Seeking detailed info about Richmond neighborhoods (Hampton, Williamsburg: renters, amusement park, hotels)

[nycmomoftwo]

Hi,

My husband is currently looking into a job offer in Richmond and we might relocate within a couple of months. I have been reading about Richmond, but I cannot find a resource with a clear description of the different neighborhoods/sections within Richmond or nearby. If there is a great site that we have overlooked, I'd appreciate it if someone would post that... We've looked through older posts about the topic but still are unclear about a few things:

(1) we are in our 30s, have two kids (preschooler and baby), have advanced graduate degrees, and are Jewish (traditional/not orthodox). We'd like to have the option of sending our kids to public school. What areas would you recommend? I keep reading/hearing about the west end (particularly the far west end). We are looking for a "good" neighborhood (not an "up and coming one") with lots of young families/kids. Which neighborhoods/areas within this huge section would you recommend? What about other areas? We'd probably want to buy a home in the 400K range, maybe more if it's a great find.

(2) How would you describe the Westhampton (Libbie/Grove?) area? What are the boundaries of this neighborhood? How would you describe the population living here? How are the public schools here?

(3) How is the house rental market in Richmond (at least temporary until we figure out where to buy)?

(4) What are the top 5 attractions in Richmond for kids who are 4-5 years old?

(5) What are the most kid-friendly areas/neighborhoods/neighboring towns? By kid-friendly I mean areas that offer lots of services for kids (e.g., classes, gymboree-like facilities, parks, playgrounds)?

(6) For Jews that might be reading this... We are not yet sure if we'd send our son to a Jewish private school or to a public school (seem excellent and we're all for it). Any thoughts? (we are probably reform/conservative in our orientation...).

Overall, we're excited about the possibility of moving to Richmond. We appreciate your comments/suggestions!

[blueva]

Originally Posted by nycmomoftwo

Hi,

My husband is currently looking into a job offer in Richmond and we might relocate within a couple of months. I have been reading about Richmond, but I cannot find a resource with a clear description of the different neighborhoods/sections within Richmond or nearby. If there is a great site that we have overlooked, I'd appreciate it if someone would post that... We've looked through older posts about the topic but still are unclear about a few things:

(1) we are in our 30s, have two kids (preschooler and baby), have advanced graduate degrees, and are Jewish (traditional/not orthodox). We'd like to have the option of sending our kids to public school. What areas would you recommend? I keep reading/hearing about the west end (particularly the far west end). We are looking for a "good" neighborhood (not an "up and coming one") with lots of young families/kids. Which neighborhoods/areas within this huge section would you recommend? What about other areas? We'd probably want to buy a home in the 400K range, maybe more if it's a great find.

(2) How would you describe the Westhampton (Libbie/Grove?) area? What are the boundaries of this neighborhood? How would you describe the population living here? How are the public schools here?

(3) How is the house rental market in Richmond (at least temporary until we figure out where to buy)?

(4) What are the top 5 attractions in Richmond for kids who are 4-5 years old?

(5) What are the most kid-friendly areas/neighborhoods/neighboring towns? By kid-friendly I mean areas that offer lots of services for kids (e.g., classes, gymboree-like facilities, parks, playgrounds)?

(6) For Jews that might be reading this... We are not yet sure if we'd send our son to a Jewish private school or to a public school (seem excellent and we're all for it). Any thoughts? (we are probably reform/conservative in our orientation...).

Overall, we're excited about the possibility of moving to Richmond. We appreciate your comments/suggestions!

Libbie Grove-WestHampton is very very nice area! Its kind of expensive though. The boundaries for that area really anything on Grove Ave west of Malvern Ave up to Three Chopt Rd.

They have a Jewish Community Center on Monument Ave and a Jewish-Christian Church on Grove Ave- called Tikvat. So there are options there

The FAN is nice too- mostly renters though and VCU kids, but the houses are very beautifully restored. Some are a little cheaper than WestHampton Libbie/Grove

You may also consider West End: Short Pump about 13 mi from Richmond West. Im not a fan of the suburbs, but its good for raisin' children. The city of Richmond has much to offer- fine museums, art galleries, lots of restaraunts, grand hotels, etc. Sorry about my sp, Im a little tired, lol

For little kids- The Science Museum of Virginia is really neat. Also they have Kings Dominin within 30 miles from Richmond, and Bush Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg is less than an hour away.

[sls76]

Personally, I'd skip Kings Dominion and head straight to Busch Gardens when you're in the mood for an amusement park. I have a 3 1/2 and a 5 year old and our favorite places are Maymont Park and the Richmond Zoo. There's also a place called Kangaroo Jac's which has those big inflatible slides.

Maymont
Metro Richmond Zoo
Kangaroo Jac's Birthday Parties and Indoor Children's Inflatable Party and Play Center

I find this area to be very child friendly. We have joined our local Y and done a lot of classes/programs through them. We also love the library (we have an amazing new branch in Short Pump).

In the West End I'd take a look at Wyndham (1600 homes, a neighborhood pool, sidewalks throughout, a playground and a great neighborhood elementary) and Twin Hickory (1000 homes with a pool and sidewalks, a little newer than Wyndham but not as much mature landscaping, a neighborhood elementary and home to the amazing library).