Weekend exploration (Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Williamsburg: rent, hotels, houses)

[choff5]

I posted this under Virginia, not knowing if it fit here or the Tidewater area, neither seemed right, but without comments there, I'm trying here for some ideas.

We currently live in No. VA but are looking at other areas of the state, maybe for retirement in 5-7 years, so are visiting the Nothern Neck area this weekend. Will be staying overnight in Tappahannock, so I thought we'd explore around Fredericksburg Saturday early, maybe try to see a couple of the "active adult living" communities, then head down the neck area the rest of the day, then have Sunday to look around before heading back to the reality of life up here. Any suggestions on what to check out? Who else has looked around that part of the state?

Thanks.

[normie]

What sort of this do you like to do?

ps. How did you happen to choose Tappahannock? I would be interested to know your impressions of the town, coincidentally I have a friend who wants to teach at the girls school there and she wants to know what the town is like.

[choff5]

Good questions. We like quiet, but also want to be near things such as medical, access to D.C. area, that's why we like the Fredericksburg area. Son went to UMW so am familiar with it, plus already have a place at Lake Anna so know that part of VA, just never been to the No. Neck part past Fredericksburg. We love Lake Anna to get away but at this point it is still too much in the middle of no where for a permanent residence, or so we think. I know the Northern Neck is also in the middle of no where but want to explore it anyways.

As far as choosing Tappahannock, somehow I came across Warsaw and was doing a search for hotels. Got enough points for a free stay at a Wyndom chain so ended up with the Super 8 in Tappahannock, across the river. Not the top line, I know, but good enough for a night, and free internet! I'll report back.

[Caladium]

That's a pretty area to do some kayaking. Maybe you could rent some. As I recall Tappahannock has a few historic buildings. So I would imagine there's a downtown area that would be fun to stroll.

Further south is Williamsburg, and my favorite place to shop, the Williamsburg Pottery Factory.

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by choff5

We like quiet, but also want to be near things such as medical, access to D.C. area, that's why we like the Fredericksburg area. Son went to UMW so am familiar with it...

Woot to UMW (class of '07)! I remember them building an active adult community on Cowen Blvd that looked nice (it's completed by now), and I think there was also one on Fall Hill. There's some nice housing communities just across the river as well, but I don't know about retirement communities. West on rt. 3 as you work your way to Charlottesville is also nice.

It might be a little out of your way, but when I head back up north I always like to take the "back way" (rt. 3 through downtown and across the river, left onto 212, right onto 218, follow the signs for 301 north to rt. 5 in Maryland, it'll drop you off on the Beltway at Branch Avenue; or take rt. 17 north to I-66). It's very pretty, and you might find some good communities/houses out there.