Best Place to Live??
If you are a reader of the Richmond Magazine then you already know they do their yearly survey of the “Best and Worst of Richmond”. Well the folks over at RVABLOGS decided to run a similar survey for folks to complete online. The results shown here show a different view of “The Best and Worst of Richmond”. Interesting note that this survey highlights many non-chain places. “Which is good”…
I will however, have to object to the vote of “worst place to live” which Chesterfield took first and West End took a close second.
I’m willing to bet that many of the online voters in that poll don’t have kids. I mean really who moves to Chesterfield if you don’t have kids. Maybe Chesterfield gets a “worst place to live” if you are single award… But certainly should get the “Best place to live” if you have kids award.
Just a quick highlight of what’s great about Chesterfield (feel free to add anything I forgot)
- Our Parks — Pocahontas State Park (yeah you have Belle Island - but can you rent kayaks? can you camp? — okay you still win - but your kids will be safer here…)
- James River — Yes we have access to the same river.
- Swift Creek Reservoir — We drink it, we fish it, we swim it, and we watch a great fireworks show on it…
- American Family — our gym beats your Golds Gym any day of the week.
- Commonwealth 20 — true they don’t show the independent films - but can’t complain about comfort - been to the Westhampton Theater?? Legs still hurting - sorry..
- Food — yes, we have non-chain restaurants too. We like - The Italian Cafe, Emilio’s at Woodlake, Hot Tamale Café and Milepost 5.
- Taxes — Hows that Richmond Property Tax??
- Homes — How much was that per square foot??
- Schools — “enough said”
and we have — The Chesterfield Berry Farm
but your kids will be safer here…
yeah? really?
“Schools- enough said.” There are plenty of good schools in all localities in metro Richmond, including the city. I,for one, am tired of the relentless bashing city schools receive when it’s the lack of regional cooperation from the counties (whose residents often DO the bashing) which contributes to the problems we have. Why isn’t everyone concerned when any of our children are getting a sub-par education?
Oh and my city house cost $35 per sq. ft., and it’s 3000 sq. ft. And I can walk to a coffee shop, grocery store, post office, and restaurant without crossing a six lane road…
I wasn’t really tying to bash other communities — because for one I lived in all of them at one point or another over the years. — but for Chesterfield to get worst place to live. Well I need to respond.
**I’ll agree with you on that — Everyone should be concerned when any of our children are getting a “sub-par” education. But if we are comparing schools — which most people do when deciding where to live (who have kids) — Chesterfield does a great job!!
** To your city house — Try finding a comparable 3000sq.ft home for $35 per sq. ft. If you can I’m buying!
** I too can walk to a coffee shop, grocery store, several restaurants, a golf coarse, the Reservoir, and a bank.
Also, I’m not bashing all schools in the city. I worked at 2 of the best schools (in my opinion) in all of the Commonwealth. Chimborazo Elementary - Church Hill and Carver Elementary - Carver (VCU?). They were awesome - I worked with some of the best teachers and principals and community partners. If I ever decide to go back to Teaching — thats where I would be…