Tag Archives: community life

Celebrate the Holidays with the Lake of the Woods Church!

The Lake of the Woods Church will be celebrating the holidays with Cantata on Friday, December 17th, and Saturday, December 18th at 7pm. Followed by Family Caroling Night on Wednesday, December 22nd at 4pm. Celebrate the birth of Savior, Jesus Christ on Christmas Eve with service times at 5pm, 7pm, 9pm, and 11pm.

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Santa Claus is Coming to… Lake of the Woods, Virginia 22508!

The Lake of the Woods Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company Inc posted their Santa Tracker schedule on their website. Santa will begin driving around on the Fire Truck, starting Friday, December 17th around 5pm the ride will be from the Front Gate to Confederate Cir on the marina side of the Lake; then to Sheetz, Food Lion, and Walmart parking lots. The next day, Saturday, December 18th starting about 5pm, Santa will start at Confederate Drive to the Front Gate on the golf course side; then to Sheetz, Food Lion, and Walmart parking lots. Finally, Santa will make his final debut on Sunday, December 19th about 5pm, one trip around Lakeview Pkwy then to Rapidan Rd, Wilderness Shores, and Somerset subdivisions, then to Sheetz, Food Lion, and Walmart parking lots. So wherever you will be during Santa’s visit, plan accordingly so you can wave hello to the jolly-old man in the red suit!

Lake of the Woods Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company loves to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

The Differences between City, Suburban, and Rural Living

Every person in the world has a different opinion when it comes to urban and countryside lifestyles. Some would never give up the city amenities, no matter the financial burden and health threats that kind of life imposes. Others who experienced country life say that getting away from the city where you wake up to the sound of birds instead of traffic noise has no price. Still, there is a third option for those who are a part of both of these worlds – the suburbs. Each of these has many benefits and some downsides. Knowing the differences between city, suburban, and rural living can help you find where you belong if you’re starting to reconsider your living conditions.

Life in rural areas

Life in the countryside is a dream come true for anyone who wants to get rid of stress and anxiety induced by big-city survival. Rural living includes life in the open, spread-out areas and small communities. There is a lot of undeveloped lands, usually surrounded by magnificent nature.

This lifestyle is a choice of people who enjoy close-knit communities, where everyone knows each other. You get to enjoy the vast space, lovely views, healing nature. This is the perfect choice for people in search of more sustainable ways of living. With a bit of gardening and farming skills, you can provide for yourself and your family and perhaps even start a small business. In addition, the peace, quiet and clean air makes it perfect for those working remotely.

Since Virginia offers majestic nature, many young families and retirees decide to move to local counties. Besides the obvious health benefits of clean air and a stress-free environment, they provide a lower cost of living and much more affordable housing.

Countryside in Virginia
Magnificent woods, lakes, rivers, and trails could be at your disposal if you move to the countryside.

The downsides of living in the countryside

Even though countryside residents have many health and financial benefits, there are some downsides. One of them is the commute issue. If you don’t work close to your home, you’ll need to drive to work in the city. Even though some rural areas such as Orange County are less than 30 miles from Charlottesville, which makes the commute to work bearable, not all places have the same luck.

In addition, local shops and amenities can be found only in the strict village center. Thus, you will need to stock up on food and supplies to avoid driving to town anytime you need something. That means that families usually need more than one car to get around. Also, with fewer amenities, you have fewer available services. Not being used to this occurrence can be hard if you’ve moved from the city to the countryside. However, living in rural areas makes you resilient and craftier. After you get used to such living, you’ll eliminate the need for many things.

Suburban life

There are clear differences between city, suburban, and rural living, including housing costs, development patterns, and population numbers. However, the difference between suburban and city lifestyles was never clearly defined. Finding the perfect home in a suburb is a choice of many growing families, young professionals, and retirees searching for a slower pace and more affordable cost of living. The benefits of such a lifestyle are many since you get to live peacefully and more comfortably. Plus, the commute to work isn’t as daunting as when you live in the countryside.

A house in a suburban neighborhood
Suburban lifestyle, no matter how convenient, may often lack green surfaces and have nearly the same living costs as the city does.

