Moving the INLAWS close.....but not too close.

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by azdi

REM78,
I'm on the "inlaw" part of this issue. I'm 64, recently widowed, live in Phoenix with my adult son, and want to move to nova or MD to be closer to my daughter and her husband and grandkids in NW DC.

I would do the same thing too if I were in your situation.

I used to live in the area many years ago and a couple of ideas come to mind that are not nova.

1.Used to live in Jefferson, west of Frederick MD. There a number of small communities - real towns - north and west of Frederick. Also toward Hagerstown, or north of it. Mostly these are small farming towns surrounded by dairy farms, interspersed with some alternate types who want space in the country.

This is a good suggestion. I have a friend who bought a home in Boonsboro, MD, between rte 81 and Ft Hood. Although, what are the medical services like?

2. Toward or the other side of Harpers Ferry.

Although I suggest sticking to the MD or WV side of things. I love the west side (Loudoun Co) but the cost of housing in the Lovettsville, Lucketts area has risen with the expansion of Leesburg.

Another advantage of this location is the MARC train (at Point of Rocks) in case they want a day trip to DC.

3. Outside Baltimore. Baltimore is much cheaper than the whole DC-nova area.

If so, just pick the area wisely. Parts of Baltimore closer to DC will be out of their price range. And I suggest sticking to the southwest or west part of the city--you don't want to be relegated to the Beltway every time you want to visit (or need to reach them in case of an emergency).

[homeschoolmama]

Originally Posted by azdi

REM78,

1.Used to live in Jefferson, west of Frederick MD. There a number of small communities - real towns - north and west of Frederick. Also toward Hagerstown, or north of it. Mostly these are small farming towns surrounded by dairy farms, interspersed with some alternate types who want space in the country.

2. Toward or the other side of Harpers Ferry.

3. Outside Baltimore. Baltimore is much cheaper than the whole DC-nova area.

I think these should all be in your driving range. Good luck!

AZDI has several good suggestions for your budget. We quickly moved my 62 Yr Old MIL in with us, but didn't think it through: 3 years later and a 4th baby on the way we are looking for separate housing for her, but are having a hard time locating affordable housing for her budget...MD and WV do seem to be the most budget friendly.

We are in Western Loudoun and ideally Leesburg is where I'd like her and where I'd like to recommend you look--W&OD Trail, close to 2 hospitals, and has good walking points (you never know when they'll need to stop driving or for us--she needs to cut down on driving for budget reasons)--but 1/4 acre and budget friendly may not be Leesburg.

I'd definitely recommend taking a look in WV and MD--WV (Harpers Ferry/Martinsburg areas) may be better on taxes...I know my grandparents left MD after retiring. And they could certainly get some land in WV. Martinsburg has all the shopping they'd ever need--which would reduce gas spending.

Hope that helps! Good luck with the search.