husband at RIC, me to work in Petersburg (Richmond, Chester: apartment complex, rent)

[sarmars]

Hi There,

My Husband and I (we're in our late 20's w/ no children, just a dog) will be moving to Richmond this April and don't know much about the area. He will be working at Richmond International Airport, I will be working in Petersburg. We would like to live in a nice area with good access to freeways heading to both locations, but not in the "hood" or the "ghetto", also would like to be close to shopping, parks, restaurants and entertainment, but not in an area that's very congested or highly populated with partying college students. I don't mind the commute to Petersburg but don't want an inconvenient route, and he needs to be within 20 minutes of the airport. Looking for a very nice townhouse/apartment, willing to pay higher rent for quality, space and location.

Thanks for any input!

[WanderVA]

Varina will work best for you. It's the eastern part of Henrico County and on the east side of the City. You will be near the airport (Sandston) and will have easy access to Petersburg by way of I-95, I-295 and the Pocahantas Parkway. A huge 'town center' is being built at I-64 and Laburnam Ave. that will be similar to Short Pump Town Center in the far west end (I think it's the same developers). It's under construction now. Good luck.

[sarmars]

From reading other posts, I was under the impression that East side of Richmond was a less than desireable place to be...is this the case in Varina? I'm looking for a clean, relatively low crime, middle class area. Location looks good, just hoping the area is nice.

[sarmars]

Also wondering, is this a town in the greater Richmond metropolitan area? Would the mailing address be Richmond or Varina?

Still learning how this city is laid out.

[BikesareBetter]

Hi, I am considering a move here, and was reading this post. Is it Verina or Verona that is nearby? ...I am looking for nearby cities but I suppose I can make that another post

[richmondpics]

It's Varina which is an area of eastern Henrico County. Also, it's certainly part of the metropolitan area and has a Richmond address.

[WanderVA]

When Richmonders talk of the 'East End,' they are referring to the east side of the city, and yes, it is more of a low-income, higher crime area. Eastern Henrico is a rather rural/suburban part of the County with all incomes and low crime. I imagine it would be confusing to someone who doesn't live here.

The airport is located in Sandston, which is really just an unincorporated area of Henrico. It does have a 'Sandston' mailing address. Varina is more of an area of eastern Henrico and has a Richmond mailing address.

[Teebyrd86]

I grew up in Varina and the area it self is growing. Varina is a very diverse area. One side of Varina is a lot different than the other. Personally though I would recommend Chester. It is on the other side of the Varina Enon bridge via I-295 and closer to Petersburg. But still not far from the airport (10-15min.) Chester is for the most part less expensive than Varina. BTW as the other posters stated Varina is under the Richmond mailing address.. Chester though has its own. Good luck! and let me know if you have any other questions.

[sarmars]

Well, my company puts me up in my housing and unfortunately they said my options are limited based on facilities they have contracts with....they have me placed in a complex called Birchwood at Boulders, its near the freeway intersections of 150 and 60. Based on info I've gathered from this site, that is not the best area to be, although I'm guessing the western side of the 150 freeway is better than the east side. Anyone familiar with this area? Also, from reading reviews on this apartment complex it seems there have been 12 break-ins in the past 6 months or so....great. Any comments would be appreciated.

[onevthoki]

You are looking at the intersection of Chippenham Parkway and Midlothian Turnpike. I would see if you could get something different. The traffic will be pretty bad getting to both areas you need and it is not very desirable for living.