VA or NC?
Dec 31st, 2013, 07:37 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
VA or NC?
We need your thoughts and opinions! My husband and I are in our early 20's, and we'd like to buy a house soon.
I teach art in a little town right near the state line in Virginia. and I'd love to continue with that job. My husband is currently in a job search for a community-based organization for people with disabilities, looking everywhere we might move.
We love small towns close (enough) to cities. We want to live in a place that is family-friendly, with a strong sense of community. We are both fairly liberal but are respectful of other beliefs too. We'd also like kids in the future and we want to live somewhere where good schools are an option.
If we live in North Carolina, I can qualify for in-state tuition to get my Masters in Art Education online from East Carolina University. However, ECU also offers Out-Of-State
Tuition Remission scholarships.
The places we are considering are: Blacksburg/Christiansburg, VA (1 hour commute to my job) Mount Airy, NC (30 minute commute for me) and Wytheville, VA (30 minute commute)
Tell us what you think!
I teach art in a little town right near the state line in Virginia. and I'd love to continue with that job. My husband is currently in a job search for a community-based organization for people with disabilities, looking everywhere we might move.
We love small towns close (enough) to cities. We want to live in a place that is family-friendly, with a strong sense of community. We are both fairly liberal but are respectful of other beliefs too. We'd also like kids in the future and we want to live somewhere where good schools are an option.
If we live in North Carolina, I can qualify for in-state tuition to get my Masters in Art Education online from East Carolina University. However, ECU also offers Out-Of-State
Tuition Remission scholarships.
The places we are considering are: Blacksburg/Christiansburg, VA (1 hour commute to my job) Mount Airy, NC (30 minute commute for me) and Wytheville, VA (30 minute commute)
Tell us what you think!
Jan 1st, 2014, 05:01 AM
#4
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mt. Airy is a very close match to what you seek. It is quite consevative. As noted above the current government has legislated changes which do not benefit educators.
I recommend coming here for a visit. Stay at one of the in town bed and breakfasts, not the more generic properties near the highways. Have dinner at Pandowdy's or Goober's and you will get a sense of the community. There are much better choices for food in the area, but if you want to mingle with the locals these are good starting points.
I will say that as a relatively progressive thinker living here has been quite an adjustment. But the sense of community, the easy access to good shops/restaurants/health care/recreational areas has been great.
I recommend coming here for a visit. Stay at one of the in town bed and breakfasts, not the more generic properties near the highways. Have dinner at Pandowdy's or Goober's and you will get a sense of the community. There are much better choices for food in the area, but if you want to mingle with the locals these are good starting points.
I will say that as a relatively progressive thinker living here has been quite an adjustment. But the sense of community, the easy access to good shops/restaurants/health care/recreational areas has been great.
Jan 1st, 2014, 12:12 PM
#6
Make sure wherever you go that all those people who DON'T agree with you politically are going to be JUST as respectful of YOUR beliefs as you wan t to be of theirs, especially if you are going to be a teacher.
Jan 2nd, 2014, 11:27 AM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have you visited any of these?
My biggest concerns based on your OP would be job opportunities for your husband and good school systems. Both are in much shorter supply in rural areas than urban/suburban ones.
Have you ever lived in a college town? Backsburg/Christiansburg thrive on the schools so their students and university dominate a lot of the aspects of life there.
I also don't consider Blacksburg/Christiansburg a small town. But that's a relative term. And all of these are likely to be within your reach for buying a house, so that's a plus. good luck!
My biggest concerns based on your OP would be job opportunities for your husband and good school systems. Both are in much shorter supply in rural areas than urban/suburban ones.
Have you ever lived in a college town? Backsburg/Christiansburg thrive on the schools so their students and university dominate a lot of the aspects of life there.
I also don't consider Blacksburg/Christiansburg a small town. But that's a relative term. And all of these are likely to be within your reach for buying a house, so that's a plus. good luck!
