West Henrico Suggestions?? (Short Pump: houses, neighborhoods, schools)

[milldill]

Can anyone share information with me re: the West Henrico area? My husband may be accepting a job with Circuit City. We have school age children, so we want a great family neighborhood & schools, easy access to shopping, but still be close to the city and my husband's job. I am having a hard time getting a feel for the various suburbs. Our price range is probably higher than we need to go (600K) for a nice neighborhood, but we are coming from a ridiculously over-inflated West Coast market. If I can save money and still get all the amenities we are looking for, all the better. Thanks in advance for any advice/insight.

p.s. Neighborhood is equally as important as schools - we lived here for 2 years before a neighbor bothered to introduce themselves.

[Electron]

Can't give you specifics on neighborhoods. I'm more of a "need acreage" type. Additionally, I'm in Hanover County, just to the north of Henrico, and got five bedrooms on ten acres for less than 450. Fifteen minute ride to Short Pump, and wouldn't trade it for a 600K house with neighbors. You should have no trouble finding what you are looking for, and I wish you the best.

[htlong]

im with you electron, i live way out in east henrico, i sure dont want the traffic and houses right next to me , i have I-295,and i can hit mechanicsville, va commons or south park in 25 minutes, it is well worth the extra couple of minutwes drive...and i can paint my house without a neighborhood board s approval.