Thinking about relocating to VA

[intrigued]

Hey guys,

So I've decided that the northeast, and especially the NYC area, is just getting too pricey for my tastes. I've been feeling that way for a while but couldn't really think of where I might consider relocating to since everyone I know lives in this area and I’m not keen on the idea of moving somewhere on my own just for a change of pace.

My family situation has finally given me another direction to consider. My parents and my brother and his family (wife and 3 kids) are relocating to Charlottesville VA. They have lived together for the last seven years to their mutual advantage since my dad has MS and he and my mom need help around the house while my brother gets to live in a house that’s nicer then he could afford on his own.

I’ve been saving for a house and paying down my debts the last two years. Currently I have about 70k left in college loan debt but my car is paid off and I have no other debt. I have 75k in my saving account and I know that would be a substantial down payment on a nice little house in VA. I could move in with my family for a year or two to save even more money, get myself my new mustang at the same time and if I like the area I can buy my first place using the full 75k I have now towards a down payment while saving up another 30-50k for remodeling and emergency savings. Also If I find myself not liking the area I could always move elsewhere before I buy if I find myself not fitting in.

What I need to know is what it the Charlottesville area like as well as the Richmond area because those are the two places I’d look for a job. I’m definitely looking forward to milder winters and it will be fun seeing my family on daily basis one more time before I settle down, especially my nieces and nephew. I don’t see this transition as being to difficult because I tend to have simple tastes in life I get fed up with the NYC life fairly often.

Basically I’m just trying to get a feel for VA while I ponder my options…

[Drew Dowdell]

From a housing standpoint, I would rent for at least the first year.

[intrigued]

If I moved down there I'd stay with my folks rent free while I got to know the area, no way I'd buy without knowing if I liked it.

[Lamar]

Charlottesville's not my cup of tea at all, but I do have friends/acquaintances who live(d) there and love(d) it. It has an old college town feel to it, which makes sense because it is an old college town (University of Virginia is there, founded by Thomas Jefferson). But just because it's a college town doesn't mean that you'll be surrounded by undergrads the minute you walk out your front door.

Richmond, the state capital, is in the process of transforming its downtown, mainly due to Virginia Commonwealth University's aggressive expansion. There are still large parts of the city (mainly south of the James River) where you don't want to venture after dark. But north of that, there are sections that are really nice and historic, including the Fan District. If you want to live in the suburbs, there's Henrico County surrounding the city and Chesterfield County to the south and west if you're looking for more upscale areas.

It all depends what you're looking for, though, because Richmond and Charlottesville have little in common. They are only an hour and a half apart, though, so it wouldn't be a strain on your gas budget to go visit your people in C'ville if you lived in Richmond.

[daves87rs]

From a housing standpoint, I would rent for at least the first year.

Agree....

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

I think Charlottesville is beautiful and I'm thinking about grad school at UVA.

It seems to still be very charming despite being a college town. But then again, I've only been there for short stays (Relay For Life Southeast Division Leadership Conferences are usually held there or somewhere around there) so maybe I'm not the one to ask.

[CSpec]

Charlottesville is really nice. Not sure how cheap it is though.

[intrigued]

I think Charlottesville is beautiful and I'm thinking about grad school at UVA.

It seems to still be very charming despite being a college town. But then again, I've only been there for short stays (Relay For Life Southeast Division Leadership Conferences are usually held there or somewhere around there) so maybe I'm not the one to ask.

The main reason my family is moving there is because my brother got a position as the Deputy Dean of undergrad/ grad programs. I here the campus is really cool there. I'd actually prefer to work in Charlottesville because it would be an far easier commute but I don't think the job market will be as likely to offer a good position for me once I start a search.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Well then; you're my new best friend! What say you introduce me to your brother.

LOL.

EDIT: On second thought; I don't even know you, man... If your brother sees my posts on this board I'll NEVER get into grad school there, LOL.

Edited May 10, 2011 by FUTURE_OF_GM

[intrigued]

Heh, he likes opinionated people so he probably would like your posts. Currently he is an assistanat dean of the Yale grad school. He is known as "the assistant dean of doom" in some circles because of his ability to cut through the BS that is rampant in most academic enviorments, often at the cost of lazy grad students who are trying to get their fellowships exteneded.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

UVA has a killer Social Psych program. I haven't applied yet for fear of rejection.

Plus I'm kind of waiting on the redesigned GRE in August. (that's what the GRE website says to do if you don't need test scores right this second)

Anyway... Keep us posted. I'd love to hear some opinions on Charlottesville if you end up there.

[intrigued]

Will do. I likely won't be moving there till late summer or fall if this happens. LI have to wait for my family to sell their house first (if they can't sell by september my brother is going to have to let this job go) and wait for them to get semi settled in before I can start looking to relocate.