williamsburg (Hampton, Roanoke, Forest: low income, for sale, condos)

[denny]

As stated previously, my wife and I are contemplating retirement from N.Y. to possibly Williamsburg. We like all the things we've heard on this forum about the place, except for the fact that it's "expensive."

Could someone tell us what they consider "expensive?" "Expensive" by Williamsburg standards nay not be "expensive" by N.Y. standards. Many thanks.

denny

[dullnboring]

It is not expensive at all by New York standards. It's not even expensive by Northern Virginia (where I live) standards. You can find plenty of four bedroom, three bathroom, 2200 square foot homes (although I'm assuming if you're retiring, you won't need this much space) in terrific neighborhoods for under 400K whereas I know a similar home would cost upwards of 600K here in the DC area. It's pricey compared to the rest of the Hampton Roads region, but when you're coming from most other coastal metro areas, it's a steal.

[GradVT06]

I lived in Williamsburg for about 10 years until recently and will be moving back in a few weeks. For a starter home in a moderately priced area, a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath 1200 square feet might be $150-$200. A step up in a bedroom or bathroom or a pool or extra land will raise it $25-$45. In a middle-upper class neighborhoods, a 2200-2600 home, 4 bed/2.5 baths with some other amenities like basements/hot and gazebo will run you $260-$315. More expensive neighborhoods feature larger homes will start you $375 up to a million. When my family sold our home 4 years ago, it was in a desireable neighborhood, 4 bedroom/2.5 bath with 2 stair cases, LR/FR/DR/KIT, 2 car garage, sun room, deck and gazeebo with hot tub, nicely landscaped yard and about 2400 square feet for about $275. Unfortunately my parents accepted first offer and could have fetched $300 b/c so many people want to move into that neighborhood.

It's expensive for small city/town. It's not expensive compared to larger cities. But based on the fact that it doesn't have big city jobs, big city shopping, etc, it's more expensive than most cities/towns of its size. Homes cost about 15-25% less in Roanoke.

[MarkB]

Just curious, what is the name of this desirable neighborhood you referred to??

[GradVT06]

Windsor Forest. It's a not huge and has limited space and lots of people jump on homes the second they come available. I am moving back there and was therer this weekend, and saw a home there for sale smaller than our was, older, not as nice looking, for just under $400K. There are a lot of similar neighboorhoods, and a small handfull of neighborhoods with the much bigger/higher priced homes. The larger/more expensive n'hoods are ford's colony, kingsmill, governor's land, and some others. Gated, security cars drive around, have to have your cars stickered. There's been an increase in townhomes and condos, but no clue what they run if you're interested in that. Personally I like to have a stereo loud and home theater so it wouldn't work for me.

Makes me wish we could buy a home here in Roanoke before we move and just carry it with us.

[Lookingforasafehome]

But many free social services clinics are across the stree, as are some low income housing developments too...and its on the busline...nice now but who knows what it will be like 10 years from now and the payment on those homes, has be incredible!

But hey I would live there, if I could afford 400 grand or most likely more by now!