Anonymous wrote:NP. I'm curious about what would be the most liberal lower cost of living area in Virginia. I'm a little younger, but with similar resources (ie probably not enough for the DC area) Charlottesville?

Charlottesville is indeed an island of blue in VA. It's lower COL than D.C., but not "cheap."

Let's hear it for Luray.

Here's my suggestion: I'd stay put for the next 3 years. Get your child through college. Take this time to investigate, figure out where you want to be. Do you want to stay in VA? You could move anywhere after your child graduates.

Anonymous wrote:We bought some country property about halfway between Fredericksburg and Charlottesville. In a few years when we retire we'll build a house on it. 45 minutes to either of those towns, 55-60 to Richmond, 90 to Arlington (in good traffic). Meanwhile, property taxes are $315/year.

Orange? Madison?

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Anonymous wrote:Fredericksburg. Halfway between DC and Richmond so you can easily make a (long) day trip out of it if you want to go to either place.

Oh, no not Frednecksburg!

Agree, and no to Harrisonburg, also. Have lived in both.

Blacksburg is really remote for aging people.

Agree with Richmond posters, and would second the Charlottesville / Albemarle suggestion. If you live close to 29 it's pretty easy to get back into DC if needed.

i loooooove Harrisonburg! So many artists and interesting people there, plus I personally would be so incredibly happy having such access to all that the shenandoah had to offer. I would absolutely love to movebin town there, i found the perfect home once, but DH wouldn't go for it and the schools blow.

We spend a significant time in H'burg as 2yrs ago my brother got a position at JMU.

Harrisonburg is remote and oppressively conservative. When I was there just a few weeks ago, random strangers on the street started bitching to me about "JMU kids and Hispanics" ruining the town--same as when I went to school there in the 90s. Sure, there's artsy enclaves, but generally, no. It's hard to get over e mountain in bad weather, and no big airport (SVRA is a joke). I'd live in Madison or Greene Co., though, with easy access to C'ville, NOVA, and Richmond.

NP. I'm curious about what would be the most liberal lower cost of living area in Virginia. I'm a little younger, but with similar resources (ie probably not enough for the DC area) Charlottesville?

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Anonymous wrote:Eek...late 50s and 500k in retirement accounts. You will be semi retired for a loooong time to choose wisely.

Meh, 500k is enough for a retirement (without the "semi") by itself if you're frugal; moreso with social security.

Agree. My inlaws live pretty nicely on 48k/year (4k month with a paid off house - most of that is SS and the rest is their retirement savings.) They go out to dinner regularly, see movies and plays, FIL golfs but not all the time. They take a Viking river cruise type vacation every year or two.

4,000 a month huh? My DH and I spend $100 a pop each time we go out to dinner and our property taxes + utilities are over $1,000 a month.

What is your point? My inlaws probably spend $600/month eating out - maybe 3 nice places a month and the rest casual places. Their taxes are probably lower but say they aren't, 4000-1600 equals 2400 leftover for groceries and other activities/incidentals. It goes farther than you think when you don't have kids at home and you don't have commuting and other work related costs.

My mom moved to a 55+ older community. Loves it.

(Williamsburg).

I'd love Aldie or rural Loudoun county. Still accessible to a major airport, but with the small town charm.

Heard good things about Winchester and Staunton.

How about Warrenton, VA?

Population is about 10,000 and it's the county seat.

You can get a very nice house in your price range:

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Warrenton/3704-Osborne-Dr-20187/home/16844176

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Warrenton/6854-Averbach-Ct-20187/home/15518509

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Warrenton/11-Lake-Willow-Ct-20187/home/110162364

Richmond has come a long way. Good arts and restaurant scene. Festivals every weekend. Still affordable housing. I thought we would move post kid hs graduation, but now thinking we will stay put.

Why in VA? You crazy? I moved to Mexico and bought a small condo in Puerto Vallarta. Paid $80k cash, and 20k more to rennovate. The labor here is 10% of what you would pay in the States. Amazing food, amazing people, a looot of americans our age, and a lot of outdoorsy stuff. Tons of cheap Flights to CA and AZ if you are a little home country sick. We go out almost every night and pay like half of what our friends pay in the states.

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Anonymous wrote:Richmond or Harrisonburg - Which is better and why?

Apples and oranges. But I question whether the person who dissed H'burg upthread has been there recently. I find it becoming more like C'ville (in a good way) but with cheaper real estate.

Apples and oranges - what are the relevant differences for a couple in semi-retirement?

Anonymous wrote:Richmond or Harrisonburg - Which is better and why?

Apples and oranges. But I question whether the person who dissed H'burg upthread has been there recently. I find it becoming more like C'ville (in a good way) but with cheaper real estate.