Moving to Harrisonburg Soon (Roanoke, Bridgewater: cul-de-sac, for sale, vacation home)

[OutofFLsoon]

Hello All:

I had previously posted the below questions in the NOVA and Roanoke forums but it was suggested by several people that I repost in the Virginia forum as well.

My wife, 10 month old daughter, and I will be moving to the Harrisonburg area in about 3 months due to a government job relocation. I've been doing a lot of research on the area but there I still have some questions that can only be answered by someone who lives there. First of all are the schools. Although it is still several years before my daughter goes to school, it never hurts to plan ahead. Looking at greatschools.net, it appears that most of the public schools are of a decent quality in Rockingham County. Is this true? I'd like some feedback about private vs. public in the area.

As for housing, it seems that you get a good amount of house for the dollar (At least as compared to South Florida). Two areas I've found several houses in are in the Massanutten development and Southeast Rockingham county (Battfield Estates and Lakewood Estates to name two). Any feedback, good or bad on those areas? How is traffic in the Massanutten area during the ski season?

How dog friendly is the area (Dog parks, nice boarding kennels, etc.)? Any good private gun clubs? Are there a lot of kid friendly activities and recreational places in the area?

Thanks in advance for all the great advice I know I'll get.

[JerseyGirl80]

I don't have an answer other than to say we're in the same boat! My husband, 10-month-old daughter, and I are moving to Harrisonburg the end of July. We've been looking at houses in H-burg, Massanutten, and Weyer's Cave. We're about to go back and look at houses in Bridgewater and Broadway.

Don't know about the traffic in Massanutten, but our realtor said H-burg traffic is pretty hairy when the college kids are there. But the way my husband and I look at it, it can't possibly be worse than NJ.

Anyone know what's up with Weyer's Cave? There are a LOT of homes for sale in the Harshbarger development, and pretty cheap (compared to NJ). Same with Massanutten. Should we stay away from those areas?

[Dr.Jim]

Schools? I can't help you there.

Otherwise,...what do you want?
You want a cookie-cutter, new development? Or do you want a house with some land?...

Massanutten is a 'resort' area. There are some nice homes in there, although they are on extremely small lots,....but it is a nice, safe area. Plenty to do as well. Kids love the waterpark!

More specifics on what you want will help!

[OutofFLsoon]

Dr. Jim:

It's funny how people in different areas look at things differently. I look at lots in Massanutten (.25-.40) and think, nice size (At least compared to the zero-lot line I have)! You think, how small. Worried about the traffic there during the high season.

Our primary concern is with the safety of our child. We don't want a house on a high-traffic road. Gated community would be nice but other than Massanutten, they seen few and far between. Would like a newer home but not necessarily a cookie-cutter. I like the idea of buying some acreage and building a house but I'm concerned about being a bit isolated and getting snowed in during the winter. I've got my realtor checking on the building costs for a house plan I like. Ultimatley looking at the $300-450K range.

Thanks for your help!

[Dr.Jim]

Very true about the lot size. I lived all over FL,...and at most had a small patch of grass for a lawn. After having a few acres in Mi,....I could never go back. BUT,...it all depends on what you want!

Massenutten IS a safe area for sure. The home styles are quite diverse, and for 300-450K you would have no problem getting something nice!
Outside of that, there are some newer McMansion subs being put up on 33 closer to Hburg,....but they seem quite 'open' and cookie-cutter.
The surrounding areas as you know get rural quickly....and anything in the mountains could involve winter road issues.

My parents are relocating here,....and after looking about with and for them, we feel Massenutten (Piney Ridge) is a nice area. And again, the water park, trails and everything else will be great for your kids.
Traffic can be a BIT of an issue, maybe....but they did just widen the road as well.

Best luck

[washingtonianthinker]

I, too, had to move to Harrisonburg with my wife and baby not long ago, and after factoring in school districts, safe neighborhoods, budget, etc. we decided to buy on “R5” (which is the code for the east side of the city but not too far east where rednecks kill each other). So, tell your realtor to show you properties on R5 (fortunately we found a young realtor lady (i.e. not greedy) who helped us tremendously and we bought a nice home on a cul-de-sac)

Battlefield Estates, Highland Park, Barrington and Lakewood are on R5. I strongly recommend one of those neighborhoods as they’re safe, CLEAN, very friendly neighbors, family oriented, tons of kids, pet friendly, and the school district is the best (maybe I’m biased as I live in one of those subdivisions, but I’ve been told by several teachers they rather work in this school district and teach kids from these neighborhoods for multiple reasons –including gangs, socioeconomic advantages, etc)

Also, traffic in Harrisonburg is a joke even during JMU’s school year, at least it’s nothing compared to traffic in large cities, so don’t let people scare you.

As for property size, well we all have different opinions; I own 3000 sqft on 0.4 acre and I feel it’s big enough (rather painful actually, when it comes to mow the grass. Sorry, I’m a city guy)

If you have other questions, please let me know, or if you are in this area I’ll be more than happy to show you our neighborhood. (my wife and I enjoy meeting new people to the area, especially with children!)

[Dr.Jim]

Those are definately some safe "neighborhoods".....If you want a bit of mountain/nature feel then Massenutten is still a very good bet.

Also...."the rednecks dont kill each other" anymore.....definately was the case in the past,.....but stereotyping the east area along the mountains is pretty pointless these days. Alot of educated white collar folks are starting to buy up the beautiful mountain land for permanent and vacation homes. Not too mention there hasn't been a feud related killing in at least 3 days ;-)

[OutofFLsoon]

Thanks WAThinker and, again, Dr. Jim for your input. I now have several more areas to look at. I'm actually up in the D.C. area for two weeks. I'm planning to go to the Hburg area next weekend (July 12-13) to get a feel for the area, drive by some locations, and meet my realtor face to face.

I'm still contemplating building too. I've found some lots but I'll have to see them in person. Do either of you, or anyone else, have any comments/opinions on a development called Rawley Springs? It's about 12 miles west of Hburg. It is just off 33 so I figure snow removal shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks again!

[Dr.Jim]

Nope. My 'neighborhood' knowledge is based mostly off what I see when driving about. My searching the area was forest-centric, wanting a place in the woods.

Wish I could be of more help.

I would definately advise looking/driving around in person as much as possible,....areas change rather quickly,...you could be in a really upscale neighborhood and turn the corner onto a rural dirt road with 10acre lots.
You just dont know what you will find, nor where it will be unless you drive about.

Keep us posted

[ukusmom]

Battlefield Estates is a very nice area. I have a lot of friends (parents) that live there. It is a clean and safe neighborhood. In fact, just about any area around there is great. As far as Massanutten, I would not move there. I know various people that moved there when they first relocated to Harrisonburg, and felt quite isolated from things.

As far as schools, I have not heard a single bad thing about the schools here. I have heard that Keister is the best, but that could just be an opinion.

We will be relocating at the end of the year. We have enjoyed our time here but the area seems smaller by the minute once we settled in. I hope the move works out for you. You've picked some nice areas to move to. I would live in Battlefield Estates if I could afford to.