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Old 05-27-2007, 04:05 PM
 
Location: Asheville, NC
12,626 posts, read 32,055,357 times
Reputation: 5420

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I've done lots and lots of research about the state. My husband is 36 and I'm 35. We have 2 children, daughter 16 and son 13. I'm looking for an area that:
1) Safe, low crime
2) Good schools and colleges
3) suburban, but houses have some space (at least 1/4-1/2 acre up to 1 acre) I'm looking to spend about $200K on a house.
4) Convenient to shopping (Wal-Mart, Big Lots, Family Dollar, Ross, TJ MAxx, Burlington, mall)
5) Activities for the kids (a town that doesn't shut down at 9 PM)
6) Parks and outdoor activities, festivals, fairs
7) Friendly people-don't want to feel like an outsider
8) Jobs..I work in an Animal Hospital and my husband does landscaping (Sod, mulch, stone, patios, etc) Is there year round work for his field?
9) Short commute to work
I'm focusing on Chesapeake, Colonial Heights, or Williamsburg. Hopefully this gives enough info for some input. Also what's the weather like in Winter? Snow? How long does it last? What time of the year do things shut down for the cold? Open up?
Thanks
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Old 05-27-2007, 05:21 PM
 
267 posts, read 1,674,539 times
Reputation: 76
200K for a single family? Including your other requirements, you're not asking for much are you? Right off the bat, I can tell you Williamsburg is probably out as it's more expensive than most of the rest of the surrounding area. For 200k you're talking older homes and less than 2000 sq ft. and more like .25 acres in Chesapeake. Generally, the safer neighborhoods, with larger lots that are convenient to everything and fit the rest of your list are not going to be in the cheaper neighborhoods. Several posters live in the Hampton Roads area and can answer more specifically. You need to find a real estate agent who knows the areas well and go from there.
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Old 05-27-2007, 06:14 PM
 
2,482 posts, read 8,731,867 times
Reputation: 1972
Try Blacksburg.
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Old 05-27-2007, 06:58 PM
 
Location: Asheville, NC
12,626 posts, read 32,055,357 times
Reputation: 5420
Default Colonail Heights, Mechanicsville???

I'd like to stay within 2 hours of the beach if at all possible.
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Old 05-27-2007, 07:15 PM
 
Location: Asheville, NC
12,626 posts, read 32,055,357 times
Reputation: 5420
If you buy land and build a house , do you have an impact fee and pay more taxes than an existing home?
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Old 05-27-2007, 07:30 PM
 
267 posts, read 1,674,539 times
Reputation: 76
Quote:
Originally Posted by beckycat View Post
If you buy land and build a house , do you have an impact fee and pay more taxes than an existing home?

You need a real estate agent.
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Old 05-28-2007, 04:30 PM
 
Location: Asheville, NC
12,626 posts, read 32,055,357 times
Reputation: 5420
Does anyone think that we can get a house for $200K or less with this criteria?
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Old 05-28-2007, 05:44 PM
 
Location: Richmond, VA
1,799 posts, read 6,315,586 times
Reputation: 673
It may depend on what size house you are looking for. 3+ bedrooms I'm assuming?
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Old 05-28-2007, 06:57 PM
 
Location: Apex, NC
1,341 posts, read 6,188,721 times
Reputation: 618
Roanoke definitely fits your criteria. Landscapers are in very high demand in the Roanoke metro which includes the Franklin County side of Smith Mountain Lake. Work in an animal hospital should be reasonably easy to find.

There is year round work in landscaping in Roanoke and I suspect the same is the case in any of the higher growth regions.

I'll make some recommendations in Franklin County, in and around Rocky Mount, VA. In Rocky Mount you have a growing number of box stores and you're 30 minutes to malls. If you wanted closer to a city center I can give you some shortcuts to those also. But the Rocky Mount area would be closer to the highest population growth in the region, which would serve your husband well.

4 bedroom 3,000 sq ft house on 0.5 acres:
Search Franklin County, Rocky Mount, Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate Listings For Sale

Lovely 3 bedroom ranch:
Search Franklin County, Rocky Mount, Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate Listings For Sale

Cheers,

Sean
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Old 06-05-2007, 01:11 AM
 
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
8 posts, read 36,005 times
Reputation: 13
Have you considered Fredericksburg area? You would have some nice options here within your price range and with great resell value for you in the future. let me know if you have an interest. JP
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