“From Forums to Facebook: How the Internet Moved the Conversation—and What It Means for Local Experts Like Me”

Let me take you on a little walk down memory lane—cue the dial-up tone and your 2006 desktop wallpaper—because this is a story about how people used to ask questions online, and more importantly, where they went when they stopped.

Back in 2006, I joined the City-Data forums under the username Mr Williamsburg. Yes, I know—back then even I got flak for the name. Who do you think you are calling yourself Mr. Williamsburg? Fair question! But I had just launched mrwilliamsburg.com, one of the very first real estate websites focused solely on the Williamsburg, Virginia area. I had a vision of providing rich, hyper-local content that would help people relocating here—and hey, someone had to do it. The name stuck, and so did the reputation.

City-Data: The Golden Age of Neighborhood Know-It-Alls

If you were moving to Williamsburg anytime between 2006 and, say, the early 2010s, you probably ended up reading one of my posts. Over the years, I contributed 1,196 threads to the City-Data forums. My posts were read over 4 million times (yes, million with an “m”). I covered everything: neighborhoods, condos, grocery store comparisons, spooky Halloween events, concert series in Yorktown—you name it.

Need to know the difference between Ford’s Colony and Kingsmill? I wrote in-depth threads on it (that were still being replied to as recently as late 2024). Thinking about retiring in Williamsburg? You guessed it—I wrote about that too. People were hungry for information and I was more than happy to feed them.

Where Did Everyone Go?

Fast-forward to today: the forums have grown quieter than a Jamestown ghost tour in January. Threads that used to generate 40+ replies now barely get a handful. Questions that were once posted eagerly to the public are now asked in Facebook groups, private chats, or hyperlocal platforms like Nextdoor.

What happened?

It’s simple: the Internet evolved. Social media became the new town square. People shifted from public discussion boards to more curated spaces where the conversations feel smaller, more personal, and sometimes, more anonymous. It’s not that people stopped needing help—it’s that they changed where they looked for it.

But here’s the kicker: I’m still here.

Why I Still Post, Write, and Answer Your Questions

I’m not just a real estate agent. I’m a local resource, historian, connector, and full-time Williamsburg enthusiast. My goal from the beginning was never just to “sell homes”—it was (and still is) to help people figure out if Williamsburg is right for them, where they should live, and how to make the most of this amazing area.

I write about neighborhoods, restaurants, community events, parks, and yes, even the best places to grocery shop. I answer questions from retirees, young families, first-time buyers, and even lifelong locals curious about what’s new in town. I keep doing it because people keep telling me it helps.

And here’s a fun fact: many of the real estate agents in the area use my website as their own research tool. I take that as a compliment.

The Internet May Change, But My Mission Hasn’t

So whether you’re on a forum, a Facebook group, a Nextdoor thread, or simply Googling “best neighborhoods in Williamsburg,” just know this: I’m still here, still writing, still answering, and still loving every bit of helping people find their way home.

If you’re thinking of moving to or from Williamsburg—or anywhere from Virginia Beach to Richmond—I’m your guy.

Reach out anytime:

John Womeldorf — Mr. Williamsburg

Phone: 757-254-8136

Email: john@mrwilliamsburg.com

Website: mrwilliamsburg.com

Let’s bring back the good conversations—wherever they’re happening.