Where to live in VA?? (Richmond, Hampton: for sale, real estate, buying a house)

[KBinCT]

I currently live in Connecticut. My fiancee and I (& 12 year old son) were thinking of relocating out of CT due to outragous taxes and too much snow. We've heard a lot of good things about VA. I searched through a lot of threads but I am even more confused now. The town we live in is in Litchfield County, has about 40,000 people, a Target, Walmart, Home Depot and a few big grocery stores. Good shopping and restaurants are only about a 20 minute drive away. I commute about 45 minutes to work. I am a registered nurse so I can live anywhere that there's a hospital within an hour's drive. My fiancee is self employed and probably shouldn't live anywhere too far out in the boonies.

We are looking for something not more than $350,000, but I would like at least an acre with privacy. I don't mind being set back from town but don't want to be too far from civilization and shopping. I would love to be near the water but I doubt in my current price range that is possible (it sure isn't in CT!) My son will be attending public schools. I've looked on realtor.com in some areas suggested in previous threads but they are all sub-divisions with .25 acres or less. I'm not crazy on the sub-division idea and like I said I would like a little more land and some privacy. Does a place like this exist? I may be asking for a lot! I want to find some areas of interest and research them first on line before we take a trip down.

Also, what's the worst to expect in the winter? I do know your spring starts a lot earlier than ours.
Thanks!

[emailvasally]

Do you have any idea of an area in VA? I used to live in the Hampton roads area. I loved it. You have to do your homework though. and buying a house now is possiblly a good time. We moved from newport news about 6 mos ago. there was this older house right down the street from us that still hasnt sold. I think it was about 3/4 acre and waterfront. I think it had a dock too. about 20 min from an okay beach and about an hour from virginia beach(depending on traffic). It was huge and gorgeous but needed a lot of updating which I am assuming is why it hasnt sold. The middle school is absolutely horrible but for some reason the school website rates it positive. there is a lot of violence and drugs. last year anyway. I dont know if they have gotten a handle on it. The highschool is pretty good though. The mencville area of newport news has really good school. Yortown has fantastic schools, land, but no water and might be out of your price range. but may not if your looking for a basic 3 bedroom. Suffolok is up and coming I have heard. but the schools still arent that great. I do remember seeing several posts from people in the hampton roads area that could help you with more up to date stuff. I can say though that I really miss it. mostly if you find someplace a little away from the busy areas. there is nothing you wont find out their.

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by KBinCT

I currently live in Connecticut. My fiancee and I (& 12 year old son) were thinking of relocating out of CT due to outragous taxes and too much snow. We've heard a lot of good things about VA. I searched through a lot of threads but I am even more confused now. The town we live in is in Litchfield County, has about 40,000 people, a Target, Walmart, Home Depot and a few big grocery stores. Good shopping and restaurants are only about a 20 minute drive away. I commute about 45 minutes to work. I am a registered nurse so I can live anywhere that there's a hospital within an hour's drive. My fiancee is self employed and probably shouldn't live anywhere too far out in the boonies.

We are looking for something not more than $350,000, but I would like at least an acre with privacy. I don't mind being set back from town but don't want to be too far from civilization and shopping. I would love to be near the water but I doubt in my current price range that is possible (it sure isn't in CT!) My son will be attending public schools. I've looked on realtor.com in some areas suggested in previous threads but they are all sub-divisions with .25 acres or less. I'm not crazy on the sub-division idea and like I said I would like a little more land and some privacy. Does a place like this exist? I may be asking for a lot! I want to find some areas of interest and research them first on line before we take a trip down.

Also, what's the worst to expect in the winter? I do know your spring starts a lot earlier than ours.
Thanks!

Elkton, Strasburg, Front Royal, New Market???

[roanoker 4]

Originally Posted by KBinCT

I currently live in Connecticut. My fiancee and I (& 12 year old son) were thinking of relocating out of CT due to outragous taxes and too much snow. We've heard a lot of good things about VA. I searched through a lot of threads but I am even more confused now. The town we live in is in Litchfield County, has about 40,000 people, a Target, Walmart, Home Depot and a few big grocery stores. Good shopping and restaurants are only about a 20 minute drive away. I commute about 45 minutes to work. I am a registered nurse so I can live anywhere that there's a hospital within an hour's drive. My fiancee is self employed and probably shouldn't live anywhere too far out in the boonies.

We are looking for something not more than $350,000, but I would like at least an acre with privacy. I don't mind being set back from town but don't want to be too far from civilization and shopping. I would love to be near the water but I doubt in my current price range that is possible (it sure isn't in CT!) My son will be attending public schools. I've looked on realtor.com in some areas suggested in previous threads but they are all sub-divisions with .25 acres or less. I'm not crazy on the sub-division idea and like I said I would like a little more land and some privacy. Does a place like this exist? I may be asking for a lot! I want to find some areas of interest and research them first on line before we take a trip down.

Also, what's the worst to expect in the winter? I do know your spring starts a lot earlier than ours.
Thanks!

