General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated! Rss Feed  
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2012-07-24 8:02 PM

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Master
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

Hi there.

I am under consideration for a management position at a new fun center in the Richmond area. (Midlothian to be specific.)

I could use any advice relevant to relocating to the area.

I would initially be coming out myself, so at first I'd be looking to rent a room or a small place temporarily and then getting a place for the family several months later.

Good areas, bad areas, good schools areas?

It would be nice to live close enough to bike to work.

Tri clubs in the area?

Swimming options. (Looks like it might be good for swimming, with the 2008 trials pool set up there now.) Any 24 hour gyms with pools?

Got an extra room for rent?

You get the idea, yada yada.

Thanks,

-eric



2012-07-24 8:24 PM
in reply to: #4328841

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Royal(PITA)
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West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

Eric,

Richmond tri club is one of the biggest and most active around. Lots of opportunity for training and racing with RTC (yes, I am a member)  Lots of opportunity for races in this area too!  There is a group called Sportsbackers that organizes a lot of various sporting events ranging from the Monument Avenue 10K to this years new Grand Fondo cycling event (with shorter options available)

Midlothian is a great area, but it is a little congested.  It's fairly convenient to things in the city as well as on the west end without being in that mess.  Good mall and I believe a fair number of apartments/ townhouses in the area.

Best shools in the area are Hanover, Chesterfield and Henrico (west end) in that order.  Hanover is north and east of the city and somewhat pricey.  There are lots of apartments there though.  Midlothian is part of Chesterfield and has excellent schools.  Stick to the west end of Henrico--though it can also get pricey to live there.  Plenty of rentals in that area too.

Remember, this is a river city....the addage "you can't get there from here" is very true because of all the ways you have to go....I live in Chesterfield and it takes me 30 min plus if I drive to the office (Thank God for work at home!). It is about 30 minutes to Midlothian from my house too....(if you see Colonial Heights on the map I am almost there)

There are several Y's and the American Family Fitness Center, most of the AmFam centers are 24 hours and all but 1 have a pool (Chester doesn't have a pool but Midlothian's is gorgeous).....tri club hosts an OWS practice alternate weeks in the city.  I haven't attended in a while as the location isn't convenient for me. There is a new center in the city that just opened up, don't know anything about costs, but it looks amazing.  Jay Peluso from the tri club also has a master swim program at St Catherine's School in Richmond, again not certain of the fees.  He also hosts OWS practices and an OWS race series locally.(Pelusoopenwaterswim.com)

 

Almost everyone you meet in Richmond is a "transplant" from somewhere else.  I do know a few "native" southerners....but they are few and far between unless you get involved with rednecks.

 

Hope that helps!

Judi

2012-07-25 6:07 AM
in reply to: #4328841

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!
Aside from what Judi said...

West End Henrico rocks - great schools - but not cheap. On the flip side, if you go Far West End you can hop on 288 and get fairly quickly to southside & Midlothian. Stay out of Richmond city proper.

We YMCA - if you need deets about that. Not 24 hours, but plenty of pools all over the place.

Kristen
2012-07-25 9:22 AM
in reply to: #4328841

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Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

The other posters covered it quite well. I live in Midlothian (Brandermill Community) and there are lots of places to run and bike around here.  Many communities have multi-use paths.  I bike from home to the city downtown about once or twice a month - it's 18 miles each way, so it's totally doable, just lots of logistics around making sure I have a change of clothes at the office and that I don't need to be anywhere shortly after work.  We don't have the network of bike lanes like Seattle or Washington, D.C., but we probably have more than some cities.  Hopefully that will change over the next few years as the city prepares to host the UCI World Cycling Championships in 2015.  There's definitely a mix here - we have lots of people into fitness as we have one of the largest 10Ks in the nation (Monument Ave 10K) as well as the Richmond Marathon, but we also have one of the highest obesity rates, so I guess everyone is on one side or the other.  I find when biking that most drivers are pretty cool, but you always encounter an here and there who wants to yell at you - I guess that's true anywhere.

Welcome to Richmond and let us know if you have more questions.

2012-07-25 9:39 AM
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Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

The other swim option in Chesterfield is the GRAP. Here is the link. http://www.greaterrichmondaquaticspartnership.org/ Definately a great place to swim.

Everyone else covered the rest.

2012-08-01 8:01 PM
in reply to: #4328841

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Master
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

Been a week since my round of interviews. I hate the waiting.  I've put a lot of time into browsing the craigslist ads for homes in the area.  

If anyone happens to find themselves in the vicinity of the Hull Street / 288 interchange I'd love to see some pics of the construction at Commonwealth Centre Parkway and Brad McNeer Parkway...

