Any reason *not* to move to Ruckersville? (Charlottesville, Staunton: low income, appointed)

[Wildflower Summer]

We're going to be new to the area (so excited!) and we don't want to make any wrong moves. We've been looking into Ruckersville, as the prices seem to be a little better and maybe we could get a little land. But, not knowing the area well, we'd like a little heads-up if there's something obvious that we're missing. Is there any reason *not* to move to Ruckersville?

[matthew20052010]

Bad schools. County is dominated by low income "people of Wal-Mart" crowd.

[Wildflower Summer]

We homeschool, so schools aren't really a big deal, but, yeah, the Wal-Mart factor is definitely something to consider. Thanks, Matthew!

Any other places within a reasonable commute that you might recommend?

[matthew20052010]

Anywhere in Albemarle County is going to be much more expensive than the outlying areas. Even other counties such as Augusta, Louisa, and Fluvanna, you're going to get the "people of Walmart" to a much greater degree than Albemarle. However, at least in Augusta, there is Staunton which has some reasonably good restaurants and does make an effort to provide some activities for the community.

[Wildflower Summer]

Well, we would like a little bit of land, if possible, so I guess that might just have to be the sacrifice we make. We haven't ruled out anything and just might wind up in Albermarle (it's where we really want to be, to be honest). Thanks for the heads-up.

[jtees4]

I was in Ruckersville on the way to my son's house in Barboursville recently. I stopped at Walmart to pick up a few things. So I guess I'm a person of the so-called Walmart crowd. I would hope that people in the area would be a bit more open minded than that. I also stopped at ABC across the parking lot, so I guess I am also part of the "drinking" crowd. Shop where you like, but no need to bash people.

[ocngypz]

Don't be seduced by a "little bit" of land... whatever little bit is.

It's all a lot of extra work. Not too bad out west where the grass doesn't grow so fast.......but VA's a different story.

Everybody goes to Walmart at sometime or other.......even those "to the manor born".

You will probably be better off renting for a year to get a better feel for the various communities......and traffic patterns.

[Wildflower Summer]

Thank you, everybody! I, myself, shop at Walmart from time to time (although, I'll admit it's not my favorite place.) I got the gist of what Matthew was trying to say and appreciate the input. All comments are welcome here--as we have absolutely no idea what we're doing and could use all the help we can get. We've seen some really nice houses in Ruckersville and talked to some nice people. Right now, we're just hoping to wind up anywhere.

[jtees4]

Hey Wildflower. I live in NY (Long Island). My son moved to Barboursville and we plan on moving to the area within a year. I actually did look at homes in Ruckersville, as well as Charlottesville and also Culpepper. I was very disappointed in Culpepper because online it looked great, my wife and I both hated it in person (and we never agree on anything). Ruckersville was also a bit disappointing, mostly because it just does not have much there. We are walkers, and I like to have places to walk to....meaning a town or stores etc. I literally looked at a house that backed up to the Walmart parking lot....and even I don't want to "live" in a Walmart parking lot. Charlottesville was OK, but a bit expensive, at least for something decent. In June, we plan on looking in Fredericksburg. I have driven through there, and I have a feeling that we will like it there, and be able to find something more along the lines of what we want. It will be an hour from my son, but that will be OK. We want to be near major transportation and a hospital, so that does limit us somewhat. If those things are not important to you, then I am confident you can find something nice, I wish you luck.

[Moving on up to C'ville]

Hey Wildflower - In addition to other comments above regarding Ruckersville, traffic south/north on the 29 to Charlottesville is not very pleasant. Consider looking just south of Charlottesville, between the 64 and Scottsville, in the Rt 20 corridor. Its still in Albemarle county, but slightly more affordable, less traffic, and you'll have less wal-marty type of people.