When People Leave NOVA, Where Do They Go? (Richmond, Hampton: fit in, real estate)

[Caladium]

I know it seems like everyone in the country's moving here this year, but there have to be a few people on this forum who are moving away. And a few people who are just here temporarily and are planning to move in a year or two.

So I thought it would be fun to find out where people are planning to go.

Also, why are you moving there? What do you think you will miss about Virginia (or, what won't you miss)? If you're just here temporarily, how long do you think you'll be here?

[alibaba1579]

I'll play! We're moving to NOVA in a month, from Baton Rouge, LA (although Dh and I are both from the midwest). He's in managemnt with Exxonmobil and will be doing the next job on his "path" at the old Mobil building in Fairfax. We expect 2-4 years in Fairfax, and then on to somewhere else - maybe an international assignment. We're excited to get out of the deep south - it was a bit of a culture shock coming here after living in Nebraska all my life! Traffic will be interesting though.

[ebonediva]

Originally Posted by Caladium

I know it seems like everyone in the country's moving here this year, but there have to be a few people on this forum who are moving away. And a few people who are just here temporarily and are planning to move in a year or two.

So I thought it would be fun to find out where people are planning to go.

Also, why are you moving there? What do you think you will miss about Virginia (or, what won't you miss)? If you're just here temporarily, how long do you think you'll be here?

I'm guessing somewhere near a military base (alot of military personnel in the area). Atlanta & Charlotte.

[Fairfax Mom]

I think most people are military that are moving all the time -
but - if I had a chance to move anywhere I think it would be the SC coast - I just love it there - but not too many jobs down there at the moment

[rubytue]

I left about three years ago for havre de grace, MD. It's about 20 miles north of Baltimore. I wanted out if the crowds and traffic. Will be moving back in the next six to nine months. This move didn't really work out for either of us, and since I'm a fed, going back to the dc area is about the only choice. What I missed most was the food! It's "American" chain resteraunt heck around here. Also missed the people, but that's because I has lots of friends in the area and I'm at the age where people tend to make friends with their kid's friend's parents or at mommy & me-type events. We don't have kids.

If I could move anywhere, it would be east tn. We have property down there, but the jobs are just not there. My field is too specialized

[cdmurphy]

I'm not leaving, but I know quite a few NoVAns (including some natives) who have moved to either North Carolina or Colorado in the past few years. Most of them sold their VA homes at the peak and bought much more house for less money in NC or CO. A few of them that work in IT kept their jobs with VA companies and telecommute. They all seem to miss the variety of dining options here.

[ScranBarre]

Interesting idea for a thread! I'm one of those who will likely be in the "temporary" category. My ideal life would be living in a tiny and run-down 1,100 square-foot 2 BR/1 BA rowhome or bungalow that I could fix up from scratch with just enough of a patch of grass in the back for me to take a stab at planting a garden to grow some of my own fresh produce. It would have a small front porch just big enough for me to put a rocking chair on so I could sit and read the paper and drink some lemonade while chatting with neighbors (I guess I sound like a retiree already! LOL!) Ideally I'd like to live car-free. I'm not very materialistic, but it pains me to know that I could never possibly afford that dream life here in NoVA because even a place like that would be $450,000 in most areas, and I will never be able to afford that as a single person on one non-attorney/non-CEO/non-surgeon salary. I just don't see the point in living here long-term if there's nothing to look forward to as far as chasing a good dream is concerned. I've been here since May and still don't feel like I fit in. Housing prices here just seem to be a hair below what homes in New York City cost, but at least in my eyes DC doesn't compare to NYC in terms of appeal.

Where would I like to move? At age 22 I'm still young and have a lot of time to explore my options. As of right now I'm researching:

-Boston, MA
-Burlington, VT
-Dubuque, IA
-Hartford, CT
-Madison, WI
-Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
-Pittsburgh, PA
-Portland, ME
-Portsmouth, NH
-Providence, RI
-Richmond, VA
-Roanoke, VA

I tend to like the Northern climate, but I can see myself being happy as far South as Richmond or Roanoke as well because they still have the old-world charm that I miss living here in Reston, where "historic" is a run-down plaza built in 1965.

How long will I be here? I don't honestly know at this point. I will likely renew my lease in May and stay here one more year at least, but then I may very well look to transfer to another office with my employer.

[normie]

Technically, I was a person who left Nova a few years ago. I use the word "technically" because even though I moved to the Georgia mountains it was kind of hard to tell because I was always back up here, visiting my family. I finally just gave myself permission to move back. What can I say, I like the Nova way of life.

As for other people, it's hard to guess how many will end up staying here once the economy improves. IMO the big question is: How long is the economy going to be bad? If the job outlook is bad for a long time and people are here at least 4-5 years they'll probably stay--Nova has a way of growing on you.

I imagine a lot of people from coastal towns will consider moving back to those towns if the day comes that they feel they can get work there. Although I love the Potomac, I can understand the lure of wanting to return to a beach town.

[Alanboy395]

Originally Posted by Caladium

I know it seems like everyone in the country's moving here this year, but there have to be a few people on this forum who are moving away. And a few people who are just here temporarily and are planning to move in a year or two.

So I thought it would be fun to find out where people are planning to go.

Also, why are you moving there? What do you think you will miss about Virginia (or, what won't you miss)? If you're just here temporarily, how long do you think you'll be here?

I'm planning to move from NoVA to the greater Ft. Knox and Louisville area of Kentucky thanks to BRAC in 2010. That may be temporary depending on if I like it or not. By then I will have my degree and have more of a choice of where I can go.

I've only been in NoVA five years but I'm a lifelong Virginian. I moved here from Hampton Roads. One thing I'll miss about NoVA is the diversity. I personally dont think it's all rosy like some in this forum make it out to be but it is a learning experience regardless. Another thing is how many people who are working professionals. It is quite inspiring for someone who is trying to have a decent-white collar career. Now that being said I still hate Northern Virginia and will likely not return if I can help it. Even if I come back to the DC area I would try Howard County, MD before I look at anything in NoVA.

[michgc]

If I were to move, I think I'd pick the Chapel Hill area of North Carolina. The climate is slightly warmer. The area is educated and the real estate is cheaper. Plus, it's a slightly slower pace of life with less traffic.