PLEASE--Info needed on Winchester, VA!!! (Leesburg, Jefferson: attorneys, buying a home, employment)

[homeagain!]

My former husband was stationed in Winchester during '02-early '03 with the Army Corps of Engineers. I loved Winchester, and was pretty surprised at the decent restaurants in the old-town section. There was plenty to do every time I went up to stay with him.

I have a B.S. in Parlegal Studies/Business Management from the University of Maryland. No, I'm not a youngster, but I went back to college to change my life. Dumped the husband, moved back home with family to Lewes, Delaware for a spell, and am ready to get back into the workforce.

I noticed there are tons of attorneys in Winchester; obviously, because it is the county seat. I want to look into employment possbilities with a law office, but need to do some background work first.

The people were friendly. The mall was so-so. I heard good things about the medical center. I enjoyed visiting wineries, going to festivals, and seeing a Civil War battle recreation. I was very impressed with Marten's grocery store; excellent selection of produce and an impressive deli section. Overall, I thought Winchester would be a place I would enjoy, particulary since I enjoy the nearby Shenandoah Mountains.
So what is the real inside on the town? Is it overrun with suburbanites who can no longer afford Loudon County? Is it full of looney people? Does it merely look good on the surface? I stayed there a lot over a two-year period and loved it.

HOWEVER ... visiting a place is one thing and living there is quite another.

[clintsullivan]

It's all subjective....
Winchester is a town with everything one needs to live. Retail, employment, medical, entertainment, easy access to major interstates. It has changed since '02-'03, there has been a constant influx of folks from the east and elsewhere who commute eastward. There also has been a continued growth in commerical & retail. As with most towns at this commuting distance to the DC suburbs, the overall community makeup has changed. But, whether that is better or worse depends on your point of view.
I've lived in the eastern panhandle of WV for 30+ years and from my POV the changes have been dramatic. I think people in the region are not as 'friendly' as they used to be, but I still get lots of waves and see people I know. People seem to be in a hurry more than before; traffic seems heavy. But when I head to Frederick or Leesburg for the day I'm reminded of how 'rural' we are.
This area is very segmented in terms of population & growth. If you look on a map at the I-81 corridor, you'll see Winchester, Martinsburg, Falling Waters, Hagerstown. This area has seen high levels of not only residential, but commercial & retail growth and proportionally, population. It is comprised of an equal mix of people who work locally, in the I-81 zone, and the greater DC met.
If you look at the next closer area towards DC on the map you'll see Rt. 340 bisecting Berryville, & Charles Town, then look North-East towards Shepherdstown. This area is made up of Clarke County VA, very Western Loudoun VA, and Jefferson County WV. These regions have had limited residential growth and minimal commercial & residential growth. Most of the residents in these areas either farm or work in the DC metro areas and this area has a more rural feel than the areas to the East or West. I'm not sure about work prospects for a paralegal specifically, but in general the area's work prospects are better than national averages.

[South Jersey Styx]

hi homeagain! I am a former-suburbanite-from-Loudoun County now buying a home in Winchester. I like the people and atmosphere. But more importantly, I wanted an older home and an old town feel (the house I am buying is in the downtown district). There are alot of changes going on and I believe the place is getting "cleaned up" especially with the Renaissance stuff of historic downtown. Best of luck searching for a home!