Rappahannock? Orange? I am going to need to have a job of some kind, probably in a medical-administrative area, and my sense is that there just aren’t any jobs in the Valley.
I’m very familiar with VA north of 64; south of it, my knowledge of the areas starts to get more shaky. Advice is welcome.
You’re right; unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot of work south of 64. I don’t know much about that line of work, but it sounds like you’ll want to stay close to the cities. Lynchburg, Lexington and Roanoke are all really nice; I used to live in that area. Blacksburg is fine if you don’t mind being near the school.
If you want something a little more rural, southwest Virginia has a few hospitals. Big Stone (which isn’t too far from my family’s homestead) comes immediately to mind.
Tidewater, south of 64, isn’t too bad yet. Our congress critter is Randy Forbes who is pretty conservative but is presently hysterical over the military cuts in sequestration. Our delegate is Rick Morris, a Repub who ousted an entrenched dem but just voted for the tax hike. Louise Lucas is another local politician who’s famous for her calling anyone against Obozo as a RACIST. Slowly, things may be getting bluer here as the traditional farming community gets squeezed out but right now it’s tolerable.
My kid just bought in Front Royal, very red and traditional still and is only an hour, without traffic, from DC environs. It’s right on the Shennandoah R. with lots of outdoor stuff to do, lots of history and stunning views. House prices are still reasonable. Also, it’s on I-81 so easy to go north and south on east coast without getting on hideous I-95.
Just to further explain, I was referring to Tidewater/Hampton Roads area, to the west...There are many medical practices as well as hospitals in the area, the big ones are in Norfolk but others are on the Penninsula. Williamsburg is big lib town because of Wm and Mary, parts of Newport News and most of Hampton are blue also.
Rap and Orange have a bunch of weekenders and hippies. But there are employment opportunities in Warrenton, Culpepper and Charlottesville. But the lib stench is all over the areas in many cases. Honestly, aside from inside the Valley, the one place that maintains it’s character and patriotism is the Neck. Maybe it’s the historical isolation, but outside of some places on the Middle Peninsula and Eastern Shore, there is nowhere east of the Valley and North of Richmond with much sense anymore. The Neck actually needs skilled folks in many cases but it’s not the most economically advantaged area. I would start with Rappahannock Medical Center in Kilmarnock or some facilities in Warsaw or Montross. Also, the area around Dahlgren is growing because of Navsea. That’s a gig where you can live in any number of great places and still be at work in 30 minutes. Good luck.