Places in Virginia similar to CO, CA or Northeast MA? (Annandale: neighborhood, school)

[macalan]

Originally Posted by nm9stheham

Hurricane fatigue is understandable! C'ville or near northern VA is probably your best fit, not further west or SW in VA.

Is Winchester worth taking a look at or is it too rural and not what I am looking for?

[Old Dominionite]

Originally Posted by macalan

Is Winchester worth taking a look at or is it too rural and not what I am looking for?

Winchester may be a good fit for you. It's a diverse small city in the northern Shenandoah Valley with a surprising amount of history and character (relative to its size). Surrounding areas remain rural, but the region continues to grow and is becoming more and more integrated with northern Virginia. Winchester is 75 miles west of D.C., which you might find (justifiably) too far removed from the city. Massachusetts can be reached via I-81/I-84 instead of the more congested I-95 corridor. I think it's at least worth taking a look at.

[Middlin]

I think Charlottesville, Crozet and areas west of Richmond will give you a lot of what you are looking for while still being close to some "big city" amenities. A lot easier to take the train to DC as well.

[macalan]

Originally Posted by Old Dominionite

Winchester may be a good fit for you. It's a diverse small city in the northern Shenandoah Valley with a surprising amount of history and character (relative to its size). Surrounding areas remain rural, but the region continues to grow and is becoming more and more integrated with northern Virginia. Winchester is 75 miles west of D.C., which you might find (justifiably) too far removed from the city. Massachusetts can be reached via I-81/I-84 instead of the more congested I-95 corridor. I think it's at least worth taking a look at.

Thx! Definitely worth a look.

[macalan]

Originally Posted by Middlin

I think Charlottesville, Crozet and areas west of Richmond will give you a lot of what you are looking for while still being close to some "big city" amenities. A lot easier to take the train to DC as well.

Great, thanks! We've been to Charlottesville but not for a while so will check it out again when we check out the Richmond burbs. Any town specifically west of Richmond that you would recommend?

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by macalan

Is Winchester worth taking a look at or is it too rural and not what I am looking for?

Apologies as I do not recall exactly what you are looking for. I live just a little south of Winchester and have been in this region of VA since 73. NOVA (Manassas) and the valley now. I worked in Winchester for a long time after retiring from my first career and still visit all the time since we are so close and Winchester has more stores and restaurants than my little town. Winchester also has more traffic and it's grown steadily over the years. But still nowhere near the level of NOVA and the I-95 corridor from Richmond to DC.

But Winchester, as already mentioned, has some extensive Civil War history here and the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is a great place to visit. They have a very old still there that belongs to the family of my next door neighbor who is something like the 6th generation farmer for this farm. They accidentally found the still several years ago buried under some rubble in one of the old barns.

But you have easy access to the Dulles/Tysons areas VS Rt. 7 and 50. Easy access to I-81 to go north to New England. Easy access to NOVA/DC. Easy access to the west to WV and easy access to go south through the valley and continuing on to wherever. Many of us do not like I-81 due to it being 2 lanes and all the trucks but in reality it beats I-95 from DC to Richmond about 75-90% of the time. Comparing the two areas on Googlemaps shows 95 pretty much always tied up, especially in the summer months.

I've seen others mention Rebel flags to you and yes, you will see some. Are they dominating the landscape? Of course not. Do people shove it down your throat? Absolutely not. I am a southerner and am in my 60's. I have never owned one of these flags and have never encountered anyone flying one that was looking for trouble.

We decided against living in the Winc area as we were done with traffic and we settled further into the mountains with some incredible views and neighbors. (That we cannot see). If you want access to some beautiful countryside then anywhere in this valley is where you want to be. Plenty of choices in small towns and larger towns and cities as well.

[macalan]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

Apologies as I do not recall exactly what you are looking for. I live just a little south of Winchester and have been in this region of VA since 73. NOVA (Manassas) and the valley now. I worked in Winchester for a long time after retiring from my first career and still visit all the time since we are so close and Winchester has more stores and restaurants than my little town. Winchester also has more traffic and it's grown steadily over the years. But still nowhere near the level of NOVA and the I-95 corridor from Richmond to DC.

But Winchester, as already mentioned, has some extensive Civil War history here and the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is a great place to visit. They have a very old still there that belongs to the family of my next door neighbor who is something like the 6th generation farmer for this farm. They accidentally found the still several years ago buried under some rubble in one of the old barns.

But you have easy access to the Dulles/Tysons areas VS Rt. 7 and 50. Easy access to I-81 to go north to New England. Easy access to NOVA/DC. Easy access to the west to WV and easy access to go south through the valley and continuing on to wherever. Many of us do not like I-81 due to it being 2 lanes and all the trucks but in reality it beats I-95 from DC to Richmond about 75-90% of the time. Comparing the two areas on Googlemaps shows 95 pretty much always tied up, especially in the summer months.

I've seen others mention Rebel flags to you and yes, you will see some. Are they dominating the landscape? Of course not. Do people shove it down your throat? Absolutely not. I am a southerner and am in my 60's. I have never owned one of these flags and have never encountered anyone flying one that was looking for trouble.

We decided against living in the Winc area as we were done with traffic and we settled further into the mountains with some incredible views and neighbors. (That we cannot see). If you want access to some beautiful countryside then anywhere in this valley is where you want to be. Plenty of choices in small towns and larger towns and cities as well.

Thank you for the info! I worry with all the focus on the Civil War history that the strong dislike of Yankees might be as prevalent there as it is here in Charleston.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by macalan

Thank you for the info! I worry with all the focus on the Civil War history that the strong dislike of Yankees might be as prevalent there as it is here in Charleston.

Seems several have told you this is not an issue here. But you seem to be overly concerned so maybe you should not consider the area. But keep in mind the Civil War pretty much covered all of VA.

[leighland]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

Seems several have told you this is not an issue here. But you seem to be overly concerned so maybe you should not consider the area. But keep in mind the Civil War pretty much covered all of VA.

I recommend she move to..... Massachusetts.

[macalan]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

Seems several have told you this is not an issue here. But you seem to be overly concerned so maybe you should not consider the area. But keep in mind the Civil War pretty much covered all of VA.

Because I was told it was not an issue in Charleston either - but it is...