Martinsburg Living

[Hammond Egger]

As a veteran, you'll be happy to know that Martinsburg has a VA Medical Center.

VAMC Martinsburg, WV Home

If you are retiring, also look at the Berkeley Springs area to the NW of Martinsburg.

[clintsullivan]

Originally Posted by STEPHEN ZURENDA

Georgia,
You sound like you could give us some guidance on relocating to Martinsburg? We are looking into moving to your area next year from upstate NY when I retire. We always wanted to move to the Shenandoah Valley...
We have an idea of the kind of home that we would like but are cluless as to the area and neighborhoods. Any help that you could provide will be appreciated.
TNX!

Hi Stephen. Let me know what kind of home/property and area you're looking for and maybe I can help. I live in Jefferson County between Charles Town & Shepherdstown. I've been here for about 36 years now and am an appraiser so I've got some knowledge about the different areas and subdivisions in the eastern panhandle.

[mmccul]

Originally Posted by Threerun

Bah- kids are dressing 'inner-city' all over the damned place.. I'll be glad when the 'gangsta' fad goes away...

No, it's not the way they are dressing, and it's not the "fad". These kids are the real deal!!! -mmccul

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by STEPHEN ZURENDA

Georgia,
You sound like you could give us some guidance on relocating to Martinsburg? We are looking into moving to your area next year from upstate NY when I retire. We always wanted to move to the Shenandoah Valley. Your area and culture looks appealing from what we have seen and heard, especially compared to New York. I will be retiring from Federal Civil Service and the A.F. Reserves.
I am a Gulf War Air Force Veteran and an Army Veteran of the Viet Nam Era, Christian, hunter and fisherman. My wife and I like to travel and passed through your area a lot but never stopped. We hope to make a short visit soon.
We have an idea of the kind of home that we would like but are cluless as to the area and neighborhoods. Any help that you could provide will be appreciated.
TNX!

Actually, if I was going to live in Martinsburg again it would be in the Falling Waters area or Spring Mills, though I would personally suggest Berkeley Springs or the BS area. There are a few things I would suggest if your retiring. You know how constricting the State of NY is in regard to taxation, well WV is no friend of retirees either.
WV is one of only 3 states in the nation that tax Social Security earnings, yes nothing like double taxation. The state also taxes retirement income. Yes, property taxes are cheap overall, but you will not get a break otherwise.

For example, here in Georgia retirement income is exempt from taxes 100% if you earn 30k or less until 65, then 60k or less until 70, then just about all. Property taxes are limited to local only, no school taxation. You can see the difference!

I think Virginia (Frederick County) and Pennsylvania (Franklin County) are similiar to GA. Check out the retirement sites on taxes.

Feel free to PM me and I can provide many directions and round abouts when you visit.

Air Force? Old Airborne here

Good Luck in your endeavors

[cat1116]

Seven other states -- Delaware, Georgia, Minnesota, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia -- provide a partial exemption for retirement income, regardless of the source.
cite: Retiree Tax Heaven (and Hell) - Kiplinger.com

Interesting and informative article from Kiplinger. Do remember when my husband's military retirement income was fully taxed. WV changed it to partial [up to $35,000]. Sorry, can't recall the exact year but guess this took place between 2005 - 2007.

[cat1116]

Originally Posted by Threerun

Bah- kids are dressing 'inner-city' all over the damned place.. I'll be glad when the 'gangsta' fad goes away...

Know what you mean "Threerun". Saw a kid over at the Mall this past weekend, whose pants must have been at least 3 sizes bigger than his frame. How he managed to keep them from falling to his ankles and tripping over them is beyond me.

There are alot of semi-decent places around Jefferson, Berkeley and the surrounding counties to move. Baker Heights is a short walk to the VA Medical Center. My husband, [retired Navy vet] goes there. I had 6 years in the USN, and tried to go there but they told me that my pay is over their threshold. Yet, I know there's people who can utilize that place who have never served in the military; but, by virtue of having a spouse that works there, they are deemed eligible. Nice system they have. I know some of these people make thousands more per year than this ole lady does.

[ercforever]

Georgia: my fiance and I are living in the DC area and thinking of purchasing a house or townhouse as an investment property, and eventually living in the Berkely County area since Jefferson County seems to be out of our price range. After reading several posts on this site you appear very knowledgeable and objective and we would appreciate any feedback you may have on the pros and cons of making the move. Also do you currently see the area as improving any time soon, or does this still look a long way off to you.
And anyone else with some wisdom please feel free to chime in!
thanks all!

[Janipoo]

Originally Posted by ercforever

Georgia: my fiance and I are living in the DC area and thinking of purchasing a house or townhouse as an investment property, and eventually living in the Berkely County area since Jefferson County seems to be out of our price range. After reading several posts on this site you appear very knowledgeable and objective and we would appreciate any feedback you may have on the pros and cons of making the move. Also do you currently see the area as improving any time soon, or does this still look a long way off to you.
And anyone else with some wisdom please feel free to chime in!
thanks all!

That is what brought us to Berkeley County because basically we couldn't afford the house we sold in AA County, lol. Because I wanted a ranch we couldn't even afford the land let alone the house. We bought new and got every option we wanted with lots of bells and wistles and 3 times more land for less than what we sold our house for.

As far as Berkeley County goes there are some nice additions that have already started with the Commons in Martinsburg and Potomac Station in Falling Waters. You will find the people here are nicer. And yes it is cheaper to live here. Our home insurance went down by 1/2 and to get your car tagged is cheaper, car insurance does tend to run higher but if you are inside the DC beltway it may not be for you.

BTW, I live in Falling Waters. Check the area out you will see for yourself.

[clintsullivan]

Originally Posted by ercforever

Georgia: my fiance and I are living in the DC area and thinking of purchasing a house or townhouse as an investment property, and eventually living in the Berkely County area since Jefferson County seems to be out of our price range. After reading several posts on this site you appear very knowledgeable and objective and we would appreciate any feedback you may have on the pros and cons of making the move. Also do you currently see the area as improving any time soon, or does this still look a long way off to you.
And anyone else with some wisdom please feel free to chime in!
thanks all!

I think price wise this area has hit bottom, barring some national catastrophe. I don't think a townhouse is a wise investment though. There is still too much available land and detached homes in the area at reasonable prices.
If you are considering it as a future residence you should come visit for a while. Central Berkeley, especially the I-81 corridor is much more hectic and populated than Jefferson. Western Berkeley is more open and less populated. Let me know what you are looking for and maybe I can give you some more specific areas to look at.