If you remember the movie "The Graduate" the one word was "Plastics". Look at Franklin Co VA(south of Roanoke) around the town of Rocky Mt. I think it would fit your requirements. The winters are mild here, so far this year no appreciable snowfall but a couple of cold days(around 25F). Today its 70F and sunny! The northern part of the state is way too high(although it has DC in its backyard), the eastern side is well....Good Luck on your search.

[vickilynn]

We moved to Winchester this past summer and love it so far. There is everything you could want as far as retail and chain restaurants (two WalMarts even, whoopie!) and an Old Town section with some really neat shops and restaurants. The real estate is very reasonable. There is a big hospital here. I teach at one of the Frederick County high schools...they do a pretty good job from what I've seen so far. (There is ALWAYS room for improvement in public schools!) The weather has been very mild compared to New England (I grew up in southern/coastal Maine). Today it is 70 and sunny! But, I would say the average has been mid-40's. We moved here in July...it was HOT!

[Mr Williamsburg]

The are 20 + homes for sale in James City County/ Williamsburg and New Kent Virginia priced from $300k-$400k with yards from .75 acre to 5 + acres. Some are subdivisions which you said you didn't like. One subdivision ( First Colony) locally has a marina and boat ramp on the James River for use by the homeowners.
There is a community in the western part of James City County called The Retreat where although it is a subdivision all the lots are around 3 acres so it is nice and private. Amazingly you can buy a brand new home there for around $400k.

By the way we have had no accumulation of snow in the last 4 years. It is at least 10 degrees warmer than in the towns in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

As you get father from the Williamsburg area into New Kent County you will find more homes not in subdivisions on larger lots. I just sold one new home there ( 1800 square feet) on 5 acres for around $300,000. There are some similar deals available.

As far as schools most feel that James City County has slightly better schools. But New Kent is making great strides lately. There are hospitals in both Richmond Hospitals in the New Kent Charles City Area and Williamsburg/ James City County
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center
There is also a facility in New Kent called Cumberland Hospital for children with complex needs Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents

In summary if you want to live closer to everything possible in a subdivision James City County. Further out I would suggest New Kent County .

[KBinCT]

Thanks everyone for the great info.

[marilynnp]

Originally Posted by KBinCT

I currently live in Connecticut. My fiancee and I (& 12 year old son) were thinking of relocating out of CT due to outragous taxes and too much snow. We've heard a lot of good things about VA. I searched through a lot of threads but I am even more confused now. The town we live in is in Litchfield County, has about 40,000 people, a Target, Walmart, Home Depot and a few big grocery stores. Good shopping and restaurants are only about a 20 minute drive away. I commute about 45 minutes to work. I am a registered nurse so I can live anywhere that there's a hospital within an hour's drive. My fiancee is self employed and probably shouldn't live anywhere too far out in the boonies.

We are looking for something not more than $350,000, but I would like at least an acre with privacy. I don't mind being set back from town but don't want to be too far from civilization and shopping. I would love to be near the water but I doubt in my current price range that is possible (it sure isn't in CT!) My son will be attending public schools. I've looked on realtor.com in some areas suggested in previous threads but they are all sub-divisions with .25 acres or less. I'm not crazy on the sub-division idea and like I said I would like a little more land and some privacy. Does a place like this exist? I may be asking for a lot! I want to find some areas of interest and research them first on line before we take a trip down.

Also, what's the worst to expect in the winter? I do know your spring starts a lot earlier than ours.
Thanks!

Hi

My husband and I live in Norwalk, CT and are really thinking of moving to VA as well, we have two daughters one in middle school, and the other in Elementary, We have heard that the Roanoke area is really nice so we will be taking a week in Febuary to check out the area, and see if this is something we really want to do. We too, are tired of the snow and cold weather and the cost of living here in CT is crazy... You kill yourself working and for what? the houses are so expensive, Don't get me wrong I really enjoy CT and I was born and raised in Stamford, CT so this would be my big move and it's difficult because all of my family is here is CT-- and we wouldn't even know anyone, but we need change right now. I will miss CT because I am so used to living here, but change could be good too.

[Erin1264]

I'm originally from CT and now live in Roanoke. The area reminds us a lot of Northeastern CT with the rolling hills and farms. It really is beautiful here - we enjoy the mountains and outdoor activities and the mild winters. We do NOT miss the snow and ice in New England!

I'd suggest looking in Botetourt County, Roanoke County and Salem. Franklin County is good too (Rocky Mount was already suggested).

Carilion is a very large, well-respected health system, centered in Roanoke. They are expanding, building and hiring. You'd find a job very easily. Check out their website: Carilion

Please send me a direct message if you want to know more about the area!

Erin

[tamitrail]

Stay away from Warren County (Front Royal area). They do not have a good school system there. Frederick County and Clarke County are nice. You could get a house in Lake Holiday if you really wanted to be by the water in that price range, but it wouldn't be on property. If you want some property, you will live a little further out...but it's worth it. There are tons and tons of houses in your price range in the area. We have good shopping and more and more restaurants are coming to the area. What's great is it's a hometown feel, yet you can be in Washington DC in less than 90 minutes if you wanted to go to a big city, see a show, go to a concert, etc. Baltimore is two hours away and makes a nice day or weekend trip also.

Frederick County is really located in a good place to travel to places in Maryland, Pennsylvania, etc.