worked in various IT jobs throughout the region. They said although there were plenty of jobs, they did not pay as well as they should. One of the class members went on to get his MCSE cert and started at $45K. You would probably have better luck at a military base since you have the clearance, especially if it's a TS. Everybody has a secret clearance!

If I were in your situation, I would chose Raleigh. You'll have plenty of opportunity and good pay, especially at the Research Triangle Park, and get more for your money for a home.

[kitkatjmu]

My best friend and her husband moved from the Suffolk VA area to Raleigh about a year ago, and I have heard them say nothing but great things about Raleigh. She tells me everytime I talk to her how much I would love it there and that I should settle there. She and I grew up in NOVA together, so she has an idea of NOVA, Tidewater and Raleigh and she is a handsdown Raleigh fan.

[MarkB]

Thanks everybody for your suggestions. You have been very helpful and I have enjoyed reading your responses. We have a 1 year old so I also want to make sure that Raleigh area has good schools. I coworker of mine just moved down to North Raleigh amd he likes it. He says it's only a 30 min commute.

[GradVT06]

Williamsburg housing prices are about the same, if not a little less than the nicer areas in and around Raleigh. For your job, you may not get one in Williamsburg. It's just not big enough. But williamsburg is only about 15 miles away from newport news, 20 miles from hampton, and a little farther to Norfolk and VA Beach. That might be too long of a commute. From the western part of Williamsburg to Richmond would only be about 30-40 miles depending on where your job might be. Williamsburg gives you a nice small town feel with CW, with theme parks and larger cities and larger city amenities 20-30 minutes in each direction.

[MarkB]

I am a network engineer, so I know that if I move to Williamsburg I can always drive anywhere within the Tidewater area for employment. I already work for a government IT contractor so I am not worried. It will definately be better than my current commute which is 24 miles each way under heavy traffic. Again, driving 20 miles to work is not an issue if the traffic is manageable. I don't want to move again for at least 15-20 years so I am doing my homework beforehand. I would prefer to stay below paying $330K for a 4bdr, 2 bath, 2400 ft house.

[Artsywoman]

Don't end up in Richmond and Tidewater is kind of dumpy. Raleigh is beautiful and I have relatives there.

[kevinm]

Originally Posted by MarkB

My wife and I have lived in the NOVA area now for 5 years and we are ready to get out mostly because we live in a 1200sf house and we need to buy a larger home. The closest we can get to DC and still afford the house we want is in Stafford. I figured if I am going to move that far away, I might as well make a permanent move down to either Williamsburg area or even Raleigh, NC. We need your feedback. I am a IT contrator with a security clearance so I am not worried about jobs.

If you were in our shoes, would you move to either the Williamsburg/Tidewater area or go down to Raleigh? Everybody on this board states that Williamsburg real estate is expensive. The truth is it's cheap compared to N. Virginia area. I am considering Raleigh because I need to stay where there are a concentration of jobs.

I don't understand your situation. If you can't afford to live in this area, then you are not charging enough for your services. I am an IT Contractor and currently work for $80/hr in order to afford my 3700 SqFt home in South Riding.