charlottesville richmond williamsburg winchester va beach (Leesburg, Warrenton: low crime, houses, job market)

[M5group]

Moving to Virginia this summer and narrowed my choices to these five.
Which areas of each of these towns would one recommend and why.
Looking for good high schools, low crime, recreational activities, and low rate political corruption is important to me also. Eventually retire in one of these areas and would like to live on or near a lake or water. Thank You Michael

[Alanboy395]

If u can get a job lined up b4 you move the best choice is VA Beach. it has beaches inside the city limits. The schools are among the best as far as major cities go. Also one of the safest major cities in the country. It's problem is the job market which is why i would suggest securing employment b4 you leave.

[ashbrn4]

You have to be careful in VA Beach. Yes there are good schools and good neighborhoods, but there are also areas that aren't as good. I'd choose Charlottesville. It's beautiful there and economically it is better off than the other areas you mentioned. Job availability and pay are higher there.

[williamsburgfan]

Perssonally I would eliminate Richmond and Va Beach. Too crowded, too much traffic and just doesn't "feel" like a retirement community.

I am in Williamsburg and love Charlottesville and Winchester. I met a couple not long ago who had retired to Williamsburg from Charlottesville - since it was cheaper and offered more for them, since they wanted a little closer to the beach. Surprised me a little about cost of living - they had retired to Charlottesville about 7 yr ago and moved here last year.

Once you visit the communities you will be able to make an informed decision. I like the weather better in Williamsburg - summer is humid if that matters. C'ville is also humid, not quite as much. Winchester and C'ville have worse winters.

The school system in Williamsburg-James City County is good - only 3 HS's (the third opening next year). Not a lot of nightlife here - more in C'ville and the beach, if that matters. Both C'ville, W'burg rate high as retiorement communities, Winchester is a neat area of the "country" - I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 3 - your visits will narrow it down for you.

[EricD]

I'd recommend checking out the subdivisions around the Swift Creek Reservoir, which is south west of Richmond. There you'd have good schools, water, and low crime.

[RKBZROSE]

You always sound very knowledgeable in your forums. We are also considering Richmond / Charlottesville / Williamsburg. I need good schools all the way through high school. Job economy does not matter as my husband will works/travels internationally. We can basically live anywhere we want in Virginia. His family is in Richmond, but that is NOT necessarily a good thing. We have made three (3) trips to look at houses in Richmond. My husband is worried about the wide 'chasm' between the wealth and poverty. I will be alone while he travels, and he worries about the crime rate. Richmond schools are also not good unless you live in certain areas.
We had considered Winchester, but their crime rate is very high. My parents are in Ohio, and we thought Winchester would be closer for my parents to lend assistance when necessary.
We both love Virginia for Virginia and do not want to live in a 'trendy' subdivision.
Williamsburg is gorgeous and very historical, but what about the school system?

[williamsburgfan]

w-jcc schools are consdiered very good. The City of Williamsburg and James City County County share a school system. Many families here have head of household who travels - and although you said you don't want a "trendy" subdivision one draw for some of them is the close-knit community and built-in safety. The are is very safe, even outside the major SD's. Many families have international ties either through corporations or the governemnt and many of the kids have travelled ourside the area. If your budget allows williamsburg or james city county is a great place to raise a family in a safe ebvironment, excellent schools, fabulous outdoor recreation. Always ranked high in polls for both retirement and family living. Note- not a lot of wild nightlife, if that is important. The College is excellent and the area in general has a high education level. with proximity to 3 airports travel is easy. I fly overseas often - we can use PHF and connect through most of the noertheastern airports with ease. the airport is small - from car to desk in 10 minutes, and when arriving home drive to w/jcc no more than 20 minutes. if you must use RIC it is 45 minutes away, as is ORF.

[RKBZROSE]

I was hoping for an 'expert' opinion, Thank you. We attended a wedding last August and stayed at the Marriott in Ford's Colony. I like the Virginia feel of Ford's Colony. I do not like 'cookie cutter' subdivisions. My husband and I love the Virginia houses which are all or mostly brick and look like those in the Malvern section of Richmond.
Do you have children in Elementary and Middle/High school? I have been using Greatschools as an internet source for school ratings, but the web site does not contain specific data.

I am now hoping there is someone as knowledgeable as you in regard to the Winchester area of Virginia. Winchester would keep me closer to my parents in Ohio. I am very concerned about their crime rate. Anyone have an opinion? Towns surrounding Winchester would be acceptable as long as the infrastructure includes cable modem service. I am a web designer, and my husband will work remotely two to three weeks of each month.

Thank you so very much for the assistance!

[5stones]

I would suggest Loudoun County over winchester. For neat towns where you can get amienties and housing etc.... Look at Purcellville and Leesburg (there are plenty of "cookie cutter" tract housing but also ALOT of older areas)Hamilton, hillboro and lovettsville. Housing in the historic areas etc... Schools are excellent. Westren Loudoun is growing fast, but out past leesburg there is still quaintness.

Aslo these all have very good acess to Dullas airport and are close enough to get into DC for a day of touring etc....

Also look at Middleburg and Warrenton in faquier counties