My husband and I live in Virginia Beach, and are slightly open to consider moving to Richmond, however doing a real estate search is difficult when I don't know what areas to look for or avoid. Here, I can enter the good high schools and get a list of homes, but I don't know the good areas of Richmond. Any specifics on this? Also, we are 30yo professionals who like a mix of suburbia and city. For anyone who has lived in both areas (Va Beach & Richmond) or knows them well, what are your thoughts when comparing the two on nightlife..(.dance clubs, restaurants etc.) and sense of friendliness or communinty? Thanks!
Enter either Short Pump or Glen Allen. Both are the western portion of Henrico County. Plenty of restaurants, malls, clubs, etc. And very good schools.
If you do get a Realtor, try to get them to show you the Fan and Carytown area’s of Richmond. (Bordered on the east by Boulevard, on the west by the city limits, on the north by Broad Street, and on the south by the James River.) This is a fun, nitch neighborhood with small stores and restaurants peppered in odd places among the residences. I do not know a good zip code for you to put in, though. Sorry.
I don’t quite know how to compare Virginia Beach and the west end of Henrico County. I have always had the impression that Virginia Beach is more of a tourist trap club lifestyle. I could go to the same club several times over the course of a year and it was always different each time. In Henrico and Richmond, the clubs/bars have their thing and they stick with it. Plenty of nitch clubs, but you will have to find them.
When it comes to friendliness/community, well, I prefer the Henrico/Richmond area. Of course, I grew up here. But it seems that whenever I go somewhere, I meet someone I know.
Good luck!