Winchester
FrederickCounty
Relocation Package
Long & Foster / Webber & Associates, Realtors®
480 West Jubal Early Drive, Suite 100
WinchesterVA 22601
Office: (540) 662-3484 ● Toll Free: (800) 468-6619
UPDATED 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction...... 1
State of Virginiaat A Glance...... 2
Winchester / FrederickCountyat A Glance...... 3
Local Government...... 5
Local History...... 6
Virginia Driver's License...... 7
Vehicle Information...... 8
Voter Registration...... 10
Firearm / Boat Registration...... 11
Tax Information...... 12
Important Local Numbers / Websites...... 14
Health Care ...... 17
Hotels / Temporary Housing ...... 23
Churches...... 25
Transportation ...... 27
Shopping...... 31
FrederickCountyPublic Schools...... 33
City of Winchester Public Schools ...... 37
Public School Enrollment Requirements...... 39
Private Education...... 40
Post Secondary Education...... 42
Library Systems...... 44
Child Day Care Centers...... 46
Table of Contents (continued)
RegionalParks and Recreation...... 47
Recreational Activities ...... 48
Annual Events...... 49
Local Historic Sites...... 51
Local Arts...... 52
Newspapers (Local and National) ...... 54
Local Radio Stations...... 54
Local Television Stations...... 55
Cable TV / Internet Providers...... 56
Telecommunication Providers...... 56
INTRODUCTION
LONG & FOSTER/WEBBER & ASSOCIATES is a growing, vibrant real estate firm. We are one of the largest offices in the Blue Ridge Association of Realtors area. We currently have a staff of 48 Associates. Among these are eight Associate Brokers, one REO Specialists, 11Associates with the hard earned GRI (Graduate Realtors Institute) designation, one CRB (Certified Residential Broker) designation, three CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), threeSRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) and 13 ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) designations. We also have 3 E-Pro agents, 20 agents who are multi-state licensed and 14 agents who carry their SFR (Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource).
Long & Foster / Webber & Associates is highly visible in the real estate community, having won virtually every award available from our Association. Our staff has served on the local Association’s Board of Directors and has held every office through the Association’s presidency. Our agents have been awarded: "Salesperson of the Year", "Rookie of the Year", "Realtor of the Year", "Past Appreciation","Ethics" Award and reached “Realtor Emeritus” status. In some of these categories, we have multiple winners. The agents of Long & Foster/Webber & Associates are community oriented, workingwith the Chamber of Commerce, and acting as volunteers in almost every charity, including Habitat for Humanity.
As a business entity, we are clearly leaders. Our agents come from, and work with, all walks of life. We are highly trained and continue our education through weekly sessions. We have extensive backgrounds in relocation.
Long & Foster/Webber & Associates is located only minutes away from Interstate 81 which connects to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland.
We operate from a modern office building.Our ground level location with ample parking and handicapped accessibility makes access convenient for our clients.
For more information about our office, please visit us on the internet at
STATE OF VIRGINIA AT A GLANCE
Virginia is known as a "The Commonwealth" state.
Capital - Richmond
Population - According to the U.S. Census, the estimated population as of 2014 is 8,326,289.
Climate - Mild with four distinct seasons.
Location - Virginia is the gateway to the south, located midway between New York and Florida and is also referred to as the Mid-Atlantic region. Virginia is bordered by Washington, D.C. (the nation's capital), Maryland to the North, the Atlantic Ocean to the East, North Carolina and Tennessee to the South and West Virginia and Kentucky to the West.
Geography - Western Virginia is mountainous, covered by the Allegheny and Blue Ridge mountains with the great Shenandoah Valley falling between the ranges. The central piedmont region, with its rolling hills, flattens out into the sandy coastal plain toward the Atlantic Ocean.
Government - There are 95 counties, 40 independent cities and 189 incorporated towns in Virginia. Information on Virginia government is available at
WINCHESTER / FREDERICK COUNTY AT A GLANCE
Known as the “Apple Capital,” the Winchester area is one of the largest apple export regions in the country. Founded in 1732, Winchester is home to a number of historic sites, particularly those associated with the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The City is also home to ShenandoahUniversity, which is a comprehensive private university with approximately 4,000 students. Winchester serves as the regional center of business, industry, and commerce for the Northern Shenandoah Valley.
