Retiring into, or out of, Virginia (vacations, community, retiree, separate)

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by TuborgP

From your many posts I really think you would love RTC and much about NOVA and DC etc etc etc. For us it would be about timing and the right stage of retirement.

Well it does kind of remind me of New England, and I like that. My sister (here) is actually looking, her twin lives in Hagerstown, both retired. Apparently Maryland taxes pensions so that's out for her. NOVA is close enough to Hagerstown. I see lots of townhouses in NOVA, but few one floor condos. It's an interesting idea... Now why did I have to go and bring up this thread...

[TuborgP]

NEG, lots of universities and cultural activities abound.

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by TuborgP

NEG, lots of universities and cultural activities abound.

Oh now stop.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

Oh now stop.

Just imagine yourself on one of those corners in the morning. Enjoying your morning coffee and a novel. Relaxed and tranquil while the highly competitive world race around you trying to get ahead and acquire more and more while you peacefully relish in what you already have My wife already has visions of that in her head.

[in_newengland]

Don't forget that humidity.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

Don't forget that humidity.

I know it well but remember Spring and Fall and milder Winters.

[Caladium]

Before we romanticize northern VA too much, let's take a moment to note that it's not for everyone. Traffic is heavy. The area is growing and has a lot of construction. The general vibe is go-go-go. Some people find that invigorating, others (especially retirees) not so much. Neg, I recall that you didn't like the traffic and congestion near Charlottesville. Double that and you have Northern VA.

Here's a good piece of advice for anyone thinking of moving to a bustling area like Nova for retirement: Spend some time here first before deciding to retire here. Some people will love it, others won't like it at all.

Are you comfortable living around people who make a lot money, buy expensive things, go to cocktail parties and talk about the multiple graduate degrees they have? Not everyone in northern VA is like this but chances are fairly high that you'll meet a few that are. This is very much a career oriented area. Although there is a lot of beautiful nature here, people don't move to northern VA because they want to be near nature. Or to enjoy small town life. They move here for career opportunities, and that's often what they enjoy talking about.

Also, Virginia is not New England. One thing I've observed over the years is that people from New England often don't like it here and become deeply homesick. People who love New England really seem happiest staying in New England.

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by TuborgP

I know it well but remember Spring and Fall and milder Winters.

I can see your wheels are turning. I thought life was a beach? Personally, I prefer the vision of coffee at a corner street cafe on a misty humid morning in nova. In_newengland, wanna take a trip with me?

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by Caladium

Before we romanticize northern VA too much, let's take a moment to note that it's not for everyone. Traffic is heavy. The area is growing and has a lot of construction. The general vibe is go-go-go. Some people find that invigorating, others (especially retirees) not so much. Neg, I recall that you didn't like the traffic and congestion near Charlottesville. Double that and you have Northern VA.

Here's a good piece of advice for anyone thinking of moving to a bustling area like Nova for retirement: Spend some time here first before deciding to retire here. Some people will love it, others won't like it at all.

Also, Virginia is not New England. One thing I've observed over the years is that people from New England often don't like it here and become deeply homesick. People who love New England really seem happiest staying in New England.

Haha we posted at the same time...just as I was getting romantic ideas about nova cafes, you had to go and post this.

If my sister (the one here) were ever to move closer to her twin in Hagerstown (whose daughter a doctor once lived in Alexandria), I would actually consider. My VA explorations were the western edge of the state, which I liked a lot on my trips...Harrisonburg, Staunton, Salem, and Abingdon. Abingdon seems to be more my style. But that rich blood in me could go for nova, though I'd live like a church mouse there. As for humidity, I lived two + seven years in St Louis area, so I know all about humidity. Interestingly, my years out of New England were more relaxing even though I was much busier (raising a family, going to school, working jobs) but still the feeling was much more laid back.

Anyway, my interest in VA now is on behalf of my sister, but if Tuborg doesn't stop pulling my strings I might have to concoct a reason to go there.

[Caladium]

Check out Winchester. That seems more like an area you'd like and closer to Hagerstown, too.