Might be moving to the Richmond area. Help! (Mechanicsville, Chester: rental, crime)

[average_joe]

Hi,
I am hoping to find out more about Mechanicsville/Atlee/Sandston areas. I was just out there this past weekend for a job interview. My wife and I were able to drive around a little bit, and the company gave us a tour of downtown. We are really liking the Mechanicsville area. The area we were in was around the Home depot off of I-295. We also saw some of the Sandston area due to us staying in a hotel at the airport. I'm looking to not drive too much if we move there. I'd be working at Qimonda, so Mechanicsville seems like a convenient and nice place to live. We don't want to go too far out in the country because we've lived in Dallas for almost 6 years and got kind of used to living around the city, but we don't want to live too close to Richmond due to crime and what not. We were also thinking about Chester. Thanks to anyone that can provide some info on these areas...

[Shauninva]

Mechanicsville would be further away from Qimonda than Standston, but there is a lot more shopping/services in and around the Mechanicsville area, so if you want to feel like your living around the city (kinda) I think that might be your best bet.

Sandston or homes near the New Kent line though are literally 5 minutes away from Qimonda and you would definitely find more house for your dollar in that area, especially if your looking for a bigger house (4-5 bedrooms)

[moderator cut]

Originally Posted by average_joe

Hi,
I am hoping to find out more about Mechanicsville/Atlee/Sandston areas. I was just out there this past weekend for a job interview. My wife and I were able to drive around a little bit, and the company gave us a tour of downtown. We are really liking the Mechanicsville area. The area we were in was around the Home depot off of I-295. We also saw some of the Sandston area due to us staying in a hotel at the airport. I'm looking to not drive too much if we move there. I'd be working at Qimonda, so Mechanicsville seems like a convenient and nice place to live. We don't want to go too far out in the country because we've lived in Dallas for almost 6 years and got kind of used to living around the city, but we don't want to live too close to Richmond due to crime and what not. We were also thinking about Chester. Thanks to anyone that can provide some info on these areas...

[htlong]

check out the elko rd/glendale (darbytown) are lots of new housing going up, but no real shopping, no crime and bald eagles soaring in the am........

[slocook]

After living here for 15 years in different sections of the area, I can only tell you what I would do. Since you have a small child and will be working near the airport, I would go to Mechanicsville for one year. During that first year, you would have the time to explore all areas with no pressure. There's lots of shopping in Mechanicsville and it should be only about 20 minutes to the airport. Getting downtown is easy from Mechanicsville: one way is to stay on 360 east until the I64 west exit and downtown is only 2/3 miles. For me, I would want to avoid a long commute, tolls, and having to drive across town to go to work.

As mentioned above, spend the first year looking around and asking questions to those living in different areas. This is information you won't get from rental agents or realtors. Good luck.