Where to live in/near Richmond, VA (Chester, Bon Air: short sale, townhome)

[JBostock]

My wife's been offered an excellent teaching opportunity at a VA Univeristy and we'll be moving to the Richmond area from NC. We're an older couple who enjoy outdoor activites, cultural events, but also like just staying home. I've read numerous comments about Church Hill, Bon Air, The Fan, Museum District, Byrd Park, and Short Pump... haven't really researched any of them. Looking for a small home in a quiet neighborhood with easy access to downtown. Does anything like this exist?

[onevthoki]

What about Chester? If you are in the Chester Village Green area, they have started holding outdoor functions ocassionally, bringing in the Fort Lee Army Band and other events. Then, for your outdoor activities, Pocohantas State Park (Pocahontas State Park) is nearby, along with Henricus Historical Park (Henricus Historical Park) and then Point of Rocks County Park (County of Chesterfield, VA | R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks Details - Parks and Facilities) which is on the Appomattox River.

For proximity to downtown Richmond, once you hop on 95, it is about a 13-mile drive (Chester is Exit 61 and Broad Street is Exit 74).

I know you will get some more responses as you've got a good group of contributors here on the Richmond Forum. Congrats to your wife on her new position and good luck with the move!

[ric75]

The Fan is not exactly a quiet neighborhood. It's pretty busy between all of its neighborhood eateries and bars and a significant student population in some areas which isn't a bad thing necessarily but perhaps not what you are looking for. Based on your desire for a quiet neighborhood, a small house, and access to outdoor activities I would recommend looking in the Forest Hill Park neighborhood. Lots of quaint, small houses there and great access to Forest Hill Park and the James River Park system. You would have about a 5 minute drive to downtown from there. Westover Hills may be worth looking into as well. Both of these neighborhoods are on the south side of the river.

[ShannonMilligan]

Charter Colony comes to mind...activities, not too far, etc.

Small town charm; big town amenities; the good life.

I personally live in the West End (not far from Short Pump) and we love it. We live a bit away from it all and yet everything takes about 10-15 minutes to get to...just the way we like it!

[PickPatrick]

Sounds like you need to check out Bellvue -- from what you said, I believe this is an A+ match.
Bellevue

[Charlesaf3]

I'd say the fan or museum district would work, depending on street. Bellevue would also be good, as would be Ginter park and the other parts of the "nice" northside. Same with Forest Hills and Westover Hills.

I'd skip the suburbs unless you are looking for malls and developments.

[BJeanelle]

I am a DOD civilian who recently moved out of the area to DC. I have a 3 bedroom 2.5 bath townhome in Chester, VA that was built in 2010.

I paid around 163k but it is being sold at 120k because I qualified to sell as a short sale because of my situation. It is an excellent deal for someone looking for something in a quiet, safe neighborhood. It is within 12 minutes of Fort Lee!

If you would like more information please call Steve Norris at ProFlex Realty (804) 677-7653


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[Dothan1020]

I lived in the Montpelier-Hanover County area for a lil bit, great area although the commute to town is killer, about an hour to an hour and a half depending on traffic. :/

[Hanshananigan]

You want Stratford Hills.

[PickPatrick]

far westend is your best bet -- check out Sussex Square...