Ready to try rural life; where should we go?

[Anonymous]

Hi, we are a family formerly based in DC (proper) who joined the Foreign Service and have now lived overseas for 6 years. We are coming back for 2 years and have decided to have an adventure and try living on some land.

Anywhere in VA or MD is fine as long as it's near a Marc line so spouse can commute in on Mondays and come home Fridays. Two or even 3 hours out is fine.

Schools are middle and elementary - we just need good schools with enthusiastic teachers who give a crap about the kids.

We are fairly liberal and would love to find a community that isn't too conservative.

Price up to $600K but preferably lower! Somewhere between 5 and 20 acres.

Any thoughts based on those factors?

The places I've found mentioned so far are New Windsor/New Market/Frederick in Maryland (I was in Frederick this summer and it was adorable) and also Warrentown / Winchester VA and Shephardstown WV.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Rural areas don’t tend to be liberal.

[Anonymous]

There are tons of MARC accessible options out near Harpers Ferry/Boonsboro. HF and Shepherdstown are liberal enough. Note the Calvert County thread also.

[Anonymous]

You must have no friends.

[Anonymous]

Do you want to do anything with the land (grow vegetables, raise chickens, etc), or do you just want to be on a big lot? Do you need to be close to medical specialists?

[Anonymous]

I grew up in bumfuck and let me tell you, it is NOT an adventure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rural areas don’t tend to be liberal.

Thank you, yes, that's why I'm asking if anyone has found anywhere that is somewhat liberal.

[Anonymous]

I was going to suggest Frederick, several MARC train stations, but unless you're downtown, forget the liberal part. Anything that's "rural" is conservative. I'm a very lonely Democrat in the woods...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you want to do anything with the land (grow vegetables, raise chickens, etc), or do you just want to be on a big lot? Do you need to be close to medical specialists?

With only 2 years before we likely head overseas again, we can't do much. I'd love a garden and some chickens but we can't heavily invest ourselves. No need to be close to specialists, just don't want to be too far from emergency services in case something unexpected happens. Thank you for your help and good questions!

[Anonymous]

Look up election results - one example
http://brilliantmaps.com/2016-county-election-map/

[Anonymous]

Shepherdstown. There's a college there so lots of professors and students.

A former colleague (who was gay.. to give you an idea of liberal values) 10 years ago used to live there and commute in by MARC train to our office in downtown DC every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in bumfuck and let me tell you, it is NOT an adventure.

OP here, when you've lived in New Delhi for four years, it sure as shit will be an adventure.

[Anonymous]

I knew a couple in Shepherdstown (don't know if they were still there) who I'd gotten to know when we were all living overseas. The husband came to DC to work at a government agency and used to ride his bike into DC! They seemed very happy there.

(They were great people - I should go see what they are up to now; we all sort of lost touch...)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You must have no friends.

They move around every couple of years. Of course they have no friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You must have no friends.

They move around every couple of years. Of course they have no friends.

OP here, I just have to ask why someone would take the time to write this? I know you don't know me and all, and I won't justify my life to strangers, but for not one person but two to be nasty for no reason, I just don't get it. Is this how you want your children to behave? Is this who you're raising them to be? Try to do better.