The good and bad side of being “in-between”

Life in the suburbs is different from city life due to a slower pace and more affordable housing. Still, a suburb is considered a subset of the city. There is no official definition for it. It’s not a central part of the city, nor is it a town of its own. Some suburbs share some country-like living amenities, but still, they are not the countryside either. The cost of living is very similar to that in cities, and since cities are constantly growing and expanding, places around them are often modified with new buildings construction.

It’s safe to say that cities are slowly swallowing the suburbs, making them closer to the core. This is a good and a bad thing since you will be a homeowner in a competitive market. Still, everything you were trying to avoid while living in the city will eventually catch up with you. However, if you’ve tasted the suburban life and you need more action, maybe the city is something worth considering. Since most moving companies provide their services to wider areas, a transfer to the city from the suburbs is not something you should worry about.

City lifestyle

Needless to say that cities are the centers of happenings. They are densely populated hubs of industries, cultures, and politics. There is no better place for work opportunities, education, social and cultural life, and thousands of other amenities. Often you will hear that cities have a life of their own, that they never sleep, and that is true. They are the places where everything is happening, where progress takes place and dreams come true. Still, achieving those dreams is not always easy.

Busy streets of Richmond, VA
One of the perks of living in the city is the fact that you can get almost everywhere on foot.

Life in the city takes its toll

Even though life in the city can give a lot, it takes the same. To sustain in such an environment, you have to work very hard and overburden yourself with life’s many stressful factors. Daily traffic jams, rush, ever-emerging bills, limited living space, polluted air, lack of green surfaces, high costs of living, and many other small things add up to a substantial overwhelming worry. For example, for the price of a tiny apartment in NYC, you can get two beautiful homes in the countryside. This change can help you get the home of your dreams and a passive income. Even with the recent fluctuations in the housing markets worldwide, investing in real estate is always a great idea.

City life eats your money, and you can never earn as much as you can spend. No wonder if you feel a sudden rush to run away from it all. You don’t have to make a radical change and move to the countryside, but you can try living in the suburbs for a while. Even though the moving process takes a lot of time and preparation, you can still get everything ready in 7 days if you develop a good strategy.

Conclusion

Leaving the city would certainly make you healthier. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’d be happier. Country life is not for everyone – you have to be ready for it. The urge to get away is becoming more frequent with young Newyorkers who are moving to the countryside looking for sustainable ways of living. Others, however, find it hard to let go of all the city amenities. In addition, for some, the move is a financial necessity or comes with age. Still, it’s essential to know your options when the time comes to change directions. Whether you decide to focus on your career, family, or eco-friendly lifestyle, understanding the differences between city, suburban, and rural living can help you turn your life around.

Meta description: When looking for new living conditions knowing the differences between city, suburban, and rural living can help you turn your life around.

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Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Lake of the Woods Association Committee Fair Coming Soon!

Save the date for November 20th from 1 pm – 4 pm at the LOW Clubhouse.

There will be 21 committee booths set up for community residents to visit and learn about the different opportunities available for them to volunteer to serve as a member, alternate, or advisor! Do you know all 21 of the different committees available for residents to join and how you can participate? It’s a perfect time to connect with other community residents and meet current and former committee members.

There will be door prizes given out, free punch and cookies for guests, and a cash bar held in the members’ lounge.

From the Board of Boating Examiners to Communications and External Affairs, there’s a little of everything for everyone. Including and certainly not limited to Pickleball/Tennis, Planning Committee, Safety, and Security, these are only a handful of the 21 different committees to join. Come out Saturday, November 20th to the LOWA Committee Fair to see what interests you!

Lake of the Woods committee fair opportunity
Lake of the Woods committee fair opportunity

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Moving to Lake of the Woods in 2022

Moving to Lake of the Woods in 2022

Lake of the woods might not be the best-known community at the moment. However, it is quickly gaining more recognition and popularity! And with a new year fast approaching, we can expect many more people to gradually be drawn to this hidden gem. If you are thinking about eventually relocating in 2022, you might be wondering what you can expect from it. What kind of welcome you would receive. What kind of amenities this community has to offer. Maybe even what nature’s bounty you will be able to enjoy as well as, of course, the essential preparations you need to make before your move. All of this is vital information for a potential new resident! To better help convey all of this, we have created a post about moving to Lake of the Woods in 2022!

