Does a place like this exist in VA? (Virginia Beach, Richmond: ski resort, low crime)

[FingerToes]

I hope to relocate to another state from my Georgia home next year. I dont know why I keep coming back to VA, but I really like what I have learned and seen abouth VA from doing my own research. When I inquired on the general board, I was told I couldnt find a place which meets my requirements for under 500K. Is this true? Here is what I need:

I am most concerned about crime. I need to feel safe going out alone. I dont even want to live next to an area that has horrendous crime.(shootings everynight, home invasions weekly, etc)
Good school system. Good Montessori School a bonus.
Big yard, preferably newer construction for $170ish.
Quiet but within driving distance (30mins-1hr) to the city.
Jobs available. Hour long commute is ok. I work at home, fortunately, hubby has IT degree but is currently an Account Manager and will do anything.
Scenery!!! Mountains, lakes, beach, canyon, I dont care, I just need natural beauty close by.
An active art community would be a bonus but not necessary.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

[cityboi757]

Virginia Beach fits all of those criteria EXCEPT the house $170ish. To get a nice house with a big yard in a safe neighborhood it would cost you at least $300. Northern Virginia is even more expensive. Richmond is around the same expense as well.. Both Hampton Roads, Richmond, and Northern Virginia have high cost of living, and Hampton Roads and NoVa have some very great school systems.. Maybe you could look at Roanoke? If you wanna live near a 'city' that rules out everywhere else in V.A but HR, Richmond, and NoVa.

[roanoker 4]

I suppose Hampton Roads, Richmond and Washington DC do not have an horrendous crime rate. Doesn't that rule out those places?

[Erma]

Originally Posted by cityboi757

Virginia Beach fits all of those criteria EXCEPT the house $170ish. To get a nice house with a big yard in a safe neighborhood it would cost you at least $300. Northern Virginia is even more expensive. Richmond is around the same expense as well.. Both Hampton Roads, Richmond, and Northern Virginia have high cost of living, and Hampton Roads and NoVa have some very great school systems.. Maybe you could look at Roanoke? If you wanna live near a 'city' that rules out everywhere else in V.A but HR, Richmond, and NoVa.

not really city...a young couple I work with just bought a nice home in a good area for 190. During the housing boom, we didn't even pay 300 for our 3 bedroom ranch. You can make offers and with houses sittin' on the market, fair offers are accepted.

[ToughLuv]

Newport News

[Nebat]

Charlottesville might fit the bill. I have always likened it to a big city smashed into a small town. The presence of a big university(UVA) contributes to that. I'm not active in the arts community but am positive that C-ville has a thriving one. There is a pedestrian mall downtown that if you go on a Friday night you might swear you stepped into a cool neighborhood in NYC. Mountains are close by. C-ville is in the foothills. Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is right out of town. Wintergreen ski resort is about 30-40 mins away. Numerous vineyards closeby. DC is a 2 hr drive up Rt. 29 depending on traffic, and Richmond is about an hr east on I-64. C-ville is pretty expensive though, so don't know if it would work for you or not. Some of the surrounding counties might be cheaper. Fluvanna is rural but will get you 20 mins or so closer to Richmond depending on where your house is and Greene will get you 20 mins closer to DC depending on your house. Hope this helps!

[rtandc]

Originally Posted by Erma

not really city...a young couple I work with just bought a nice home in a good area for 190. During the housing boom, we didn't even pay 300 for our 3 bedroom ranch. You can make offers and with houses sittin' on the market, fair offers are accepted.

Well everyone has their own opinion of what "nice" is but if you think you can find a newly constructed home in Va Bch on a big lot for 170K all I can say is your dreaming because you will pay 170K just for the lot..

[FingerToes]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I am very grateful for the information, and will note a few of those areas for more research this week.

[jmking]

Winchester, VA

Winchester, Virginia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Winchester VA Property, Winchester Property Listings - Movoto

[Blueice1]

Charlottesville area, and if you live east of Cville, gets you closer to Richmond. Low crime, good schools...live in the country, minutes to the city.