New job at VA hospital - where to live? (Richmond: apartment complex, home)

[RoseinBloom1972]

Hi everyone!
My son just accepted a job at McGuire VA hospital and needs to find an apartment. He doesn't drive, so will be taking the bus, and he has a 15 year old daughter. Private school for her is not an option. Any suggestions for someplace safe and affordable?

[novanwbie]

Hmm, well, I'm not that familiar with the bus routes, but not near McGuire, if schools are a concern. Now, most of the countries here have specialty centers, so if she will be able to place into one of those, area is not such a concern. In looking at the routes online, it looks like you could get into some of the decent areas of the near West End up in Henrico County (Monument/Patterson, Pemberton), and perhaps into Cosby or Manchester in Chesterfield. But most of those routes are express to downtown, and would require a connection to then get to McGuire, it would be a long trip. If possible, avoid anything in the city of Richmond, the high schools are not good, in general.

[Charlesaf3]

to Mcguire, see about a bus route into chesterfield going up hull street. If it exists, living on that bus route in chesterfield would be the best bet, unless the 15 year old can get into Maggie Walker, the magnet high school

[RoseinBloom1972]

Thanks, Novanwbie and Charlesaf3, I'll pass that on to him.

[jobber123rd]

Originally Posted by Charlesaf3

to Mcguire, see about a bus route into chesterfield going up hull street. If it exists, living on that bus route in chesterfield would be the best bet, unless the 15 year old can get into Maggie Walker, the magnet high school

The route that actually follows Hull Street (62) ends just inside city limits, east of Chippenham Pkwy. I believe that the nearest thing to what you're suggesting is a combination of the 82x (Commonwealth 20 / Swift Creek Express) and the 62 to get to the VA hospital. There are a couple of issues with that, though:

- If you can't get on the Northbound 62 (leaving the hospital) by 4:29pm, you'll miss the last outbound 82x bus of the day (and there are no alternative local routes serving that part of Chesterfield).

- Even under the best-case scenario, it's 90 minutes one-way.

A similar set of issues exists if you're starting out the commute at Koger Center (Route 81x Chesterfield Express). Perhaps the best solution available would be to live within walking distance of the Old Gun & Duryea stop on the 64x route (Stony Point Express). You just have to make sure that you're on the Chesterfield side, which in that area is zoned for James River High. (For example, the Trophy Club Apartments are in Chesterfield County, but Stony Point Apartments are in the City of Richmond) The 64x timetable is slightly more forgiving for this scenario; you can get on the northbound 62 at 5pm and still make it home on the 64x. It's still around 85~100+ minutes one-way, though, and that's not counting the 25~30 minute walk (Google Maps time) to/from the nearest apartment complex.

[RoseinBloom1972]

Wow! That's quite a marathon you've got there, jobber123rd! Thanks for the very informative reply! He's moving from the Portland, OR metro area and used to a much more comprehensive transit system. Guess it's time to go car shopping!

[novanwbie]

Oh, if driving is an option -- take it! You can get a very reasonable small used car and save yourself $$ and several hours a day commuting. My sister was in Portland for years -- with no light rail here we can't remotely compare to that kind of mass transit. The best, or just "better", schools are not close to mass transit here. The savings in housing (by moving further into Chesterfield County), fares, and time should compensate well for the additional cost of the car. Plus you'll need transport to get anywhere on the weekends. Especially with a teenager.

[ellieb128]

I played with the bus route thing and got nothing but nightmare routes. He has to have a car. He has to live in Henrico or Chesterfield for HS ( his daughter is old enough that specialty centers are no longer an option). Chesterfield is his best choice for school quality and then commute. Eastern Henrico is closer but the schools may not be as good.

[Charlesaf3]

Yeah, if he can have a car, its essential - transit here is barely usable

[RoseinBloom1972]

Thanks again everyone - he's looking at a place in Chesterfield county right now.