Retire to NOVA?? (Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Blacksburg: real estate, homeowners insurance, condos)

[SB472]

I bought a house in Vienna in the mid-80's and lived there for a couple of years then and again a few years between 2002-2004. I've also been back in the area on holidays from overseas assignments almost every year since the mid 70's. I gave up the house to my ex and now wonder if I can afford to retire to NOVA. I'm very comfortable in the area, but without the work in downtown DC, is it worth putting up with the traffic, high property costs, high taxes, high cost of living, loss of undeveloped areas, etc.? Or should I just turn my back on NOVA, move to Florida (or somewhere else) and relax on the beach?

[MovefromFla]

Hello, I currently live in Florida, and I want to tell you that it has gotten very expensive to live in Florida now. The real estate taxes, the insurance (the premiums and payments are high because we live in a Hurricane state), the flood insurance, and the association fees (if you purchase in a community ) are very expensive.

I have family in Fairfax County, and Montgomery county, and our homeowners insurance, auto insurance, real estate taxes, and even groceries in Florida are double (yes, double) what they pay in their respective counties.
I am in Nova very often, and I am moving to the D.C/Metro area very shortly.

Florida has become very, very expensive. I don't want you to make the same mistake my mom made.

My mom is currently retired and moved to Florida and is now looking to leave the state because the costs are driving her out.
Please speak to some realtors in Florida as well as review the costs of the real estate taxes in some of the counties that you may be interested in Florida.

In addition, most importantly, please read some of the threads in the Florida forum to get a feel for the areas.
Good luck!

[5stones]

to me NOVA would not be a nice peaceful place to realx. Too many people and the traffic headache in addtion to the high cost of living etc...

But there are many places close enough to NOVA that would be nice...VA is a beautiful state, The southren part I think would offer many great retirement spots... near Blackburg, Harrisburg etc...

[sweet-t-virginia]

I agree with the previous posters. It is very expensive to live in the Northern Virginia area. We left Vienna when we retired and moved to the Shenandoah Valley and within the last year to Winchester.

The traffic is really bad in the Vienna/Fairfax area and we tried to do all of our errands and going out just after the morning rush hour. It's a wonderful area, though, with lots to do and wonderful places to eat.

Did you have a specific reason for the Vienna area or did you just want to be in Virginia. I agree with 5stones that the Blacksburg and Harrisonburg areas are nice for retirees. There is also Roanoke and that surrounding area.

Good luck with your search!

[memiller]

Real Estate taxes in Florida are structured for new homeowners to pay more than the next door neighbor who's owned for many years. Homeowner Insurance is crazy. NOVA offers a wonderful lifestyle. There's a reason so many builders are developing 55+ communites in the area. They only build homes if people buy them. In my neighborhood of Ashburn, nearly 4000 55+ homes are in the pipeline for the next 20 years or less. The job market is strong, the weather is good with all four seasons available (unlike Fla) and it's a more diverse population. I grew up in Miami and agree with some of the things MoveFromFLA said in her post.

[LLD]

Just a little note here.... I LOVE those houses in the 55+ sections of Ashburn. I wish builders would realize that those of us not 55+ would like single story, open floor plan, moderate sized houses that are affordable in the DC area also.

[austindoxie1972]

Agree with Memiller and LLD. I think NOVA could be a nice place to retire if you're looking for a more urban spot to plant your feet. Granted, there is a lot of traffic, but there is a lot of traffic in other parts of the country, too. NOVA has lots of entertainment opportunities, is close to mountains and the sea, and overall has a temperate climate. Good luck with your choice!

[Margery]

I am of retirement age but not retired! I love this area, the cost of living is not unreasonable and there is so much to do that is free. If you have family that you get along with, consider that as a move. I live in a 55+ condo in Potomac Falls and having to no longer do yard work or outside maintenance makes life a lot easier. Housing prices have backed off some so it is no longer so outrageously priced, you can get a good buy.

[LLD]

Pricing is all relative. Lots of seniors that live in other parts of the country can buy reasonably nice things for $150-200K. That is not going to happen in NOVA. More like $400K is the minimum. I was just looking at LeisureWorld in Leesburg and the prices seem high to me for that far out -- even though the amenities look really nice. What I see are lots of "luxury" retirement communities in the DC metro area - so if you have money you are fine. If you have a bit saved, and some social security you can't afford things on your own. I wonder if there is any kind of house sharing available to seniors. That would be a good solution in the more expensive markets like the DC area and parts of California and around NYC etc.

[Margery]

To LLD:

Check out Central Parke at Lowes Island in Sterling The prices for the condos range in the mid 300's, and a garage is included. The units range in size from 1600 sq. ft to 2000 sq ft. I have lived there for almost 3 years, unlike Leisure World you can walk to shopping and restaurants and there is public transportation available. There are some resale units available but you will need your Realtor to show them.