Thinkin about retiring to the Christiansburg/Merrimac/Blacksburg area (Roanoke: sales, crime)

[sspivey]

My wife and I are considering retiring to this area and would like to know as much about the area as possible. Things like the annoyances of living there; flies, mosquitoes, unfriendly people, bad roads, bad politics, etc...... Also heard there was no property tax in that area and would love to know what the average cost of utilities, services, gasoline/diesel, cell phone coverage, highspeed internet access, medical services, sales tax/income tax and crime in the area. We would want to get some land maybe 5 acres or less and build a log home on it maybe in the Merrimac area so we could have access to both Blacksburg and Christiansburg or any where within a few miles a little off the beaten path with a good view of the mountains. We love snow for a couple of months or so and would like to enjoy all four seasons.

Thank you, Susan & Stephen

[jmelts]

I live in Blacksburg proper, and enjoy it very much, though I am not a country person at heart. What I miss most of all is proximity to a decent big city (sorry, Roanoke just doesn't do it for me) and Charlotte and Charlottesville are just a bit far for a daytrip. As for property taxes, we sure do have them (wish we didn't!) Annoyances are few-- the seasons are temperate--generally they are allof equal length (that is, winter doesn't seem to stretch out for an eternity) Virginia Tech brings cultural events and generates enough of a community for alost anyone to find friendships/activities of interest. the resturants in the area aren't great, but you can get decent food. I don't know what "bad politics" would be for you, but Montgomery County is a more liberal (ie Democrat) enclave in the generally more red VA. Gas prices are decent, utilities not out of line, and cell phone coverage ok for a rural, mountainous place. I have dsl, as do most folks in Blacksburg (or at least access to it) Medical services are decent (there are 2 nearby hospitals, plus better ones for specialist care in Roanoke)
Hope this helps!