Southern Cali to Richmond? (Chester, Highland Springs: houses, best schools, college)

[Susire]

Hey guys,

I have a family with four teenage girls; two in college, one in high school, and one in middle school. We have kind of gotten tired of our lives here and are looking for houses in Richmond. Now, I've done some lurking around here and I'm thinking that the West End would probably be my better option.

However, I'm totally clueless on anything Virginia-related. What towns/communities are in the West End? I've read that some of the public schools are good and I really want the best schools for my daughters, any ideas? So far what I'm really concerned with are the schools, the community feel and the commute to places around the West End area.

Do you have any recommendations/tips for any of my problems?

[VA Yankee]

Originally Posted by Susire

Hey guys,

I have a family with four teenage girls; two in college, one in high school, and one in middle school. We have kind of gotten tired of our lives here and are looking for houses in Richmond. Now, I've done some lurking around here and I'm thinking that the West End would probably be my better option.

However, I'm totally clueless on anything Virginia-related. What towns/communities are in the West End? I've read that some of the public schools are good and I really want the best schools for my daughters, any ideas? So far what I'm really concerned with are the schools, the community feel and the commute to places around the West End area.

Do you have any recommendations/tips for any of my problems?

Hello,

You and your family are in for a shock, but a good one. I lived for a while in San Diego and your comparing apples & oranges. Being from Ny originally I was never really happy on the left coast so if I sound biased, sorry.

1) You should find that average housing costs (even utilities) are about 1/2 of what your used to.

2) Rush hour does not cause mental breakdown and anger management issues.

3) When you mention the west end are you refering to the City of Richmond's west end or the West End of Henrico County? To elaborate in Henrico there are no legally incorporated towns/villages etc, the entire county is one goverment. If you go on line you'll see names like Short Pump, Glen Allen, Highland Springs, none of these are towns just areas that everyone knows where you mean.

4) Unless you really desire living in a city you will probably prefer the West End of Henrico, the schools are good and you can find a wide assortment of housing options. Country living is only @10 miles away if you prefer. Shoppping options in the west end are extensive with all major department stores available as well as club warehouses (Costco/Sams).

5) You didn't mention where you would be working but for myself I prefered not to have a water crossing in my commute so Chesterfield County was out on my list plus with extensive growth they are experiencing problems with roads and schools.

6) For schools go to the Virginia Department of Education http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Assessment/VSAPreport/2002/Summary_2002_Standford_9_Test_Results.pdf (broken link) . The Stanford 9's are a well established test and will allow you to make a comparison between California and Virginia Schools. Now we go by SOl exams which are sort of like Regents exams but you not being familiar they wouldn't be much help.

Hope this information helps....