Moving to Williamsburg, VA from Europe ...

Old Aug 12th, 2003, 12:27 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Moving to Williamsburg, VA from Europe ...

Hi All:

My family and I are considering moving from the Netherlands to the Williamsburg area. I grew up in the Gloucester area so know the CW area OK - but not in terms of living there. We're trying to re-create as much of the European "feel" as possible, which is why we think W'burg, and W&M College, might be the best place to settle to take advantage of a bit of diversity, the chance to bike and walk, and small shops. That said, I'd really love some information / advice from anyone who lives there. Ideally, we will live within walking distance to CW - neither of us are big suburb fans. Thanks -
Weespxx is offline  
Old Aug 12th, 2003, 01:21 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,050
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You really need to visit the CW area before you pursue this any farther. The area has become SO built-up, the main roads are lined with hotels and fast-food places, leading to outlet malls. There might be a limited area that has some charm but in general it's overrun with college students and tourists, hardly the charming community that you seem to be envisioning. Most of the historic area of CW itself is of course a living-history museum, I don't think many people actually live there. Frankly, I think you'd be better-off in Gloucester.
Anonymous is offline  
Old Aug 12th, 2003, 02:16 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,670
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Weespxx, Are you all returning to the area and looking for the best place to land or are you considering Williamsburg as a possible recreation of a European town? If it's the former, I have tons of info which I would be glad to share with you. If it's the latter, I'll happily share the info but suggest you consider (and visit if possible) other communities as well.

I have lived in Wmbg for 7 years after the corporate life in DC. Love it here. I also attended W&M so I know what this place was like before it became A Good Place to Move To.

I'm guessing that Anonymous doesn't live in Williamsburg. Otherwise he/she would know that many people do in fact live in or within immediate walking distance of CW. There are many roads not lined with hotels & souvenir shacks but those are roads not normally travelled by visitors.

You must be familiar with the area if you know Colonial Williamsburg is nicknamed CW. Let me know if I can help.
obxgirl is online now  
Old Aug 17th, 2003, 06:03 AM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
OBX Girl - Thanks for the response. I'm originally from Gloucester, so I do know the area pretty well, but haven't lived in Va since I graduated from College in 89.

I would really like to chat with you about living in W'burg. We're coming back to join the family company in Gloucester and are looking to live somewhere that will allow us to enjoy SOME of the aspects of living in Europe - ie walking and biking. Also think W'burg might offer us somewhat of a more varied type of neighbor than we might get elsewhere. Although we're considering Kingsmill, I think my ideal would be to be near CW - but again, I only visit on holidays so have no idea what it's like to LIVE in CW. Any advice, suggestions, etc are more than welcome!

Thanks
Weespxx is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2003, 11:19 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,514
Received 7 Likes on 3 Posts
Kingsmill is a great place to live if you have kids but if its the two of you look at the Walnut Hills area off Jamestown Rd. or Indian Springs Rd. It is very easy to walk into CW from those locations. It may be very difficult to find something, however. Also remember that you will be within walking distance to tourist shops not food stores or the shops you will need for everyday life. Walnut Hills and Indian Springs are within walking distance to the College for programs, etc.
Birdie is offline  
Old Aug 17th, 2003, 12:33 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,670
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Weespxx, So as not to clutter up a travel forum, feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] and I'll answer any questions or send you to someone who will. I agree with Birdie that family composition might drive your choice of neighborhood.
obxgirl is online now  
Old Aug 20th, 2003, 12:28 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks Birdie - good points. We do hae small children, so I know Kingsmill might be a great option, but am filled with fear at living in what I perceive as a very homogenous community. That said, we're looking at home in Kingsmill and in the areas you recommend. Appreciate your advice!
Weespxx is offline  
Old Aug 20th, 2003, 06:55 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,514
Received 7 Likes on 3 Posts
Of the three gated communities, Kingsmill is the least homogenous because it is older and therefore has some smaller, older homes plus quite a few townhome communities. People seem happy with the public schools. The elementary school has the highest school lunch participant numbers in the district but it has a lot of parental involvement and has a very good reputation. I should say that the elementary school requires uniforms. A good thing I believe. That said, I'll also tell you that the Gloucester and Mathews schools are some of the best in the state but they are very homogenous. The elementary school the Williamsburg city kids go to is also very good. I don't know what high school they go to though. My biggest problem with Kingsmill is preventing my kids from having a "country club mentality". I balance that by sending them on church missions etc. Now after all that info on Kingsmill I want to make sure you realize that the bridge to Gloucester now has a toll and there are openings that can interrupt your commute. Good luck with your decision.
Birdie is offline  
Old Aug 21st, 2003, 05:35 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Birdie

Thanks for the insight into Kingsmill - when I mentioned homogenous, I was referring to house selection as well as residents. I would like to believe that I will be living in an area with other cultures and races, not to mention religions. May be too much to ask for, but it is a wish for us. Also looking for a variety in age - we have some older neighbors now, and I love my kids being exposed to older people. Thanks again for your info and advice.
Weespxx is offline  
Old Sep 24th, 2003, 09:27 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I noticed this post after I responded to your American South post, and I wanted to comment that the extended Hampton Roads area is quite different from the Deep South, which I was commenting on earlier based on your Georgia comments. I guess its proximity to DC or just the fact that its closer to the North makes it more livable. I think Williamsburg is a great place to raise kids, with the diversity, tolerance, and educational opportunities you are looking for, as well as being fairly safe. I understand your concerns about Kingsmill, and for me I found it too "vanilla" and homogeneous for my tastes when I visited, and agree you might be happier in a more urban environment. We also lived three years in Norfolk and really enjoyed our time there compared to our time here in the Deep South. This might be too far of a commute, but Ghent, near downtown Norfolk, is a fabulous revitalized neighborhood, with diversity of race, religion, age, etc. Norfolk has changed quite a bit over the last 10 years. We parked our car on the weekends and walked everywhere. There were some great arts events (namely a festival in the spring), great restaurants, and downtown is just a short walk or bike ride away. They were working on building a bike path from ODU to downtown when we left. I haven't lived in CW, just visited, but I did want to put in a plug for a nearby area that might have all that you're looking for. Good luck with your move, and hopefully I won't get flamed on this post as well.
JennyL is offline  
Old Sep 25th, 2003, 01:15 PM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Jenny

Thanks for your reply and the insight into Norfolk as well. I hadn't thought about there as an option, but will now.

Appreciate it

Tracy
Weespxx is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lnscherer
United States
24
Aug 16th, 2006 04:16 AM
faythe14
United States
17
Oct 30th, 2005 07:54 AM
cctraveler
United States
17
Oct 17th, 2005 08:07 AM
Sweens
United States
14
Mar 29th, 2005 09:39 AM
ctroum
United States
4
May 29th, 2003 08:14 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -