moving to va (Richmond, Roanoke, Charlottesville: new home, job market, schools)

[ljenk38]

my current job as a vet tech is ending as of 4/30/07. Dr. is retiring. The job market here in NC is not very good-and really do not want to have to drive an hour to work every day. I have always wanted to live in VA, someplace near the mountains, not actually in the mountains-if that makes any sense. Anyway, I'm a country girl-so I would like to live somewhere that would allow me to bring my four large dogs-I've had them for all of their lives, and do not want to have to part with them. They are all wonderful, sweet dogs that stay in a fenced in area now. Does anybody have any suggestions as to where I shoud begin to look for my new home? Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!

[seanpecor]

You have lots of options in Virginia! I'd suggest checking into Franklin County, where we live. You'd be on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge, with nearby mountain views from virtually every location. Presuming you'd like to continue with your vet tech career, Franklin County is a good location because while it's mostly rural, population growth here is just about the highest in SW and South Central Virginia. So existing vet practices are growing and new practices - particularly near smith mountain lake - are emerging.

We've got 128 acres at our horse farm and have two dogs that have the run of the place. Most folks off the main thruways don't fence their dogs in here; if a neighbors' dog wanders over (rare) you generally just give them a pat and shoo 'em back home. The 'burbs are of course a different story, and there are more and more of those in the area, but there is still plenty of country around

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Sean

[JayDaughtry]

I would look at any of the areas between Harrisonburg, Staunton, Lexington, Roanoke, and Salem (the I-81 corridor). You could live in the country but still have easy access to employment possibilities with veterinarians or animal hospitals in one or more of these towns.

[jcbennett]

I really don't think you could go wrong anywhere in southwest Virginia. There are some really small towns that aren't great. I love living in the New River Valley. The schools are pretty good and everyone is so nice.

[EricD]

Even the area between Culpeper and Charlottesville might work for you... there's great views of the mountains from there, and you're not too far from Richmond or Washington DC (about an hour and a half to each... depending on where in that range you are)