BASIC FACTS
POPULATION: (Census Bureau estimate 2015)
Winchester: 27,284
Frederick County: 83,199
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: (Census Bureau 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-year Profile)
Winchester:$44,731
Frederick County:$68,719
LAND AREA IN SQUARE MILES: (according to 2010 US Census)
Winchester: 9.23
FrederickCounty:413.50
CLIMATE:
Winchester and FrederickCounty enjoy four distinctly beautiful seasons, with people from surrounding metropolitan areas flocking to view breathtaking displays of fall foliage and spring blossoms. The average high/low temperatures in July are 85°/65°, while the average high/low temperatures in January are 40°/23°. The average yearly precipitation is 38" of rain and 24" of snow.
A terrain rich in variety adds to the beauty of the area. In the eastern portion of the county, the mostly urban area is relatively level with some rolling grazing lands. Apple and peach orchards occupy most of the central portion of the county. West of Little North Mountain, the lands are more mountainous. There is some farming in the valleys between the mountains. The highest point in the county is 2,615 feet and the lowest point is 500 feet.
WARDROBE:
A four-season wardrobe is required in the FrederickCounty / City of Winchester area even though the climate is moderate.
SPRING AND FALL: Suits, dresses, skirts, slacks in medium weight fabrics; an outer coat, jacket or raincoat and umbrella for cool or rainy days.
SUMMER: Cottons, linens, synthetic blends; sweater, jacket, raincoat, or umbrella sometimes required.
WINTER: Wool suits, dresses, slacks and overcoats; boots, gloves, hats for cool or snowy days.
CITY OF WINCHESTERGOVERNMENT
The City of Winchester is organized under the Council-Manager form of government. The governing body, the Common Council, is elected by voters under a ward system, which is defined in Section Four of the Winchester City Charter. The Council is comprised of a nine (9) member body. Two (2) council members are elected from each of the four (4) wards and the Mayor is elected at large. The members serve staggered four-year terms with an election occurring every two (2) years. For more information, visit
FREDERICKCOUNTYGOVERNMENT
The Office of the CountyAdministrator is the highest level management office of the FrederickCounty government. The CountyAdministrator serves as the chief administrative officer of FrederickCounty. The county is governed by an elected Board of Supervisors composed of seven members, one from each magisterial district and one chairman-at-large. Supervisors are elected to four (4) year terms which are staggered at two (2) year intervals. For more information, visit
LOCAL HISTORY
Winchester and FrederickCounty was once Shawnee Indian camping grounds to which Pennsylvania Quakers came to settle in 1732. The town was named Frederick Town after Frederick, father of George III of England. In 1752 the name was changed to Winchester in honor of the ancient English capital.
In the mid-1700's, Frederick County became the military and political training ground for George Washington, who came here at the age of sixteen to survey the lands of Thomas, the Sixth Lord Fairfax. Washington built FortLoudoun during the French and Indian War and, at twenty-six, was elected to his first public office as the county's representative to the House of Burgesses. During the Revolutionary War, Daniel Morgan's Rifleman from FrederickCounty were among the first who came to Washington's aid against the British.
Winchester was a strategic prize of great importance during the Civil War. The area became the scene of six battles during the Civil War, and the city itself changed flags around seventy times during the four year conflict. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson demonstrated his military leadership in the Valley Campaign.
Winchester has long been known as the "Apple Capital" as it is surrounded by vast orchards, which constitutes one of the largest apple export markets of the nation.Winchester is known for its annual spring event, the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, which draws crowds in excess of 250,000 each year.
Additional information about the history of Winchester can be found at the Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society website.
APPLYING FOR A VIRGINIADRIVER'S LICENSE
VirginiaDepartment of Motor Vehicles contact information: By phone at 1-888-337-4782 or (804) 497-7100 or online at
Residency Requirements
Within 60 days of moving here, you must obtain a Virginia driver's license. However, if you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), you must obtain a Virginia CDL within 30 days.
If you are age 19 or older and you hold a valid driver's license issued by a U.S. state or territory, a Canadian province, France or Germany, you may not be required to: 1) take the two-part knowledge exam or the road skills test; 2) show proof of successful completion of a driver education course or hold a learner's permit for 60 days. However, you must pass a vision screening test.
