Living in Virginia
It makes no sense really. I'm not from here. My husband isn't from here. None of our family live here. What in the WORLD are we doing living in the middle of nowhere Virginia?
A series of interesting events have led us to raise our family in the southern hills of good old VA, but that's another story for another time. Today I'd like to share with you briefly the
Top 5 Reasons WHY we LOVE VIRGINIA!!!
5- Cheap Land with Low Property Taxes:
Need I say more? We purchased our home and land for a fraction of the cost that you would pay in other states. And the taxes are seriously next to nothing!
4- NO SCHOOL TAXES:
Never thought I would say this but, I love the Virginia Lottery! Not because I gamble, I don't, but because it funds public school education in Virginia. That's right, I pay nothing. Which is not the case in many other states. I don't send my children to public school so I think it is wonderful to live in a state where homeschooling families aren't forced to fund public education.
3- Home birth Friendly:
Each state has it's only laws regarding home births. Fortunately, it is legal in Virginia to have a proper home birth with a legally certified experienced midwife. Again, the red tape is much thicker in other states concerning home births!
2- Homeschool Friendly:
The first question I get asked by others when they find out I'm homeschooling is, "Do you have to report to the public schools and use their curriculum." And my answer is yes, and no. There are two ways to homeschool in Virginia and I love it. One- you can choose to send a "Letter of Intent" Form, each year to your school district. They keep up with you as a homeschooling family on a yearly basis and you report back to them with standardized test scores at the end of each school year. Or TWO, you can take the "Religious Exemption" path. You send one letter in when your child is school aged and the public school system has no more dealings with you, concerning that child, ever, again. For parents who do not think it is the government's job to educate their children and choose to responsibly educate at home, this is a huge plus.
1- An AMAZING Church:
There are amazing churches everywhere. In Virginia, America and worldwide. The important thing is, we found, as a family where we believe we are called to serve at this time in our lives, and we are so thankful to be a part of the vision of our local church!
