Relocating to Virginia with children (Richmond, Roanoke: real estate, rentals, low crime)

[jen tea]

Hi! I am looking to relocate to Virginia this summer and have no idea which cities and neighborhoods would be best for a family with children (10 year old twins and an infant) particularly in terms of residential communities (preferably with playground, park, pool), schools and low crime. Any information and contacts for locating housing (looking to rent a house until get settled) would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

[upthecreekgotapaddle]

Virginia is a pretty good-sized state. Can you narrow down your desired geographical area?

[jen tea]

Thank you for replying! I am considering Charlottesville, Roanoke, Midlothian area of Chesterfield County and NOVA for starters.

[NeilVA]

Look up Brandermill in Chesterfield County. They have townhouse rental areas.

[jen tea]

Thank you for the information! Do you have any information about the schools in particular the middle school?

[matthews1965]

Roanoke is a GREAT place to raise a family!!!!! Plenty of communities with pool etc, and good schools.
How will you be deciding - will you tour the areas first? As said earlier we are a big diverse state - you made a good decision to come here for feedback because your task is somewhat daunting. To know VA is to love it - welcome and - and perhaps let us know what your process is to be! (no longer active in real estate, but I have lived here all my life and like to try to help)

[ToughLuv]

Roanoke is good for you, dont move to NoVa.

[jen tea]

I appreciate the information. I will mostly be doing research online and accepting the great feedback you all give since I will not be able to make more than one trip or so due to the older kids in school and no car yet. I definitelt agree my task is daunting especially with limited time (I need to move by this summer)! How is Roanoke in terms of diversity and how far from Charlottesville? How do you recommend finding a 3-4 bedroom house from out-of-state? thank you so much for your help!!

Originally Posted by matthews1965

Roanoke is a GREAT place to raise a family!!!!! Plenty of communities with pool etc, and good schools.
How will you be deciding - will you tour the areas first? As said earlier we are a big diverse state - you made a good decision to come here for feedback because your task is somewhat daunting. To know VA is to love it - welcome and - and perhaps let us know what your process is to be! (no longer active in real estate, but I have lived here all my life and like to try to help)

[Teebyrd86]

Jen, I think you would get more feedback in the Roanoke forum. I truly feel bad that you will only be able to visit one time because choosing a place to live in should involve a lot more than just one visit. But I understand you are in a tough situation especially without a car. Roanoke is about an hour and fourty five mintues from Charlottesville, Lynchburg may also be a good choice for you its a lot closer to charlottesville (fourty five min.), but unfortunatly I dont know too much about Lynchburg in terms of diversity and home rentals. Roanoke is not known to be a hugly diverse place and it seems the city is still a bit segregated. Being from Richmond I came to appreciate diversity but that dosnt mean I dont enjoy living here, weighted out with its cons Roanoke has plenty of pros including a low cost of living (based on other Virginia cities, great schools, and a pretty low crime rate). The only other thing that you have to worry about is Jobs, or the lack thereof. As far as finding a 3-4 bd room house check out craigs list. Depending on location you should be able to find one between $650+. And for the most in diversity I would check out Roanoke City schools particularly Patrick Henry High area. Greatschools.net can provide you stats in demographics and such. -Take care.

Originally Posted by jen tea

I appreciate the information. I will mostly be doing research online and accepting the great feedback you all give since I will not be able to make more than one trip or so due to the older kids in school and no car yet. I definitelt agree my task is daunting especially with limited time (I need to move by this summer)! How is Roanoke in terms of diversity and how far from Charlottesville? How do you recommend finding a 3-4 bedroom house from out-of-state? thank you so much for your help!!

[jen tea]

Teebyrd you have been a great help! I will definitely look into Roanoke in addition to Charlottesville which is where I have applied for a few jobs already. What communities/neighborhoods would you recommend in Roanoke (or if you're familiar, in Charlottesville)? The main qualities I am looking for with small children is safety, school system and activities such as pool, playground, sports fields, etc. and not too far away from shopping center for example Target, Walmart, and such. Do you know of a good real estate agent or which newspapers I could access online also to look for houses to rent? THANKS AGAIN!!!

Originally Posted by Teebyrd86

Jen, I think you would get more feedback in the Roanoke forum. I truly feel bad that you will only be able to visit one time because choosing a place to live in should involve a lot more than just one visit. But I understand you are in a tough situation especially without a car. Roanoke is about an hour and fourty five mintues from Charlottesville, Lynchburg may also be a good choice for you its a lot closer to charlottesville (fourty five min.), but unfortunatly I dont know too much about Lynchburg in terms of diversity and home rentals. Roanoke is not known to be a hugly diverse place and it seems the city is still a bit segregated. Being from Richmond I came to appreciate diversity but that dosnt mean I dont enjoy living here, weighted out with its cons Roanoke has plenty of pros including a low cost of living (based on other Virginia cities, great schools, and a pretty low crime rate). The only other thing that you have to worry about is Jobs, or the lack thereof. As far as finding a 3-4 bd room house check out craigs list. Depending on location you should be able to find one between $650+. And for the most in diversity I would check out Roanoke City schools particularly Patrick Henry High area. Greatschools.net can provide you stats in demographics and such. -Take care.