Moving to Harrisonburg...working at Langley AFB or in the Beltway? (Charlottesville: apartment, rent)

[HawaiianBucky]

Greetings to everyone from Hawaii. My wife and I are moving to Harrisonburg this summer as she'll begin a PhD program at JMU. I'm separating from the Air Force after eight years and right now we're trying to decide whether we'd be best served by me trying to find a job in Harrisonburg or if we should just "suck it up", accept separation during the week (when she'll be pretty busy with school anyways) and have me work down in in southeastern VA or up in the Beltway and then drive back to Harrisonburg on the weekends.

In either one of those places I'm positive I can find a $70-80K job in the defense community, but there's no way I'm commuting 200-400 miles per day, so we'd rent a 2nd apartment. So I guess my overall question is: are there sufficient jobs in the $50-60K range in the Harrisonburg area that it would make financial sense for me to stay there (the difference in income being ok because of not needing a 2nd apartment and furnishings plus a lot less driving). If the answer is no, can anyone enlighten me as to what/who some of the major employers in Harrisonburg/Staunton area are, besides JMU and the medical community? I'm having a hard time finding much besides the typical Monster/HotJobs postings online

I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions as our move comes closer this summer. Thanks for any thoughts.

[Dr.Jim]

I have a place outside Hburg, but I am not terribly familiar with the city.
Others will know more than me, but I would 'guess' unless you are a Dr/Lawyer/JMU prof, there are not many 50-60K jobs in Hburg.
Hburg is mostly a big box/fast food sprawl town, with some ridiculously priced new homes compared to the median Hburg income.
There is no comparison between incomes in Nova vs Hburg.

Again, others will know more.

[WillV]

Harrisonburg's economy is doing very well at the moment and the scernerio you described (living in D.C. duirng the week and Hburg on the weekend) is fairly common throughout the Valley of Virginia. I'd have to know the specifics of the type of job that you are looking for to determine if indeed such jobs (with the pay you would require) exists in Hburg, but from your research it appears you might already know the answer...

[HERESWHATISAY]

I used to live in Harrisonburg and commute to the Northern Va area. And, yes with the high gas prices it was worth it. I would have never matched my income in No.VA. with the income that I could have made in Harrisonburg. Can you say 50% deduction in pay!! The only people making 50,000 or more are lawyers, some physicians, business owners, and those w/ "old money". On the bright side, Harrisonbug is getting more IT jobs,you may see your projected income in this field. Otherwise, harrisonburg is part farm and part factory town. Also, if you like the night life, the local Applebee's is always buzzing. And I am not joking. That's the best that you will get in that area.

[HawaiianBucky]

Thanks for the replies- you guys have confirmed what I was pretty much expecting to hear. I'm not a lawyer or doctor or IT guy, and have no intention of opening a business in a state I only expect to be in for 3-4 years, so it looks like NoVA it is. Appreciate the thoughts.

Now the question is, do we live separately...or both commute from a midpoint like Front Royal?

[washingtonianthinker]

My wife and I recently moved to Harrisonburg from NOVA, so I know what you're going through...

Here are some thoughts:

a) If you are with the AF, I'm assuming you're cleared (at least "S"). That, my friend, will give you a chance to find a decent job in the DC area (I'd ask at least $90K, though); you might even be able to live in Harrisonburg and work from home 2 days, while you work in DC 3 days a week. There are people who do exactly this.

b) How about a daily 45 min commute? then try finding a job in Charlottesville.

c) As for Front Royal, I say no. Find a decent place in Hburg and an ok place in NOVA; you come every weekend, it is not that far away... I wish I could be up there in DC at least once a week, there's not much to do in this area unless you're the outdoorsy type of guy. If you're into city life, art, museums, music, etc then the Harrisonburg area is NOT the best place to be in.

One more thing... believe it or not, I've been here 7 months and I still have a hard time connecting with locals. So be prepared, some rednecks are really narrow minded.

Wish you the best, please feel free to contact me if you have additional questions or need help when you come visit this town.