Relocating to the Richmond area, looking for information on safety and schools (Hampton: crime rate, homes)

[sharbear1978]

Hello! We will be relocating to the Richmond area soon and I'm in need of some help pertaining to schools and safety. We are currently living in a VERY safe area in rural PA, we have 2 daughters...a 14 year old and a 5 year old so the schools are very important to us. Living in the safe place we are now, I do not want to move anywhere there is a lot of crime and put my family at a higher risk. We have been looking in the Midlothian area so far, and are hearing great things about the Cosby High School. However, I'm a bit worried about leaving our current home on 8 acres and feeling crowded in this area. Also, I don't really know how the crime rate is there? Can anyone tell me of any possible places near Richmond with great schools and maybe a more rural setting? Or are we better off just keeping our search going in Midlothian in the Cosby High district? Thanks in advance!

[richmondpics]

Hanover is safe and has good schools. It's a place where you can have more land but be close to town. Similar story in Goochland.

[VA Yankee]

Where will you be working, that can better identify what area to recommend?

[sharbear1978]

That's the best (and also hardest) part here, his territory will be built depending on where we reside. We looked at homes today in Woodlake, Hampton Park, and also one in Ashcreek located in Hanover. Difficult to come to a decision when we do not know much about the area. Thank you for replies so far!

[sharbear1978]

I just read on here that the school districts may be rezoned and Hampton park community may be changed over to Manchester? Anyone have any info on this? I've been warned to stay away from Manchester, that would make that decision a lot easier.

[ellieb128]

Given Cosby's very real problem with overcrowding I would say that is a distinct possibility. Manchester isn't one of the top performing schools but I don't think it is one to be afraid of.

[sharbear1978]

Thank you, ellieb..are you aware of anyone I could call that would be able to give me a true answer! I thought maybe the schools or community association?

[onevthoki]

No one is going to give an answer on that. I can tell you that anytime you have a large school district, rezoning is always a possibility. if you desire a little more space, you might want to look in the Matoaca H.S. zone. Also, do you have high schoolers? Just want to make sure you know about the specialty centers that are offered in Chesterfield County and how that works. For instance, my home is zoned for Thomas Dale, but my child goes to L. C. Bird. Let us know if you have any other questions and we will do what we can to help out!

[cbl1]

If your looking larger lots - chesterfield down toward the Highlands has larger lots. On the Midlothian side there are some large lots in the Salisbury subdivision. Salisbury especially has great schools. You could go out toward Powahatan where there are some larger lots. Mechanicsville (Hanover) would be another choice - I can't comment on the schools . . it is more rural though.

The Woodlake / Hampton Park areas you mentioned (Cosby High School). There has been a lot of growth there and Hull Street Road is very congested. If your looking for more open space those are probably not your best choices. They do have good schools there even with a lot of growth and some overcrowding.

I am in the Robious / James River District and schools are excellent, and the location is near perfect . . but lots are just on the slightly above average size in my neighborhood (Tarrington) . . not real large. Salisbury would be the closest by that has large lots short of going out into Powhatan County.

[sharbear1978]

Thank you, yes I do have a daughter that will be going into the 9th grade next year. How exactly do the specialty centers work? She is a great student (straight A's) so this maybe something that will benefit her.