Need Help (Norfolk, Richmond, Hampton: houses, construction jobs, construction)

[MySkreenName01]

Hello everyone

I was hoping for some advice about moving to virginia. I am looking for a place that is quiet and very private but not too far from work (construction). I also want a place with great education for my children. Any help is greatly appriciated.


Thank you

[SmerkyGrl]

Try Blacksburg, VA if you are looking for quiet and private. The school system here is fantastic (as there were two kids accepted into Oxford University and a handful of Harvard and Princeton acceptances in my graduating class) and you are always nestled in the cute and tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains. We're large enough where there's a fairly good choice of shopping places but small enough where people don't feel at all unsafe walking alone on the streets in the middle of the night from a friend's house.

If you're looking for something a little more "developed", I'd suggest places like Roanoke or Richmond.

[MySkreenName01]

Thanks for your suggestion smerkygrl. but does Blacksburg have a lot of work or maybe a lot of work close by?

[seanpecor]

I think Blacksburg is a good choice. Blacksburg and Montgomery County is growing, and therefore houses are being built. Look for counties with high growth rates - but not too high - because that might affect the quality of education for your kids (too much flux, new schools being built not quite fast enough to handle the growth, lots of classroom trailers *cough* *cough* Northern Virginia *cough* *cough*).

Check out Montgomery County and while you're at it, check into the Roanoke Valley also. If you lived in north Roanoke you would be within 30 minutes of Blacksburg and 30 minutes of Botetourt County and Franklin County. All three counties are growing at a good clip, with Franklin being the fastest growing by a nose. If you liked working on higher end homes (lots of trimwork, finishwork, cool custom jobs) then look into Franklin County and you'd be close to Smith Mountain Lake, where they can't seem to build $1M homes fast enough.

Cheers,

Sean

[richmondpics]

The larger metro areas will provide greater opportunity for construction jobs. Northern Virginia is by far the most expensive to live in. So, for more affordable, try the Richmond, Hampton Roads (Norfolk/Va Beach), Roanoke areas. Lots of growth in Fredericksburg and Charlottesville as well.