While living in the Richmond metropolitan area has amazing benefits for its residents, many of these benefits are accessible even if you live in some of the suburbs that surround the area. The area in and around Richmond is packed with almost 80 historical sites that make a great contrast when placed side by side with the very modern downtown area. Filled with millennials, Richmond, VA has not only increased the growth rate for the area’s economy, but also inspired a great cultural development through acclaimed art galleries, museums and incredible entertainment options like concerts, family-friendly festivals as well as a growing theater scene.
The addition of amazing natural beauty only increases the area’s attractiveness towards new potential residents as it has something for everyone. From fishing to hiking, kayaking and zip-lining, every outdoor activity that you can think of is highly approachable when you have mountains nearby as well as the coast two hours away. Relocating in the Richmond area isn’t an issue when you look around at the counties close to it and the housing options available. A wide range of real estate are conveniently located both within the city limits as well as the counties of Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield. Especially for young families, suburbs like Chesterfield, VA and others have many benefits to living in the big city, so we’ll take a look at which are the best suburbs of Richmond and specifically why they are so appealing.
Bon Air
Known as the best suburb for buying your first home in the Greater Richmond area, Bon Air, Virginia is located in Chesterfield County a mere 12 minutes drive by car to the west of Richmond, VA. It is a census-designated area with around 18,000 residents. In the beginning, this community was designed as a resort for the residents of Richmond, but since the late 1800’s it grew to the historic district we see today. People still see it as a retreat from the much busier city of Richmond, VA and the higher elevation makes it even better than the bigger city, especially during the summer heat. While this area offers a very quiet and comfortable way of life, it’s location is what makes it great. Being a small suburb, there aren’t many jobs available within its limits, which is where Richmond, VA comes in the picture.
Median home value: $264,000
Median household income: $75,000
Midlothian
Known as the best suburb to buy a house when you are ready to scale up in the Richmond Metropolitan area, Midlothian, VA is also located in Chesterfield County, 21 minutes away by car to the west from the bigger city of Richmond, VA. While Midlothian is also a census-designated place it has around 59,000 residents. At the start of the 18th-century, the area produced the first commercially mined coal in North America and it currently also encompasses the historic Village of Midlothian within its borders. The Midlothian area also has the highest median household income in the Richmond Metropolitan area’s Chesterfield County side and this is visible in the real estate properties. Homes are big with a spacious living and all of the amenities desired by the residents, while also being close to the city. With the quiet tree-lined streets and that old-school charm that will win you over, Midlothian managed to keep its small-town appeal in spite of its growth.
Median home value: $314,000
Median household income: $106,000
Short Pump
Known as the suburb with the best public school system in the Greater Richmond area, Short Pump, Virginia can be found in Henrico County, 21 minutes away from Richmond, VA, to the north-west. Short Pump is another census-designated area with around 28,000 residents living within its borders. From farmland and pastures with a tavern that had a short-handled pump, the area experienced a booming growth from the introduction of large businesses, malls and retail centers. While the name stuck, the area has since forgotten its farming days. That development brought along with it an economical growth of the city that only made it more appealing with the added amenities and investments that were made. Many people decide to move to Short Pump, VA because of its high quality educational system as well as the family-focused entertainment options, but we can’t overlook the Henrico County park system either.
Median home value: $455,000
Median household income: $110,000
Chesterfield
Known as the best-rested suburb of the Richmond Metropolitan area, Chesterfield, VA is the county seat of Chesterfield County and is located 25 minutes away from the big city to the south. As the other three suburbs, Chesterfield is also a census-designated area, but unlike the other suburbs, it only has around 4,000 residents. Because of its history, this unincorporated Chesterfield area is known for being the place where the first preservation struggle took place just so that they could save a historical building. The area is surrounded by historical sites still, including the Pocahontas State Park. It’s low crime ratings along with its great educational system make it a good place to live for families and retirees that enjoy an active life-style close enough to the big city for commuters, but far enough so that the unrest of the big city does not affect its residents. Contact real estate agents in Chesterfield VA and embark on the next chapter of your family’s life.
Median home value: $257,000
Median household income: $77,000
Conclusion
Consider these amazing suburbs as well as the other viable options for a comfortable life-style close to the growing economy of Richmond, Virginia. Relocating to this area with your family might just be the perfect next step in your family’s life. This historical part of the country continues to develop new and more interesting stories with the help of its residents so becoming a part of that may sound too exciting to pass up. From the colonists to today’s modern life, Virginia and the area around Richmond stood out and attracted more and more people. Amongst the Federal style homes, the Victorian cottages and even modern architecture you too can find a place to call home.
Let us know in the comments below which suburb sparked your interest the most or if there is another that we missed and should cover next. Like & Share this article for all those Virginia lovers that just want a small part of the country’s history to call home.
