To make a long story short, my fiance was offered a great job in Hopewell, VA (near Richmond) and I know nothing about the area.

We just moved into a large house outside of Chicago (4 beds, 3 baths, 3 car garage) and now we have to consider relocating.

I'm looking for anyone that lived in that area to give me some insight....

Good communities to live in? Cost of living? Art/Culture? Big Business in the area? Anything....anything at all that would make me comfortable about entertaining this idea.

Ugh...I think I need a drink....

We have relatives in VA and visit them a couple times a year. I hope that someone can help you on the housing . Some of our family live in Fredricksburg and there is a lot of people driving from there to Washington for government jobs.

Everything there seems higher than our Indiana prices.
I am always shocked at the food prices in VA. Gasoline is always less expensive though.

I live outside of Richmond. Hopewell is not a bad area, nor is COlonial Heights. Avoid the city of Petersburg at all costs. Your best bet is probably to find a place in southern Chesterfield County, which borders Hopewell and is very nice.

The weather, IMHO, sucks. Too hot and no snow in the winter. However, I grew up in NJ so everything in Virginia seems cheap to me or, at least, no worse than anywhere else. Richmond has a large number of cultural attractions, the minor league team for the Braves, museums, concerts, a couple of theatres. Hopewell is less than 30 minutes south of Richmond. There are tons of historical sites, from Jamestown to Williamsburg to the Civil War battlefields an easy drive from Hopewell.

Big businesses in the area include Ethyl Corporation, Philip Morris, Nabisco.

This might help:

Discover Richmond

Editing to add that references to the "Tri-Cities" means the Cities of Hopewell, Colonial Heights and Petersburg. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions!

Born and Raised and have lived my entire life in VA.

I too, agree to move outside of Richmond, UNLESS you're used to that life or like it....It is a massive city. There is a lot of job opportunities in that area, but the lower lying area's is not. Also, lots of activities for a variety of cultures. The cost of living is pretty reasonable. Home / housing costs really vary area to area.

Homes in the Richmond area, approx $100,000.00

Homes in lesser known surrounding towns $80,000.00

Homes in the Charlottesville area $130,00.00 & up

Homes further south (such as where I live) average $60,000.00

Homes in the Fredericksburg area's (which is close to DC) range from $150,000 & way up!


Gasoline prices range about $2.70 right now.

Cigarettes are $25 a carton for brand name.
Beer $10 for 24 pack

Food/Groceries:
Gal of Milk $4
2 liter soda's $0.99
Eggs $0.99
Meats (HB) $1.19 lb
Cheese $1.50 for Kraft Slices

Just thought I'd give you some examples.
Visit the Commonwealth of VA website to help with additional info.

HTH!

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email is moserlara@yahoo.com

I think one of the biggest differences and adjustments between Chicago and non-DC area of Virginia will be the culture (and I don't mean arts and theater ) - that and cheap cigarettes! LOL At the risk of getting in trouble for painting with a broad brush, there are differences between northern and southern regions of the US. - not saying bad or good, just different. I think you owe it to yourself to make a visit to the region for several days to see how you like it.

I grew up in the Chicago area (Schaumburg) and own 6A. in Western Virginia......my parents retired from Chicago to North Carolina....so that's my point of reference.

I can't comment much on Richmond as we've only driven through/around it several times on the way to NC or Williamsburg.

cj/

ETA: I did a quick search on realtor.com and it looks like there's lovely 4 bedroom/3bath homes in the $500-700K range (some new).

Just jumping in to say that there are many homes available for less than half those prices! Not sure what area you looked in, but that doesn't sound even close to average prices in the southern Chesterfield/Hopewell/Colonial Heights area.

Yeah, I just looked at Richmond, VA so I could be totally off base. But I was just going by the type of home I think that Kelliiii has now and might be looking for. Her post says 4 bed, 3 bath, 3 car garage and I remember some of her other posts and believe it is upscale. $500K for a 4000 sq ft home may be less than what it costs in her current location!

cj/

A question for you: What made you feel it necessary to make a joke out of info that was posted in a helpful manner? It sounds like a cheap shot. I was only trying to be helpful and post a bit of info based on my living experience and you found it necessary to make fun of it.

~That right there is the reason that many people refrain from posting and just remain a lurker. Perhaps you can shed some light on why you felt a need to make fun of my information in that thread........AND I am not trying to start more drama inTC, but that really didn't sit right with me and would like to address it and see if there is a reason behind it.

__________________
email is moserlara@yahoo.com

Wasn't a cheap shot or making fun of your post at all, Daltonmama.....I think you read more into it than was intended..honest. That part of the country is tobacco country and as such, cigarettes and chew are much, much cheaper than other areas. Definitely, your posting that a carton of cigs is just $25 reminded me how true that is. I went to buy a Marine from NC some ***** to send over....it was $8 for an itty-bitty can. He told me it was about $2.50-3 at home.

Thank you for pointing out how my words might be interpreted by others and for not lighting into me.

cj/

Thanks for all your help.

I've bene all over realtor.com and it looks like Chesterfield is similar to the community I am living in now. Cjs was right on the money about what I was looking for....and I currently work in Schaumburg- live in Algonquin (small world!).

We are going to go check it out before we make any decisions, but it would be a great opportunity for my guy. I'm not sure what I would do for employment...but, the company he is looking at said they would assit in helping me find a job as well.

I should find out more this week, so I will keep you posted! Thanks again!

Richmond would be a little smaller than what I'm used to, but I like the idea of slowing down a little.

oh,!! I grew up in Crystal Lake ! I also lived in Virgina Beach for 6 years and actually got married there. We loved it, but DH family was in FLA and moved here! It's really cheap to fly home from BWI and so close to drive to many beautiful sights!!
Go for it!

Thank you for answering. The above is so true too. I was born and raised on a tobacco farm and still do. Which is part of the reason I posted the cigarette info too. And you are right, Phillip Morris is a big company in the Richmond area and tobacco is the leading farming market here as well. I also appreciate you answering my question, I feel better It did seem to come off to me as poking fun, but now that I know your intent, I understand better.

__________________
email is moserlara@yahoo.com

Kelliiii, any news on what you plan to do?
Did your fiance accept the job offer?

__________________
@@@
l/ l/ l/
Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

Update!

The company is flying us out there at the end of the week to take a look at the area. We are going to take the long weekend and just drive around and check it out.

He will have to accept or reject the offer on Monday the 23rd.

He is 99.9% sure that he wants it.....I am the only thing that is holding him back. He knows that I will have to give up a job that I LOVE (and a very good paying one, at that) and leave my family and friends back here in Chicago. He wan's to make sure that I'm ok with everything before he says yes.

I keep telling him that it won't be easy to leave, but at the end of the day, the only place I want to be is with him. I can find another job that I LOVE and visit my friends and family any time I want....but, I won't be able to replace him. I waited 35 years to find him...I'm not letting him get away that easy

That's fantastic!
I can't wait to hear your assessment when you return.

Awww, that is so sweet.

__________________
@@@
l/ l/ l/
Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

I have my moments....