Relocating from Texas (Richmond, Forest: to rent, homes, neighborhoods)

[jklineberry]

My husband have recently decided to relocate to the Richmond area. We chose Richmond based on proximity and climate. I hate heat being from Boston and my husband hates cold, born and raised in San Antonio.

We want to rent for 6-12 months to make sure the city is a good fit for us and would love any advice you could offer.

We are pretty quiet, professionals in our late 30's.

We do not have any children, so schools are not an issue.

We are looking to downsize from our 2000 sq ft rancher. We don't need the seperate "formal" areas, so about $1,000 a month in rent or neighborhoods with homes in the mid $100's. Our minimum requirements are 2 bedrooms and 1.5 bath.

We also need a small-fenced yard for our pomeranians.

We would like an area that puts us in walking distance of some kind of park or waterfront where we could take the dogs on walks.

I already purchaed a wire, boud street map of the Richmond area to mark off "stay away" areas and good areas to help in our search.

[jklineberry]

I've been watchin the TV show "Restorer Guy" and he's been doing some nice restorations in Church Hill, but the away shots look alot seedy. Is it really a low-income area?

[ric75]

Sounds like the Woodland Heights, Stratford Hills, Westover Hills, and Forest Hill (Yes we have a lot of hills) neighborhoods would be a good fit. They are all within walking distance of the James River and the James River Park System. Another option would be the Byrd Park/ Carillon neighborhoods on the North Side of the river but I'm not sure on prices there. Church Hill is an amazingly beautiful neighborhood in some areas and seedy/in transition in others. The river isn't as easily accessible there. Good luck in your search!