home buying in Richmond/safe areas/schools (Fredericksburg, Chester: real estate, renting) - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

phlute23 · 12-10-2007, 07:29 PM

My husband and I are considering a move to Richmond. He has been offered a position at VCU. Currently, we live in San Diego and really do not like the big city/California feel.(and we miss real weather!) We are from the midwest originally (would love to move back but have to go where the jobs are), and would like to live somewhere with that kind of friendly and quaint feel. He has been out to interview in Richmond and liked it. We will both go next month so I can check it out.

I would love any input as to the safety of Richmond. I have heard conflicting things on this subject. Also, where are good, safe places to live near good schools? (no kids yet but we plan to start soon) Our budget is $150-175k for a home. What could we get for that price in a good and safe neighborhood? How are the property taxes? Standard of living?

I appreciate any thoughts, advice and input.

guardrail22 · 12-12-2007, 07:19 PM

I have not seen anything I would live in for less than $240,000 and that involves a 30 miles drive to work

go to Realtor.com and search. Its scary. $140/SF min. and no one knows if its bottomed out here yet.

Mom21 · 12-13-2007, 11:07 AM

I grew up in Richmond and still travel there because of family. VCU is my alma mater! For your price range, you might try the Varina area (Eastern Henrico County) or the West End in Richmond or Western Henrico County. You also might try Chesterfield. The commute will not make you happy but I'm thinking it has GOT TO BE better than Calif! I think you could probably get a fixer in that price range if you don't mind that. You could probably also get an average town home in a nice neighborhood.

phlute23 · 12-14-2007, 06:35 PM

Thanks for the info! The traffic in CA is horrible so I would imagine that just about any other place would be a better commute!

Richmond Commuter · 12-17-2007, 09:10 PM

Western Henrico county? The price range you quoted will get you a vacant approved building lot. In certain parts of Glen Allen, or Varina, you might find a small house for that price range. Maybe some parts of southside. But you likely won't find anything you can live in in the West End or far Western Henrico County for $175,000. Check out Hanover County.

Property taxes are relative - I came from NJ, so we thought the property taxes here were a godsend. I know people who used to live in Missouri and Arkansas who were shocked at our "high" property taxes (they were paying $500/year). Coming from San Diego, I would guess that you'll be pleased with the taxes here in comparison.

Standard of living is quite good, I think - again, depends on where you look. As for "big city" feel - it's not here. You can go from the heart of downtown to very, very rural sticks in under 1/2 hour.

The Richmond area has a lot going for it, which is probably why the housing prices here have not been hit like a lot of the rest of the US has - but the housing prices were relatively much, much lower until just a couple years ago, when they started catching up.

Check out Long & Foster's website (no affiliation, I just used it a lot when I was searching and found it to be a good one).

scote3232 · 12-25-2007, 10:12 AM

I also went to VCU...welcome!!

Check out Hanover County. Population of around 100k, close to the city, but without the city problems. Some rural, some getting built up.

Check out Henrico County as well. 300k population, many more parks and resources. Stay to the North and West....although the the eastern part is getting a full makeover.

Both have very good school system, low taxes. Henrico has full fire service fire dept meaning they do it all including ambulance with no charge. Great parks too.

Paul Hammond · 12-26-2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phlute23

My husband and I are considering a move to Richmond. He has been offered a position at VCU. Currently, we live in San Diego and really do not like the big city/California feel

I would love any input as to the safety of Richmond. Our budget is $150-175k for a home. What could we get for that price in a good and safe neighborhood? How are the property taxes? Standard of living?

I appreciate any thoughts, advice and input.

Just let me encourage you to look in the neighborhoods near VCU. There is nothing big city about Richmond and that is a good thing.

There are safety concerns and school concerns living in the city and you should consider them, but you might also be charmed by the friendliness and pride Richmonders take in their city, plus the city is coming on strong and by the time you have school age children there should be far better alternatives than currently exist.

Best of luck to you in your search and welcome to Richmond.

splendid serendipity · 12-27-2007, 12:40 PM

My family and I just moved to VA from San Diego ourselves. We are currently staying with family in Fredericksburg, but are hoping to move closer to Richmond where my husband works in the Midlothian area. Several people at his work have recommended that we try looking in Hanover County. I don't know a whole lot about the real estate in the area, but I can tell you that gas is a lot cheaper than it is in San Diego. But make sure to check with your car insurance before you move because we were shocked at how much ours has gone up.

phlute23 · 01-02-2008, 09:22 AM

Again, thanks for all of the info!!! I really do appreciate it. I was really surprised that your auto insurance went up. We thought that it would go down, since it is high in SD. Are you planning on buying something or are you renting? I am looking forward to visiting Richmond for the first time in a few weeks. I am sure I'll have more questions after that.