Opinion of Midlothian? (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Richmond: rental, new home, safe area)

[Laurie Cummins]

I was reading your thread because we, too, are looking to possibly move from Europe (Switzerland) to the Chesterfield, VA area. Since our last child is just going off to college, we're in the position of having to meet people without the convenient "kid connection"! Can anyone in the area recommend a neighborhood (such as a planned community that offers fun activities) for two yankees from Iowa who are open to meeting new people? Thanks!

[dmmjsm]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Parschauer

Thanks for the info - really nice to know. Can you tell me if homes out there are in the 200K range - I checked out a few of those communities, and 3-400K is way out of our range. I've also heard a lot about Mechanicsville over on the north east side of Richmond - what have you heard? Are you tired of the traffic outside of Midlothian?

Mechanicsville can be nice, but you have to watch what area, ( some parts are crime prone) and it will be a much older smaller house for that amount of money- it is building rapidly there.

I disagree with some of the Midlothian posts, as I grew up in Chesterfield in various areas, and unless you can afford to be on the very northern end of Chesterfield, the schools can be quite disappointing. And as it stands now, they are moderately overcrowded. Area traffic is a true concern. While they plan on widening roads, etc.. its a slow process anytime they undertake road construction here in Va. and they are not building roads ( or schools) as fast as people are moving in.

Also, what was mentioned before about Brandermill or Woodlake, I believe- many newer communities, and some of the older ones in that area, have some very intense homeowner associations, and you can literally be told when its ok to paint your house, which colors, how much mulch you should have in your flower beds, what type of kid play equipment is acceptable in your yard, etc. IMHO, it's nuts.

[YvetteJ]

Has anyone heard of Laurel Va.5 minutes from Richmond.or Dumbarton.7 miles from Richmond?

[htlong]

laural is right about on the richmond henrico county border and dumbarton is around the same area. i havent heard any negative about either . the houses are mostly old and well kept from my travels through the area, once in the city of richmond it gets dangerous so think about being right on the border.

[NellieGonzalezP]

I leave in Midlothian, Virginia. And yes there is traffic, but coming from NY there is no traffic.
But it is true that Hull Street can get backed up, but that too is resulted from rush hour.
Midlothian is a great place to live, everything is next to you.

[Chesterfield Native]

I'm from one of the old families of Chesterfield (Still live on the same piece of land that my Great, Great Grandpa owned)

The traffic is unreal nowadays. When I was growing up Hull street was just two lanes and after you passed the bowling alley there wasn't anything hardly between you and Cloverleaf High School.

So if you ask me if its a nice place to live. I'd have to say It used to be. Until all the Northerners moved down here. Ya'll come down here and abuse us being nice, but still carry around your Northern attitudes and frankly I'm tired of it. So don't move here anymore. This place is overpriced for you now. Go away.

[tewhann]

I think Midlothian is great!! Especially what I think of as Midlothian "proper", which would be the Salisbury/Sycamore Square, 60 area where I grew up. The Hull Street/360 area has sprawled in recent years and traffic on 360 is MUCH worse than that on Midlothian.

Also, look at Powhatan. Now that 288 is in, it's an easy commute to anywhere in the Richmond area.

[Stonecoldharbours]

It was voted last year as one of the best places to live...however I seen crime stastics that are a bit high too. Depends with what you can live with maybe.

The northerners did not ruin your beloved home...they all can't be responsible for all the problems here, they may of added to it, to generalize like that, sounds sorta of single minded and idiotic, don't you think?

[richmondpics]

Crime statistics a bit too high in Midlothian?

[Stonecoldharbours]

Use the citysearch guide to see how cities/towns stack up...that is where I get most of my info from.