Retiring to the Blue Ridge Mountains - any ideas? (Roanoke: low crime, how much)

[Semper Idem]

Good evening; my name is Jim, I am looking for a quiet retirement community in the Blue Ridge Mountain chain in Virginia. If anyone wants more information about me, my profile is just a click away. ;o)

I won't be moving for a few years at least; I want to get my homework done now. Get as much info as I can before I make the big plunge. ;o)

At any rate, as per SmerkyGrl's request:

-Where you are working
I'll be retired. No job; will be living off my savings.

-How much you are willing to spend on housing
Less than $100,000 (absolutely NO properties with HOAs will be considered)

-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate
Commute, shommute. Retired, right? ;o)

-If you have kids: Private school or public school?
No kids - I only answered this so people won't think I missed it. ;o)

-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: small town feeling? small city excitement? suburbia delight?
Here's what I want: Small house; two car garage. Small town. No excitement. I'm an introverted soul who makes J. D. Salinger look like Paris Hilton. ;o) I will of course be social with my neighbors and help when needed. That said, I don't want Virginia's answer to Beverly Hills. Ever watched John Mellencamp's video 'Small Town'? Like that, but in Virginia. ;o) Low crime rate a must.

-Community amenities important to you
Grocery store. Doctor. Dentist. Restaurant (steakhouses, sushi, and German cuisine get precedence, but not mandatory). Car mechanic that can work on current and antique cars. Maybe a nice historical landmark that'll take me as a part-time worker so I can meet people and supplement my income.

-Pie or cake?
Battenburg cake; checkered black and white. ;o)

[TN Lily]

Madison, VA because it is near the Bavarian Chef. But finding a place under $100K may be difficult. And it's on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge.

Madison, VA Chamber of Commerce - News

The Bavarian Chef

Grottoes, VA
Town of Grottoes - Home
Good luck.

[cam4vt]

Maybe floyd could work. South of roanoke. Low crime. Basic places for food and such. Not too far from Blacksburg/Christiansburg or roanoke for more major shopping.

[zugor]

Originally Posted by cam4vt

Maybe floyd could work. South of roanoke. Low crime. Basic places for food and such. Not too far from Blacksburg/Christiansburg or roanoke for more major shopping.

I live in Floyd County and you may be right. If the OP will do an advanced search here in the Roanoke sub-forum they will find several long posts that I wrote about all that Floyd has to offer, as well as what it does not have.

[Semper Idem]

Originally Posted by zugor

I live in Floyd County and you may be right. If the OP will do an advanced search here in the Roanoke sub-forum they will find several long posts that I wrote about all that Floyd has to offer, as well as what it does not have.

Zugor,

I'll do just as you suggest when I'm done writing this post. Thank you for the information. ;o)

In the meantime, I have at least three years to make up my mind, so I can work slowly - or, as they say in Germany, 'nicht schnell'. ;o)

[Serious Conversation]

You could also try any of the mountain counties along I-81 between Wytheville and Bristol. Smyth County is a beautiful area and you can probably find something for under $100k, and it's not that far from Bristol/Wytheville.

[gregir]

Nelson County and Amherst County have a lot of what you are looking for and are close to both or either Charlottesville and Lynchburg.

[Watchful]

Bedford? Work at the D-Day Memorial?

Good luck! This is a gorgeous area!

[grouse789]

Fancy gap va.
My wife's grandparents retired there from nyc. I was there one time. It was in a higher elevation, lot of small farms, blue ridge pkwy right there. Her granpa was sort of a recluse. He tended his gardens and made jellies and jams. Puttering around his workshop in winter.
My kinda guy. If that's anything like you, then check that area out.