Moving for job - questions (rent, house, neighborhoods)

[jerrygoldsmith]

Hello! I'm posting this in some of the other VA areas too.


I'm moving to VA for a job at Langley, and was hoping for some information from you kind folks?

Moving from Colorado Springs, with my fiancé and despite my research I've not found a lot of answers to some basic questions.

1 - Cost of living. Now I've done some searching and it shows the avg income is between 31k-40k, but that doesn't tell me much especially since all that seems to be based on information years old. I make about 75k, and my gal makes 30k teaching. We don't live together yet, and I'm wondering how thats going to get us by. I know its an arbitrary question, since everyone has different living habits and comfort styles and the like. I want to make sure I can provide for my family (hitchin' in June, so its on my mind!)


2 - what to look for and what to avoid. Living areas, and locations. Probably will rent at first, either house or apt. When I moved to Colorado Springs I didn't know that the area I moved to was turning into Gang-Central. Would like to avoid that this time


3 - Education. How is the area for incoming teachers, specifically special education?


4 - The people. Though this isn't listed first, its among the first in importance. Again, its an arbitrary question I know! Looking to connect with people in both community, neighborhoods, church, etc etc. In Colorado Springs its a bit... different as many groups are a bit elitist and just don't care for those joining. Its sort of a bunch of 'good ol boys clubs' because if you aren't there in the beginning you are just an outsider.


5 - Things to do? Bowling, golf, anything. Just so long as there's something to do I guess....


Thanks for taking the time to read this, and a forward thanks for the answers!
Cheers