Appalachians or Blue Ridge Mountains (Luray, Clifton Forge: crime, school, living in)

[KewGee]

I'm wanting to move to the mountains because I'm tired of the never-ending hot summers in Texas.


Would the Appalachian Plateau area or the Blue Ridge Mountain area be prettier? I'm sure they're both lovely, but the more mountains and beauty I can be around, the better. I haven't even visited there yet but what I can see on the web, Virginia would be a lovely place to live.

I have a few counties I'm considering and a lot depends on the crime rate. In my search so far, Gate City and Weber City in Scott County show to have the lowest rates I've seen in any state I've considered which are NC, TN, and WV along with VA.

Thanks for your opinion.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by amjb

Would the Appalachian Plateau area or Blue Ridge Mountain area be prettier? Thanks for your opinion.

VASTLY prettier. Very affordable too.

s/mike

[KewGee]

Hey Mike From Back East,

Thanks for your post. I know the area is much prettier than Texas but what I meant was what area of the mountain ranges. I didn't word my post very well.

Here is a link about what I'm talking about. When one clicks on the map, it will show the differently mountain ranges. Maybe the best place is right smack dab in the middle of both.

I've thought about the Smoky Mountains too but right now, VA seems to be most appealing to me.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...2Bridge%2Bmoun

[Mike from back east]

I'd go for the Appalachians. They're a bit further west than the Blue Ridge and more remote from big east coast cities.

I'm familiar with the Blue Ridge from living in Northern VA. They are decently pretty, but too low for me. Along the I-81 corridor, from Hagerstown, MD to Luray, VA is becoming a bedroom community for DC, or weekend retreat for them.

Go west another ridge or two. Looking at Clifton Forge, VA; White Sulphur Springs, WV; or even Cass, WV. Stunning scenery.

s/Mike

[KewGee]

Thanks, Mike. I'm going to check out those places on the web right now.

[tarp]

Remember that there are no jobs out there, so you will need to be independently wealthy or you will live like the locals (in poverty).

[KewGee]

tarp,

No, I'm not independently wealthy and the definition of wealth is not of importance to me. I won't live in poverty but just about anywhere one goes, poverty is nearby.

Actually, I looked up the areas mentioned above but wouldn't choose to live there for a few reasons that I checked on. I'd surely love to visit the area though. I choose to work for a school system if possible, but then again, I may just wait until I'm retired to move.

I want to live in an area of little population, like not over 50-75 people per square mile. Also, the people demographics in general is of great importance as is the crime rate, air quality, snowfall (lesser is better), etc.

What do you think about Lee, Scott, or Russell county? I'm also looking at Floyd, Grayson, and that area. Are those areas pleasantly decent? Forget the big cities, no way. I lived in Burbank, CA for 28 years and will never live in a big city again.

I want peace, quiet and beautiful scenery and weather that is not extreme in the summer or winter.

Maybe I'm asking for too much.

[Electron]

Highland County. Population <2500. I will be headed that direction in the next few years, hopefully.

[KewGee]

Highland County looks good for what I'm looking for except for the snowfall. I checked out Monterey and that town gets a little too much snow for me, one who isn't used to it. It says they get about 55" a year. I was thinking more like 20" is about all I would like.

I know I'm being picky but....................

[Electron]

Just be careful about going much farther south or lower elevations. That area is prone to an awful lot of ice in the winter. I'd rather shovel than skate.