Where in Virginia is quaint? (Alexandria, Roanoke: real estate market, houseboats, buyers)

[verobeach]

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I've googled all or most of your suggestions and there sure are some beautiful quaint towns in Virginia. Problem is... I want my cake and eat it too. I want 'quaint' but I want to be reasonably close to (but not in the shadow of) a big city for amenities like hospitals and an airport. Where can I live and have it all? I lived in Alexandria a few years back and though Old Town was lovely, it was just too hectic and impersonable. Thanks.

[seanpecor]

ponytail, perhaps you should compile a list of regional/hub airports and collect placenames around the airports to possibly discover some hidden gems.

Your most recent statement re-frames the issue a bit differently so being one of the resident big mouths I'll suggest you consider the Roanoke Valley:



The Roanoke metro area has a population of +/- 300,000 people. Not too large or close to a major metro area so life in the Roanoke Valley is not hectic or impersonable. You have a regional airport with an increasing number of direct flights to hubs and tourist destinations. You have not only hospitals but some of the best healthcare offered in the state thanks to Lewis Gale Medical Center, the VA Medical Center, and Carilion Healthcare - owner of several regional hospitals (Roanoke Memorial), dozens upon dozens of specialized practices, and the owner of a new 28 acre Carilion Clinic, a bio-medical park. Carilion is hiring 190 specialists and executive staff for this endeavor alone. Furthermore the governor announced a new medical college in Roanoke to be formed through a partnership with Carilion and Virginia Tech.

Roanoke's downtown is historic, dating around the height of the railroad boom in Virginia of +/- 1900. In fact you'd find buried tracks under many of downtown Roanoke's paved streets. Right in the heart of downtown, you have the market square:

Moderator cut: picture with copy write issues

So, even though Roanoke isn't a _huge_ city it does access to an airport and many fine hospitals and medical colleges as well. Furthermore, if you wanted to live in a quaint town _close_ to Roanoke, you'd have several choices. I'll suggest Rocky Mount again, given that it is 30-35 minutes from Roanoke and it has a very nice historic main street of its own. You'd also be surprised to discover that Rocky Mount also has Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital, which also recently expanded its assisted living center. But it gets better, Rocky Mount is 20 minutes away from Smith Mountain Lake. I have to run, but if you'd like more information then ask me here or via PM.

Sean

[5stones]

ponytail,
check out Leesburg or Purcellville. Leesburg has a great old historic downtown area with shops and houses. It has a outlet mall, and a best buy super target etc... all with in 10 min drive. Dullas town center shooping is 20 minutes away and DC is close. Purcellville is smaller but very quaint and only 10 min from Leesburg.

sAnd Forgot a Great Hospital is in Landsdowne LOUDOUNS INOVA Hospital and it is 20 min from Leesburg. Leesburg has a emergency care facility and plenty of doctors etc...

[Stonecoldharbours]

Where can I get more info on Fincastle? Does anyone know how the commute would be to Covington, Va? esp in the winter? I know its bout a 35 minute drive, but that is all I know of. Thanks in advance to all!

[Erin1264]

Fincastle is in Botetourt County:
http://www.co.botetourt.va.us/


And this is the town website:
http://www.hisfin.org/

[Stonecoldharbours]

Thanks Erin...are you the person who told me to stay out of Covington? Someones said it was drug infested? Can anyone tell me what they meant by drugs? How bad? I would REALLY like to know, since I am moving to that area to work! THANKS!

[onevthoki]

Someone just had a wonderful posting about Bedford in the VA forum. Might want to look into that.

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by verobeach

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I've googled all or most of your suggestions and there sure are some beautiful quaint towns in Virginia. Problem is... I want my cake and eat it too. I want 'quaint' but I want to be reasonably close to (but not in the shadow of) a big city for amenities like hospitals and an airport. Where can I live and have it all? I lived in Alexandria a few years back and though Old Town was lovely, it was just too hectic and impersonable. Thanks.

Hey Vero.... You followin' me from the Florida forum???

I just moved up by Winchester and I think it might fit what you're looking for in a town. It has civilization along with a nice "Old town" area.... I actually live in Stephens City now just South and it seems to be a nice area so far. I love driving up and down Route 11 (Old Valley Pike which is a historic byway) through little historic downtowns like New Market, Woodstock, Mount Jackson, Strasburg, Middletown, Stephens City/Newtown, etc.... All towns founded in the 1750s with neat little shops and LOTS of antique stores..

Harrisonburg is a little larger than Winchester and is about an hour south and then, of course, D.C. is about and hour and a half away (in non-rush hour traffic)..... I haven't turned myself loose officially yet to go crazy exploring yet, but I can tell there's a LOT to do..... Oh, also if you like wine there are wineries out the wazoo up here...

[Sunset_Va]

There are some overlooked areas not posted here in Southside Virginia that are in my estimation "quaint"....try Kenbridge, Victoria, Blackstone, and Chase City. 1 hour from Richmond, and near Interstate Hwy.

[Nevermore1]

Hamilton and Lovettsville aren't too built up yet. They've got lots of nice homes (I just bought a place in Lovettsville but was also looking in HAmilton). Lovettsville is putting in a new town center but from what I've heard they're not allowing any "big" stores to move in - they want ot keep the "small town" feel.