If you are age 19 or older and you hold a valid driver's license issued by a country other than Canada, France or Germany, you may not be required to show proof of successful completion of driver education or hold a learner's permit for 30 days. However, you must pass the two-part knowledge exam, road skills test and a vision screening.
You must possess your driver's license for at least 60 days prior to obtaining a Virginia driver's license. If your current driver's license does not display an issue date, you will be required to provide proof of the date of issue (i.e. driver's transcript).
If your license has been suspended or revoked by another state, a Virginia license may not be issued until your driving record in that state is cleared and you meet Virginia requirements.
If you are from out-of-state and posses a valid driver's license, DMV may exchange your out-of-state driver's license for a Virginia driver's license if you meet the identity, legal presence, residency, and social security requirements and Virginia's driver education requirements, if applicable.
Identification
In order to obtain a Virginia driver's license, you must provide:
- Two proofs of identity
- One proof of Virginia residency
- One proof of legal presence in U.S.
- One proof of your social security number, if applicable
Note: DMV may require additional documents.
Fees (as of 12/1/2012):
Driver’s license only ($4 per year) (minimum $20) $32.00
Motorcycle Class (per year) $2.00
WHAT TO DO FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Moving To Virginia:
Step 1: Obtain VA auto insurance. If insurance is not an option, pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee. This fee does not provide insurance coverage but does allow you to register and operate your vehicle in Virginia for one year.
Step 2: Have the vehicle(s) inspected immediately (there is no grace period)
Step 3: Go to VA DMV to apply for a VA Driver's License, title your vehicle in VA, register your vehicle, and acquire license plates (within 30 days). You can also register to vote at the DMV.
Step 4: Register your vehicle(s) with the city or county in which you reside (within 45 days or penalty fees will apply).
Vehicle Inspection
Before operating a vehicle in Virginia, it must pass an annual safety inspection and display a valid safety inspection sticker. Vehicles must be inspected every 12 months by a certified inspector. If the vehicle does not pass inspection, it will receive a rejection sticker. You will have 15 days to repair the problems found by the inspector and have the vehicle inspected again. An inspection fee will be charged by the inspector. To find safety inspection stations, contact VA State Police at (804) 674-6774 or visit .
Title Your Vehicle in Virginia
To register your vehicle in Virginia and obtain license plates, you must first title your vehicle within 30 days of moving to Virginia. The title fees are as follows:
Original title $10.00
Substitute title $10.00
Replacement title (with no changes) $10.00
Supplemental lien title $10.00
You may also have to pay 4.10% sales and use tax based on the sale price of the vehicle, with a minimum charge of $75.00 (only if not paid in another state or you are exempt). An additional $64 fee applies to electric vehicles, excluding mopeds.
Register Your Vehicle and Acquire License Plates
After you have insured and titled your vehicle, register it at any Virginia DMV customer service center within 30 days of moving to Virginia. Your registration fee is determined by:
- the empty weight or gross weight of your vehicle,
- the type of license plate you purchase, and
- the period of time (one or two years) you choose to register your vehicle
One year registration fees are as follows (as of 1/1/13):
Passenger (4,000 lbs. or less) $40.75
Passenger(4,001 lbs. or more) $45.75
Pickup Truck (4,000 lbs. or less gross weight) $40.75
Pickup Truck (4,001 lbs. or more gross weight) $45.75
Pickup Truck (6,501-7,500 lbs. gross weight) $51.75
Motorcycle $28.75
A two-year registration costs twice the annual fee and provides added convenience for customers. However, the two-year renewal option is not available for vehicles with a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more, vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan or uninsured vehicles.
As a courtesy, DMV will mail renewal reminders to you prior to the expiration date of your registration. To receive reminders on time, be sure to update your address with DMV. You can renew your vehicle registration online, by telephone, or by mail.
Obtain a Local Sticker or Decal from Your Locality
The locality in which you live (city or county) may require you to register the vehicle within 30 days of moving there. Contact your locality to find information for your local Commissioner of the Revenue, Treasurer or Director of Finance.
VOTER REGISTRATION
To register to vote in Virginia, you must:
- Be a citizen of the United States
- Be 18 years of age by the next general election
- Be a resident of Virginia
- Must provide your social security number
- Have had your rights restored if you have ever been convicted of a felony
- Have had capacity restored if you have ever been declared mentally incapacitated by a Circuit Court
How to Register To Vote:
In order to become registered to vote, you must fill out the Virginia Voter Registration Form. This can be done:
- In Person - at the Office of the General Registrar of Voters in the County Administration Complex at 107 North Kent Street in Winchester or at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on Valley Pike in Kernstown.
