Moving to Byrd Park.... (Richmond, Chester: for rent, condo, crime)

[ByeByeKY]

After a couple of house hunting trips to Richmond my husband and I have decided to rent for awhile until we can decide what part of Richmond we would like to settle in. We've found a fantastic apt/condo for rent in Byrd Park on S. Davis directly across from fountain lake. The apt. and location both seem ideal for us...close to Fan, Carytown, Maymont, downtown, etc. yet still in a parklike setting. Does anyone have any advice, warnings, etc. regarding this area? I realize that there is an "undesirable" area around Byrd Park (crime, etc.) but I'm hoping that the part of Byrd Park that we've chosen will be safe and quiet. Any opinions?

[ByeByeKY]

No opinions on living in Byrd Park? Any insight would be appreciated.

[WanderVA]

You should like it. I've lived there for 5 years and have never had a problem. Sunday afternoons can be a little hectic with the high traffic, loud music, people washing cars around the lake. Other than that, no problems. Welcome to the neighborhood!

[AllTheWayToMemphis]

That's a safe area. The area immediately east around Meadow Street has a bit of crime (normally not violent), but even that isn't too bad. You'll be fine to walk around during the day and, in most cases, at night. A little over a year ago a student was robbed, shot, and killed in Byrd Park, but that was really just a fluke. That type of thing does not normally happen.

[ByeByeKY]

Thanks for the responses...We're feeling a little better about our decision.

[PickPatrick]

You will enjoy!!!

[ByeByeKY]

Well....as it turns out we may not be getting the place in Byrd Park...much to my dismay. The hubby thinks that the rent is too high, I have to say that I agree (since it's nearly $500.00 more a month then the mortgage on our brand new, 3 bed, 2 car garage house here in KY) but I was willing to make a sacrifice because the condo was gorgeous, he's not so willing apparently. So it's back to the drawing board. Any suggestions on a place to rent that accepts a 20lb dog, has at least 2 bedrooms, and is in a decent area for around $1200.00/month? I would like to be in the city (Fan, Museum, Carytown, Bryd Park, Shockoe, Bellevue, etc)...he would prefer to be in a more suburban setting (west end, Midlothian, Chesterfield, etc)...go figure. We may never find a place that suits both of us! I figure if we are going to rent for a year why not rent some cool place in the city and then we can buy the house in the suburbs next year. I'm trying to bring him over to my way of thinking but it's not been easy.

[sls76]

This probably would be more your husband's cup of tea because it's in Short Pump, but the Flats of West Broad Village are brand new and have a very convenient location with a some stores and restaurants that are walkable. It looks like they take small dogs (I would think 20 pounds is small) but I'm not really sure what rent would be. I get how living in the city for a year might be fun, but sometimes it's better to rent where you will be buying because then you know the area inside out and can make a better decision.

[540_804]

Yeah, the Flats at West Broad would possibly be nice for them.
My only reservation is that it still looks like nothing more than a construction zone for the most part so I guess it depends on how soon they plan to move.

From what I've seen...West Broad Village should come out nicely...
I must admit, I was a doubter at one point, thinking it would be nothing more than a cheap, cheesy, suburban imitation of urbanism. It is, of course, nothing more than a suburban imitation of urbanism..but it doesn't look as cheap and cheesy as I expected. In fact, if it weren't so far from downtown, I would give it a serious thought in my housing-hunting...

[ByeByeKY]

Thanks for the suggestion. I remember seeing The Flats at West Broad Village while we were there last week. I guess I'll have to give those some consideration. I was really hoping to be closer to town but marriage is all about compromise, right? LOL. Off to check out the website now...