Fredericksburg vs: Spotsylvania (Suffolk, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Washington: HOA fees, buying a house, neighborhood)

[jtees4]

I'm looking to move from NY to "around or in" Fredericksburg. I am a bit confused as to the relationship between Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania....from what I can gather....Spotsylvania is a county, and Fredericksburg is a completely independent city in another county.
If I were to live just outside Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania.....what would the tax differences be, any and all kinds of taxes, and services is what I would like to know. Would I gain anything or lose anything by either choice?
....and of course, any other opinions or advice about the area is welcomed.
Also interested in local bus service for my daughter as well as traveling to NYC.
My plan was to move to Delaware, but my son bought a house in VA and I want to be nearer him at some point. Thank you!

[HokieFan]

Fredericksburg is an independent city that neighbors Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties.

These websites will give you information regarding tax rates and services.

Fredericksburg, VA - Official Website - New Resident Guide

Welcome to Spotsylvania County, VA - Citizens

I don't know specifics, but just a few differences between city living and country living: No public transportation, septic/well vs sewer/city water, no trash pickup.

[jtees4]

Originally Posted by HokieFan

Fredericksburg is an independent city that neighbors Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties.

These websites will give you information regarding tax rates and services.

Fredericksburg, VA - Official Website - New Resident Guide

Welcome to Spotsylvania County, VA - Citizens

I don't know specifics, but just a few differences between city living and country living: No public transportation, septic/well vs sewer/city water, no trash pickup.

Thanks, I will look at all the info provided. I was hoping that there was some buses outside the city limits at least along some main roads, but we'll see. It seems most of the houses I have found online that I like are right outside the city, roughly along the route 3 corridor, which would be fine because that is the way I would go to my son's house. THANKS!

[choff5]

There is FRED, FRED Transit. It is the local bus system and does go outside the city of Fredericksburg, but I really don't know anything about it. There are routes in Spotsylavania county so you can check that. You can catch AmTrak in Fredericksburg to ride to NY. Virginia is different in the cities and counties are separate governmental jurisdictions. Fredericksburg is a city, not in any county, but surrounded by Spotsylvania county whose county seat is Spotsylvania Courthouse, a wide spot but where the county offices and courts are located.

[jtees4]

Originally Posted by choff5

There is FRED, FRED Transit. It is the local bus system and does go outside the city of Fredericksburg, but I really don't know anything about it. There are routes in Spotsylavania county so you can check that. You can catch AmTrak in Fredericksburg to ride to NY. Virginia is different in the cities and counties are separate governmental jurisdictions. Fredericksburg is a city, not in any county, but surrounded by Spotsylvania county whose county seat is Spotsylvania Courthouse, a wide spot but where the county offices and courts are located.

Thanks. I did manage to find the FRED website and saw that it does indeed go to most of the areas I have been looking at. AmTrak nearby was one of the things that lead us to this area, although I'm sure there are also express buses (usually for a lot less money)...either Bolt or MegaBus or a different one.
A hospital is also important for us, and the area we are looking at is not far at all from Mary Washington.
Thanks again.

[cb at sea]

Stafford County also boarders Fredericksburg to the north....both Spotsy and Stafford use a Fredericksburg address, until you get to the outside edges of both counties! So, while I live in Stafford, my address is Fredericksburg. We have trash service, city water/sewer, as do most of the Spotsy. communities within the Fredericksburg address system.

Spotsylvania's water is more expensive than Stafford's, although we may be getting a price increase soon. In both counties, while trash pickup is available, you pay for it yourself, unless you're in a community with HOA fees that cover it. My neighborhood has no HOA.

In the winter, Stafford does a better job with snow plowing (no place around here actually "removes" snow..it's a mess when it snows!), followed by Spotsy, then Fredericksburg City...

Yes...the Fred bus system does run in both Spotsy and Stafford....but I have no idea of routes. It's certainly not like a NYC bus or even, Washington DC!

[jtees4]

Originally Posted by cb at sea

Stafford County also boarders Fredericksburg to the north....both Spotsy and Stafford use a Fredericksburg address, until you get to the outside edges of both counties! So, while I live in Stafford, my address is Fredericksburg. We have trash service, city water/sewer, as do most of the Spotsy. communities within the Fredericksburg address system.

Spotsylvania's water is more expensive than Stafford's, although we may be getting a price increase soon. In both counties, while trash pickup is available, you pay for it yourself, unless you're in a community with HOA fees that cover it. My neighborhood has no HOA.

In the winter, Stafford does a better job with snow plowing (no place around here actually "removes" snow..it's a mess when it snows!), followed by Spotsy, then Fredericksburg City...

Yes...the Fred bus system does run in both Spotsy and Stafford....but I have no idea of routes. It's certainly not like a NYC bus or even, Washington DC!

Your first paragraph explains why I was confused about the whole Fredericksburg vs: Spotsylvania thing
I might look at Stafford County also. I plan a trip in June. So I guess I will have to ask a bunch of questions when I look at areas to find out exactly if they get the trash and water service as you do.
I currently live about 60 miles outside of NYC (I grew up in NYC)....our bus service is pretty bad out here in Suffolk County although I guess it's good we have some to speak of. I want no part of the City anymore, in fact I hate going into NYC and only do it when absolutely necessary. My son lived in DC for a couple of years before buying a house in Barboursville.....so I guess he had enough of the city too.
I appreciate your help.