- By Mail - Pick up an application at the local library, the U.S. Post Office, the DMV, RoussCity Hall in Winchester, or the County Administration Complex. An application can also be downloaded at Once the application is completed, mail it to:
WinchesterCity:FrederickCounty:
Voter RegistrationVoter Registration
City of WinchesterCountyAdministration Complex
107-A N. East Lane107 N. Kent Street, Ste 102
Winchester, VA22601Winchester, VA22601
(540) 545-7910(540) 665-5600
FIREARM REGISTRATION
Contact the Virginia State Police for information on restrictions and/or use and possession, which may be found under the conservation laws. With the exception of machine guns, firearms are not registered in Virginia. Further information can be found at or by calling (804) 674-2000.
BOAT REGISTRATION
Under federal law, all motorized boats must be registered in the state of principal use. Virginia requires all boats propelled by machinery of any kind to be registered and numbered. The registration fee is based on the length of the boat.Boats with a valid number from another state may be used on a temporary basis only.
An annual personal property tax based on the original cost less depreciation is charged on boats in Virginia. See Taxes (Personal Property) for the cost per $100.00.
All boat operators 30 years old or younger must have a boating safety certificate. And all personal watercraft (PWC) operators must also taking a boating safety course, regardless of age.
TAXES
Real Estate Taxes
Real estate property taxes are due twice a year (June 5 and December 5)
Location / $ Amount Assessed per $100 / Phone #Winchester / $.91 / 667-1815
FrederickCounty / $.51 / 665-5681
Middletown1 / $.065 / 869-2226
Stephens City2 / $.106 / 869-3087
ClarkeCounty / $.53 / 955-5108
Berryville3 / $.116 / 955-1099
WarrenCounty / $.59 / 635-2651
Front Royal4 / $.11 / 635-7799
ShenandoahCounty / $.51 / 459-6170
The above tax schedule is subject to change by action of the appropriate government bodies at various times throughout the year. Call for an update.
Notations:
1Middletown residents pay Middletown Assessment plus Frederick County Assessment
2StephensCity residents pay Stephens City Assessment plus Frederick County Assessment
3 Berryville residents pay Berryville Assessment plus Clarke County Assessment
4Front Royal residents pay Front Royal Assessment plus Warren County Assessment
Personal Property Taxes
Personal property taxes are due twice a year (June 5 and December 5). Personal property includes all vehicles, aircraft, heavy construction machinery, office furniture and equipment.
Location / $ Amount Assessed per $100 / Phone #Winchester / $4.50 / 667-1815
FrederickCounty / $4.86 / 665-5681
Middletown / $1.25 / 869-2226
StephensCity / $1.00 / 869-3087
ClarkeCounty / $4.81 / 955-5108
Berryville / $1.00 / 955-1099
WarrenCounty / $4.00 / 635-2651
Front Royal / $.64 / 635-7799
ShenandoahCounty / $3.15 / 459-6170
TAXES (continued)
Virginia Sales Tax: 5.3%
Additional Meals & Lodging Tax:
Front Royal Meals: 4%Lodging: 6%
City of WinchesterMeals: 5%Lodging: 5%
WarrenCountyMeals: 4%Lodging: 2%
IMPORTANT LOCAL NUMBERS / WEBSITES
Name of Business/Address / Phone # / WebsiteAREA CODE - Winchester FrederickCounty / 540
Chamber of Commerce
(Top of Virginia Regional Chamber)
407 South Loudoun Street / 662-4118 / regionalchamber.biz
Driver's Licenses (Div. of Motor Vehicles-VA)
Winchester Location
4050 Valley Pike / (804)497-7100 / dmv.state.va.us
Economic Development Commission
15 North Cameron Street / 667-1815 / winchesterva.gov/econ
Employment Commission (Virginia)
