Escape the Asphalt Jungle: Retire, Relocate or Purchase a Second Home in Chesapeake Bay CountryWritten by Elaine VonCannon
Do you love beach, but hate crowds, traffic, and overpopulation of resorts that attract hordes of tourists? Why not consider Chesapeake Bay Country as place to relocate, retire or buy a second home instead? Located just 2 - 2 1/2 hours outside of Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia or and an hour from Richmond, Virginia, Chesapeake Bay country is one of best kept secrets about coastal Virginia. It's still rural enough for solitude and close enough to metropolitan areas like Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg to provide culture and entertainment nearby.The Chesapeake Bay area was actually settled in 1600's and is rich with history. Some of best seafood restaurants are found in Gloucester, Gloucester Point, Matthews and Gwynn's Island because restaurants obtain fresh local catches of fish, oysters, scallops and blue crabs. Homes with boat docks and waterfront property abound because tidal rivers that lead to Chesapeake Bay slice land. Build estate you've always dreamed about on agricultural land - always for sale. If you want to relocate, retire or buy a second home in Chesapeake Bay country, time is now. Join me for a short journey through best of Chesapeake Bay Country. West Point West Point Virginia is located six miles off Interstate 64 between Richmond and Williamsburg and has a population of roughly 2,900 people. Property tax rates are low compared to more congested areas of Virginia. Many families want to live in West Point, because school district is so outstanding it falls within top 10 school districts of Virginia each year. West Point is a quiet Southern town, with some stunning 19th and early 20th Century architecture in historic district. West Point is located at place where Mattoponi and Pamunky Rivers join York River. Once you cross bridge on Route 33 you enter Upper Peninisula and Northern Neck, bordering Chesapeake Bay. Gloucester & Gloucester Point Across York River from historic Yorktown, (an alternate route to Gloucester is to take Route 33 from West Point) Gloucester and Gloucester Point are towns that are slowly increasing in population. Here you will find waterfront property that has been utilized by waterman since Colonial times. Many of waterfront properties were once plantations or home to Native Americas. Average homes for middle class families are numerous in this area. Choice real estate along river is available infrequently, and comes at a premium price.
| | Williamsburg Virginia: Golf Capital of the East CoastWritten by Elaine VonCannon
Williamsburg Virginia: Golf Capital of East Coast by Elaine VonCannonWilliamsburg Virginia is widely known among golf enthusiasts as golf capital of East Coast. Many avid golfers retire or relocate to Williamsburg, Virginia so they can be near a wide selection of courses. Following is a sampling of golf courses in Williamsburg, with links to their web sites, where you will find virtual tours, tour packages, and descriptions of courses. Royal New Kent (http://www.traditionalclubs.com/ROYAL/) In 2002, Golf Digest deemed Royal New Kent a 4 1/2 star course. The course flows across 7, 372 yards of Virginia countryside and has been likened to Irish links. Tall grasses blowing in wind against a backdrop of sharp, green, grassy knolls and hand-stacked rocks are reason for this comparison to Emerald Isle. Golfers are challenged by opportunity for blind shots in contoured fairways. Golfers appreciate par 72 design with over 120 bunkers. Each hole offers many different playing options. Expect special treatment from curbside attendants, who greet you and unload your bags, and upon completion – wipe your clubs and put them in car. Colonial Williamsburg – The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club (http://www.goldenhorseshoegolf.com/) Choose from three courses at Colonial Williamsburg. Visit web site for a virtual tour of each. The Gold Course This 18 hole course was opened in 1963 and was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Senior, who considers it one of his finest designs ever. The course is 6,817 yards, and offers a par 71 design. The Green Course Another 18 hole adventure, this course was designed by Rees Jones, son of Jones Sr. The Green Course is a longer design then Gold Course. Although it is created from same terrain as The Gold Course, this course is less challenging. The Green Course is 7,120 yards and offers a Par 72 design. The Spotswood Course This 9 hole wonder was named for a former governor of Colonial Virginia, Alexander Spotswood. Jones Sr. updated 1947 design in 1963 on Williamsburg Inn’s property. Williamsburg National Golf Club (http://wngc.com) Golf Digest gave this Nicklaus Design Associates course a 3 1/2 star rating and added their recommendation of WNGC as one of top 10 courses in Virginia. The 18-hole design is unique for its tree-lined fairways with challenging holes and wetlands for natural obstacles. The black course is 6,953 yards with a par 73; blue course is 6,411yards with a par 70; white course is 5,900 yards with a par 67; green course is 5, 122 yards with a par 68. Colonial Golf Club, Lanexa (http://www.golfcolonial.com) Golf Digest recently gave Colonial Golf Club in Lanexa Virginia a 4 star rating. The tree lined course, in a tidal marsh setting is enhanced by a complete lack of development in surrounding area. A public 3-hole regulation practice course is available for $18 and no prior reservation. This 18-hole course allows golfer to choose from five sets of tees (4,568-6,885 yards) and is a par 72. Golf enthusiasts love taking challenge of “The Abyss” – a par 3 that is both renowned and cursed in Williamsburg area.
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