Considering a move from upstate ny to VA

[cleosgirl17]

Also, up here it's rare to find land for less than $3k an acre, unless you are buying literally hundreds of acres. And that's if it doesn't include gas/mineral rights. People are going nuts over the gas rights that they are hoping to get $$$ from someday so prices are becoming ridiculous on properties up here. Even if we wanted to stay we would never be able to afford it. We want a small house/farm, with 10+ acres. Very small scale. We would also appreciate some friendly neighbors

[RedRican]

Originally Posted by cleosgirl17

RedRican, we are about an hour south of Syracuse NY. Overall the cost of living doesn't look horrible up here until you take into consideration the taxes. You can easily find a property for 80-100k, then find out that the taxes are upwards of 6k a year!!!!! That's a whole additional mortgage, in my opinion!! Also, gun laws are ridiculous anymore, and taxes on everything are pretty awful.

Thanks for all the input, keep it coming please!!! Are there any carpenter unions at all in the state, or does being a right-to-work state mean that there are none at all? Please excuse my lack of knowledge on all this stuff and thanks for everyone's help so far...

There are some uniins; call this number 804-743-7458, this will connect you with The Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 388. They should be able to give you more information about union jobs in VA.

[RedRican]

Try this link, it has all the offices in Virginia, DC and Maryland

Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters: United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by cleosgirl17

Does anyone have any input on the best areas of VA for AFFORDABLE country living, horses, low taxes (remember I am coming from NY LOL), work for a carpenter (he is union up here) . . .

Avoid NoVA (northern VA) which is suburban DC -- rare to find 10 "affordable", country-living acres. It can be found in Loudoun Co, but IMO keep going west into Clark and Frederick County -- much more affordable, plenty of land, and absolutely stunning. There are farms out here for horses, beef cattle, and alpacas. Check out: Frederick County, Clark, Warren, Shenandoah in the NW part of VA.

I was in Front Royal, VA last week and came across a farm. Stopped and spoke to the staff there and they told me it was a farm for retired race horses. That was totally cool.

Of course much of this depends on where you find employment. Your hubby might find work with construction companies. Also, if you move to Frederick County, Highway 81 North connects to parts of WV, MD, and PA where you could also search for employment.

[cully]

I have a friend who moved to Bedford County, Va. They asked the realtor what the monthly taxes would be on a particular home. When he told them, the wife said "That's not too bad. We're paying just a little less a month now." The realtor said, "No, I'm talking about "per year" not per month". They stayed there. Another big difference they said was car ownership and car insurance. That area is big on dairy farms, cattle, horses, llamas and alpacas too. Old time farmers as well as new natural lovers. There's a cute town, the city of Bedford. A more built up area called Forest. And Forest is a sort of suburb, with lots of people working from home or with offices nearby, and the city of Lynchburg is the bigger one beside it.

[lionsgators]

I would say check out a place like harper's ferry, WV. you are within 10 minutes of both VA, and MD. I think MD is a union state for your husband to find work, and that part of VA, northern loudoun county, is full of horse farms.