NY to VA - living/teaching (rent, how much, neighborhood)

[Kvona97]

Good Morning,

I am considering a move to VA next August and am looking for some advice/opinions/information.

-Where you are working

I am currently working as a Secondary English Teacher in an inner-city high school. While I do work and spend time in the city (Rochester, NY) I do not live in it. Can anyone recommend school districts that have decent pay, benefits and put the students first? My cuurent job is in a high-risk school and I have been here for 7+ years. While this situation is what I am most familiar with, I would not object to a less hostile/violent environment.

-How much you are willing to spend on housing

I currently rent one side of a two bedroom, double home, in a rural area - I would like something similiar around $700/mo. I have never owned a home, so I would not know what amount to say for that.

-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate

I currently drive 25-30 minutes into the city for work and would like to keep the distance relatively the same.


-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: small town feeling? small city excitement? suburbia delight?

I am in my early-fourties, with no children, but two large dogs. I am looking for an area that is accessible to larger cities and about 1 1/2 hours or so from the coast. I currently live in a country setting, next to a horse farm, where the dogs have plenty of room to run, however shopping centers and grocery stores are only 20-25 minutes away (by car). Something similar would be idea. Also, if anyone knows of any pet-friendly areas that would be helpful. Having a rottweiler and a mastiff can sometimes make people nervous - even if they are big babies.

-Pie or cake?

Ummm, I defintely prefer cake, unless it's Thanksgiving and then it has to be mom's apple pie!

Thanks for any information.