Moving to Winchester from TX (Richmond, Lynchburg: house, buy, schools)

[tmac784]

I am considering to moving to Winchester from Texas.

Besides the cost of living, can anyone advise on what to expect?

thanks!

[vasinger]

Originally Posted by tmac784

I am considering to moving to Winchester from Texas.

Besides the cost of living, can anyone advise on what to expect?

thanks!

Winchester has a lot of charm and character to it and around it some of the most beautiful views in all of Virginia.

You'll find the people of Winchester to be right friendly.

Because you'll be in higher elevation, you can expect more snow. Winchester and the valley get a bit more snow than the rest of Virginia. But its nothing compared to what they get in the northeast.

Winchester has a nice old town/downtown area with restaurants and shops all around the courthouse.

Shenandoah University is also located in Winchester. They have an Apple Blossom Festival each May. Mary Tyler Moore was grand marshall one year. I think it was 1993.

It also is steeped in history since its the oldest town west of the blue ridge, and exchanged hands 72 times during the war between the states.

And if you're a Country Music Enthusiast- Winchester happens to be the home of Country Music Legend, Patsy Cline !!

[novanwbie]

Well, this year it's been really cold! But as you know, the whole country has had weird weather! Without more specifics, there's a small but diverse community here. Shenandoah U. brings in a more diverse population every year. It's a very manageable size, and you've got decent shopping opportunities and good dining. Schools are pretty good. Strong churches. The Valley continues to grow as people try to escape northern VA's outrageous prices and congestion. And it's nice to be an hour and 15 minutes from DC. Any specifics you're looking for?

[tmac784]

i know that housing is going to be a lot more expensive there than here so that is probably the biggest downfall. what about traffic in winchester itself? i'm near houston tx so i've dealt w/traffic but what is it like in winchester? i've tried searing for various pics of winchester but i can't find that many. any suggestions? thanks!!!

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by tmac784

i know that housing is going to be a lot more expensive there than here so that is probably the biggest downfall. what about traffic in winchester itself? i'm near houston tx so i've dealt w/traffic but what is it like in winchester? i've tried searing for various pics of winchester but i can't find that many. any suggestions? thanks!!!

Honestly speaking, I just came back from another scouting mission in that area and went to Winchester this Saturday to have a look around and found the traffic annoying. Charlottesville is the same way.

It seems that the population has outgrown the roads a bit and I found it frustrating driving around town.

That said it is a beautiful town that manages to combine historic charm with modern convenience almost perfectly.

[novanwbie]

The traffic here is frustrating, but absolutely nothing like a major city. The roads have not grown to address the influx of people from northern VA, but even so, it takes no more than 15-20 minutes to get anywhere. Local government is working to address traffic, but change never comes quickly.

My guess is that coming from Houston your main shock will be cultural. This a much smaller area, and not at all metropolitan. Of course, Winchester is a very reasonable drive from DC, but if you like to have a lot of choices for shopping and dining right at your fingertips, it will be different. We have several outstanding local (non-chain) restaurants, from French to Thai to Indian to an Irish pub, but your selections will just be more limited.

[jthomas45]

wwhen I was a kid in mclean way back in 1960s rt 7 going out to wincherter was nothing bay cows and feilds ,tysons coner was nothing but a cross roads and nothing was out there ,what a total trip to think what it is today .
Each town of yester year was sas imple place where you you buy a house and live just 30 -40 mins outside dc and have a affordable life ,and like everywhere else in this place called the USA those days are gone .So good luck to you ,check it out ,ps go and see harpers farry it just down the road .

[tmac784]

thanx for all of the info.... does anyone have any pics of winchester or know a good site to where i can find some? thanx again.

[tmac784]

is the cost of living in winchester more expensive??

[novanwbie]

More expensive as compared to what? It's slightly less than NoVA, but comparable to, say, Richmond, which is a much larger city. Much higher than rural VA, like Southwest, or Lynchburg area.