While in limbo for jobs I entertain myself by finding out as much as I can about the developments and surrounding areas.



2012-08-02 8:02 AM
in reply to: #4342440

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Richmond VA area
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!
Not sure about the construction at that particular location but that whole area below the Hull Street/288 interchange is like a whole suburb unto itself. It has just about everything you would want or need. Everything is very nice and there are alot of nice neighborhoods down that way. My only dislike is that it can get congested at rush hour and its too far from Richmond for my liking. I want to be able to get to Cary street or downtown in 15 or 20 minutes.
2012-08-02 12:10 PM
in reply to: #4342880

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Master
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

That intersection is where the business is located. I haven't been able to find many pictures of the place in progress.  It's called UpTown Alley. No word from them yet, but I'm still researching the area in case it comes through for me.

 

2012-08-04 12:27 PM
in reply to: #4328841

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Master
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

After more than a week since the last interview I got a response today that they want to talk to me again on Monday and that things are moving fast. I get the impression that they are targeting my position being on-site around the first of September, so if it does happen it will be soon.

Given the proximity to the business location and the positive mentions of the schools I would be looking to stay in the Midlothian area.

I would initially need to get myself set up in an extended stay hotel or a room rental. Perhaps a sub-lease.  I'd be looking to rent a place for the whole family later, I'm guessing in 3-6 months. Any info on such hotels or people with spare rooms much appreciated.

We might try and do the whole family move right away, but several things would have to fall into place quickly to make that work...

When does the school year start in the area? (Mine are in elementary, 2nd and 4th grades.)

2012-08-05 7:23 PM
in reply to: #4328841

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Royal(PITA)
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West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

Chesterfield goes back to school right after Labor Day.

I think there are extended stay hotels more in Glen Allen, not sure if there are any in Midlothian.  Colonial Heights has a lot of hotels that may have extended stay options as it is close to Fort Lee Army base.

2012-08-05 7:23 PM
in reply to: #4328841

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Royal(PITA)
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West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

288 near Hull Street puts you near Brandermill which can be pretty pricey. Just pulled up the real est5ate section from the Sunday paper.......one home listed in that area is 896,000.  That's probably the highest I have seen, but it's the only specific Brandermill area listing  I found.  Chester and COlonial Heights are a little more reasonable with what they have listed but the commute would be about 30 min each way in moderate traffic.  Not a good bike commute given the roads.

 

If you are looking on line for housing, the area you are looking at for Brandermill is area 64.  That might help you zero in on rental/ purchase availabilites.  Other areas that may be fairly reasonable would be 52 and 54.  Powatan (area 66) is a little out of the way but doable.  It can also be pricey, though not all of it.  Goochland is VERY expensive. 

I do see a Brandermill rental listed at $1295/ month.  It has 3 bedrooms and is near bike trails off of 288.



Edited by QueenZipp 2012-08-05 7:40 PM


2012-08-06 9:40 AM
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Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

I live in the Forest Hill area of Richmond, practically on the river. For swimming, I swim at the college, the woman is employed at the Medical College which gives me access to the gyms. There is the ACAC which hosts a pool swim triathlon, but I never looked into anything further than location because of my access to the MCV pool.

If you are into MT. biking and trail running, Xterra races are held here, so you are in luck.

For a place to live, look into Bon Air, its smack dab in the middle of everthing.

Hull street... The closer you get to the city, the shadier it gets. Not a good place to go when the sun goes down.

2012-08-06 10:48 AM
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Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!
$896,000 for Brandermill is highly unusual.  Must be a really nice waterfront property.  5 bedroom houses in my neighborhood in Brandermill (Shadow Ridge) are going for around $250,000.  You can probably get 4 bedrooms for closer to $200,000.  The nice thing about living in Brandermill is that I can get a 12 mile run in on the neighborhood trails with some of it right along the reservoir - and that's just 6 miles out and 6 miles back, loops of that length are doable as well without even leaving the neighborhood.  And I have no problem putting in long bike rides going west from the neighborhood straight from my driveway - plenty of roads for cycling.
2012-08-06 12:23 PM
in reply to: #4328841

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Master
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

I got an offer today!

Have to wait for the paperwork and details to make it official. I will be the Technical Manager at the new Uptown Alley at 6336 Brad McNeer Pkwy.

 

Expected opening mid November, and I'd be on site probably mid October.

Want to get a feel for what it will be? Here's a link to a couple videos taken at the other location outside of Phoenix.

 

Woohoo. Job. Paycheck. Finally.

2012-08-06 12:27 PM
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Richmond VA area
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!
Congrats to you. Too bad you will miss the triathlon season here. Last on of teh season is the Richmond Sprint on October 7, 2012.
2012-08-06 1:05 PM
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Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!
Congrats on the offer! Welcome to Richmond!


