So what's my dream neighborhood in richmond (a.k.a where should I live?)

[newhandle]

Look into the Museum District. It is an urban neighborhood with a very strong community association. Just a few mintues from downtown either by car or bus. The fan is another but more pricy.

[PickPatrick]

Try Westover Hills!

[curlew]

Bellevue sounds like the neighborhood you're describing.

The public elementary school for Bellevue (and Ginter Park), Linwood Holton, is a great place -- opened about ten years ago. Both my kids are there. And there are plenty of kids in the neighborhood as well -- more now than there were, say, ten years ago. And a wine/beer shop, coffee bar, etc.

[vman650]

One other thing you may consider is living in the burbs near a bus line. One possibility is the west end of Henrico. There are buses that run non stop from a lot at Gaskins road into the city. Of course you have to work regular hours and your place of employment needs to be close to a bus stop. The school in Henrico are generally very good as are many of the private schools in Richmond. Unfortunately, most of the private schools will cost you a small fortune in tuition. A friend of mine was happy his son finally went to college because the tuition was considerably less than what he was paying at a private school.

[PSUrichmonder]

We just moved to Westham (Tuckahoe/immediately west of UR) a year ago from out of state and really like it. I would have liked to live in more of a city atmosphere, but my husband wanted a yard and the option to send our kids to good public schools all the way up through high school (Tuckahoe Elementary, Tuckahoe Middle, and Douglas S Freeman, I would suggest looking through their websites as they are often recognized for academic excellence). My husband's commute to downtown is 15 minutes in no traffic, 30 during a really bad day, averaging about 20. Some people do take the bus, too. The neighborhood is a mix of young and middle aged families, empty nesters, retirees, etc., and you'll see lots of kids out playing if you drive around. We can walk to the Village (Ukrop's, CVS, Starbucks, etc.) We are also among your Volvo-driving, latte-drinking, NPR listening, highly educated professionals, although like you I don't have a Volvo or drink lattes, and we really like it. It's a little more traditional and conservative than my ideal, but overall it's a great place.