Considering a move to Charles Town, Harpers F, Loudoun, or Frederick MD (Leesburg: sales)

[ibeg4sushi]

Hi guys!

My hubby and I want to move back up north after ten years here in North Carolina. We love it here in Greensboro, but really miss our family, who currently resides in Charles Town, WV.

Seeing that that immediate area is a bit of a Tri-State combo, I'm having a hard time investigating everything!
Maybe you guys can help?

FOR DAUGHTER - she is an avid artist and plus violin in her current school. Are there any "art high schools" anywhere in the vicinity? She's 13 and will be in 8th grade next, so really focusing more on the high school aspect for her. For Colleges, staying just over the border in Loudoun County would be cool, but again, I can't seem to find any information about Loudoun County schools from the Eastern border through to Leesburg! Help please! ** alternately, It would be nice if she went to the same high school as her 3 cousins who go to Jefferson county schools.

FOR MYSELF - I am a professional artist, painter! I do pet portraits, some Plein Air (painting landscapes outside), and am building up my collection to one day show, and do sales online. Being relatively close to DC is a plus for that, but locally, I'd like to know the ART BUZZ in the trip-state niche! Aside from Michael's in Fredericksburg, is there anything else? Just curious! Are there any other artists in Charles Town, frederick, etc who can get in touch with me? Thank you!

FOR HUBBY - the Love of my Life! He has been with Barnes and Noble for 15 years, he's solid and really great at what he does in Management, and would love to stay with BN, but --- he is looking to become a store manager in that area, and NOT have to venture to NOVA at all. Leesburg, he might be okay with, but he hates that route 7 as much as I do. He's a serious book buff, video games, comics, coffee, so much. So any of those things you could mention would be a big help, too!

We used to live in Ashburn. Went back last month, and everything is built up! WOW! Looks nice, but we can't breathe. So that area is not an option for living on the regular. Hubby's mom is getting on in years, the cousins are all growing up without us, and we want to be close by again!! Thank you for your help!!!

[BOS2IAD]

Have you seen this? It's from 2014 but it talks about artist communities in WV:

https://wvexplorer.com/2014/03/14/to...munities-2014/

[Flamingo13]

You are talking about 3 states - all I can suggest is to a little more investigating in those threads and go from there...

[ibeg4sushi]

Originally Posted by BOS2IAD

Have you seen this? It's from 2014 but it talks about artist communities in WV:

https://wvexplorer.com/2014/03/14/to...munities-2014/

Thanks so much! That's helpful!

[ibeg4sushi]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

You are talking about 3 states - all I can suggest is to a little more investigating in those threads and go from there...

That's exactly what I mean! I'm just now starting to try and sort this out.

[venture2000]

If your husband wants to stay with Barnes and Noble- I want to point out you are talking Frederick MD, Ashburn VA, Tysons Corner VA or Fairfax VA.

Barnes and Noble does not have any stores in Hagerstown, Martinsburg, Charles Town or Winchester.

[HokieFan]

Use your husband's job (since your career allows for a more flexible location) and your budget to narrow it down for you.

Most people in NoVA will advise to get the job first (or at least an interview/offer), and then consider areas that fit your:

1.) Budget
2.) Commute tolerance
3.) Wants/Needs in a house, neighborhood, schools, etc.

^Not necessarily in that order.

[BrassTacksGal]

Loudoun has sky high taxes and Maryland does too. West Virginia is much better.

[ibeg4sushi]

Originally Posted by BrassTacksGal

Loudoun has sky high taxes and Maryland does too. West Virginia is much better.

As in property tax? Yeah, I imagine so. Any other taxes? I know the Avergae HOA fees in NOVA tend to be horrendous! What about other taxes? Thanks for your help!