Help Me Escape MI (Richmond, Hopewell: real estate, apartments, rentals)

[MusicNote]

I do not have to be convinced that VA is a beautiful place. I have visited twice and have spent endless hours completing internet research. In addition, I have been reading the posts here and I am itching to move. I am so ready to move...90% of my belongings are packed and I have not secured a residence.

Yet, moving there is proving difficult. Why am I escaping or trying to escape from MI you might ask...MI is loathsome. It's cold 9 months out of the year....not cool...not mild...COLD, I can't talk about the snow without getting depressed, it's more segregated a little bit, I expect racism, but this level of racism is ridiculous, highest unemployment rate in the entire US, crooked government, $4,000 yearly car insurance for a $13,000 car based on a good driving record....yep...i've paid for the car twice already.

My problem is not moving, it's not paying for the move ,it's not paying rent, and it's not finding a job. Agencies have responded to my resume and said, "With your qualification, I will have no problem placing you, you just have to get here." Now, here comes the catch 22. The apartments say find a job in VA first, the jobs say find a place to live in VA first. So, what's a girl to do?

Trust me, I am not looking to move there and immediatley move into a lavish area. I know that every state has it's "BAD" area. I have lived in the slums of Detroit and I have NO desire to live there again, regardless of the state I relocate to. I am simply looking for a place to rent, where I can pay rent in advance and be left alone to find my way around VA, enjoy the weather, parks and look for a job.

I would greatly...GREATLY appreciate any advice.

[bmclean1]

I am moving there as well with my family. Heres what I did. ( may not apply to you ).
We are coming from NY. The highest taxed state in the nation. No jobs as well and little hope for the future. Also cold.
Anyway, I have excellent credit and applied for a No-Doc mortgage and got approved. A No Documentation mortgage is just that. No proof of income or assets required. I do not have a job there yet either. But I did sell my home here and will have enough money for a downpayment on another in VA.

But here is what you could do. I'd look into renting a "hotel" or "motel" suite for a couple weeks so you can at least have a place to lay your head. Set up with a job and then you're set to go. You'll have an established address for your employment records and have employment records for your apartment.
Its not a glamorous way to start, but it gets your foot in the door in VA. And its very short term as well.

Just a thought.

[dmmjsm]

HI. I would try using like "apartment finder" online,or a reputable real estate agent (many real estate complanies offer rental units, often houses or duplexes/townhomes) and try negotiating, such as offering two or three months rent plus deposit. There are many large complexes that cater to professionals, etc. that allow you to apply online or do virtual tours, etc of aprtments and complexes. You could always do the hotel thing as well- it may be easier, and helpful to see the apartments first. Good luck!

[MusicNote]

thanks for the advice. I thought about the hotel/motel...but did not research it. I will also check out Room rentals since I may only need a room for a month.

No Doc Mortgage...EXCELLENT idea.

Paying months is advance is not the problem...I just have to find a duplex or a home....that's the problem.

Again, thanks a million for the advice.

[htlong]

wow will you be at home in va ,everyone i work with is from the mitten state. i ask them where detroit is and they all hold up their palm and point to their thumb, what part of va are you looking to move to? (you cant show va on your hand so you will have to print it lol)

[MusicNote]

My search has been primarily in Richmonds West End. However, WestEnd 23227 is a little pricey. It's filled with apartments, but I don't want an apartment. I'd prefer a home and I've found that when you leave the greater Richmond area and go further out to the neighboring counties homes rent for approx 600.00 mthly, which is a good deal. I am basically starting over, but living in the "HOOD" simply won't work. From what I've read Southside is the "HOOD". I am moving with children so the schools are important.

Today I researched Highland Park...some of the homes are fairly very fairly priced for a starter homes. I read a previous post where King William County was mentioned. In another Powhatan and Ameila counties were also suggested, but I don't want to go into shock.. I am a city dweller and will have to ease into the true country a little at a time.

I've figured that I'd like to live near the city, but I DO NOT want to live in the city. Right now I live in a suburub of Detroit...about 15 minutes aways from the first Detroit street...about 30 minutes away from downtown Detroit. My suburban area has a population of about 60,000 people with every store immaginable within 10 miles of my home....and the homes are "shoulder to shoulder" so to speak...no elbow room.

[htlong]

The East Side Has Highland Springs A Small Town But Not The Greatest,but Affordabl, New Kent County Is Growing And Rural, Varina Is In The Extreme East End And Has A Few Tract Housing Going Up And Is Very Rural, The South Side Hood Is In The City Limits But Chester Or Chesterfield Is Very Nice, Then Look Into Hopewell Its A Mayberry Type Town. Do You Have A Job Lined Up Or Just Picking Up And Moving? For A Temporary Stay Look Into Trailer Parks They Are Pretty Reasonable , But More Than A Month Or Two And You Will Be Appearing On Jerry Springer!!

[MusicNote]

Thanks htlong...no job lined up at all. Just picking up and moving. More than a month or two in trailer parks = Jerry Springer...LOL..LOL..LOL...

[yvette8]

I feel your pain. We're moving from MI to VA this weekend.

[freakinrican]

i just picked up and left NY as well. i didnt have a job either when i moved down here either so what i did was fake a job and number and gave them a number of a friend to verify and it worked. i put my depsoite and rent on my credit card and found work the next week. been here ever since (7 yrs). i lived in richmond for a while before moving to chesterfield where i bought my home. very nice area with lots of shopping. you should like it. any questions email me.
va_rican1@yahoo.com. i would be glad to help