Is commute from Williamsburg to Richmond doable? (homes, neighborhoods)

[Mr Williamsburg]

Price ranges in Brickshire in New Kent County VA currently range from $340,000 to $1,300,000. It is a wonderful non gated community with golf (optional) swimming pool, clubhouse,tennis & hiking / walking trails. There is a new area being built that will have townhomes that start in the $240,000's that are really nice , 1800 sq feet plus as well as detached homes starting in the low $300,000 price range. Brickshire is located right off of interstate 64 at exit 214, midway between Williamsburg & Richmond. You will have to travel a bit for shopping though. There is a Food Lion within 5 miles but most other stores are in Williamsburg or East End of Richmond both about 15-20 miles away. There is a lot of development slated for the surrounding area so retail development should arrive within the coming year or two. Home prices are 10-20% + lower priced as compared to equivalent homes in the Williamsburg/ James City County area.

[williamsburgfan]

Brickshire is nice, close to the race course - for those with school age children know that you may want to consider private school. New Kent is certainly growing, obvious due to its location - it is what Williamsburg once was - the westernmost development between Newport News and rRchmond.

The schools are not great, and extra cirricular activities are limited. If you have children who play instruments, sports you will find few available programs. You can play in recreation level programs elsewhere, research school sanctioned activities carefully. You will also drive a gretaer distance if that matters to you.

I know plenty of NKHS graduates, all smart and doing well, it's just not as convenient or easy - for instance, to play soccer at a high level you would drive into JCC - about 40 minutes, and no bus available.

For richmond commuters it is closer than williamsburg.

[NettieV6]

Originally Posted by ElsForElliott

I would not want to live in Williamsburg and commute to Richmond 5 days a week;especially if you are downtown or in the far west end. If your job is in or around the Richmond International Airport that would ok. Anything further west of that would be a bear to drive everyday.

On the other hand there is a housing development near Colonial Downs called Brickshire. Houses are awesome. Colonial Downs is mid way between east end of Richmond and Williamsburg. I mean really really nice houses on a golf course.

Thanks for your honesty on the commute. I will pass along this thread to my husband in hopes that it will help him make a decision. I think the decision will come down to these choices: take the job and move to Richmond, take the job and move to JCC/Williamsburg, or stay put in NC.

[NettieV6]

Originally Posted by williamsburgfan

in your price range you can live just about anywhere you want. tell me what community amenities you desire.

there are 3 communities that people compare - they all have golf courses, some tennis, pools, etc. a variety of programs for kids.

Gov land is an easy commute to richmond - come out, turn left, go up rt 5. gov land also the costliest per month to live in. highest HOA dues, requirement to be a member of Two Rivers CC (at least a social member) puts some off. it is filled now with kids, attends great schools, has an active swim team. The CC is private and costs the mosts.

Kingsmill is older, still one of most desirable neighborhoodfs due to all the activities, location to I-64 and is the less costly of the golf communities per month (maybe stonehouse is now - but they are close) does not require membership in the CC, if you do choose join residents have discounted initiation and fees. chock full of kids, many community activities, attends James River elementary which has great teachers, a high # of reduced/subsidized lunches (a govt way of comparing schools) and active parent participation. the tennis facility is world class and boosts one of the best junior programs - if any of your children are tennis players there is no other program to rival this. The CC is semi-private, has Busch $$ backing and lots of tourists in season.

ford's colony does not require CC membership. Not as manu kids activities, still a lot of kids.

also some put stonehouse into the mix. it is in the upper end of the county - closer to richmond. it is not quite as nice as the 3 above, was in a slump for a few years, has taken off again once the price range came down.

you could also consider Holly Hills in the City of Williamsburg - lower taxes, no amenitites, many kids.

queen's lake and windsor forest lower on list, older, nice neighborhoods. QL is in York County and may be just a bit too far - drive it and see.

are you golfers, tennis players, none, what do the kids like. You have many choices and should be able to find the right mix.

We belong to a swim/tennis club right now. My kids have gone to tennis camp and swim on the swim team during the summer. I don't think they are going to be competitive at either sport but they do enjoy participating. My husband plays golf maybe 2x per year but would love to be able to show off that he has access to a nice course LOL! Especially to my BIL who is a good player.

We have never lived in a gated community but I am open to that. I might feel safer when my husband is traveling (which is frequent). We have also never joined a CC but it might be nice to able to have a place to dine and socialize (and with 4 daughters, we will need a nice place for all the wedding receptions).

All those amenities are nice to have but not required. The most important thing is location and schools.

Thanks for your help,
Nettie V.

[syracusebound]

I know a few people who make the commute from Williamsburg to Richmond. They say it is very doable. I wouldn't recommend coming all the way from Hampton Roads though. The traffic you could hit could be unbearable, but from Williamsburg, you have a better shot of missing a chunk of possible traffic.

[williamsburgfan]

nettie - since you don't need golf any of the communities I mentioned will be fine. ALL the schools in WJCC are good - so pick a community and find the house you love. lower taxes in The City make Holly Hills worth considering - your kids will NOT have "bult-in" community amenities - so decide how, if at all, important that is. The advantage to kingsmill, gov land and ford's colony is SO MUCH to do withing the community - especially KM and GL can go to the water, have a few small ponds for fishing, etc. GL much more $$ to join. Take a trip - and the commute is easy from any since I-64 close. once you narrow down choices post and we can help again.

[Anknee]

I live in Williamsburg and have several friends that commute to Richmond on a daily basis. One of the teachers at my school lives in Richmond and commutes every day (45-50mins). As for the schools, my children went through the public school system and it is good. Especially since they are opening another high school and another elementary school in the fall. Definitely helps with the class size. I teach at a private school in town and would love to give you more info on that if you are interested. We love Williamsburg and have no desire to move anywhere else.

[NettieV6]

Originally Posted by Anknee

I live in Williamsburg and have several friends that commute to Richmond on a daily basis. One of the teachers at my school lives in Richmond and commutes every day (45-50mins). As for the schools, my children went through the public school system and it is good. Especially since they are opening another high school and another elementary school in the fall. Definitely helps with the class size. I teach at a private school in town and would love to give you more info on that if you are interested. We love Williamsburg and have no desire to move anywhere else.

We did apply to the only Catholic school in town but were put on the waiting list. My children are currently in Catholic school and that has worked out very well for us here in NC. I was told there is no way all my kids could get in next year so that is why I was looking at public school. I have heard that there is a Christian school and a Montessori school also in Williamsburg but I don't have any information about those schools. I am definitely interested in all options - public or private. Thanks in advance for any info you have.

[NettieV6]

Originally Posted by williamsburgfan

nettie - since you don't need golf any of the communities I mentioned will be fine. ALL the schools in WJCC are good - so pick a community and find the house you love. lower taxes in The City make Holly Hills worth considering - your kids will NOT have "bult-in" community amenities - so decide how, if at all, important that is. The advantage to kingsmill, gov land and ford's colony is SO MUCH to do withing the community - especially KM and GL can go to the water, have a few small ponds for fishing, etc. GL much more $$ to join. Take a trip - and the commute is easy from any since I-64 close. once you narrow down choices post and we can help again.

Thanks for your help. We plan to look around next week when we are visiting family for Easter.

[Stonecoldharbours]

Log onto greatschools.com you can see what is good and what isn't on here, and you will be surprised what isn't! But please use this source as its the best way to go when finding a good safe school!

Yes, I know people who commute from Richmond, cause they can get a larger home with more land up that way, depends on what you want and can afford really, good luck!