considering moving to virginia - location ideas? (Richmond, Lynchburg: fit in, transplants)

[mcmartian]

We're considering moving to virginia. we'd like to be a minimum of an hour away from DC. although it would be nice to be close enough to perhaps monthly take my daughter into the city.

We want to be in an area that has good schools and low crime of course.

In an ideal dream world, I'd like to have an acre of land, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage, 2000 sq feet for 400K or less. Yeah I know keep dreaming.

Once an area jumps out at us as a good choice, then we're going to start looking at the job market. so we're is kinda open.

We currently live in upstate new york, where that dream could be a reality for alot less than 400k, but we'd like to be in an area with more job options and closer to family, and warmer/less snow's nice too.

[saganista]

Originally Posted by mcmartian

In an ideal dream world, I'd like to have an acre of land, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage, 2000 sq feet for 400K or less. Yeah I know keep dreaming.

On a quick check, I'm actually shocked to find that there is a place that would rather well fit that general description on the market in the Country Club Hills section of Fairfax, VA. Very nice, older, established, wooded neighborhood situated close to schools and between two parks. And the shocking part is that they're only asking $700K.

Originally Posted by mcmartian

Once an area jumps out at us as a good choice, then we're going to start looking at the job market. so we're is kinda open.

Might be better to do it the other way around. It's usually easier to find a nice place to live that you can actually commute from if you know where it is you'll be going to and coming from each day.

Originally Posted by mcmartian

We currently live in upstate new york, where that dream could be a reality for alot less than 400k, but we'd like to be in an area with more job options and closer to family, and warmer/less snow's nice too.

Spent some time in the Lake George area, and that's some beautiful country you've got up that way! Also, somewhat cheaper than DC to live in. Job market here is indeed quite good, but there is a bit of sticker shock that might come along with that as well...

[mcmartian]

unfortunatley when we look at the job market first, DC keeps coming up and I don't think anything in a commutable distance from DC is really an option for us.

We did see some options in like Lynchburg. and the housing market looks great there. not sure if I"m too much of a liberal yankee to fit in. not exactly known for biting my tongue lol

Also noticing alot of planned communities in Virginia and wondering if that would be a problem for us. Here in NY, planned communities tend to have deed restrictions on them that restrict all kinds of things including number of pets. I can't move to a place that will discriminate against my first born just because they have tails! lol (we have one litter of cats but that's enough to be over the pet limit in many planned communities).

[3StillLooking]

Originally Posted by mcmartian

In an ideal dream world, I'd like to have an acre of land, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage, 2000 sq feet for 400K or less. Yeah I know keep dreaming.

If it helps, some of our friends just purchased a 1200 sq foot townhouse in Delray for around $400. However, I know that with the housing boom on the wane, you might find something a little more affordable.

[richmondpics]

You could probably find what you're looking for in the Richmond suburbs... the job market is strong, schools are good, and the region's crime is low though you may have heard otherwise. Try Hanover, Henrico, or Chesterfield counties, though you'd probably have the best luck in Hanover or Chesterfield... Depending on where you'd end up working, Powhatan might be an option as well.

I was doing some research, and found that the cost of living is about 17% lower than the DC area, but salaries were only 6% less, meaning you get more bang for your buck.

[medperson]

Please check you private messages. I too, am known for saying what I think and I know a neighborhood where there are quiet a few transplants from the northern states and no restrictions on cats

[poohki]

Have you tried looking into Fauquier County? While it may take a little over an hour to get to DC, you can definately find the type of housing you are looking for and the views are well worth the longer drive.

[5stones]

out in westren Loudoun county may be an option. Good schools, about an hour into DC, but for an acre you may need to up the price a bit. 1/2 acre in an NON HOA neighborhood would be doable in Winchester (frederick county)

I'd look into Round hill, Berryville, bluemont, Philomont, Hillsboro Purceville etc... Prices in Loudoun County have dropped about $50k in hte past 18mo.

I'd also look over across the river...maryland. Poolsville is a neat little town and near Germantown. but I don't know about prices there.

[EricD]

Originally Posted by gifito15

Stuff

That's twice his budget... come on now.

[mcmartian]

800,000, that's not even funny! If I pulled up house listings in the area wehre I'm living, the most expensive doesn't even go nearly that high. No, I'm not implying that the house isn't worth that. just supreme sticker shock.

I'm going to have to checkout poolsville. my husband said something about germantown the other day - wish i remembered what he said. lol

thanks though.