Quaint town near great jobs (Richmond, Roanoke: teaching jobs, school districts, live)

[hlaverdiere]

Looking to relocate, we are from a quaint town (Chagrin Falls, OH) http://www.city-data.com/city/Chagrin-Falls-Ohio.html that we love, but jobs in OH are sliding downhill. Husband is in IT/Programming/Networking and I'm an elementary teacher.

Housing: $350k.
Schools: Excellent public (preferably smaller district) or not too expensive private ($10k or less).
Small town feeling with lots of trees (we are accustomed to 5-10,000 people), walking community, ok to drive to within 10 minutes.

We would like to be in a job growth area no more than 15-60 (max) minute commute to work, and preferably in or near (within an hour) a boating area. Richmond, Roanoke, Fredericksburg? Presuming Maryland too pricey, too crowded?

[PickPatrick]

I suggest Ashland and Montpelier in Hanover County.

[robsworld]

Check out Farmville, VA. Quaint, safe, quiet, walkable, 6 state parks, lots of lakes, new golf course/resort community (The Manor Resort)...within 1 hour drive to Richmond, Charlottesville, Lynchburg

[vman650]

Hi
I think you need to secure employment first and then worry about where you will live. The Richmond area is normally recession proof, but this is no longer the case. I do know that teaching jobs are very hard to find, particularly in the better school districts. There are lots of private schools, but they usually pay less and are also not hiring. As to computer positions, I do not know much about them, but quite a few layoffs have been announced in the local paper. Job posts in the paper are about 1/4 of what they normally are. The local Newspaper is the Richmond Times Dispatch and you can read it online. That may give you an idea about what is going on in the area. The unemployment rate in this area is about 7.5 %, which is the highest I can ever remember. I hope I am not discouraging you, but your post may be a bit too optimistic. In any event, good luck and welcome to Richmond.