Nature to enjoy

If there is one thing Lake of the Woods does not lack, it is beautiful nature! The community got its name after the lake, now known as the Main Lake. Interestingly enough, another lake was built later, becoming known as Keaton’s Lake. The lakes host a variety of beaches, marinas, and, most importantly, fish! The two lakes steal the show when it comes to an aerial tour of Lake of the Woods, but they are hardly the only draw. The variety of walking and hiking trails offer a splendid view of the forested areas found around the community. So, if living near the beach is not your thing, don’t worry! There are still other options for what you want your home to look out over, and they are just as visually stunning.

Sailing on Main Lake
Sailing on the Lake is a beautiful experience!

Amenities to look forward to

Lake of the Woods has its roots in starting off as a resort community. It was built with relaxation and comfort firmly in mind. And it shows! You will have nearly every amenity related to hobbies and fun activities at your fingertips. From different clubs, campgrounds, various parks, and golf courses, swimming pools, and other fun outdoor activities to cafes, book clubs, arts and crafts organizations, and similar to while away your time in. This isn’t to say you can’t expect practical amenities, though! For example, you can expect more amazing local movers to be added to the Best Long Distance Movers database covering the area! Efforts are being made to further enhance the comfort and convenience offered to the inhabitants of this wonderful community. Including more places to shop at, which is the one thing the community currently lacks. 

Locals to meet

The resident numbers for Lake of the Woods are not high. With under ten thousand residents, it is nowhere near the numbers you might be used to if you lived your whole life in the busy city streets. The small-towners, however, will recognize the atmosphere. Life here is relaxed and welcoming, and the locals reflect that! You will hardly find a more accepting and warm place to call home, and even buying a vacation home here would be an excellent investment. The residents are very much willing to help their new neighbors. So, you can expect to start your life here with plenty of tours and sightseeing trips led by your new friends. The population does tend to be a bit older since the tranquility of the community lends itself well to retirement. But, plenty of new, young families are starting to move in.

A parents and child reconnection while checking out the area because they are planning on moving to Lake of the Woods in 2022
Long walks are both healthy and an excellent chance to reconnect with your family!

Things to keep in mind for your move

Now, Lake of the Woods was planned and built primarily as a resort community. While you can still definitely look for movers for your long-distance move and even hire experts for the job in Virginia, you’ll need some foresight for when you’re there. Furniture’s one thing. You will want to secure all of the furniture you need for your new home beforehand. Otherwise, you’d need to organize transport for it all over again. For another thing, you’ll want to do most of your shopping for appliances and similar before your move too. Much for the same reason. Finally, while you’ll hardly go hungry from want of good food in the community, not with the cafes and restaurants it has to offer, you will still want to bring some of the more exotic ingredients with you if planning to cook on arrival without a lengthy ride to acquire them. 

Advantages of moving to Lake of the Woods for young families

As we have already mentioned, Lake of the Woods is starting to draw in more young families. And the reasons for this are obvious! Not only is the area very peaceful and beautiful to boot, drawing kids out of their houses easily, it is also supremely safe. Security is there to look out for you 24/7. Moreover, there are many rescue and assistance teams on standby near the lake in case of any swimming debacles. Schools, while few in the immediate vicinity of the community, are still present. Offering access to preschool, elementary and middle school without having to travel far away. Higher levels of education are still accessible with relative ease, though they would require some transit time. Finally, it is very easy to find cheap housing, as the monthly real estate statistics for Lake of the Woods show.

Final Considerations

As you can see from our post on moving to Lake of the Woods in 2022, this is a promising, growing community! It has continually evolved and changed to form what it is today. No longer is it a simple resort. Nor is it only attractive to those looking to peacefully retire. The vibrancy, beauty, and attractive amenities make this a perfect place for starting a family and seeing your kids flourish. So, if you like the picture we have painted with our post, we are happy to welcome you as part of our community!

Picture Links:

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Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Support Lion’s Club 2021 Winter Clothing Drive!

The Lion’s Wilderness Food Pantry, sponsored by the Lake of the Woods Lions and Lioness Club, is collected clean, gently used, or new warm clothing items!

They are looking for: coats, sweaters, gloves, hats, and especially children’s items: children’s coats, hats, and gloves.

