Commuting from Williamsburg to Newport News (renting, house, neighborhoods)

[IndiaLimaDelta]

How long does it take to commute from various developments in and near Williamsburg such as Kingsmill, Ford's Colony, Governor's Land, Stonehouse, Woodland Farms and Wexford Hills to Newport News (around Oyster Pointe)?

I get the sense that the morning commute (leaving around 7 AM) would not be so bad, but the return journey might take substantially longer, especially on Thursday and Friday afternoons/evenings in the summer. Is that the case?

[WildColonialGirl]

It's very doable. Kingsmill in particular is crammed full of people who work in Newport News. Ford's colony or Governors land will add an extra 5 or 15 minutes to your commuting time. Woodland farms is about 25 minutes north of Kingsmill. You don't want to live there and commute. It's an hour from there to Deer park in NN. Kingsmill or Kings Point or Queens lake or the Vineyards are more what you'd want. lake Powell forest and Lake powell pointe are also similar sorts of neighborhoods. Traffic is only bad on 199 in Williamsburg for about half an hour between 5 and 6, and only for the lights at Jamestown and John Tyler roads. It's always heavy on 64 but there are two back roads for alternative routes.

James City County schools are generally better rated than York County schools. But Kingsmill is zoned for the title 1 school, so that may be a factor in your decision.

Be warned though, that property values in Kingsmill and Fords Colony are vastly inflated over other neighborhoods and are moving more slowly than other neighborhoods. Williamsburg is a very safe, very middle class town, so a gated community is a big statement about income rather than a reasonable precaution.

The james city county property information page has great maps telling you the names and location of the neighborhoods (every house is in a subdivision here), and the MLS lets you search by neighborhood.
http://property.jccegov.com/parcelviewer/
http://www.waarealtor.com/find-a-house.html

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Originally Posted by WildColonialGirl

It's very doable. Kingsmill in particular is crammed full of people who work in Newport News. Ford's colony or Governors land will add an extra 5 or 15 minutes to your commuting time. Woodland farms is about 25 minutes north of Kingsmill. You don't want to live there and commute. It's an hour from there to Deer park in NN. Kingsmill or Kings Point or Queens lake or the Vineyards are more what you'd want. lake Powell forest and Lake powell pointe are also similar sorts of neighborhoods. Traffic is only bad on 199 in Williamsburg for about half an hour between 5 and 6, and only for the lights at Jamestown and John Tyler roads. It's always heavy on 64 but there are two back roads for alternative routes.

James City County schools are generally better rated than York County schools. But Kingsmill is zoned for the title 1 school, so that may be a factor in your decision.

Be warned though, that property values in Kingsmill and Fords Colony are vastly inflated over other neighborhoods and are moving more slowly than other neighborhoods. Williamsburg is a very safe, very middle class town, so a gated community is a big statement about income rather than a reasonable precaution.

The james city county property information page has great maps telling you the names and location of the neighborhoods (every house is in a subdivision here), and the MLS lets you search by neighborhood.
Parcel Viewer
http://www.waarealtor.com/find-a-house.html

Thank you for the reply.

In terms of commute, Kingsmill seems to be the best, but I am not sure that the whole golf resort community thing is really my family.

I just saw a 23 acre property in Woodland Farms online that I might check out (and a brand new 3 acre property in Wexford Hills). Although more northerly, they both seem to be closer to a 64 exit than homes in Ford's Colony and Governor's Land and so might even out in driving time to Oyster Point, no?

[froggin4colorado]

Commute won't be that bad.
However, I will disagree about WJCC schools compared to Yorks. I have been part of both as both teacher and parent. I have never seen such a dysfunctional school system and so many unhappy teachers. Andy Jacobs, Principal at Maotoka Elementary, seemed to be the exception.
I used to live in Powhatan Secondary myself.
I would suggest renting first to ensure that wherever you go is where you want to be. Mr. Williamsburg on here is a realtor and can give you more insight on neighborhoods. You can PM for more.

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Thank you for the replies, but could someone provide a little more specific commute information?

About how long would it take from these areas (Kingsmill, Ford's Colony, Governor's Land, Woodland Farms and Wexford Hills) to Oyster Point at 6:30-7 AM and then the reverse around 4-5 PM?

I only care peripherally about the school quality (to the extent it affects housing value and demographics) as my family home schools.

[htlong]

I would say 20 min. unless there was a wreck....or snow or rain........Virginians are not the best drivers lots of left lane hogs going 60 mph.

[Mr Williamsburg]

Commuting time from Ford's Colony, Governors Land, Wexford Hills and Woodland Farms will be in the 35-45 minute range to Oyster Point most mornings. Return commutes times depending on traffic volumes/ time of day but could add 15+ minutes more in heavy afternoon traffic during summer. About 25 minutes from Kingsmill.
BTW the home on 23 acres is a fantastic property. VERY PRIVATE...