Retiring in the mountains (Roanoke, Harrisonburg: real estate, condo, how much)

[MinnBen]

When are you moving? Summer/fall 2017

Where are you coming from? Minnesota (Twin Cities)

Why are you moving? Tired of the cold weather. Want to return to east coast. Looking for a nice place to live.

Where will you be working? Retired

Have you been here yet? Several times. Lived in Williamsburg for a couple of years as a kid (barely in my memory, though) and have visited various parts of the state.

Will you buy or rent? Buy

If buying, are you looking for a house or a condo? How much can you spend? A house. Up to $300K, but prefer more in the $250K range.

Are you married or single? Do you have children? Married. A son in college and two older daughters.

Do you have pets? My wife has a couple of cats.

Do you want or need a yard? Yes. A nice yard is important, but does not have to be all that big.


Are you keeping a car? Yes

Do you prefer bustling activity or calm and quiet? Definitely calm and quiet

What do you want to be closest to?
Work
Shopping
Basic services (supermarket, drugstore, etc.) Also good medical care.
Nightlife

Hello all,
My wife and I are looking at retiring in Virginia. We want to be somewhere in or near the mountains, away from congested areas, but close enough to go out on occasion. My basic requirement is to be able to wake up, walk out on my back porch, and see some gorgeous scenery and also within about 30 minutes of shopping areas and good medical facilities. We prefer to be more in the northern (or maybe central) part of the state as opposed to the Roanoke of Blacksburg areas. I have done some looking on the Internet (particularly real estate sites) and have thought about two areas. One is roughly the Rappahannock/Page/Madison counties and the other is a bit further south--i.e., Rockingham/Augusta county area. The first seems like it might be quieter, but further from decent size cities (though closer to DC). The second appears maybe to be the reverse. (Though I could be way wrong.) I am not totally sold on either of those specific areas--they are just what I have found with a bit of browsing. Would appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, or so forth.

Thanks!
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[Tominftl]

Good medical care is important so make sure you live in a city with a good hopital. Airports are also important if you are a traveler. Trick is not to be isolated but have conveniences not too far away. The city that comes to mind is Asheville, Nc. I've been to the area several times and they have a great hospital, also an airport.

[badger74]

Bedford County.

[MinnBen]

Originally Posted by badger74

Bedford County.

Thanks. That's a bit further south than I have been looking, but will consider it. Any special qualities that differentiate it from the rest of the area?

[Bigfoot424]

Shenandoah County. Moved here last year from NOVA and absolutely love it. We have views from our back deck and front porch. These views are available all over the county. We are minutes from Woodstock and we found out the hard way a somewhat small but very good hospital. They are tied into Valley Health which is What the much bigger hospital is in Winchester which has grown into a large and well known hospital. So far we can find no negatives living here. I can be at Dulles Airport in an hour as long as it's not rush hour in NOVA. Harrisonburg or Winchester are both about 30-35 minutes in opposite directions if we need a more congested area for more stores and restaurants.

[MinnBen]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

Shenandoah County.

Thanks very much, Bigfoot. That is useful information and will definitely give it a look.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by MinnBen

Thanks very much, Bigfoot. That is useful information and will definitely give it a look.

Here is a view right around the corner from my house. And these are everywhere out here. If I can get it to attach.

[MinnBen]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

Here is a view right around the corner from my house. And these are everywhere out here. If I can get it to attach.

Wow, that's gorgeous. Just the scene I want to see from my back porch. Thanks for posting it. Would you mind if I PM'd you if I have questions going through this?

Thanks again.

[brava4]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

Here is a view right around the corner from my house. And these are everywhere out here. If I can get it to attach.

Really lovely. thanks for sharing.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by MinnBen

Wow, that's gorgeous. Just the scene I want to see from my back porch. Thanks for posting it. Would you mind if I PM'd you if I have questions going through this?

Thanks again.

Feel free. So much of Shenandoah Co has views like this. Not as much up around Winchester but starting around Strasburg and heading south you can find it all over.