West End (23059) area or Midlothian for family with good school and safe/diverse neighborhood (Chester: townhouse)

[south555]

I am looking to buy a single family house (4 bed, 2.5 to 3.5 bath, 2500+ square foot). I have two kids and would like to buy a house where I can send my kids to good schools (elementary through high). I also like walking and cycling, therefore, I prefer area that has sidewalks. However, my budget is limited to $400 K, can go little high but do not want to go much higher. I am a South Asian and prefer an area with diverse population. Any suggestion will be appreciated.

High Schools I am considering are: Deep Run and Midlothian High

Thanks,

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by south555

I also like walking and cycling, therefore, I prefer area that has sidewalks. ....
High Schools I am considering are: Deep Run and Midlothian High

The last time I was in Midlothian, the neighborhoods did not have sidewalks. So, I think the West End is a better option.

[snatale1]

As far as I know, 23059 is the Hanover side of Glen Allen, Pretty sure you'd want 23060 which is the Henrico side. I believe Deep Run is where the far border of Glen Allen and Short Pump go, you'll want to look into zip 23233 for that. Midlothian is Chesterfield so thats a whole different side of town. 400k gets you a very nice house around here. Most of this area has no sidewalks aside from main streets and even then there's not many. The burbs usually isn't into sidewalks, the city is and there goes good schools!

[sls76]

Originally Posted by snatale1

As far as I know, 23059 is the Hanover side of Glen Allen, Pretty sure you'd want 23060 which is the Henrico side. I believe Deep Run is where the far border of Glen Allen and Short Pump go, you'll want to look into zip 23233 for that. Midlothian is Chesterfield so thats a whole different side of town. 400k gets you a very nice house around here. Most of this area has no sidewalks aside from main streets and even then there's not many. The burbs usually isn't into sidewalks, the city is and there goes good schools!

23059 in Henrico includes Twin Hickory, Wyndham, Rivers Edge etc which feed into Deep Run. A lot of 23060 feeds into Glen Allen High. 23059 in Henrico is North of Broad Street (basically behind the mall and West of Innsbrook). Only a sliver of 23233 goes to Deep Run. A lot of it goes to Godwin--another great school.

Demographically you will be more comfortable in 23059. It's extremely diverse. I have a 20 year old house in Wyndham that's in your price range so they can be found but most of the newer houses are larger and more expensive. If you want newer feeding into Deep Run a townhouse would be an option. I would recommend looking in Twin Hickory. It has sidewalks and a neighborhood pool and depending on the location of the house there is an elementary school, a middle school, a high school, a library, a ymca, a food lion and a bunch of restaurants that you can walk to.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by south555

High Schools I am considering are: Deep Run and Midlothian High

Both get very good ratings at Greatschools.org . Deep Run is a 9 of 10, while Midlothian is an 8 of 10.

Do you know how to find the ethnic make-up of the schools? Here is Midlothian's student profile: Midlothian High School - Midlothian, Virginia - VA - School details

Here is the Deep Run student profile:
Deep Run High School - Glen Allen, Virginia - VA - School details

I don't see a lot of difference in diversity. Deep Run is 78% white, 11% Asian and 4% black, while Midlothian is 76% white, 10% black and 8% Asian. However, I would agree that the OP might more comfortable in the Deep Run district of the West End.

[goldenage1]

Did you know that you can use Redfin.com to search on a school district? Here's an example with Deep Run HS and a max of $475,000:
https://www.redfin.com/school/49487/...arket=richmond

[south555]

Thank you all for your valuable suggestions! I do not understand why price is so high in west end area, getting close to NOVA.

[GeorgiaTransplant]

Originally Posted by south555

Thank you all for your valuable suggestions! I do not understand why price is so high in west end area, getting close to NOVA.

Safe, good schools, close to jobs. You know, all the reasons you want to move there. Other people like that, too.

[sls76]

Originally Posted by south555

Thank you all for your valuable suggestions! I do not understand why price is so high in west end area, getting close to NOVA.

I'm not sure I understand why the premium over Midlothian is as high as it is. That area is safe too and has equally good school. The only edge I give to Short Pump is convenience--all the shopping is in one place and it does have the nicest mall in the area.