Looking for info on Richmond area.... (Hampton, Charlottesville: houses, landscaping, neighborhood)

[Slappy White]

Hi, my wife and I are considering a move to VA and Richmond is on our short list of places to look. We are both in our early 30's and have no kids at the present time.

We'd like to find an area with the following things...

Fairly close to RIC (30 minutes or so max)

Home prices no more than $500K but preferably less.

A country club or golf course to join

Decent schools for any future little Whites.

We would be spending a good amount of time driving to both Charlottesville and to the Hampton Roads area for work so somewhere with easy freeway access and the least traffic hassles (if that's even possible) would be ideal. We could go as far east as Williamsburg I suppose.

Thanks

[sls76]

I would highly recommend you consider Wyndham. The neighborhood has a pool, but you can also join the country club (the Dominion Club). Right now because of the economy they're running membership specials. For $500k, you can get a very nice home. There's a neighborhood elementary school which is actually ranked the number 2 elementary in the state. It's a very pretty neighborhood with sidewalks. It is a bit older (you won't find too many homes less than 10 years old) but the advantage of that is you get more mature landscaping. We are about 30 minutes from RIC and 60 from C'Ville.

[mondayem]

I would recommend the malvern/libbie area. It's extremely popular with young professionals because you can get a great renovated older home with a yard, but you are only two miles from the fan where there is shopping, nightlife, and tons of restaurants. You are also in one of the most centrally located areas of the greater richmond area. The houses in the Mary Munford school area would be great. Mary Munford is one of the best Richmond schools. We live across the street and are also 30's with no kids. We plan to send our future little ones there. You would probably have to relocate though once they hit middle school, or go private school. There are also lots of nearby clubs. I do like the wyndham area, but it's a good ways from town and caters more towards people with children. This area is about 1 hour from charlottesville, 1.5 hours to hampton, and 10 minutes to downtown richmond. For under 500k, you can get a gorgeous home up to about 3000 square feet. If you would like any more advice, don't hesitate to ask!