100 Premier Place / 722-3415 / vec.virginia.gov/winchester
Emergency Phone Numbers
Fire, Police & Rescue Squad
WinchesterCity PoliceDept.(non-emergency)
231 E. Piccadilly St., Ste 310
Winchester Fire & Rescue (Non-emergency)
231 E. Piccadilly St., Ste 330
FrederickCountySheriffDept.(non-emergency)
5 N. Kent Street
FrederickCountyFireRescue(non-emergency)
1080 Coverstone Drive / 9-1-1
662-4131
662-2298
667-5770
665-5618 / winchesterva.gov
winchesterva.gov
frederickcountyva.gov
frederickcountyva.gov
Government Offices
FrederickCounty
5 N. Kent Street
City of Winchester / 665-5600
667-1815 / co.frederick.va.us
winchesterva.gov
Health Department
Frederick/Winchester Health Department
10 Baker Street / 722-3470 / vdh.virginia.gov
Hospital and Medical
WinchesterMedicalCenter
1840 Amherst Street
Emergency Room
Urgent Care
607 East Jubal Early Drive
Physician Referral Service
1840 Amherst Street / 536-8000
536-8700
536-2232
536-8877 / valleyhealthlink.com
Internet Providers
Verizon
Winchester Wireless
Wild Blue
Hughes Net / 800-837-4966
540-722-9688
866-974-7174
888-408-3137 / verizon.com
winchesterwireless.com
wildblue.com
hughesnet.com
LONG & FOSTER / WEBBER & ASSOCIATES,
REALTORS
480 W. Jubal Early Dr., #100, Winchester
Toll Free / 540-662-3484
800-468-6619 / webberrealty.com
Newspapers (local)
Northern Virginia Daily
210 S. Braddock St., Ste 200
The Winchester Star
2 N. Kent Street / 662-5868
667-3200 / nvdaily.com
winchesterstar.com
Parks & Recreation
FrederickCountyParks & Recreation
107 N. Kent Street
WinchesterParks & Recreation
1001 E. Cork Street / 665-5678
662-4946 / co.frederick.va.us/parks
winchesterva.gov/parks
Post Office (Winchester & Frederick Co)
Local Branches:
340 N. Pleasant Valley Road(Winchester)
132 N. Loudoun St. (Winchester)
2546 Martinsburg Pk, Ste 2 (Stephenson)
5071 Main Street (StephensCity)
1164 Brucetown Rd (Clearbrook)
6819 Northwestern Pk (Gore)
6654 N. Frederick Pike (Cross Junction)
7922 Main St (Middletown)
2112 Star Tannery Rd (Star Tannery) / 800-275-8777
545-7957
545-8415
667-3696
868-2783
667-1374
858-3134
888-3281
869-1627
465-8083 / usps.com
Public Library (Handley Regional Library)
Branches:
Handley Library (Winchester)
100 W. Piccadilly Street
Bowman Library (StephensCity)
871 Tasker Road
ClarkeCounty Library (Berryville)
101 Chalmers Court, Ste. C / 662-9041
869-9000
955-5144 / handleyregional.org
Schools (Public) - Administration
FrederickCounty Board of Education
1415 Amherst Street
WinchesterCity Board of Education
12 N. Washington Street / 662-3888
667-4253 / frederick.k12.va.us
wps.k12.va.us
Telephone Company
Verizon
Residential Service
Business Service / 800-837-4966
800-826-2355 / verizon.com
Transportation
WinTran (Winchester public transit system)
301 East Cork Street
WinchesterRegionalAirport
491 Airport Road / 667-1815
662-5786 / winchesterva.gov
websmart66.net
TV Cable / Satellite
Comcast Digital Cable
Direct TV
Dish Network
Verizon / 800-934-6489
888-777-2454
800-823-4929
800-837-4966 / comcast.com
directv.com
dish.com
verizon.com
Utilities
Water and Sewer
City of Winchester (RoussCity Hall)
15 N. Cameron Street
FrederickCounty Sanitation Authority
315 Tasker Road
Electric
Shenandoah Valley Electric Co-op
3463 Valley Pike
Rappahannock Electric Co-op
Natural Gas
Shenandoah Gas/Washington Gas Company / 667-1815
868-1061
450-0111
800-552-3904
869-1111
800-566-7436 / winchesterva.gov
fcsa-water.com
svec.coop
myrec.coop
washingtongas.com
Voter Registration
City of Winchester
107-A North East Lane
FrederickCounty
107 N. Kent Street, Ste 102 / 545-7910
665-5600 / winchesterva.gov
co.frederick.va.us/voter
VALLEY HEALTH CARE