Where should we move in Virginia? (Richmond, Roanoke: college, living in, prices)

[tennismomusa]

Hi all,

My husband and I are thinking of moving to Virginia in the next few years. I would prefer to live near the water, but he would rather be closer to the mountains. So we are deciding between Charlottesville, Richmond and Roanoke. We are baby boomers with grown children so that doesn't factor in. He likes hiking and tennis. I just want a lot of things to do! We like college towns, concerts, plays, etc. All of these towns are smaller than where we are coming from. I worry about the cost of living in some areas, but maybe we could swing it. My other worry is that as northerners we wouldn't be accepted or that I may not understand how things work in the south...that the cultures are just too different. Am I too concerned about nothing or is it worth noting? I need good friends in my life and I realize friendships may be harder to form the older one gets (it's not like when you have little kids).

Any input would be appreciated, especially from those who have moved to Virginia from other states. Thanks!

[LynchburgLover]

I think your post might be a bit too vague. You may want to post in the city specific forums. All three cities that you mention are very different.

If you're concerned about cost of living, you may want to give an idea of your housing budget, size of house, etc. A little more specificity about how you want to spend retirement would be helpful. Obviously, tennis . . . is an indoor facility important? Active Senior Leagues? You mention water. Would that include lakes like Smith Mountain Lake, for example, that's not too far from Roanoke. Or are you talking ocean . . . then you're pretty far from the mountains.

As far as being accepted, I will give you one piece of advice. Don't ever start a sentence with "Up North, we . . . ." There is even a bumper sticker you'll see occasionally that says "We don't care how you did it up North".

Best of luck.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by tennismomusa

Hi all,

My husband and I are thinking of moving to Virginia in the next few years. I would prefer to live near the water, but he would rather be closer to the mountains. So we are deciding between Charlottesville, Richmond and Roanoke. We are baby boomers with grown children so that doesn't factor in. He likes hiking and tennis. I just want a lot of things to do! We like college towns, concerts, plays, etc. All of these towns are smaller than where we are coming from. I worry about the cost of living in some areas, but maybe we could swing it. My other worry is that as northerners we wouldn't be accepted or that I may not understand how things work in the south...that the cultures are just too different. Am I too concerned about nothing or is it worth noting? I need good friends in my life and I realize friendships may be harder to form the older one gets (it's not like when you have little kids).

Any input would be appreciated, especially from those who have moved to Virginia from other states. Thanks!

Most populated areas of Virginia have larger numbers of former Northerners and the country's become so culturally homogenized that I wouldn't worry about that if you're moving anywhere but bumpkinville (maybe the Western end of the Commonwealth). For some reason the first thing that popped in my head for you was Williamsburg. It's very popular with folks in your similar situation (kids grown but you're still quite active). It's not too far from the ocean and has a college in town (William & Mary) though I wouldn't classify it as much as a college town as Charlottesville or Harrisonburg since the tourist attractions tend to overwhelm the college aspect. Williamsburg also seems like a place where it would be fairly easy to make friends since most folks are from somewhere else and more open to other newcomers. I doubt you'll see many bumper stickers around town like the ones mentioned by LL.

[vermonter16]

Being a transplanted Vermonter I can tell you that people are a lot more accepting in the south than they are up north. Watch out for Charlottesville. You have a lot of government (feds) who will be moving there over the next few years and those that have already moved. That has increased the prices a lot in that area.