Which of these rural areas around Richmond VA? (Mechanicsville, Chester: apartment complex, rental market)

[Carcone83]

[Before anyone gets angry I do just want to explain, I'm posting this because it seems like no one is getting any answers on the "Read if you are asking where to live in VA" thread and I've done the searches on here but am not finding the information I need. Thank you for your patience and advice.]

So my fiance and I are relocating to Virginia. We are looking to live around Richmond but not necessarily directly in Richmond.
We are looking to rent a place and spend $800-$850 a month for a 2 bedroom. We would like to be in a country/rural area such as: Ashland, Midlothian, & Mechanicsville. If someone could give me as much advice on these three places (or any other recommendations) that would be very helpful. My boyfriend favors Ashland at the moment.

Here are a few major questions I have:
-Are these three places safe?
-Which county are these places in?
-Would one be recommended over the others?
-Are they within our price range?
-How close are they to grocery stores/shops/malls

Also I would rather not live in an apartment complex if it can be avoided, but they are not completely out of the question if they are nice.

Thanks again

[PickPatrick]

Generally speaking, Mechanicsville and Midlothian are definitely not rural or country-like.

[Carcone83]

Originally Posted by PickPatrick

Generally speaking, Mechanicsville and Midlothian are definitely not rural or country-like.

Oh I thought I did enough research... obviously not. Are they very populated? Houses close together? A lot of commotion?

[slowlane3]

All 3 communities you named, can be considered suburbs of Richmond.

The Midlothian zip code includes the very large, attractive, award-winning planned communities of Brandermill and Woodlake, which were developed in the 1980s, and include a corporate conference center and lakefront homes. It's along US Highway 360 and express tollway 288 in Chesterfield County. It's a good example of car-dependent, sprawl development.

Ashland is a traditional small town in Hanover County, along I-95, a train route, and US Highway 1, and therefore has numerous services catering to travelers. The town has some charm quality, and includes the private Randolph-Macon College, but is only 15 miles north of downtown Richmond.

Mechanicsville is a suburb, northeast of Richmond, near I-295 bypass. It's convenient to the airport and the raceway, and it used to be the site for the state fair (although that's irrelevant now). I think it's in Hanover County.

[krystsyde]

It depends what you cal rural? If you are from the big city many places in VA is rural... Otherwise Ashland is the only one that is rural... Crime in all these three are low. I know because I looked into them. Overall most of VA has little crime. Not like DC, LA, NY, CHI, etc... Even DT Richmond doesn't compare. Rent for that seems comparable. Look on realtor.com or craigslist and see what a 2 bed condo or house is going for. I currently live in Northern VA, but want the slower life in Richmond. Always lived in craziesness as an adult... From what I saw online and in person, living in Midlothian all the north to Glen Allen and East to Mechanicsville seem to be the best spots to live. Maybe even Northern Chesterfield..

[Charlesaf3]

THough there are rural areas near Ashland, I wouldn't even call Ashland rural... Rural is Powhatan, Western Goochalnd, parts of Hanover etc. to my mind. Ashland is a town.

[Pruzhany]

Originally Posted by Charlesaf3

THough there are rural areas near Ashland, I wouldn't even call Ashland rural... Rural is Powhatan, Western Goochalnd, parts of Hanover etc. to my mind. Ashland is a town.

Eastern Goochland is also very rural. You know you're getting close to Goochland driving West on 60 in Henrico and the malls disappear and farms start appearing. Drive a few miles and you'll hit its small commercial corridor at its 64 connection, but drive off 60 and its rural.

[VA Yankee]

Look west of Ashland towards Montpieler & Beaverdam, I am unsure though what type of rental market you will find.

[Pruzhany]

Originally Posted by VA Yankee

Look west of Ashland towards Montpieler & Beaverdam, I am unsure though what type of rental market you will find.

They're nice areas, but getting to an area which has job potentials for newbies is not easy. Both require numerous country roads to get to either 64 or 95.

[VA Yankee]

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I would fully agree but many do not feel a 30min + ride to get somewhere is an issue. The OP made no mention of jobs/location so I don't know where they may be working.