2012-08-07 5:07 PM
in reply to: #4349197

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Master
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

RecTri - Too bad you will miss the triathlon season here. Last one of the season is the Richmond Sprint on October 7, 2012.

Probably, but they DO currently want me to report to work on the 12th....so there is a small chance you all could be exposed to my slow, bright pink glory. 

Tongue out

2012-08-07 5:17 PM
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Royal(PITA)
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West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!
Congrats!!!  Welcome to Richmond!  Hope to see you at some events this year  Wink
2012-08-12 11:32 AM
in reply to: #4328841

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Master
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

How is Hull St. Rd for biking in the vicinity of 288?

Right now I'm only researching on-line, but I am concentrating the rental search in neighborhoods like Brandermill and Deer Run so I could bike to work and save gas when possible.

 

2012-08-12 11:53 AM
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Royal(PITA)
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West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

There are parts of Hull Street area that have good bike lanes.  However, it can get tricky in other parts.  

Check out RockWood Apartments.   It's a complex about 6 miles from Hull Street on Courthouse Rd that does have a decent bike lane width in that area.

2012-08-12 11:53 AM
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Royal(PITA)
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West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

There are parts of Hull Street area that have good bike lanes.  However, it can get tricky in other parts.  

Check out RockWood Apartments.   It's a complex about 6 miles from Hull Street on Courthouse Rd that does have a decent bike lane width in that area.



2012-08-12 1:53 PM
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Master
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

I'm not exactly worried about bike lanes. We don't have them here.  Just more a question of relative safety.  Some places are notorious for cyclists getting hit or almost hit, some aren't in question. 

I'm hoping to find a place very close to work where I can save gas.  My truck is a F250 and doesn't exactly sip gas.  We also have serious doubts that the second vehicle, a mini-van, will even survive the trip so we may be a one vehicle family for a while.

I appreciate all the help so far, and can use a lot more.  I'll post something when I know I'll be visiting. (My wife and I should be flying out for a reconnaissance mission soon to look around.)

Here's my Facebook link.

2012-08-12 7:41 PM
in reply to: #4359432

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Royal(PITA)
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West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!
faded_memories - 2012-08-12 2:53 PM

I'm not exactly worried about bike lanes. We don't have them here.  Just more a question of relative safety.  Some places are notorious for cyclists getting hit or almost hit, some aren't in question. 

I'm hoping to find a place very close to work where I can save gas.  My truck is a F250 and doesn't exactly sip gas.  We also have serious doubts that the second vehicle, a mini-van, will even survive the trip so we may be a one vehicle family for a while.

I appreciate all the help so far, and can use a lot more.  I'll post something when I know I'll be visiting. (My wife and I should be flying out for a reconnaissance mission soon to look around.)

Here's my Facebook link.

Richmond Times Dispatch did an article today on bike safety in the area.  5 deaths in the past couple of years. There are questions being sent to the area counties asking a few key questions with results being posted in an article next week.     Hull Street area can be pretty congested, but bike commuting is potential if you are wise about it.  

Rockwood Apartments would be under 10 miles from your new job, most of that riding would be pretty good.  Courthouse Road is good for the most part, it's Hull Street that might make for a challenge depending on the hours you need to be commuting.  

Sadly, one thing Richmond sucks in is public transportation.  THere are a few buses in the city, but nothing in the suburbs.  Unlike Philadelphia, we don't even have a decent train system.

2012-08-13 12:17 PM
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Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

Coming down Hull Street to where you'll be working: from either direction there will be plenty of vehicle traffic as a ton of people use Hull Street to get to 288 during rush hour, not much of a shoulder there at all, but there are also a lot of lanes so cars should be able to get around easily enough.  It's a real mixing bowl at 360 & 288, lots of cars changing lanes. It'll be a lot like biking downtown in a city - you'll just have to be super-alert and hope that the drivers are, too.

Brandermill has two parkways (Brandermill and Millridge) that are pretty good for biking, as the traffic isn't too heavy.  I bike on both of those roads a good bit for short weekday morning rides.  From there, you can get to Hull Street and cross it without having to be on it too much.  And going west from Brandermill on Genito Road will get you out into western Chesterfield County and Powhatan County, where you get a lot of nice roads for biking.

Yeah, I'm a little biased, having lived in Brandermill for 14 years.

2012-08-13 12:48 PM
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Master
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Midlothian, VA
Subject: RE: Might be moving to Richmond area from Missouri. Advice appreciated!

Link to an article today about Uptown Alley.

Looks like its coming along nicely.

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