Tell me about Virginia?

[C4IGrant]

I like and miss VA. I never lived in the NOVA area though.

Good State for sure (as is much/all of the South). This is a pretty big endorsement coming from a Yankee.



C4

[vaspence]

Virginia is great for all the reasons listed and more. That said, I have no use for anything north of Ashland and am all for there being a 51st/52nd state called North Virginia

A heads up on the teaching jobs availability. At least here in Chesterfield (outside of Richmond) teaching jobs come from who you know. My sister in law grew up here, has a Masters in Special Education and has been trying to get a steady job for 4 years. FWIW the powers that be in our school system are a tight knit bunch, nepotism and cronyism are rampant, not sure about the NOVA area. NOVA probably doesn't have this problem due to the fact there aren't any/many natives and its populated by left wing, yankee come heres

All jokes aside, in my county they just cut about 150 active teaching positions including a bunch of special education teachers. I'd imagine it's similar throughout the Commonwealth as school boards and local governments deal with cuts in state funding and decreasing tax revenues.

[SHIVAN]

NoVA's traffic is a product of how taxes are distributed from NoVA to the rest of the Commonwealth. NoVA puts in the most tax revenue, needs the most roadwork, infrastructure upkeep, and gets back a fraction of what we send out.

Fairfax County is, or was, always highly rated relative to all other public school systems in the country. There is always a high demand for special education teachers here, but not sure of what openings there are....it should be easy to find on Fairfax County's websites.

Taxes are pretty much unavoidable, as all governments have to get their pound of flesh in some way.

Gun laws are favorable, and definitely superior to NC, MD, DC, DE. NFA is a non-issue, though some locales will require a trust or corporation due to ultra-liberal, and anti-gun, idiot Chiefs of LE and/or City Attorneys.

Traffic is pretty much like nothing you've experienced, unless you've lived in NYC or LA. I've driven in all the other cities that make the Top 10 worst traffic cities in the country, and DC Metro, LA Metro and NYC are the worst - period. That being said, if you are smart about your job selection, and home location, you can avoid a HUGE chunk of the problem.

People live 25-40 miles away from where they work, and then harp about how bad their commute is...

Anyway, NoVA will offer more job opportunity, more income, and a marginally higher expense than some places, but in the end EVERYTHING is available here or within a four hour drive. If you have kids, the amount of history to be seen firsthand in NoVA and DC is staggering. The Smithsonians are free, a high school or college student can peruse the Library of Congress for research, etc, etc, etc.

[Littlelebowski]

I miss the people and climate of both San Diego County and the entire state of Wyoming but the jobs and gun laws of VA are hard to beat.

The traffic is murderous but as mentioned, plan your place of residence accordingly. I ride a bicycle into work and it takes me literally 20 minutes or less. I also have a gunshop within a 2 block walking distance. I've made quite a few good friends out here, mainly through the shooting community.

[rifleman2000]

One thing: don't come here and be a Cowboys fan! We have too many already.

[sewvacman]

I lived in Alexandria for about 5 years and I definitely liked it better than MD or DC. I believe they have passed an ordnance since then that there cannot be any gunshops in the city limits, so don't move to Alexandria. Woodbridge was nice back then. Been 10yrs since I've been there.

[6933]

Southwestern VA is beautiful country filled with good people.

[TRD]

DO IT! If I could live anywhere in the country, I would (call me crazy) move back to NoVA.

IMO, it is the BEST - good gun laws, loved the rich history/proximity to DC, 4 seasons, everything you could ever need within a "short drive" (depending on traffic) etc

It has it's usual ups and downs but I do not think you will regret the move.

[5pins]

Thanks for all the input.

Yes I live on the dry side of WA.

As far as taxes are concerned, we have no income tax but a high sells tax. It is up to almost 9%. We also have high gas tax at around 40 cents a gallon. Property taxes are reasonable but in the past few years it seems like there is a tax or fee for everything.

Apparently they (Fairfax) have a need for teachers, police, fire, and school bus drivers. There is a program for people moving there and taking one of those jobs where you are eligible for “magnet housing”. Basically we could rent a four bedroom townhouse for around $700 a month.

Washington is not a NFA friendly state. We can own a suppresser but can’t use it.

[tb-av]

I live in Richmond ( Henrico actually ) and a lot of my job deals with people relocating out of the Richmond area. Most of these families have relocated here and most of them say they wish they didn't have to leave. Some have relocated through several states. These are usually families with a couple of children although it varies. Most are management to upper executive.

School systems:
Richmond City: I would pass on that one if you could.

Chesterfield County: Good
Henrico County: Good
both of the above counties have a westward growth patten with most of the newer schools in those areas.
Hanover: Good

Other counties in the area are Powhatan and Goochland(pricey)

Traffic is not a problem.

Personal property tax for homes run right around a $1 per $100 except the City which I think is about $1.55 or so now.


DC is 1.5 hours
Outer Banks 3.5 hrs
Va Beach 2 hrs
Blue Ridge Mountains 1 hr
Several large rivers about 1.5 hrs. Ches. Bay, etc.

I haven't checked lately but I think the general housing price differential is 50-75% higher in NoVA.

As an example in western Chesterfield you could buy a 5 year old 3,700sf home with 2 car gar in a planned community with pool, clubhouse, etc, for about $425K.

Can't help you on the special ed deal. I had a friend that taught special ed in a hospital but they shut that down years ago. He got a position in Chesterfield but I'm not certain it was special ed. There are quite a few very good private schools in western Henrico. Not sure how that might pan out.

Tom B