neighborhood advice :) (Richmond, Charlottesville, Chester: neighborhoods, good schools, subdivisions) - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

MacMaine · 05-22-2010, 04:29 PM

My family and I are visiting Richmond in a couple of weeks to see if it is a good fit for a relocation that was just offered to my husband. We're from New England... NH, MA and now currently living in Bangor, Maine.

We would like a neighborhood that offers more than a cookie cutter subdivision. Shops and restaurants to walk to... artsy-ish if that exists... but relatively safe. And either a good school system or a good private non-religious school or an alternative school nearby...

We have a 6 year old and a 1 year old and a dog and are looking in the 400K- to 500K range.

I keep reading about the West End or the Far West End being so good. But I would like to know specifically what people like about it. Are they BMW towns? Or do they offer something unique that I am not seeing. The Short Pump... is that just like a mall with restaurant chains?

I've read about the Fan neighborhood... not sure if that is more for young couples and singles... or if it is good for families. It sounds interesting.

I've also heard that Midlothian might be nice but I have no idea what it is like or why it might be nice.

We were hoping for waterfront... but it looks like there isn't any waterfront available. And we are hoping for a pool and are surprised to find that there are not many pools in the area... being so much further south than New England... but we have so many more pools up here!

Any help is much appreciated since we will be making a very quick decision in the next few weeks!!!! Thanks in advance!

Stacy

PickPatrick · 05-22-2010, 06:45 PM

You must explore the Fan, Bellvue, and the near westend ( say the Libbie and grove corridor). I think they offer exactly what you hope to find!!

MacMaine · 05-22-2010, 07:54 PM

Thanks PickPatrick,

Are there listings available in those areas that you could point me towards? Looking at some Fan listings... I'm thinking that those listings have no land. We don't need much but at least something that could fit a swingset and could be fenced for a dog. Again... a pool would be great.

PickPatrick · 05-23-2010, 07:29 AM

sure think smac---check out the direct message I sent

PickPatrick · 05-23-2010, 07:30 AM

Many fan yards are sized appropriately for a family and a swing set --- but many parts also have neighborhood parks

ClarkStreetKid · 05-23-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smaclean

My family and I are visiting Richmond in a couple of weeks to see if it is a good fit for a relocation that was just offered to my husband. We're from New England... NH, MA and now currently living in Bangor, Maine.

If you like rural you can head out to Hanover, Goochland or Louisa counties or out towards Charlottesville or Williamsburg. Schools may be more of an issue but commuting into Richmond for work is doable and not at all uncommon. One of the very nice things about Central VA is you really can pick your lifestyle.

I live in the Far West End and it's very status driven. Not a bad place but it is what it is.

Charlesaf3 · 06-01-2010, 10:47 PM

For someone from new England (as I am, we're moving from Back Bay, Boston), the Fan and near west end are the place to be.

Short pump is fine for shopping, but you wouldn't want to live there. Unless you like mcmansions and tacky subdivisions

Scosh · 06-02-2010, 10:33 AM

I have to give props to Church Hill. I know it has a sordid reputation on this site but I think the area south of Broad Street is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods I have ever seen. The buildings are old and interesting. The streets are tree lined. There are almost always people jogging or families walking their dogs. The views from the end of Grace street (of Downtown) and from Libby Terrace park (of Downtown and the James River) are stunning and unmatched. Not to mention that the area is simply dripping with history. There are numerous restaurants within walking distance and you are a skinny mile from dowtown. I looked at many places in Richmond including Short Pump, Midlothian, Forest Hills, Chester, Brandermill, The Fan, Lakeside and Manchester but none of them stacked up to Church Hill. The area reminds me of Charleston, SC without the Spanish Moss. Will I lock my car doors at night, yep. Is it worth it to have all of that and a 5 minute commute to work, Absolutely.

PickPatrick · 06-02-2010, 04:05 PM

I have to agree 100% about Church Hill. We lived there both on East Grace and Libby Terrace in the 70s and early 80s......LOVED IT!!

ClarkStreetKid · 06-02-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlesaf3

For someone from new England (as I am, we're moving from Back Bay, Boston), the Fan and near west end are the place to be.

Short pump is fine for shopping, but you wouldn't want to live there. Unless you like mcmansions and tacky subdivisions

and really good schools, and easy access to most everything the Richmond area has to offer.