Pittsburgh to Va where it is warm... (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: transplants, school)

[Pghwizard]

Pardon my ignorance, as my last child graduates this month the wife and I have begun talking about "Our" new beginning. My wife has hated the winters here for 23 years.
Looking at heading south. Any input? Thanks so much. Any area's someone thinks is worth a look would be wonderful, suburb type area. I'm not much of a county boy, raised more city or burbs.
Again thanks you.

[Pghwizard]

If i may add also, I'm a kidney transplant pt. so would feel better being with in diving distance of a major hospital too.

Thank you.

[Jazmyne]

Southern VA is an extremely nice area to live……. It is basically a giant suburb and on one side of Chesapeake is the city of Norfolk and on the other side you have Virginia Beach… which is the beach. Chesapeake is 15 minutes from North Carolina, and hour from Richmond (Bush Gardens and Williamsburg) and 2 and ½ to 3 hours from Washington DC. Chesapeake is about 8 and ½ hours from Pittsburgh. There is a great deal more to do here than in Pittsburgh. The weather is very hot in the summer and the fall is like summer in Pittsburgh, winter here is usually very mild but can have an inch or two of snow on occasion (but it is rather temperate) and the spring is like summer in Pittsburgh. VA Beach, as in the beach itself is 15 to 20 minutes from me, the city of Norfolk, which is a smaller city than Pittsburgh is also 15 minutes away. My personal opinion is there is no place like Western PA!!! I love western PA and the mountains and quiet… although, the Appalachian Trail (Sky Line Drive and Williamsburg) are not far. I live on a private lake so it is quiet here. But it is up to you!

There is a huge hospital system here called Sentara Health and Hospital System…. http://www.sentara.com/)

and there is also EVMS (Eastern Virginia Medical School)… http://www.evms.edu/

And there is always DUKE Medical School/Hospital….. http://www.dukehealth.org/ which is considered one of the best in the world!!

[Jazmyne]

ohhh yes... and there are a LOT more job opportunities and higher pay here than in the burgh!! But I miss the burgh..... oh how i miss the burgh!!! I would kill for some O fries right now!! and a drive in with my husband!!!! and to go to the Bonfire and get a killer yummy fish sandwich!!! ohhhh my I miss western PA!!!

[Flamingo13]

Originally Posted by Pghwizard

If i may add also, I'm a kidney transplant pt. so would feel better being with in diving distance of a major hospital too.

Thank you.

My husband as well - we're in Northern VA - Inova is well-known for it's transplants and he has a wonderful doctor(s).

[LynchburgLover]

Northern Virginia is pretty pricey for retirees. Try reading some of the threads on here about Lynchburg, Roanoke, Charlottesville, Williamsburg, Bristol. There is a wealth of information about all of those localities on city data.

You haven't really given enough information for us to give recommendations -- approximate cost of home? jobs or retired? amenities you would be seeking? mountains? seaside? lakeside? hobbies? All of the above mentioned have hospitals and they're all in southern Virginia so the weather would be milder than Pittsburgh.

After you've read through the threads, you will have more specific questions.

Good luck.

[ZZP]

Originally Posted by Jazmyne

Chesapeake is 15 minutes from North Carolina, and hour from Richmond (Bush Gardens and Williamsburg) and 2 and ½ to 3 hours from Washington DC.

Not sure how fast you drive, but reflecting on the countless times I've driven up to Richmond from Chesapeake, I've never made it there in less than an hour and a half. It usually takes me just about 2 hours. DC is about 3 1/2 without traffic.
Also, you'll be 15 minutes from NC only if you're in certain parts of the Southern Chesapeake (Hickory/Grassfield), Great Bridge, and Deep Creek planning areas.

[badger74]

South central Virginia from including the triangle of Roanoke, C'Ville, Lynchburg have moderate weather and low to moderate COL. All have good hospitals.

[richmondpics]

VCU Medical Center would be beneficial... UNOS is also HQ'd in Richmond... they coordinate the organ donation network for the nation. Pay a visit to the National Donor Memorial National Donor Memorial | Memorial Garden
VCU Health System | MCV Hospitals and Physicians | Richmond, Virginia - Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
UNOS

[cb at sea]

Virginia isn't much warmer in the winter than Pittsburgh! True, we might have a tad less snow, most of the time, but when we get more than 1/2 inch, the entire region shuts down. We simply don't deal with snow like more northern climes! Few plows, mostly pick-up trucks with a blade....not the most efficient removal method!

Va. is a lovely state, but it's not going to get your wife the "southern" weather she might be looking for!