Northern Virginia or West Virginia (Winchester, Front Royal: budget, work, new house)

[nixau27]

Hi! Pls. Help!!! My husband will be working in Front Royal, VA and we're thinking of moving to Winchester, VA. With a budget of 200-240K for a house, we're thinking of of maybe it would be better to move to West Virginia, like Inwood, where we saw some new houses for around $230K. We have an 11 year old child, so school is also one thing to consider. We heard that the schools in Front Royal are not that good so we're not even considering of moving there. Any input is really appreciated. We heard abt. the car tax, that we don't have to pay it if we live in West Virginia but it seems like the sales tax are a bit higher in West Virginia, so maybe it will even out in the end. The commute is one thing to consider, but I think everyone drives atleast 30 minutes or so to work anyway. We just have to get used to it.

[saganista]

While it varies by locale, unless your driving a brand new Mercedes or two, the car tax in VA isn't likely to be as much as a couple hundred dollars. The sales tax on food in WVA is 5%. In VA, it's 2.5%. The general sales tax in WVA is 6%. In VA, it's 5%. Take 2.5% of what you expect to spend per year on food. Add 1% of what you expect to spend on other stuff. See if the total is more than a couple of hundred dollars...

[memiller]

Inwood, Martinsburg, Winchester are all good places. If schools are truly a big issue, and WV is a possibility, then consider where new schools are being built. If they are building new schools there then just on the basis of them being new puts you a leg up over other schools as they have the most up to date technology and comforts for the kids. Don't forget to look south and east of Front Royal. You may find something good there as well.