Economic Refugees from the coast (Chesapeake, Richmond: how much, affordable houses, neighborhoods) - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

JGDlife · 06-06-2021, 05:11 AM

I live in Chesapeake, VA. A proper home here not in the ghetto is approaching a $500k entry price. My family and I are considering moving to the mountains in search of more affordability. I’ll be a retired military officer on a fixed income of $6k per month. 3bd in a safe and clean area, good restaurants, fast internet, and preferably a yard as well. I’ve only been to Roanoke once but heard a lot of good things. What cities or towns would you all suggest? I’ve spent a lot of time in Lynchburg and that’s not really my cup of tea due to the religious undertones there.

nm9stheham · 06-06-2021, 08:42 AM

I grew up near Roanoke (in Salem). It has always been pretty family oriented in the Roanoke area. Roanoke City is not as nice as it used to be, but there are plenty of nicer areas in the newer neighborhoods. The Roanoke Valley has mostly 'filled-up' with people now, so it there is traffic and such to deal with in some areas.

Seems like a couple of conflicting interests in your desires..... 'Good restaurants' usually implies suburban/urban settings but that brings on the crowded area issues you seem to face now. So I'm not sure you will be happy with that matter. If you have not done so already, take the time to read the thread under the Roanoke subforum about 'my impression after 4 years'. Be aware that everything west of the Blue Ridge is more religious.... that comes from the regional settlement history. As examples, the referendums on the state lottery and on paramutual betting showed that: every county west of the Blue Ridge voted against betting, and only one county voted for the state lottery. But, things tend to be quieter and safer in those areas, and folks overall seem more easy-going.

So with your conflicting interests, I am not sure if recommending any smaller town makes any sense. But you sure have plenty of potential to find more affordable houses.

Charlesaf3 · 06-06-2021, 09:25 AM

Have you considered the Northern Neck?

JGDlife · 06-06-2021, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nm9stheham

I grew up near Roanoke (in Salem). It has always been pretty family oriented in the Roanoke area. Roanoke City is not as nice as it used to be, but there are plenty of nicer areas in the newer neighborhoods. The Roanoke Valley has mostly 'filled-up' with people now, so it there is traffic and such to deal with in some areas.

Seems like a couple of conflicting interests in your desires..... 'Good restaurants' usually implies suburban/urban settings but that brings on the crowded area issues you seem to face now. So I'm not sure you will be happy with that matter. If you have not done so already, take the time to read the thread under the Roanoke subforum about 'my impression after 4 years'. Be aware that everything west of the Blue Ridge is more religious.... that comes from the regional settlement history. As examples, the referendums on the state lottery and on paramutual betting showed that: every county west of the Blue Ridge voted against betting, and only one county voted for the state lottery. But, things tend to be quieter and safer in those areas, and folks overall seem more easy-going.

So with your conflicting interests, I am not sure if recommending any smaller town makes any sense. But you sure have plenty of potential to find more affordable houses.

I’m fine with an urban area, I just want to move somewhere cheaper that’s not ghetto. Lynchburg is sort of like Provo, UT imo. Most conversations will tie back to liberty and church, gets fairly annoying after a while. Wanting good restaurants is kind of a normal desire for most Americans, so not sure what the conflict is. I grew up in a city of 20,000 and it had great food options. Lived in Honolulu for many years and the food overall sucked. I’m open to West Virginia as well.

Serious Conversation · 06-06-2021, 03:18 PM

There are some good restaurants in Roanoke. If you’re wanting, say, Indian, you may have only one or two options in a city like Roanoke vs. ten around Hampton Roads or something. It’s an adjustment.

With that said, I agree basically anything west of the Blue Ridge/I-81 is just too rural and poor to support this type of thing.

mpier015 · 06-07-2021, 06:34 AM

Ok, so I just got back from a weekend in Gordonsville. I'm sure Bigfoot or some of our other posters who are more familiar with the area can add more concrete facts to this but I freakin loved it out there. Beautiful town with beautiful rolling hills and open pastures. Good view of the mountains in certain areas and the people in the town were super friendly. I'm usually a city poster on here but I have to say I really can't wait to get back out to that area. Close enough to Richmond and Charlottesville etc. Gordonsville has gained a spot on my list.

spencer114 · 06-07-2021, 06:53 AM

I’m not sure how expensive it is but the area around Waynesboro is very nice. I’m sure it’s cheaper than Chesapeake. I’m not sure if it’s enough of a difference to pack up and move across the state though. Harrisonburg and Staunton are nice, with restaurants and vineyards and cultural attractions. The Valley is interesting because it is comprised of very small towns but there are so many of them that the area can support large stores like Target, Lowe’s and Home Depot. So you can live in a town of a few thousands but still have a Starbucks within a mile of it. Lexington is my favorite town in the valley but it’s probably the most expensive too.

badger74 · 06-07-2021, 07:44 AM

I have lived in LYH for 6 years (retired from Seattle) and not been to church for decades save a funeral or wedding. Your issues leaves me perplexed. Cant think of anyone that tried to get me to a church or even talked religion. LU is a popular issue but more about growth it brought and the challenges and benefits of same. Most people in my area (Peakland/Boonsboro) are well educated and upper income so that might be part of it. Many of my friends are retired doctors and professional class people. Not an Evangelical among them.

spencer114 · 06-07-2021, 08:13 AM

I agree that Lynchburg doesn’t feel particularly churchy to me. I haven’t spent much time there but when I visit, it feels like a city of upwardly mobile educated people (and of course religious people can be upwardly module and educated too). It’s pretty and has interesting things to do. The people seemed welcoming to me.

Since it’s June I’ll use Pride as an example. I’m willing to bet that there are more pride flags on display in downtown Lynchburg right now than in Chesapeake. I’m sure that Chesapeake is more secular overall but because it doesn’t have a downtown, there isn’t necessarily a high concentration of secular folk in any area. By virtue of the fact that Lynchburg has a hip and burgeoning downtown, the area seems less churchy to me than Chesapeake. I’ve spent zero time in the Lynchburg suburbs though and wouldn’t be surprised if it gets churchy fast. I was surprised by how much I liked Lynchburg. Piers ally is still chose something in the Shenandoah Valley north of 64. The area is just better connected to the other places in Virginia and beyond that I like to visit.

_burrito · 06-07-2021, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGDlife

Lynchburg is sort of like Provo, UT imo. Most conversations will tie back to liberty and church, gets fairly annoying after a while.

Lynchburg is a good Conservative city. I'd figure ex-military like yourself would appreciate that? But no, it is not overly religious. It does exist, but not just because LU is there. Virginia is still part of the Bible belt, south of NOVA, of course.

It's a great place to raise a family & very affordable. Check out Forest, or even Bedford.