Area Information August 31, 2023

The Great Escape: Why Moving to Richmond VA from Washington Metro area is a Smart Choice

Are you a resident of Northern Virginia or Washington, D.C., seeking a change of pace, affordability, and a richer quality of life? If so, consider the inviting appeal of Richmond, Virginia. This city, celebrated for its historical significance, vibrant culture, and friendly community, offers a compelling reason to make it your next home. In this blog post, we’ll explore why moving to Richmond from Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. is an attractive choice for residents of the region.

1. Affordable Living

One of the most compelling reasons to consider relocating is Richmond’s affordability in comparison to its northern counterparts. Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., are known for their high cost of living, with steep housing prices and everyday expenses. In Richmond, you’ll discover a much more budget-friendly environment. Housing prices are considerably lower, allowing you to get more value for your money when you buy a home. This can make it easier to achieve your financial goals, including saving for the future and enjoying a comfortable lifestyle.

2. Reduced Commute Stress

If you’re accustomed to the challenging daily commutes in the D.C. metropolitan area, Richmond offers a welcome change. Life in Richmond is more relaxed, and the daily commute is far less stressful. You’ll spend less time stuck in traffic and more time enjoying your hobbies or focusing on your career. Shorter commutes mean less stress, which can lead to a better work-life balance.

3. Quality of Life

Richmond offers an exceptional quality of life. The city is blessed with lush green spaces, scenic parks, and the iconic James River, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. For boating enthusiasts, Richmond provides easy access to water and boasts numerous boating clubs along the James River.  Food lovers can savor a diverse culinary scene that ranges from fine dining to food trucks, offering a mix of flavors without breaking the bank.

4. Welcoming Community

Richmond is renowned for its warm Southern hospitality and strong sense of community. Unlike the transient nature of D.C., where people often come and go with career changes, Richmond residents tend to establish deep roots, creating a tight-knit community. This friendly atmosphere makes it easier to build meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally.

5. Cultural and Historical Riches

Richmond is steeped in history and culture. The city played a pivotal role in American history and is home to numerous historic sites, including the Virginia State Capitol and the American Civil War Museum. For those interested in photography and videography, Richmond’s rich heritage and picturesque landscapes offer endless opportunities to capture its unique character. The thriving arts scene, with galleries, museums, theaters, and live music venues, will ignite your creative passions.

6. Proximity to Nature

Richmond offers unique access to both natural beauty and urban amenities. While Washington, D.C., offers green spaces, Richmond’s access to nature is exceptional. The James River Park System provides hiking, biking, and kayaking opportunities just minutes from downtown. Additionally, the city serves as a gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering spectacular hiking and camping experiences within a short drive and is an easy drive to the beach to have your fun in the sun.

7. Career Opportunities

Richmond is not just a city for escape; it’s a city with a growing job market. Whether you’re in finance, healthcare, or technology, you’ll find opportunities in various industries. Richmond’s diverse economy provides stability and potential for career growth, without the intense competition found in Northern Virginia and D.C.

8. Ideal Retirement Destination

Richmond is an ideal place to enjoy your retirement years. The lower cost of living allows you to save more for your retirement fund, and the city’s relaxed atmosphere provides the perfect backdrop for your golden years. Richmond’s central location on the East Coast makes it a convenient base for your global adventures, with Richmond International Airport offering direct flights to many destinations.

In conclusion, if you’re a resident of Northern Virginia or Washington, D.C., seeking a change that promises a higher quality of life, greater financial freedom, and a more balanced lifestyle, Richmond should be on your radar. With its affordability, welcoming community, cultural richness, and proximity to both nature and history, Richmond offers the perfect setting to pursue your career, passions, and retirement goals. It’s time to consider making Richmond, Virginia, your next home and embark on a new chapter of your journey in the heart of Virginia.

How "To" Your House October 27, 2022

It was Time to Cut the Cord

 

High inflation is really taking its toll on the American consumer and most of us are trying to identify as many ways as possible to reduce our spending.  About 1-1/2 years ago, I changed my approach to television services and I am saving approximately $150 per month and anyone can follow this method too!

Like a lot of Americans, I had been with one of the two main cable services in my area for an extended period of time and the cost kept increasing year over year.  Before long, I was paying over $250 per month for cable and internet and really only watching about 5-7 channels on a regular basis.  Like most homeowners, I would get trial offers in the mail from the other company with a deeply discounted rate of $89/month plus equipment costs at least twice a month and finally decided it was time to give the other company a try.  With their discounted rate plus equipment, I was able to lower my monthly cost to about $150.  I was excited for the short term to be saving about $100 per month but after the one year trial offer was over, I quickly got back to the price I was paying with the first company and even exceeded it.  The cost was bad enough but to add insult to injury, sometimes these companies would exclude one of my local channels on occasion because of their contract disputes with those local television stations.

I had been a loyal customer to the first cable brand year after year until the value of what I was getting for my money didn’t add up.  I switched and quickly became loyal to the second brand but those prices quickly went up after the one year trial.  I tried to talk to each of those companies about ways to save money to no avail.  I tried to leverage the trial offers that I was now getting from the other company to find a way to stay but the customer service had no concern about loosing me as a customer.  They knew people switch back and forth.  It was almost like they expected it from everyone.  Should I just flip flop back and forth or was it just time to cut the cord?

I decided the later and it was a great decision!  Let me show you how you can do the same.

I did in fact switch back to the first company for internet services only because let’s face it, we all have to have an internet plan in this Digital Age.  The first company had the best high speed fiber optic service for the relatively nominal price of $65.00/month.  I had been happy with their service previously and was ok with this rate per month for 250mbps.  For my TV, there are now services like YouTube TV, Sling, Hulu and others that provide streaming of traditional cable channels to their subscribers.  The beauty of these services is the ability to choose the channels that mean the most to you as opposed to paying for 500 channels that you will never watch.  I chose Sling due to the flexibility and cost of $35/month for a plan that included those channels that I watch most.

I also invested in an indoor digital over the air antenna from Amazon for about $20 to be able to get my local channels.  I connected this antenna to the input for my coaxial cable distribution system in my house and now all of my TV’s work off of the same antenna for local channels.

Over the past 18 months, I have saved approximately $2,700 and will continue to save for the next 18 months and beyond.  I enjoy the same HGTV, Discovery, News channels, and local channels plus others that I did before but at less than half the cost.  The best part about what I have done is you can do it too!!!

If you have any additional questions about how you can do what I did, just reach out and let me know.  I would love the chance to be able to help you save some money too.  If you have other tips, please leave them in the comments below.