Relocation help (Richmond, Chester, Bon Air: rent, loft, hotel)

[txmxdfam]

My husband and I are planning a scouting trip to Richmond soon. I was wondering if there were any relocation specialist that were not realtors. We really just want advice on good schools, neighborhoods, etc. It would be nice to have a 'guide' so to speak to show us around without having the pressure of house hunting. Is there anyone like that in Richmond?

[novanwbie]

Hmm, the only ones I know are either realtors or affiliated with corporations, to help their employees. If you can give specifics of what you're looking for, the folks on this board are pretty helpful. Feel free to PM me -- if you don't find a relo specialist I'd be happy to help you map out a few days, to cover your options as completely as possible.

[PickPatrick]

I know of none....but many competent REALTORS will be glad to sit down with you and talk and then just drive you around for a few hours to get the lay of the land.

[txmxdfam]

We are a family of 3 plus a college age kid who will be looking for a place of her own. We currently live in south tx and are just ready for a change. We are debating whether to continue living in the burbs or try downtown urban living. We basically want to get a feel for the city on our initial visit as neither of us have ever been there. Good schools and safe neighborhoods are important to us as well as job opportunities and commute times. However this trip is more about exploring the city to see if it will stay on our list of possible cities to relocate to.

[novanwbie]

Well, if you're just scouting, I would make sure to see some of the big draws, and some of the residential areas. Is your college-age kid going to be a student? If so, you need to check out that campus. Even if he or she is not going to school, both University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University bring in a lot of young people, so those areas might be worth driving around. They're very different -- UR is in a residential neighborhood in the near West End, and VCU is right downtown. The Fan area is often very appealing to college-age kids, so that's worth driving through, as is Carytown. Shockoe Bottom has neat bars and restaurants and some very interesting loft complexes. There's also a lot of recent development along the riverfront downtown, and a canal tour might be nice. If you're into breweries, it's great to sit outside at Legend Brewing Co. and watch the sun set over the skyline and the river. Also in the downtown area are Maymont, a free city park with wonderful gardens, a petting zoo, a nature center and a Victorian mansion; and Byrd park, which hosts Arts in the Park and other wonderful events, and has some beautiful houses around it. There are really neat museums, as well, which are easily researched online and worth adding if you're staying more than a day or two.

If you drive out from downtown to the West End on either Grove or Patterson Avenues, you'll drive through one of the nicest urban residential areas that's not downtown. There's a neat little trendy shopping district at Libbie and Grove/Patterson, and some great restaurants around there, as well as further out at Three Chopt and Patterson. This is very close to UR. There are some really nice residential areas around here that are still in the city, so not a great option if you're hoping for good public schools. Many of us urbanites move from the city to the counties for the excellent public schools, and back to the city as soon as we can. I know that's what we plan on doing!

If you can give some idea of what price range you'd be looking at, we can provide some neighborhoods to drive through, but the best schools, in many people's opinions, are in the far West End of Henrico County (Short Pump, Glen Allen); and the Midlothian/northern Chesterfield areas of Chesterfield County. I've lived in both; we prefer Chesterfield because we can get excellent schools and a little more house/less congestion for our $. But the west end/southside battle can be quite contentious for some people. You kind of have to check them both out and see what fits you, if you decide to go suburban. The reality is, your children are not going to get a crappy location in either environment. If you have a kid who's into a specific sport or activity, that might drive your choice. If it's crew, for example, James River HS is a good bet. If it's swimming, NOVA of Virginia is ranked sixth in the country. So there really is a good mix around here.

Oh, in case you go urban but don't want to be right downtown, I should throw in plugs for my two favorite neighborhoods -- Ginter Park/Bellevue on the northside, and Westover Hills south of the river. Beautiful old houses, walking-friendly neighborhoods, funky restaurants (more so on northside). I would love to live in Bellevue as Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is one of my absolute favorite places to spend time. But having lived in Westover Hills, five minutes from downtown, I'd love to move back there, as well. And Bon Air -- drive along Buford Road, and behind Bon Air Christian Church -- this area was a Victorian summer retreat for city dwellers, and the old hotel and Bon Air Christian Church are some of the oldest buildings in that area. We loved living here, too, great county schools, and neat shopping centers/restaurants along Buford Road and Huguenot.

If there's something you absolutely must have, let us know that, too. Lots of people must have Whole Foods or Trader Joes!

Good luck! If you come in the fall, our leaf season is beautiful. The Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge (~1 hour away) draws people from all over.

[txmxdfam]

That was a lot of great information. I look forward to checking out all of those areas. I'm sure the falls are beautiful there, but we are going in Feb. Haven't really settled on a price range as we would probably rent when we first arrive. I don't have any must haves besides a good school for my youngest, but we aren't opposed to private school if we like an area and the public system isn't that great. I have already faced the fact that where ever we go, there are going to be things and shops that are strictly TX, that I'll have to give up. But we are all looking for a change, so I'm hoping Richmond will be a good fit.

[novanwbie]

Good luck! February is probably VA's least attractive month -- cold, often rainy or snowy. So please don't hold that against us if the weather is gross! :-)

[nagrommm]

I visited in the beginning of March this year and still loved it! It's like what I used to tell people when I lived in Portland, if you visit during one of the worst months of the year and you still like it, then you'll love it the rest of the time. Haven't had a chance to visit in the middle of summer though...

[txmxdfam]

That is exactly why we wanted to go in Feb.

[novanwbie]

Well, this summer was cool and pleasant, for the most part. Lovely! Not great swimming weather, though.