Quality-of-Life in Culpeper County, VA? (Reston, Fairfax: real estate, houses, neighborhood)

[SteelCityRising]

DISCLAIMER: Another member asked politely for me and another member who shall remain nameless at present time to "give it a rest" in our squabbling in a related thread, so I felt as if it was only fair to those who are coming onto here to research Culpeper County to have their own dedicated thread to the area devoid of nastiness.

With that being said please discuss below your own personal insights and experiences with Culpeper County for the benefit of those seeking relocation there!

[VRE332]

the women generally look bigger around the waist, which I love

[SteelCityRising]

I'm very excited at the prospect of visiting Culpeper at some point when I return from my upcoming business trip to Memphis. I've visited a few web sites about the town, and it looks like you'd truly be taking a step back in time to a simpler era. I can already imagine people sitting on front porches of gracious older homes along leafy side streets, children riding their bikes, little old ladies playing bingo at the fire hall, etc., etc.

[lchoro]

I've been to Culpeper a few times since my father is buried in the National Cemetary. It seems to be a quaint small town with a nice looking historic downtown, one you might associate with a rural town from a 50's movie. It does seem to have seen its better days since the shopping is dominated by a Wal-Mart Supercenter on the north side of town. I saw quite a few second-hand thrift shops that were storefronts in town. To the west of town, there's a burgeoning bedroom community built around Lake Pelham for commuters to jobs in Western Fairfax Co via Route 29. I've not ventured over to that area.

From the looks of this video, it looks like Culpeper has built up a lot more in the last three years despite the real estate downturn in the rest of Northern Virginia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFNAWBZnIoQ

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by lchoro

I've been to Culpeper a few times since my father is buried in the National Cemetary. It seems to be a quaint small town with a nice looking historic downtown, one you might associate with a rural town from a 50's movie. It does seem to have seen its better days since the shopping is dominated by a Wal-Mart Supercenter on the north side of town. I saw quite a few second-hand thrift shops that were storefronts in town. To the west of town, there's a burgeoning bedroom community built around Lake Pelham for commuters to jobs in Western Fairfax Co via Route 29. I've not ventured over to that area.

From the looks of this video, it looks like Culpeper has built up a lot more in the last three years despite the real estate downturn in the rest of Northern Virginia.


YouTube - Culpeper Online

I respectfully disagree. Downtown is a great place with good places to eat and quaint shops. Walmart is not in town.

[Bigfoot424]

Culpeper is not quite the small town quaint town some would think it is. If you're comparing it to Reston or a similar area then sure.

[JesCurius]

I watched the BBC election special on YouTube that was filmed in Culpeper. The town really looks segregated. In fact, the commentator even mentioned it in the show. In my experience, segregation and racism go hand and hand. I am thinking of moving here from "out west", in a town that is very diverse and integrated. I am attracted to Culpeper because it seems on the surface to be diverse. I know this is a hot-button topic, but would like honest (and polite) responses, if you have first hand knowledge of this town. Thanks.

[Nebat]

Originally Posted by JesCurius

I watched the BBC election special on YouTube that was filmed in Culpeper. The town really looks segregated. In fact, the commentator even mentioned it in the show. In my experience, segregation and racism go hand and hand. I am thinking of moving here from "out west", in a town that is very diverse and integrated. I am attracted to Culpeper because it seems on the surface to be diverse. I know this is a hot-button topic, but would like honest (and polite) responses, if you have first hand knowledge of this town. Thanks.

I grew up in Culpeper and though not nearly as diverse as the rest of NoVa, I never sensed any hostilities. I went to school with Chinese, Indians, Middle Easterners, Blacks, and Hispanics and for the most part everyone got along. Yes there were fights and kids hated each other, but not for the color of their skin or culture. I do remember the only kid to be picked on so badly that he literally dropped out was a white kid. All the "minorities" were the popular kids. I was part of the stoner/skateboarder crowd, so I didn't care about anything to do with foolishness of that sort at that time. Having said that, Culpeper is polarized between the commuters to NoVa/DC and the townies who are pretty much all the white trash stereotypes. Since I moved away, the town has really built up to my amazement, and there has been a huge influx of Hispanic workers. It was unbelievably boring growing up there but I might be able to live there now with some of the new development. It's relatively close to DC for a nice easy day trip which is nice. It's still on the extreme outer fringes of NoVa to the point some people don't even consider it a part of it. It's very rural outside of the town limits. And even back in the early 90's there were gang problems. Not sure how it is now, but it's definitely there. Bottom line, you may like it, but it sounds like you would be better off closer to the District.

[jaywallace]

Originally Posted by JesCurius

I watched the BBC election special on YouTube that was filmed in Culpeper. The town really looks segregated. In fact, the commentator even mentioned it in the show. In my experience, segregation and racism go hand and hand. I am thinking of moving here from "out west", in a town that is very diverse and integrated. I am attracted to Culpeper because it seems on the surface to be diverse. I know this is a hot-button topic, but would like honest (and polite) responses, if you have first hand knowledge of this town. Thanks.

I saw how they portrayed that as well. It's BS to be honest. I live right near where they said the "ghetto" section was. We have a brand new community and all types of races live here. There is no "segregation" at all. That is the typical liberal slant on reporting. My wife thought that was funny. We eat at the "ghetto" hamburger joint all the time. It just so happened two black people were in line at the time of the taping, so they call it "the ghetto". Kind of racist if you ask me. If you want to see real "segregation" journey over to some of the "liberal" rich Northern Va areas. They'll give money to their local "NAACP", but they wouldn't dare live next to a minority. In my neighborhood, I AM the minority, and everything is fine. We live in 2500 square foot houses and there is virtually no crime. Everybody goes walking and hangs out at birthday parties. All different races, religions, etc. Don't believe the hype.

[Joey Saint]

Hi! I'm considering a move to the area and Culpeper is on my short list. Anyone have any knowledge of any music scene, particularly jazz/blues clubs?