Richmond suburbs? (Fredericksburg, Chester, Pocahontas: rental, waterpark, low crime)

[gemsmom]

I'm checking out the suburbs of Baltimore and Richmond. My husband's potential job transfer will likely be to one of those places. The main things we're looking for are: great schools, affordability, low crime, lots of family activities/atmosphere, reasonable distance to major airport (within an hour). He'd like to be within one hour of Baltimore or Richmond/Chester area (we will not get to choose which one ultimately). I personally would prefer not to live in one of the DC bedroom communities- if it ends up being Baltimore, I prefer north or west of Baltimore or possibly the eastern shore. I prefer suburban or small town living, not urban. We will be interested in renting a single family home in a decent area with a rent of no more than $2200/mo.

We currently live in a fairly rural NC county with a small city 15 mintues to the east and Charlotte 15 minutes west. This lifestyle really suits us but we're open-minded- I don't expect it to "look" just like what we're used to. We have elementary aged children so the good school with affordable rental housing is definitely the first on the list.

We've lived here for 18 years so I will be sad to leave friends and our wonderful charter school and all the things we're used to, but am excited at the prospect of something new. Maybe small town Pennsylvania outside Baltimore? Freeland? Ellicott City? The eastern shore of Maryland? Coastal Virginia? Shiny new suburbs of Richmond? Hagerstown, MD? Fredericksburg, VA? I'm a little overwhelmed and trying to make the best choice for our needs in both areas.

Thanks for any input!
Gem
(posting here and Baltimore forums, but I've been researching much more on Richmond because it seems more likely to be our destination.)

[MaryBB]

In Chesterfield you can look up areas like Woodlake which is a nice area with homes built around a lake with nice walking paths, lots & lots of shopping. A pretty nice state park- Pocahontas, with a nice waterpark for kids- except it gets very very crowded. There are also many, many new neighborhoods if that's what you are looking for. It's not all that rural unless you drive out to Amelia or I think Powhatan- although that has changed a lot too.

Schools are considered good in Chesterfield and also Henrico. Henrico is generally a higher rent/mortgage area than Chesterfield. Chester as you mentioned is a good area too. It has grown quite a bit in the last few years but they seem to be trying to maintain a small town atmosphere. Chester is more on the rural side than Chesterfield or Henrico and it's not far from Richmond.

I drove through Ellicott City, MD and was really taken by it- very pretty little town close to Baltimore.

Good luck!
Mary

[Electron]

Richmond has its international airport, without the big city mess one would normally associate with big city living. Dig up info on Hanover County when looking at schools. Tough to go wrong there.

Just a personal note, but I try to avoid the police state of Maryland whenever possible.

[kelle]

Originally Posted by gemsmom

We currently live in a fairly rural NC county with a small city 15 mintues to the east and Charlotte 15 minutes west. This lifestyle really suits us but we're open-minded- I don't expect it to "look" just like what we're used to. We have elementary aged children so the good school with affordable rental housing is definitely the first on the list.

We've lived here for 18 years so I will be sad to leave friends and our wonderful charter school and all the things we're used to, but am excited at the prospect of something new. Maybe small town Pennsylvania outside Baltimore? Freeland? Ellicott City? The eastern shore of Maryland? Coastal Virginia? Shiny new suburbs of Richmond? Hagerstown, MD? Fredericksburg, VA? I'm a little overwhelmed and trying to make the best choice for our needs in both areas.

Thanks for any input!
Gem
(posting here and Baltimore forums, but I've been researching much more on Richmond because it seems more likely to be our destination.)

Hi Gem! I'm just browsing for a destination on the east coast to be closer to family and found your post. I have family in the Ellicott City/Owings Mills area and it is REALLY cute. Very nice area. Hagerstown is a bit of a snooze...but that's because I prefer larger areas. Frederick is a little bigger/better.

What town do you live in NC? Please send me a PM with your NC info, I don't think I will be able to find this post again! Thanks!

Kelle

[gemsmom]

So far, I'm still leaning toward Richmond. Though, like I said, we won't get to specifically choose but we could certainly decline if we decide we don't want to live in a particular area.

Are any of you familiar with Richmond and Charlotte? There seems to be a lot of similarities but I could be off-base.

Thanks!
Gem

[intransit]

richmond and Charlotte are alike in some ways and different in many others. Richmond is more historic. Lots of old buildings. Lots of character. And of course the James River running through the city.

Charlotte is more of a spread out town. Just the clusters of suburbs. Everything is new and clean, but can seem a little bland after awhile.