Retirement in Virginia, Land and Mountains prefered (Charlottesville, Harrisonburg: real estate, new house)

[semperfire]

My wife and I are looking for a spot to retire, well sort of. We are in our early 40's and in New York State.

We live in the Catskill Mountains and like to have land. We are looking to get away from a liberal and utter useless state government. We want to live in a place where our vote counts. A place where the second amendment is not under constant threat by a group of people who live in the city. A group of people who have no idea of what they are talking about.

We like both to live in the country, as well as being close to a place where we can go out, shop, find entertainment etc.

I have read about Charlottesville and the surrounding mountains. We do like the change of seasons, but as you get older 5 feet of snow gets old.

Retirement to me is to only have to work one job. Get on my Harley and ride when I want. There's more to life than having to work 2 jobs just to pay taxes.

Any information of a great town near a city would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[TN Lily]

If you want to live where your vote counts, try Highland County, VA. It's in the mountains and sparsely populated. But it is not near entertainment (as that word is usually understood) nor is it near shopping.

I would suggest looking around Harrisonburg & Staunton. You can get great mountain views. It is more conservative in the Shenandoah Valley than in the Charlottesville area. Both are college towns. I think Harrisonburg has more to offer, but like both places.

Good luck!

[emsman]

If you want to keep dodging the taxes and government down here stay out of independant cities, their taxes run about double of the counties. As mentioned by TN Lily, Highland County is BEAUTIFUL! but is an hour from anything and you have to cross three mountains. Other counties to consider are; Montgomery County (around Blacksbrug,VA), Augusta County (Staunton, Waynesboro,VA area), Rockingham County(Harrisonburg,VA area), Nelson County (south of Charlottesville),Allegahney County (Clifton Forge, Covington,VA area) Also, there is a large Harley shop outside Staunton,VA that has lot's of events throughout the year.

[semperfire]

Thanks everyone. I was looking at Staunton on Google Earth. Seems to sit right on the edge of the mountains. There's Keystone Freight Corp. there. I work for them part time so a transfer would work. Keep on trucking.....thanks again!

[DC Oldtimer]

My husband and I are also looking to retire to a quiet, beautiful area in Central va, so perhaps my year and a half of research could be helpful. At the moment we're focused on Nelson County, although I agree Staunton might work for you (be sure to check the property tax on particular properties).

I'd stay away from Charlottesville proper. It's a sea of blue in our state which is otherwise largely conservative. Notice I said largely. My husband and I are looking forward to escaping Northern Virginia, which has become increasing liberal over the last decade. Enough so that I think I will need allergy shots to stay here much longer.

It would help if you could give an idea of your price range.

[roanoker 4]

Originally Posted by semperfire

Thanks everyone. I was looking at Staunton on Google Earth. Seems to sit right on the edge of the mountains. There's Keystone Freight Corp. there. I work for them part time so a transfer would work. Keep on trucking.....thanks again!

Staunton is a good choice in my opinion!

[emsman]

As you probably know, Keystone Freight has the contract to haul from the Best Buy wharehouse in Staunton. There are many other trucking companies in the area if that ever gets cancelled. Again, inside the city limits will cost more taxes. To give you an idea my old house inside city limits cost just over $1,200 a year in taxes, my new house in Augusta County which is almost exactly the same square footage(approx. 1,100 ft + 1/4 acre) costs right at $700. The same equasion goes for Waynesboro & Harrisonburg.

[Jane Rogers]

Land around Staunton is much cheaper than Charlottesville. Check out Zillow for property in the Mt. Solon area, beautiful farm land with mountain views. Reasonable prices.

[semperfire]

Thanks again. Prices and taxes are all relative to where you live. When you figure that low taxes on a house in NY average around $5,000.00.

To emsman, I saw that there is a Keystone terminal in Stauton, and I see there is a large Harley Davidson dealership. I'm good!!!

I definetly would not be in Charlottesville, was looking at real estate in Augusta county...

[DC Oldtimer]

If you're looking in Augusta, I assume you have already considered Afton, some of which is in that county. If not, you might want to consider it. Small town, but strangely enough in several counties. Part of it is in Nelson. I dont think there is much shopping because it is so close to Waynesboro. Gorgeous mountain views.

I think you'll also want to consider the northern parts of Nelson, which are close to where you are already looking. For ex, an almost new home on five acres just came on the MLS today (#479663) in Massie's Mill. Gorgeous mountain views and borders the Tye River! Only problem from my point of view is no garage, but with all that land you could build one easily, especially with the enormous tax savings.

Best of luck to you. We're still trying to buy a place in Nellysford.