feedback from Long Islanders living in Richmond, VA? (Suffolk, Petersburg: crime rate, home)

[jma5]

I am considering relocating to Richmond, VA for good job opportunity (healthcare). Just wanted to get some feedback from LIers who have relocated to the area -- could you recommend suburbs, school districts (I have two children, 11 and 8), how's the food/shopping, overall cost of living compared to LI, things to do, etc. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Nebat]

Originally Posted by jma5

I am considering relocating to Richmond, VA for good job opportunity (healthcare). Just wanted to get some feedback from LIers who have relocated to the area -- could you recommend suburbs, school districts (I have two children, 11 and 8), how's the food/shopping, overall cost of living compared to LI, things to do, etc. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Hi there! I'm not from NY but thought I'd offer some opinions. There are from my understanding many, many people from NY in the Richmond area. So you at least should be able to meet some people you have something in common with. As far as good burbs go, I always hear Midlothian, Glen Allen, and Henrico or Chesterfield counties mentioned as very good school systems. Hanover as well. I don't know about specific districts, hopefully someone else will chime in on that. I'm sure food/shopping will not compare to LI, but Richmond does have most if not all of the typical big box stores. There are numerous malls with Short Pump Town Center and Stony Point Fashion Park being the nicest. There are also local non chain places that are pretty cool too. I'm sure you'll miss the food, but not being from NY, I don't know if there are any comparable places you would like. There are good resaturants all over from chains to neat local places of all different palates. I think it's safe to say that the cost of living will be cheaper. There are plenty of things to do in my opinion. You have two theme parks about a half hour to 45 mins N(Kings Dominion) and E(Busch Gardens) of the city. St. Johns church where the "liberty or death" speech was given. There's a museum that focuses on Edgar Allan Poe's time in Richmond. You also have the VA Museum Of Fine Arts and the Science Museum of VA. Maymont Park and Hollywood cemetery are really interesting. Lots of civil war stuff. If you get bored with Richmond DC is 100 miles up 95 or the beach is 100 miles east. Richmond has a lot of haters, but it can be a nice city if you give it a chance. Welcome and I hope everything goes well if you move!

[VA Yankee]

Originally Posted by jma5

I am considering relocating to Richmond, VA for good job opportunity (healthcare). Just wanted to get some feedback from LIers who have relocated to the area -- could you recommend suburbs, school districts (I have two children, 11 and 8), how's the food/shopping, overall cost of living compared to LI, things to do, etc. Any feedback would be appreciated.

I'm not from LI but Rockland and have been in Va 30+ years and Richmond 10+. To try and answer your questions the first thing is your cost of living will probably be at least 1/3 less or more. For home ownership the tax rate run between .82 - $1.22 per $1,000 of assessed value. This is everything there is no seperate school, town, county etc taxes like NY. Depending where your position is would determine best living area. Henrico's west end, Midlothian and Hanover are all excellent areas with varied housing stocks and everything for food including Trader Joes, Whole Foods, etc. Probably the only food item I feel is lacking is a decent bagel, I realize this is subjective but for smooth roads, low taxes and a great standard of living it's worth it. Overall commuting is nothing like the LIE parking lot, and there are always options with the route.

Schools are excellent and we all have our own favorites, Each county is a school district so the curriculum is consistant what varies is the demographics that feed that school and the age of the facility. Check out a site like greatschools.net and you decide which feels right for you. Once you come down and look, pay a visit to the associated schools. Sometimes these web sites can be very skewed in the opinions posted. Here are some links for the 3 main districts [url=http://www.hanover.k12.va.us], Henrico County Public Schools, Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Activities abound from Kings Domion & Bush Gardens both in the area, Va Beach is about 90 minutes away, the mountains are 45 minutes west Along with parks, organized sports and every store/chain you can think of.

Let me know if you have any specific questions and welcome to Virginia!

[jma5]

Thank you nebat and va yankee for your input -- we've been to williamsburg on vacation, we fell in love with va, but never been to richmond. I need to pay a visit soon! Are there many roman catholic churches in the suburbs you've listed?

[jma5]

Also, Nebat, you mentioned there are a lot of people who don't like Richmond -- what are some negatives that you have heard?

[VA Yankee]

JMA5 I live in Henrico's west end and there are 2 within 15 minutes. St Michaels is the biggest with a lot of young families and Lady of Lordes which I believe is an older congregation. There is also the Cathederal in the city of Richmond, quite impressive to see. Faith is well represented here in all denominations. A good joke is never give anyone direction which reference "make a turn at the church" or they will be traveling in circles forever...lol. Ok it's cheesy but as I said you can find any thing you want. There is also a complete selection of primary/secondary parochial schools.

[Nebat]

Originally Posted by jma5

Also, Nebat, you mentioned there are a lot of people who don't like Richmond -- what are some negatives that you have heard?

Number one would be the crime rate, but I think this is localized to certain neighborhoods, not the burbs, except the Petersburg area. Another thing I hear people complain about is that the city is dirty and run down, but Richmond is a very old city, unlike other cities such as Charlotte or Raleigh which have experienced phenomenal growth in the last 20 years and most development is very new and shiny. As far as character I think Richmond has them beat. But I like old gritty cities. I've always likened Richmond to a smaller version of Baltimore or Philadelphia. Just without the outrageous crime rate those cities deal with. Others claim that nightlife is lacking, but I wouldn't know, not much of a clubber. Or that not enough concerts swing by. Stuff like that. Others claim it's ultra southern. Yes Richmond was the capital of the confederacy, but if you waved the confederate flag in the city you'll probably get shot. Not really, but you never know. Coming from NY you might feel the same way, but there are actually people I have come across in my travels in the south that feel Richmond isn't southern anymore, but more of a relic. I had an interesting experience in GA 10 years ago when someone found out I was from VA. But thats for another thread. The Richmond burbs are pretty much like most other burbs across the country. These are just my impressions of what I've read and heard. Hope this helps! Any other ? just ask!

[NeilVA]

What part of LI are we comparing to? Are you looking for more city or more country living? If you looking for generalizations then consider little to no traffic, no public transportation, no horn honking, shopping is similar to the island, supermarkets are enormous compared to NY, rarely stand in any line (except DMV) for longer than 5 minutes, food in restaurants are sort of bland for NY tastes ( I think salt and pepper are the only spices the have ever tried), crime depends on where you live (Richmond city and Richmond county are not related). If you want to be Nassau like then you want Glen Allen, Chesterfield, Henrico. If you want Suffolk like then you want Goochland, Powhatan. Personally I fly up to NY (JetBlue) once a year just for the restaurants. Almost all specialty food can be found here (if not I order it on the internet). Send us a top 10 wish list. Basically if you come down with a Suffolk frame of mind, u will have a easier adjustment. Either that or a few years on Xanax will help also to adjust.

[jma5]

Thank you to all of you for assistance -- I am thinking of a job opportunity in Philadelphia suburb also. I believe cost of living will be a lot less in VA, but PA is closer to my family on LI. Any thoughts on PA vs VA? Oh ... NeilVA, I live in Nassau County (thanks for the comparisons -- very helpful!!)

[niceguy19125]

Run from PA. I live there now (in Philadelphia) and I can't wait to exit. Richmond has been quietly booming, especially on the West End. Lower cost of living/taxes, less congested, clean air/less polluted, a milder climate and overall better schools. A no brainer.