Thoughts on West Broad Village? Similar areas to that? (Richmond: apartment, middle school)

[sls76]

Originally Posted by jkang

west broad village traffic is horrendous.

It might be worth checking out Libbie Mill, which is a new, similar mixed-use community.

It's really not bad. I carpool with a coworker and am there Monday-Friday at peak times. People who live there know how to get around it (e.g., if you are going to Kroger or the mall take John Rolfe to Three Chopt). I suppose how horrendous traffic is is subjective (I've lived in Tysons Corner so the "traffic" in Short Pump is a joke to me).

And Libbie Mill seems very nice, but are the apartments built yet?

[RSilver1]

I live a few miles away from that off of Church Road. For what you are wanting, you are looking in the right area. We live in a modest house with "everything anyone needs" within a 3 minute drive without being 'in it'. There are some great neighborhoods tucked into the areas surround Church Road. It is super safe, my neighbors are polite, know my face, etc., but we aren't inviting each other over for cookouts.

Like spencer114 said, the Willow Lawn area is fantastic as well! There are a lot of nice options there to walk to, and for me, it has more of a charm factor. You also aren't in the thick of short pump which can get a bit congested at times.

Lastly, I would definitely encourage renting first. I think Richmond has many unique neighborhoods that you can visit and get to know before rooting. We are in our early 30s with dogs and no children (but many visiting nieces and nephews!) so Short Pump, while lovely, really isn't right for us. I wish I knew that before we purchased.

Best of luck to you!

[sls76]

Originally Posted by SELLRVA

I grew up in Northern VA close to DC. Moved away about 10 years ago. When I think of traffic, I think of NOVA. Short Pump traffic is not really traffic at all. It never takes me more then 10-12 mins to get from Innsbrook past Short Pump mall. It doesn't bother me at all.

Agreed! It just depends on what you are used to I guess.

[snatale1]

Originally Posted by sls76

Um, I think you misunderstood me and may have slightly overreacted. I was just saying people generally wouldn't say they live in Glen Allen because it doesn't mean much unless you are telling someone where to mail something. WBV is in Short Pump regardless of what the postal address is.

Not over reacting at all, and no, it's not in Short Pump, Short Pump starts when you pass Pump/Pouncey. I will never understand why people in this area just make up places to live while ignoring where they actually are. It's hilarious, but stupid. But if you want to say it's somewhere it's not, hey, it's America, run with it

[sls76]

Originally Posted by snatale1

Not over reacting at all, and no, it's not in Short Pump, Short Pump starts when you pass Pump/Pouncey. I will never understand why people in this area just make up places to live while ignoring where they actually are. It's hilarious, but stupid. But if you want to say it's somewhere it's not, hey, it's America, run with it

You may want to contact the county because it sounds like they need to move short pump elementary across pump so that it is in short pump!

Again, the point is if you tell someone you live in short pump they have an idea of the vicinity you live in. No one would say they live in Glen Allen because that is meaningless to those of us who live here.

[sls76]

Http://m.richmond.com/food-drink/res....html?mode=jqm

Here's a story from the times dispatch on duck donuts opening in WBV (yay!). Notice the headline.

[VA Yankee]

Back to the OPS original question on WBV; As you can see it was built as a along the lines of new urbanism in providing a resident the ability to walk to most area shopping. I think the project fell short in several areas the first being that their are no jobs in WBV that would allow a person to live/work all in the same community. Second they created a suburban style shopping area but failed to provide adequate access for the bulk of the patrons who are driving. Third they should provide a jitney type bus that residents can take to access the shopping center across the street, Wal-Mart, the mall etc. just a small bus but one that makes a circuit every hour/half hour that would afford the residents the option not to have to drive. Finally the builders are charging a premium for the homes and when you see the cars lined up passing the rows of homes as they try to get into the shopping area parking lots, i'll pass.

As others have said you would do better to find a neighborhood that you like and just go over when you want. Glen Allen & Short Pump are just postal areas they are not real towns or villages but when you say them everyone know where you mean.

[snatale1]

Originally Posted by sls76

Http://m.richmond.com/food-drink/res....html?mode=jqm

Here's a story from the times dispatch on duck donuts opening in WBV (yay!). Notice the headline.

Didn't know the Times-Dispatch was an authority on zoning, I learned something today. The fact their saying their in Short Pump is to attract people because people shop in Short Pump, smart business, but still incorrect.

Originally Posted by sls76

You may want to contact the county because it sounds like they need to move short pump elementary across pump so that it is in short pump!

No, they don't because according to them it's Henrico, VA 23233, which as you know is SP's ZIP code.
Short Pump Elementary » Henrico County Public Schools

Unlike WBV's being Glen Allen, according to the county of course
Parcel Info

Again, the point is if you tell someone you live in short pump they have an idea of the vicinity you live in. No one would say they live in Glen Allen because that is meaningless to those of us who live here.

Plenty of people would say they live in Glen Allen, people around here know where Glen Allen is. But again, I'm from a place where people don't lie about where they live 99% of the time, so maybe doing so intentionally is just beyond my comprehension I guess. Just like half of Chesterfield that says they live in Richmond, are they afraid nobody knows where an entire huge county is? Some things are opinion, some things are debatable, some things aren't. You can't debate on where you live.

[sls76]

Sorry for hijacking the thread OP.

I really don't think there's a close substitute for WBV. The Gardens at Twin Hickory (also in Short Pump) are reasonably walkable to the Y, the library, schools, a (lousy) grocery store, and some restaurants and a short drive to Target and the mall.

I agree that there are some drawbacks to WBV and it is pricey, but that's dictated by supply and demand and demand for the product is high. The Libbie Mill development is very nice (and much more attractive IMO), but I'm not sure it's far enough along. I may be wrong.

[Charlesaf3]

Originally Posted by sls76

Sorry for hijacking the thread OP.

I really don't think there's a close substitute for WBV. The Gardens at Twin Hickory (also in Short Pump) are reasonably walkable to the Y, the library, schools, a (lousy) grocery store, and some restaurants and a short drive to Target and the mall.

I agree that there are some drawbacks to WBV and it is pricey, but that's dictated by supply and demand and demand for the product is high. The Libbie Mill development is very nice (and much more attractive IMO), but I'm not sure it's far enough along. I may be wrong.

I think libbie mill is still basically plans and concept by reasonable standards. Though it will probably turn out nicely, it's early days.

I still think the Museum district is a substitute (much better) for WBV, unless you have kids in middle school, or high school kids that aren't going to be exam school candidates