Know anything about Richmond, VA? (Chester, Glen Allen: houses, neighborhoods, buy)

[Alicia64]

We're hoping to move this fall from California to Richmond, Va. Specifally my husband would be working in Glen Allen.

I want to get out of No. Cal, maybe it's dumb, but I've been here so long and I'm bored. I'd love to experience the east coast: it's history, various towns, four seasons. And have cheaper fares to Europe than we ever see on the west coast.

Anything you can tell me is appreciated. We hope to get a house for about $250 or so.

I have young kids.

I'm nervous, but excited at doing something new.

Any advice would be great.

Alley

[TexasGirl@Heart]

Originally Posted by Alicia64

We're hoping to move this fall from California to Richmond, Va. Specifally my husband would be working in Glen Allen.

I want to get out of No. Cal, maybe it's dumb, but I've been here so long and I'm bored. I'd love to experience the east coast: it's history, various towns, four seasons. And have cheaper fares to Europe than we ever see on the west coast.

Anything you can tell me is appreciated. We hope to get a house for about $250 or so.

I have young kids.

I'm nervous, but excited at doing something new.

Any advice would be great.

Alley

I have only been there twice, but loved it. I think you would get more replies if you posted on the state forums under Virginia.

[sls76]

We live in Glen Allen and my husband works in Glen Allen too (really short commute which is wonderful). It's a great, family friendly area with excellent public schools. Shopping is very convenient. You wouldn't get much in newer parts of Glen Allen for $250k (single family homes start around $300k), but you could find something in Western Henrico County or possibly Chesterfield in your price range.

[Alicia64]

Thanks SLS76!

In your opinion would it be worth it -- commute wise and otherwise -- to push our budget and buy in Glen Allen or are these two other communities mentioned close enough (and safe/nice enough) to stick w/ our $250 range.

We're moving to VA with cash so we're hoping we can buy a little more house and a seller might be happy to receive cash.

Anything else you can tell me? I have two six year old boys and I'm nervous!! Excited but nervous!

I would assume that people can visit Europe more cheaply than coming from the west coast. Is this true? Visiting DC regularly must be awesome museum-wise.

Thanks again,

Alley

[Alicia64]

Hi Again SLS,

Sorry to bug you! I saw this house on Craigs List in Glen Allen in the $260's. Is this price of house few and far between -- or would you assume that there's something really wrong with it for the price?

I'm just trying to figure out if we could wiggle into Glen Allen and stay in our price range.

The Woods at Innsbrook OPEN SUNDAY 1-3 PM

Thanks for all your help!

Alley

[cityboi757]

I like Richmond.. I have family up there.

You can't fly from Richmond to Europe on the cheap, they don't have any direct flights from RIC to anywhere in Europe.

Traffic sucks trying to get to D.C. I've found.

[Alicia64]

Thanks, City. But I understand that I'd need to get to DC before flying to Europe. It must cheaper than flying to the west coast. I have to look into it.

Alley

[sls76]

Originally Posted by Alicia64

Hi Again SLS,

Sorry to bug you! I saw this house on Craigs List in Glen Allen in the $260's. Is this price of house few and far between -- or would you assume that there's something really wrong with it for the price?

I'm just trying to figure out if we could wiggle into Glen Allen and stay in our price range.

The Woods at Innsbrook OPEN SUNDAY 1-3 PM

Thanks for all your help!

Alley

I forgot about that section of Glen Allen. It's very convenient to Innsbrook (as the name implies). The houses are older, but I believe they still have great school assignments. If you can figure out a way to get into Glen Allen (a home that feeds into Short Pump Middle and Deep Run High--I believe all the elementaries in this feeder pattern are excellent) in your budget, I would do it. You're husband would have a short commute, your children would go to an excellent school (many of the elementaries in this part of Henrico County are among the best in the state), and shopping is very convenient. To get into Twin Hickory or Wyndham (large pool neighborhoods with sidewalks), I believe you'd need to push your budget up to $300k. It might not hurt for you to check those neighborhoods out to see what the extra $ gets you (mainly neighborhood ammenties and a slightly newer home, I think).

[DKVA]

Alicia

You will be fine in that area.

We lived in Wyndham from 2004 to late 2008. Can't wait to get back! The area is great. When we moved our daughter was just starting high school. At first she was unhappy but adjusted quickly and did well at Deep Run High School-which is excellent. I know from neighbors that the elementary as well as the middle schools are also excellent. Great shopping nearby-the mountains, Va beach as well as the outer banks and crystal coast,NC near by.-We are beach people Can't you tell I miss Va!

We have since been relocated again to the Mid West-our older kids-late teens/early twenties will not move-they are staying in the Glen Allen area. So that tells you something about the area.

My DH & I are originally from NY/LI-all our families are still there but we still want to move back to Glen Allen as our kids are there and we loved it!

Want to trade places-of course only kidding!

[Alicia64]

Thanks everyone!

It's so hard figuring this out long distance!

Alley