Summer retirement location w/n 200 miles? (Roanoke, Lynchburg: living in, restaurants, retiree)

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by claremarie

"The main object here, is to find elevation for cooler weather during the summer months."

Cooler than what? The DC area, or Oklahoma?

IME, it's hard to get significantly cooler than DC by traveling only a few hours. But you might consider State College PA. Or Berkely Springs WV.

I'm confused. Whenever we go to the Shenandoah, skyland IS cooler than NoVa. Its been a while since we've been to the mountains in WVa, but ISTR it being cooler there as well. Am I misrembering, or did we just luck out?

[mdcrim]

Basye, Va. Golf course, lake, ski resort. Lots of retirees and low, low prices.

[PolandSprings]

Four hours might not sound too far right now, but as your kids get older, life gets busier, it will be too far. I agree with the others that you won't really get a much cooler climate.

[Grsz11]

To notice a difference in temperature you'd probably have to venture into northern PA. Average high in July in Bradford just south of NY border is 79. Lots of rural, mountainous areas up that way as well.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

I'm confused. Whenever we go to the Shenandoah, skyland IS cooler than NoVa. Its been a while since we've been to the mountains in WVa, but ISTR it being cooler there as well. Am I misrembering, or did we just luck out?

That's our experience, too--but Skyland is not really a town, just a sprinkling of cabins and campsites in a national park.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

That's our experience, too--but Skyland is not really a town, just a sprinkling of cabins and campsites in a national park.

Im not suggesting retiring to Skyland. But I assume there are places in WVa with housing, and with similar altitude? Maybe not?

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

Im not suggesting retiring to Skyland. But I assume there are places in WVa with housing, and with similar altitude? Maybe not?

I suspect it's also the trees and lack of concrete that contribute to the lower temperature, along with the altitude. I don't know if the towns near the Blue Ridge or in WV see cooler temps than we get here, though.

[nevis]

Deep Creek Lake would be my suggestion. Its 3 hours from Eastern Loudoun and has several golf courses and lots to do. Definetly cooler than the DC area and if they dont want to be on the Lake itself there are plenty of places close by. Very easy access to W. VA and PA and has the mountain feel.

Wisp ski resort is also just a few minutes away so youhave that for the winter.

[michgc]

My question to you, though, is whether you think you will be moving back to NC at some point because then PA will be too far away for them. If you think there is a possibility, then I suggest Roanoke. It is a nice, small city. It's a bit mountainous, and I believe has a fair number of retirees. Lynchburg might also be an option.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by mdcrim

Basye, Va. Golf course, lake, ski resort. Lots of retirees and low, low prices.

I can't believe I never heard of this place. I just looked it up--it's very close to Nova. I may just have to go check this plac

By the way, while mountain resorts are nice remember that your relatives need to be happy living there. Many resorts can become very boring after a week or two. A town that has lots of retirees, a variety of practical stores, a good library and a good medical center nearby are important things to look for, in addition to have a nice resort nearby.