Relocating to New Kent...need ADVICE!!!

[ravenb]

Hi People,

I am living in Petersburg and looking to move somewhere between New Kent and the east end of Richmond, close to I-64. I am looking to rent. Any recommendations? I would welcome any info about rental apartments in New Kent. Thanks!

[williamsburgfan]

mother toad must be thinking of someplace else - very low crime in JCC and new kent - the mention of corruption is laughable.

[New2VA]

Hi,

We are also relocating (from West Coast, though originally from Midwest & NYC). We made our first housing trip back in February and have now been living in a rental and house hunting almost every day for two months! We've seen it all from Richmond to Williamsburg.

We are a family with kids ranging from age 2-14. We had hoped to find something in Williamsburg, but are being drawn to some of the other neighborhoods in New Kent County. It is our understanding that the schools have not been as highly rated as those in James City County, or places like Chesterfield and Glen Allen in the Richmond Area. However, we have done quite a bit of research and are finding that millions of dollars are currently going into restructuring and funding of the New Kent County schools. There is a good plan for commercial development starting to take shape.

We, too, like many things about the Brickshire community; however, were somewhat concerned about the percentage of homes on the market there compared to other communities. Stonehouse is very nice, too.

We recently went back to visit Patriot's Landing in Quinton, right between 60 and 64. We fell in love instantly! It's a wonderful community for families. There are four lakes for kids to fish, canoe and kayak. There are walking/bike paths around the lakes. A 1.2 million dollar clubhouse and pool is expected to be completed by the end of summer when many of the neighborhoods first residents will move in. East West is the developer and they have a great reputation for quality and success in similar planned communities all over the country. There are two Food Lions within 5-10 minutes either direction and talk of a UKrops coming to the area right outside of Patriot's Landing. We have found several small eateries and basic conveniences (pharmacy, hair salon, dry cleaners) very close, too.

With the new winery going in, more homes in that development and Brickshire, we are hopeful that Patriot's Landing will take off as well. What we liked most about that community was the plan for how it will be devloped. The three builders in the community are basically working round-the-clock 7 days a week to complete the majority of the first phase of homes all at once in mid-June 2007. Then, a second phase will open in the interior of the community, followed by other phases until completion in a few years. The idea is that construction is somewhat confined to certain areas, typically unoccupied by residents, making as little disruption as possible to those residents already moved in while the community is growing.

I would STRONGLY encourage you to check out this other community before buying anywhere. If you like New Kent County, it only seems prudent to "see it all" and you would definitely be missing part of the picture if you bypassed this community. It is a smaller community, with hundreds of homes as opposed to thousands, but that seems to be lending itself to quicker completion and a close-knit feel to the neighborhood where everyone knows everyone and kids are never more than a few blocks from home within the development. It's a diverse community, too, and seems to be a great place for both families and retirees. There is SO much to do right outside your door!

No matter what you read/hear/discover about New Kent schools, it seems nearly impossible to continue to add so many high-end homes to any community without the larger tax base providing benefit to the existing infrastructure and thereby improving the education system.

[htlong]

more tax money doesnt improve the school system, this is a myth used for years to raise taxes!

[burkelbabee]

New2VA....I agree with you. You must "see it all' before deciding. We have visited Patriots Landing and agree that it is a beautiful community. However, the price it a little out of our range. We cant spend more than 500K and with 4 kids the size house we want/need we would be starting around 600K before adding all the "nickel and dime" upgrades. Being from South Florida...the planned community capital...we have been there,done that with builders that charge you to upgrade a light switch, etc. We are also renting now...while selling our house in So. FL, and have rented a house in Brickshire. In any case, thanks for the advice...

[New2VA]

Just an FYI after reading the last post...Patriot's Landing is actually dealing on their spec homes right now because two of the builders (Tomac & Orleans) are trying to sell more homes before the end of their fiscal year June 30.

So, Tomac is currently offering 5% off list price...and I would suggest bidding 10% less...on several homes under 600K. There are at least two Style Craft specs currently available under 500K. All of these homes have an unfinished 3rd floor, too. So, the square footage can be as much as 4000+. You might reconsider the community if you can get in on one of these deals.

We understand that Orleans is offering 50% off both construction and selection upgrades through the end of Memorial Day weekend (including today, Monday). That would certainly bring their pricing down, too.

I just know that we have found at least four spec homes there that would all end up between $450 - $530 after these discounts.

Hope this helps.

[taylor255]

To Kcrossley--we are moving to Stonehouse Glen too! We were looking at Brickshire and Stonehouse Glen and decided on Stonehouse Glen because there are so many kids in Stonehouse. I can only assume with the larger homesites that Stonehouse Glen offers it will attract families with kids. Another reason I didn't go with Brickshire is because all the kids from K-12 ride the bus together and the schools aren't as modern. I understand they are building a new school though. We don't move into Stonehouse Glen for another 6 months so we are trying to find a 6 month rental and have to move out of this house on Wednesday (it sold much faster than I thought!)

[New2VA]

Depending on what you can affrord, the other new neighborhood in the New Kent area is called Patriot's Landing. It's actually in Quinton, but New Kent County. Very nice homes. First phase averaged about 400K-500K with unfinished third levels that could be bonus room, etc. Some lakefront lot homes are going in the 700's. Next phase should be less expensive, though, under 400K, and there will be townhomes eventually.

We've been watching it go up for months. Know several people who have bought in there. Lots of kids, but also some retirees. More families than anything from what we can tell so far.

They have nice lakes for canoeing, kyaking and fishing. A dock. 1.2 million dollar swim and clubhouse going in. Walking trails. Very nice. It's right off Hwy 64 at the Bottom's Bridge exit (if I'm not mistaken) on the South side of the highway.

[jrviikngfan]

My wife and I went checked out Patriots Landing and were very impressed. New Kent seems to have so much potential. We are actually going back this weekend to talk to an agent. The house we saw was built by Stylecraft, not really familiar with them, but wanted to know if they were running any specials on their homes or if their is any room for negotiation for buying a house there. We have not bought a house in a long time, so not really sure what to do