Moving the INLAWS closer.....but not too close. (Lynchburg, Reston: apartments, rent)

[rem78]

Good morning everyone!

I have a thread search open and will continue reading about particular towns, like Winchester, but I am starting my own thread since I have specific questions for any VA know-it-all. (I've only been here for 3 years so I hardly know anything.)

We are looking to move my inlaws into the state. They are getting older and now that we have decided that we are settling here for good, it is probably wise to have them closer. Plus, free babysitting on the weekends. Yay! they have expressed to us that they'd like to be closer to us.

I truly appreciate any suggestions you may have.

We are thinking 1.5-2.5 hours away (west?) from the Fairfax area. You know....close if they need us but not so close they will coming by every day.

Info about them/what they need: My inlaws are in their mid-late 60s and have lived in a once-small but now a thriving mini city in TN for 35ish years. They have a few friends. He volunteers at the hospital, she volunteers at the senior center taking care of the elderly adult day care people and also participates in fitness classes. Their current town/city also has a great, safe paved, 3-4 mile walking trail (important....they walk twice a day and he is a big runner...and has a running buddy which I know he'll miss. ) They need a small plot of land..enough for a small garden since that is mainly what they live off from. I worry about them driving new streets at their age. They know their current city well, especially since they were there before it was developed. Also, they are Korean-born. They don't hang out with other Koreans so we're not looking for Korean-dense communities but we do need the community to be open to having them there if you catch my drift, they are VERY good hearted people and will add to any community.

I know wherever we move them to there will be an adjustment period and they may very well hate it. I am hoping that by doing research we can ease the transition...maybe have them rent a year to ensure they "love" a place.

Oh...and their current 3BR house is in great shape but will likely only sell for about $100k. Doesn't give much to work with. (I know...we just put our life savings down and bought a......townhouse. )

Any ideas....please? Thank you soooo much in advance!

[South Jersey Styx]

Winchester.

BTW, a 2.5 hr drive one-way might be doable for 60-yr-olds but challenging as they age. If they have trouble driving and/or won't drive in difficult conditions, you and/or your spouse will have that responsibility.

[rem78]

Thank you for the suggestion that we consider long-term needs (like driving)...we hadn't even thought about that. Good point! (Though when they become elderly we will likely have them come live with us. Though I know that is many years away.)

They definitely don't want to be in Fairfax County. They really need land...1/4 acre at least. 2-2.5 hours away is perhaps an over estimation on our part. We have limited funds to work with and with their land needs we figured we needed to look that far away. Anyway, nice to hear a vote for Winchester. Thanks!

[LynchburgLover]

I'd second Winchester -- only about an hour from NoVa. There is a walking/biking path that will eventually circle the town. There is a good medical center with a "Wellness Center" that offers classes like water aerobics, yoga etc. They could easily get involved in volunteer activities through the hospital, a very active hospice association (it runs a thrift shop that always need volunteers), churches etc. There is a small university there with excellent drama and music departments so there are cultural activities available.

The low budget might be a problem but they might be able to find a townhouse with a small yard. There are some senior-style, 2-bedroom type houses on small lots off of Jubal Early Drive and Sterling Drive. They range in the $175-220k range. The walk/bike path actually runs right behind the neighborhood.

Good luck!

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by LynchburgLover

I'd second Winchester -- only about an hour from NoVa. There is a walking/biking path that will eventually circle the town.

Hey I didn't know about this! Where does it begin and end?

They could easily get involved in volunteer activities through the hospital, a very active hospice association (it runs a thrift shop that always need volunteers), churches etc. There is a small university there with excellent drama and music departments so there are cultural activities available.

Definitely some things to think about. Valley Health/Winchester Medical Center just seems to be expanding more and more. Also, there are always some kind of events going on in town, especially for different holidays, church dinners, pancake breakfasts, readings and performances at the library, etc.

Winchester is also close proximity to things to do in Front Royal and the Shenandoah Valley sites like Harpers Ferry, and the casino and horse races at Charlestown, WV.

[rem78]

LynchburgLover & South Jersey Styx: Sounds great! They will be here for Thanksgiving so perhaps we can bring them on a mini tour!

[LynchburgLover]

Be sure to take a tour of the Wellness Center and, if they're here long enough, take the Preservation Winchester Holiday Tour -- www.phwi.org

Be sure to check out the revitalization plans for the downtown Walking Mall. The Winchester Star is a local newspaper you can read online to get details. They're trying to make it a mini-Reston Town Center with a proposed ice rink. There are a number of restaurants with sidewalk dining in the summer. (My favorite is Thai Winchester!) Shenandoah University has revitalized some downtown apartments for students to increase activity, also.

Winchester is a very "community" minded city. There is a local coalition formed by the churches called C-CAP that is very involved in helping the homeless. there are many garden clubs, Rotary, Scout troops etc All of these organizations would love to have a active volunteers!

Also, SouthJerseyStyx, I don't know too much about the walking trail. There is a completed part that is near the Daily Grind on Jubal Early and it winds around behind Meadow Branch and our friends said eventually (key word) it is planned to ring the city. Now with the changes planned for the Walking Mall, the trail may have been "back burnered".

[gregir]

You may want look at Warrenton and Culpeper areas and maybe Madison county. All of these have homes with land and a general rural character. They can be from 1.5 hours to 3 hours from Fairfax depending on traffic and location in Fairfax. I commuted on a weekly basis from Nelson county to Tysons Corner and it took 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Drove through Culpeper on the way.

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by LynchburgLover

Be sure to take a tour of the Wellness Center and, if they're here long enough, take the Preservation Winchester Holiday Tour -- www.phwi.org

Hey, great idea! We actually joined Preservation Historic Winchester. The house tour is fun. I think they're finalizing the houses now? Be sure to go to the party on Saturday night--we went for the first time last year. It was in an early 1800s Italiante "mansion" and everyboday was SO nice (open bar too).

Be sure to check out the revitalization plans for the downtown Walking Mall. The Winchester Star is a local newspaper you can read online to get details.

Yes, the Walking Mall is a BIG draw for NOVANs and other tourists. It has been getting better and better each year.

They're trying to make it a mini-Reston Town Center with a proposed ice rink.

Well, I hope it has some aspects of Reston Town Ctr but not too much commercialization. didn't know about an ice skating rink but would love to go sometimes when it is built!

Winchester is a very "community" minded city. There is a local coalition formed by the churches called C-CAP that is very involved in helping the homeless. there are many garden clubs, Rotary, Scout troops etc All of these organizations would love to have a active volunteers!

The community is one thing I LOVE out here that I did not see in NOVA. for example, right now [in this snow] my neighbor has come over and shoveled our sidewalks. I'll catch up with him later when the snow tapers off.