Help! Need the real scoop on Richmond neighborhoods in West End (Tuckahoe: transplants, houses)

[4coffee]

My family and I are relocating to Richmond and are trying to zero in on a neighborhood. We are trying to decide between the Short Pump/Glen Allen area and some of the older communities closer to the Henrico/city border. However, we have heard that the older neighborhoods are not very welcoming to newcomers. Is this true?

We have young children and haven't yet decided if we will go the public or private school route so likely need to land somewhere in Henrico Co. vs the city.

We've looked at the newer, planned communities in the Far West End (Short Pump/Glen Allen) like Wyndham and Twin Hickory as well as in some older neighborhoods off of River Road such as River Road Farms, River Road Hills, Sleepy Hollow and Kingsley. We are aware that Short Pump/Glen Allen schools are highly regarded and that the communities of Wyndham and Twin Hickory are full of transplants, which may make it easier to assimilate.

However, we are drawn to older neighborhoods that have mature trees and homes with lots of character. We would love to buy a home in one of the older neighborhoods but do not want to feel like outsiders because we're not from Richmond or Virginia, in general. We are very down-to-earth people, not at all interested in the country club scene and wish to raise our children in a warm, friendly, welcoming community.
Do any of the older communities fit this description?

We would love to get a sense of the personality/feel for these communities. If anyone can provide descriptions of the communities I listed above, it would be so helpful!

We are not super excited about having to relocate from our home state, but are looking to have a positive experience in Richmond.

ANY advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

[sls76]

Can't comment on the "older neighborhoods" (to me Wyndham is older with 20+ year old homes and mature landscaping). I can tell you that the school assignments for Wyndham and Twin Hickory are excellent and because of the sidewalks, neighborhood pools, and neighborhood elementary schools these are close knit communities where most people make friends quickly.

[PickPatrick]

I really think you will find "welcoming" neighborhoods all over. The mis-perception may stem from the fact that traditionally new communities and planned communities are where many of the transferees are shown houses and subsequently buy ...instant friends for kids, social activities etc... But please do not discount the older communities....you will find many fabulous.

[novanwbie]

I would agree with PickPatrick. People who are new to any area often gravitate to the obvious, newer developments, and they do have lots of amenities and activities for families with kids. However, if you like the older neighborhoods, I don't think you'll find them unwelcoming. I think you'll find a mixed population in the older neighborhoods you mention, perhaps with a higher concentration of "old Richmond." And yes, these groups often have their social groups in place, because they've grown up together and go to church together, stuff like that. But I don't know that they're unwelcoming. I think the 'burbs just offer a different set of challenges.

[4coffee]

Thank you for these responses! It is encouraging to hear that the older Richmond neighborhoods should be welcoming to newcomers. We really are drawn to the character of the homes in those neighborhoods, but also care very much about the community of people around who we will live and want to make sure we have a good fit.

I am curious what you think some of the challenges are of the 'burbs. (I assume you are referring to the ones in the Short Pump/Glen Allen area?) We are very much trying to weigh everything and make our decision with the most and best info possible. It is a big decision to sink a ton of money into and assume debt for a house purchase and so we really are trying to do our due diligence.

Thank you, in advance, for your thoughts!

[cbl1]

Are you set on west end. As far as an older mature neighborhood with good schools - there is Salisbury in Midlothian (which is these days South-West End)

[novanwbie]

Yes, if you're not set on the West End (and it seems newcomers are often told the West End is "the" place to live), I would check out the Robious corridor. There are some lovely neighborhoods along there, and the schools are very highly regarded. Many people would rank them above Tuckahoe, I think. Certainly worth a drive, and extremely convenient to 288. I like to have trees, yards, and unique houses. So Salisbury is much more appealing to me than Twin Hickory, for example. But many people want all the amenities of the sparkly new developments. In the Robious district, which is an excellent school, there are several beautiful neighborhoods. Bon Air is also lovely. There are also newer developments all along Charter Colony and around the reservoir that feed into excellent schools all through high school.

[cbl1]

My wife was the exact opposite when we moved here almost 3 years ago. She didn't want a mature neighborhood and wanted lots of more of a medium size. She therefore didn't like Salisbury or such 360 neighborhoods such as Brandermill and Woodlake.

We ended up at Tarrington off of Robious and we couldn't be happier. The schools are terrific and the location is terrific to get anywhere in Richmond with better traffic than West End and 360 corridor.

On the Robious / Midlothian Turnpike corridors you have Charter Colony (new, smaller lots), Founders Bridge (new, larger lots), Salisbury (mature, larger lots), James River West/Powderham/Roxbury etc. on Robious (mature, medium to smaller lots), Tarrington (new, medium lots). Salisbury and Charter Colony for the most part feed into Midlothian Middle and High (great schools) and the rest into Robious Middle and James River (also very good schools).

There are also several non-subdivision neighborhoods in between.

[Charlesaf3]

I think the older neighborhoods near the city are welcoming for what it's worth. They do have a mix of natives and transfers, whereas a newere neighborhood by definition is full of people new to the area.

For me, I'd never live in a neighborhood 30 years old or younger. I prize different amenities. But someone who cares more about pools and community gyms then restaurants and other city amenities will prefer a newer suburb. Generally people know where they fall on this.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by Charlesaf3

I think the older neighborhoods near the city are welcoming for what it's worth. They do have a mix of natives and transfers, whereas a newere neighborhood by definition is full of people new to the area.

For me, I'd never live in a neighborhood 30 years old or younger. I prize different amenities. But someone who cares more about pools and community gyms then restaurants and other city amenities will prefer a newer suburb. Generally people know where they fall on this.

I agree with this completely. Plenty of good neighborhoods in the city like the "near west end" around Libbie/Grove as well as on the northside (e.g. Bellevue/Ginter Park).