Okay, just tell me where to live. (Newport News, Hampton: homes, homeschool)

[Isabella Tiger Moth]

I am a native (upstate) New Yorker who's been living in Virginia (Newport News) with my family for over eight years. I love Virginia. My heart is here. I love the weather, I love the landscape, I love the proximity to both mountains and the ocean. I've toyed with moving back to NY to be closer to extended family, but, truth be told, I just don't want to. I want to stay in Virginia...I just don't know where.

I have nothing against Hampton Roads. I love being near the ocean, the people are nice, like I said, I love the weather (yes, even the humidity!). But I want some land (about 12 acres), and I've always wanted to live in a small(ish) town. I also want easier access to nature. We'd probably be happier, overall, near the mountains.

We've toyed with the idea of the Charlottesville area (as we lean liberal), but it's so expensive. We'd like:

1. Friendly people with a good mix of viewpoints (moderate would be good, staunchly conservative would be tough for us)
2. Easy access to hiking, lakes, general nature
3. Affordable land suitable for small-scale hobby farming
4. Proximity to "civilization" (my husband is an engineer and needs to work on site due to the general nature of his field)
5. Nearby community colleges and (bonus) state or affordable private universities

Like I said, we've toyed with Charlottesville and the surrounding areas, but I'm not sure we could afford it. My husband's at a point in his career that he could probably work "anywhere" (a decent amount of experience under his belt, but not so much that he's priced himself out or moved into over-specalization). We just don't know where.

Just tell me where to live. I'll probably take your suggestion.

[ShadowBat]

I'd check into Staunton, Waynesboro, or Harrisonburg. Maybe Winchester, Roanoke or Lynchburg too.

[Kandy]

There are a lot of smaller towns around Lynchburg where you could get 12 acres (Forest, Goode, New London, Rustburg). I think it checks off everything on your list except it's conservative. I also lean Liberal and moved to the area about two years ago. I have made a lot of friends, some liberal, some conservative, but all good people. Check it out.

[Isabella Tiger Moth]

Thank you both! We haven't explored much of Virginia outside of Hampton Roads, so it's good to have some tips to go on. By any chance, do either of you know if any of the towns have active homeschool communities? It would be a plus if we could meet up with some fellow homeschoolers from time to time. Thanks again!

[Kandy]

Originally Posted by Isabella Tiger Moth

Thank you both! We haven't explored much of Virginia outside of Hampton Roads, so it's good to have some tips to go on. By any chance, do either of you know if any of the towns have active homeschool communities? It would be a plus if we could meet up with some fellow homeschoolers from time to time. Thanks again!

There are a lot of home schoolers around here, but I wouldn't know which communities have more. But in and around Lynchburg, I've seen businesses have special activities on certain days for home schooled children.

[Isabella Tiger Moth]

Great--thank you so much!!

[MinnBen]

I was in the area a few weeks ago and we drove through some small towns in Greene County, just a bit north of Charlottesville. It is quite rural and much cheaper than Charlottesville, but a very easy drive in (anywhere from 20-45 minutes depending on where you live). We particularly liked the town of Stanardsville, which has lots of farms. You might give it a look.

[cville dog mom]

If the ability to talk politics with your neighbors and not have to deal with blatant racism/homophobia is important, I would stay away from Greene County if you lean liberal. It's very conservative. So too are Waynesboro, Lynchburg, etc. I can't speak for Staunton as I don't know many people there. Pretty much in all of central Virginia, Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville are pretty much the only liberal places to be.

Albemarle County can be expensive though. If you try the southern end of Albemarle county (Scottsville area) or even just into Fluvanna County and maybe Louisa County, you'll find better prices and folks more tolerant.

[sregorat3]

Originally Posted by cville dog mom

If the ability to talk politics with your neighbors and not have to deal with blatant racism/homophobia is important, I would stay away from Greene County if you lean liberal. It's very conservative. So too are Waynesboro, Lynchburg, etc. I can't speak for Staunton as I don't know many people there. Pretty much in all of central Virginia, Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville are pretty much the only liberal places to be.

Seriously? These last couple of weeks have shown that talking rationally about politics or race is not something that happens in the Charlottesville area. Just finished watching some of the Cville City Council meeting....wow. I think that some of the areas that you portray as blatantly racist and homophobic are actually more accepting of others and certainly less dysfunctional than Charlottesville has shown itself to be.

[jtees4]

Originally Posted by sregorat3

Seriously? These last couple of weeks have shown that talking rationally about politics or race is not something that happens in the Charlottesville area. Just finished watching some of the Cville City Council meeting....wow. I think that some of the areas that you portray as blatantly racist and homophobic are actually more accepting of others and certainly less dysfunctional than Charlottesville has shown itself to be.

I agree! I'm from NY and have been to C'Ville many times. My son works in C'Ville and lives nearby. If you are not liberal, you will NOT be accepted or even allowed to freely speak your mind in C'Ville. I like Green county, it is more rural, and more blue collar than C'Ville....and more open minded if you actually want to hear differing opinions. If you go to Walmart and Lowes in C'Ville and then the same stores in Ruckersville....you can immediately see the difference, just from the employees attitudes and friendliness. I guess you can tell I am no fan of C'Ville.