Moving from FL to VA (Manassas, Woodbridge: for sale, apartment, rental)

[oneasterisk]

The job market here in NOVA is much better than FL. You already stated the stats, just be aware that there is also a lot of competition for those jobs. Many people are in the same place as you and are moving to NOVA for the same reasons. Like others have stated, it's best to have a job prior to moving here because the COL is so high. Also you'll want to live near where you work or near public transportation because the traffic here is pretty bad (not an understatement). I personally know of a few people who have moved here from FL for work and they have not regretted. They do miss the closeness to the water and the weather though.

Good luck to you!

[stpickrell]

You might try your luck in Leesburg, Winchester, Charlottesville, or Fredericksburg. Lower cost of living than "inner" Northern VA but still with a functioning economy.

[FLgirl367]

We moved from FL. Do you have a lot of family there? Does your wife have family here? Is that important to you? The biggest negative about being here is the distance to visit all of our family in FL. There are many things we like about being in NOVA. However, I'm very interested in moving to Atlanta to be in a good big city and be closer to our family. I like the weather here. The snow doesn't bother me at all. It is the gray days and the lack of sunshine that is the hardest for me. I highly suggest getting gas heat, too. Floridians like feeling warm!

[BT00]

Originally Posted by FLgirl367

We moved from FL. Do you have a lot of family there? Does your wife have family here? Is that important to you? The biggest negative about being here is the distance to visit all of our family in FL. There are many things we like about being in NOVA. However, I'm very interested in moving to Atlanta to be in a good big city and be closer to our family. I like the weather here. The snow doesn't bother me at all. It is the gray days and the lack of sunshine that is the hardest for me. I highly suggest getting gas heat, too. Floridians like feeling warm!

Thanks for your input. Quick question, if you didnt have a family here in florida, do you think u made a wise decision moving to VA overall? see my concern is having more job opportunities but then again houses prices are like 300k over there and same over here right now like 170k

[Deeman804]

Please don't forget that we have state income tax. That could be about a 10% drop in pay (very roughly). Please take that into consideration.

[FLgirl367]

Originally Posted by BT00

Thanks for your input. Quick question, if you didnt have a family here in florida, do you think u made a wise decision moving to VA overall? see my concern is having more job opportunities but then again houses prices are like 300k over there and same over here right now like 170k

Yes. It is all relative. You make more money here, but pay more for housing and taxes. Home insurance is much less though. However, if you are looking at no job in FL, it is better to be somewhere else with a job. This area has a lot to offer. DC has so much to do. There are great weekend getaways (Lancaster, PA, NYC...)

[Novadhd5150]

Well that may be true but we have lower fuel costs and sales tax than florida.. Unfortunately you have to pay property tax on your vehicle and not sure how that goes in FL..It has been long time since i lived there...GA has a "ad Valorem" tax for that.
Anyway have job lined up before you come.

[Mr Idealism]

Originally Posted by BT00

House prices is a fact that here it's real cheap 150k for a nice home, but that's when you have a stable job. I live in orlando but it's actually boring for me maybe living for too long. I know soo many college grads just working odd jobs or don't have a job. But I think northern va is way better in look and for fun stuff.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. We can trade places because I want out of here. Central FL has sooo much more to offer and you won't sit in hours of traffic to get there. It all depends on what your idea of fun is. I've been to the museums here countless times, wineries, parks, etc, and I was over most of it real quick. The nightlife here is pathetic. If you're miserable in Orlando and without a job, maybe NOVA is for you. It's just not for me.

[JD984]

PP lives in Loudoun, I believe. It's part of NoVa, but has a different vibe that, for example, inside-the-Beltway Fairfax, Arlington or Alexandria.

A lot of people love Loudoun and Western Fairfax, but it doesn't seem to work for a certain cohort of folks, typically in their 20s or 30s. People who want the equivalent of a college town or a tourist town with lots of bars and music clubs may find places like Ashburn or Centreville lacking. Most people in NoVa actually breathed a collective sigh of relief when Disney decided NOT to put a theme park in the area. People who live closer to DC may find it easier to travel to places such as the Birchmere in Alexandria or bar/clubs in DC itself.

Conversely, those who have different priorities - good employment opportunities, good schools, generally clean and safe neighborhoods, the opportunity to experience all four seasons - and can tolerate the region's heavy traffic are more likely to be happy here.

If you're able to map out your priorities and assess whether NoVa will accommodate them before you move here, the better off you'll be.

[reiliz]

I did the same thing you did. I already had a good job waiting for me, but I can definitely comment on the following; 1. Cost of Living = Very high here compared to FL. There is a trade off, Your house insurance is nominal compared to FL windstorm. The VA state Income Tax is about 5 -6 % so it equals when compared to the FL Insurance. 2. SUNSHINE = this is the unknown value. You will have to buy winter clothes, you will be wearing them for 5 months af the year. You will be paying for heating and going to the beach is not cheap, nor is it a short drive away. Cars do not respond as well to changing climates, FL climate is better for the long term sustainabilty of cars. 3. INFLUENCE OF THE CAPITAL = There is alot to do here. There was alot to do in FL, but that was minor league. Most of the museums are free, NYC is a 4 hour drive, plenty of universities to choose from and I feel much safer here than in FL. The crime here is miniscule compared to Orange, Lake, Seminole and Volusia counties. 4. TRAFFIC = Northern VA is the Super Bowl Champion, Orlando is North Dakota State football champions. Yes the difference is that big. In retail terms, NOVA is Wal Mart, FL is the Flea Market in terms of Highway and vehicle Traffic.

If there is one way to sum up my take, here it is; The Quality of Life in NOVA is very good, but you pay for everything you get.

Good Luck.