Family of 4 Moving From Southern Cali to Richmond (Chester, Glen Allen: upper-class, real estate)

[julejadesmom]

My husband and I will be moving to Richmond soon and are trying to gather as much info as possible about the city, and VA in general.

My main concern is where are the safest areas to live?

I'm looking for a suburban area, not really "small town". I know every city has its rough parts and this is what I'm trying to avoid. I'm asking about the places that are safe for families with small children. My boys are 4 and 5. I'd like an area that more residential, more houses than apartments. Not really a "swanky", or "upper-class" area, but something nice, clean, and not over run with crime.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I heard Richmond has some really "rough" areas, is this true? What areas should I avoid?

Where in VA can I live for about $700-$900/month for rent?

Once we get to Virginia, we'll be starting our search for a home to purchase. Where should we look for a newer home, neighborhood with a good rep, family friendly, and not too far from entertainment?

Sorry for so many questions ... but thank you in advance for whatever help you all can provide. I truly appreciate it.

[CoinkyDink]

Short Pump is excellent-- excellent schools, awesome shoppings, excellent parks, excellent libraries. Awesome area! We lived there for a year, and loved it! We now live in Chesterfield county, but I still prefer Henrico County (Short Pump area 23233) by a long shot!! $700 to $800ish rent might get you an apartment, and a house if you're lucky. Scope the ads in Craigslist for Short Pump and see what you find.

GL

[consideringamove]

I'm moving to Richmond, too (from MI). We were told Glen Allen & Midlothian are great places. We've looked in both. Glen Allen seems to be more expensive, but a newer area that's family friendly and appears to me to be a more "bedroom community" (people live there and work in another city). Midlothian is supposed to be a really nice area, too. However, there appear to be more business (I don't mean shopping/entertainment but companies) there. My husband works in Midlothian. Both areas have great schools, though. I've also heard some good things about Powhatan but haven't learned too much about it yet.

[NativeVA]

Short Pump +2 (henrico County) ...l Iive there now and love it!

DO NOT MOVE INTO THE CITY OF RICHMOND with kids...I know..Im a police officer there

[vman650]

Sorry to let you know that what you want to pay in rent will not get you into a decent area in Henrico, Chesterfield or Hanover. With a family of four, I am assuming that you will need at least 1300 square feet. I think you can expect to pay double what you mention. Your best bet is to contact a few local real estate people who can give you the specifics about the rental markets.

[mondayem]

I have to agree with the last post. There is almost no way you are going to find what you are looking for for under $900 a month. You need to double that. I would know, I manage a rental divison for a large property management company in the city. I would go at least 20 miles out to a suburb to get the prices down. There are a few safe areas in the city limits, but schools are bad (except Fox and Mary Munford- both elementary), but those areas are extremely pricey. Good Luck!

[Anders15]

You're better off renting a house. There are big houses you can rent under a grand.