Ft. AP Hill!? Need help! (Richmond, Petersburg: houses, neighborhood, schools)

[SocalDad10]

Is there such thing as affluent suburbia within a commute to bowling green?

[spencer114]

Hanover seems like it may be the best option. It will be a bit of a haul but the schools and housing are nice and the drive will be more pleasant than driving down from NoVa.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by SocalDad10

Is there such thing as affluent suburbia within a commute to bowling green?

I think Glen Allen is the nicest and most affluent areas, but Fredericksburg also some nice areas. Glen Allen is 37 miles or 40 minutes to drive. Ashland in Hanover County is closer and would be a good compromise. You would be hard-pressed to spend as much as $500K for a house in Ashland, where you can get a large new house for $380K-400K.

You may want to reconsider the job if you really require affluent suburbia.

[greekchampion04]

AP Hill is in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a very poor county with very bad schools. You are looking and 40 miles either north or south to be in typical american suburbia. I lived in Bowling Green for a couple of years. It is a town with one stoplight. That should be all you need to know.

Good news is, if you go north to Spotsy or south to Glen Allen you will be in a somewhat affluent suburbia with good schools and there will not be traffic. 40 miles will be 45 minutes. No gridlock. You just need to figure out if that sort of drive is OK with you.

I drive every day from Fredericksburg to DC which is hell, but my wife and kid have a good life and that is what is most important to me.

[SocalDad10]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

I think Glen Allen is the nicest and most affluent areas, but Fredericksburg also some nice areas. Glen Allen is 37 miles or 40 minutes to drive. Ashland in Hanover County is closer and would be a good compromise. You would be hard-pressed to spend as much as $500K for a house in Ashland, where you can get a large new house for $380K-400K.

You may want to reconsider the job if you really require affluent suburbia.

Excellent! I will definitely look there. A commute isn't a problem, especially if my home is in a good area with good schools, shopping, things to do.

[SocalDad10]

Originally Posted by spencer114

Hanover seems like it may be the best option. It will be a bit of a haul but the schools and housing are nice and the drive will be more pleasant than driving down from NoVa.

Where's this near?

[SocalDad10]

Originally Posted by greekchampion04

AP Hill is in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a very poor county with very bad schools. You are looking and 40 miles either north or south to be in typical american suburbia. I lived in Bowling Green for a couple of years. It is a town with one stoplight. That should be all you need to know.

Good news is, if you go north to Spotsy or south to Glen Allen you will be in a somewhat affluent suburbia with good schools and there will not be traffic. 40 miles will be 45 minutes. No gridlock. You just need to figure out if that sort of drive is OK with you.

I drive every day from Fredericksburg to DC which is hell, but my wife and kid have a good life and that is what is most important to me.

Where are the nicer parts of Fredericksburg?

[SocalDad10]

I should probably ask about property taxes as well. Mine are about 7K a year on a 350K house.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by SocalDad10

I should probably ask about property taxes as well. Mine are about 7K a year on a 350K house.

They will be a lot less. A $350K house in Glen Allen would have taxes about $2100-2250/year. Hanover County would probably be less, but you can usually find the taxes on the Realtor.com lisitings. I found one Ashland house with about $2200/year on a house selling for $350K.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by SocalDad10

Where are the nicer parts of Fredericksburg?

I believe they are to the west of Fredericksburg. There are also beuatiful historic homes in downtown Fredericksburg. However, what I don't like about Fredericksburg is the uncontrolled growth of shopping centers around I-95.

I think you would like Glen Allen-- there are some very good schools, and some gracious neighborhoods. Plus you are within driving distance of the cultural attractions and entertainment in downtown Richmond. You would be a reverse commuter out to Fort AP Hill.