Donations will be accepted at the following drop off stations:

Our Licata Group Office (36111 Goodwin Dr, Locust Grove, VA 22508, across from LOW’s front gate between CVS & AT&T in the Food Lion shopping center)

Lake of the Woods Clubhouse

Fareways/Pro Shop entrance

Edward Jones Investment (Across from LOW Gate)

Lions Yard Sale (Saturdays, 8 am – 11 am; Velona Building)

Lake of the Woods Church – Box Outside of Worship Center

With the help of our community, we hope to help as many needy families as we can! Volunteers will distribute the winter clothing on Saturday, October 30th, 10am – 12pm at the Lion’s Wilderness Food Pantry (located on State Road 20 in the Locust Grove Town Center).

For more information, please call Bill Kay (860)989-9441 or Nicki Buell (703)217-5615.

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Lake of the Woods 37th Annual Fine Art Show and Sale – Save the Date!

Visit the LOW Community Center, Saturday and Sunday, September 25th and 26th between 10AM – 5PM to enjoy fine arts created by our very own local artists here in Lake of the Woods, Virginia.

This event will be the 37th Annual Fine Art Show held by the Lake of the Woods Visual Arts Council (LOWVAC) now known as LOW Arts, with the first having been in 1981; unfortunately, due to the pandemic in 2020, it was not held.

There will be a variety of mediums showcased and for sale, including paintings, photography, glass, fiber, jewelry, pottery, mixed media, and so much more, there is sure to be something for everyone! In addition to art, the Lake Authors of the Wilderness will be attending for sales and signing of their books, and the LOW Woodworking Club will reveal their creations made during one of their Challenges. Not only LOW artists will be featured; student artwork from the local county public schools will also be on display for admiration.

There will be a RAFFLES and a Silent Auction held to benefit the Orange County public school art programs with a theme of “LAKE LIFE.” Up for raffle will be 6 different wooden animals pull toys (animals of the lake) hand-painted by LOW artists, a “basket of art” that includes hundreds of dollars worth of artwork from participating artists, a gorgeous wood cutting board, and lastly, two large panels each featuring a dozen small works by LOW Arts members. Visit here for more information about the show.

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

LOW Fall Community Yard Sale in October!

On Saturday, October 2nd the Lake of the Woods Community will be hosting their community yard sale.

What a great way to start off Fall, remove all those items in your home that no longer serve you and/or bring you joy! Items will vary from toys, clothing, books, household items, lawn and garden tools, sports equipment, board games, and much more!

Join your fellow community neighbors on Saturday, October 2nd from 9am to 2pm at Sweetbriar Park in Lake of the Woods for the ultimate community yard sale.

Spaces do cost $15 each, and to rent a table will be an additional $10 per table. Tables are limited, please contact the Community Center at 540-972-9680 for more info!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Lake of the Woods, VA Fireworks Scheduled for September 4th!

The moment we’ve all been waiting for, the long-awaited fireworks from the postponed Independence Day show have been officially rescheduled for Saturday, September 4th, 2021! First, there will be a show on the Veteran’s Dam by the Ski Team starting at 7pm! Fireworks are slated to begin around 8:45 PM from the Veteran’s Dam. Take this opportunity to grab your friends and meet up for dinner at the Clubhouse prior to the show! Captains, grab your boats and have your anchors ready, the show is back for our viewing pleasure for the Labor Day holiday weekend. Let your friends and family know, so you can plan to attend the show.

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Benefit Day at Clearwater Fire Grill for The Gross Family

Please come and support the Gross family by eating at the Clearwater Fire Grill on Sunday, August 22nd. They are asking for our community support at this time as medical bills for cancer patients can be extremely expensive and costly and this burden, unfortunately, does fall into the hands of family. You can show your support by presenting this coupon to your fabulous server at Clearwater on August 22nd, and Clearwater will donate 20% of the total sales that day to the Gross family.

Please stop by Licata Group Office at 36111 Goodwin Dr, Locust Grove, VA 22508 between today and Friday, August 29th (9AM – 5:30PM) for your printed benefit admission ticket. Please, please present this to your server on August 22nd, and let’s show the Gross family how much we support one another!

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.