From Ny to Va (Richmond, Chester: job outlook, schools, living)

[MikaPoo]

My Husband and I are currently looking to relocate from upstate Ny to somewhere warm. We have looked into Fl, although the job market is terrible and rumor is the schooling is even worse.

I was born in Williamsburg, I have visited a few times, but I don't exactly remember much. And I will be honest, I haven't looked into much of anything regarding a move to Va mostly because I had my heart set on Fl.

We would like to move in May....Yes, very soon, but if you lived where I lived you would want out as well!

My questions for all of you, how are the schools in Va, which city would you suggest for a married couple in their mid to late 20's with a 2 yr old and another on the way, or, do you have a better suggestion as far as a warm city to move to?

[540_804]

Northern VA schools are some of the best in the nation. Employment opportunities are usually strong with so many gov't related jobs. Cost of Living is pretty high so it would pay to land the job before moving to NOVA, not the other way around...

Richmond is also pretty nice. The better schools are in the counties outside of Richmond city from what I understand, check out Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield County Schools. Cost of Living is reasonable...job outlook is overall pretty strong...definitely warmer but sometimes that can translate to humid..which can suck in the summer.

I think VA Beach was in the top 10 places to raise a family, so that may be something to consider. I think the cost of living is relatively high and I can't really speak on the job outlook but it is certainly warmer than where you are coming from.

[MikaPoo]

Originally Posted by 540_804

Northern VA schools are some of the best in the nation. Employment opportunities are usually strong with so many gov't related jobs. Cost of Living is pretty high so it would pay to land the job before moving to NOVA, not the other way around...

Richmond is also pretty nice. The better schools are in the counties outside of Richmond city from what I understand, check out Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield County Schools. Cost of Living is reasonable...job outlook is overall pretty strong...definitely warmer but sometimes that can translate to humid..which can suck in the summer.

I think VA Beach was in the top 10 places to raise a family, so that may be something to consider. I think the cost of living is relatively high and I can't really speak on the job outlook but it is certainly warmer than where you are coming from.

You are telling me everything I want to hear!!! I am not too worried about the cost of living, as NY isn't exactly the cheapest state, but that is something I will have to look into...

Thank you so much!!!

[MikaPoo]

Wow, you aren't kidding about the cost of living. Haha. Looking for a 3 bedroom under $1100 is hard!

[sls76]

Henrico and Chesterfield counties (suburbs of Richmond) have some of the top elementaries in the state. Cost of living is much cheaper than NoVa, but the job market isn't as strong. Suburban Richmond is very family friendly and child oriented.

[MikaPoo]

Originally Posted by sls76

Henrico and Chesterfield counties (suburbs of Richmond) have some of the top elementaries in the state. Cost of living is much cheaper than NoVa, but the job market isn't as strong. Suburban Richmond is very family friendly and child oriented.

Thank you thank you!!!! I love hearing that there are great schools!

[PickPatrick]

We have many wonderful school and school systems but check out this:

Official Site of the Governor of Virginia

[MikaPoo]

Originally Posted by PickPatrick

We have many wonderful school and school systems but check out this:

Official Site of the Governor of Virginia

Wow, that is incredible! And, an entire list of schools to check out!!! Even better...Lol. Thank you!

[vman650]

My wife and I relocated to Richmond 35 years ago from Kingston NY. I can recommend Richmond as a place to relocate to. We had job interviews in late November and drove from Kingston to Albany airport. It was 20 degrees and the wind was blowing at 40 MPH. When the plane landed and we got off, it was 60 degrees and sunny. For us, the rest is history. The only thing I miss that was in NY was the Ashokan Reservoir which had some great fishing for trout and bass. Summers here are hotter and more humid than in upstate New York, but the winters are much milder. Compared to the Hudson Valley, job opportunities here are just so much better than in upstate. The economy is slow now, and it would be best to find a job before relocating. Good luck to you and your family and I hope things work out.

[traface]

I grew up in VA, with a brief stint in NY last year. Richmond is much nicer than northern Va, which is expensive, the traffic is horrible, and the people are not as nice. I've lived in the Richmond area since April and do not miss Nova at all.

I lived near Poughkeepsie between May '08 and Feb '09 and could barely stand the winter, but otherwise I thought it was great- a lot more laid back and country-like compared to northern VA. Wish I could live both in NY and VA! Good luck!