Southern Hanover County

North of Route 295 between I-95 and US 301 are developments of the 90’s: among the anchor subdivisions are Ash Creek and Kings Charter (both PUDs). Now, there are many. Transitional and tradition clapboard, four bedroom houses on third acre lots, and wide winding roars are characteristic of all of these recent Hanover neighborhoods. The advantage of the area is that it is mostly newer properties, self-contained shopping and recreation, and easy access to the northern interstate systems. (Ash Creek and Kings Charter houses’ average square footage of 2,600 x recent cost per square foot of $138 = $359,000 average cost home).

The Museum District

The transition neighborhood between the Fan and the Near West End, the Museum District continues the same time of housing patterns as the Fan. From The Boulevard to the Powhite Parkway (Thompson Street) and Carytown (a trendy shopping/restaurant area) to the South and Broad Street to the North, this area takes its name from the Virginia Museum and Virginia Historical Society – both on The Boulevard. Other neighborhood landmarks are Benedictine High School and St. Gertrude's High School, private Catholic schools. Houses here are similar to the fan, but with more lot and for 10% less money. (The Museum District homes’ average square footage of 1,600 x recent cost per square foot of $180 = $288,000 average cost home). 

The North Side

Laburnum Avenue to Azalea Avenue is the classically diverse neighborhood of today – the grand old houses of the 1920’s and 30’s in Ginter Park are characterized by restored (and unrestored) Georgian houses on half acre lots. In Bellevue, the houses are smaller craftsmen and more of a cohesive neighborhood feel. Both of these “North Side” neighborhoods are strategically located and boast property values unparalleled in the metropolitan area. (Ginter Park and Bellvue houses’ average square footage of 2,400 x recent cost per square foot of $148 = $355,000 average cost home). 

Southside

Just across the James River stretching to the Chippenham Parkway was once “rural” Chesterfield County. When annexed by the city in the 60’s, it maintained its character – especially along the River – as a group of distinctive neighborhoods. Now, these neighborhoods are mixed and diverse and boast a real value in terms of quality housing - perhaps as much as 25% more than the West end - and convenience to both the city and the suburbs. (Westover Hills houses’ average square footage of 2,100 x recent cost per square foot of $163 = $342,000 average cost home). 

Suburban Chesterfield County

In near Chesterfield county, neighborhoods were typically “80’s / good life” houses with a minimum of 4 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, Georgian and transitional designs like Salisbury, Stonehenge, rustic Brandermill, and Woodlake (the latter two PUDs). As development spread deeper into the County and a bit into Powhatan, the look became transitional and the lot sizes a half acre plus. (Salisbury houses’ average square footage of 3,300 x recent cost per square foot of $158 = $521,000 average cost home).

The newer developments - Rosemont, Founder’s Bridge, Tarrington - are neighborhoods with 50% more house & lot and proportional prices. The circumferential Route 288 and the north/south Powhite Parkway (Route 76) toll road have brought the far reaches of the county much closer in. (Founder’s Bridge houses’ average square footage of 5,200 x recent cost per square foot of $191 = $993,000 average cost home).

Eastern Goochland County

Just across the county line west of Foxhall subdivision west to Sandy Hook Road (Rt 522) and from the James River to Broad Street West are large and small horse farms, modest country homes, and multi-acre luxury subdivisions. The county that was largely undeveloped until the 21st century now is giving way to urban sprawl and boasts all levels of living: subdivisions, horse farms, working farms, country shantys, office parks, country clubs, and growing shopping areas.

Far West End

These are the planned neighborhoods of the last twenty years (from Gaskins Road to the Goochland County line) developed for the young professionals that perhaps worked in the west end and chose to live where they worked or newcomers to the area, who didn’t consider a 20-minute commute to downtown Richmond a hardship. “Planned Use Developments” (popularly termed PUDs) give residents consistent architectural standards, neighborhood schools, recreation associations, and suburban mall shopping. (Wyndham, Wellesley & Twin Hickory houses’ average square footage of 3,100 x recent cost per square foot of $153 = $472,000 average cost home). 

The Near West End

This area from the Powhite to Three Chopt Road, grew up and out of the postwar boom. There are mainly 50 foot lots north of Cary Street and acre plus lots throughout the south-of-Cary streets. Windsor Farms was the luxury subdivision of postwar with everything from Tudors to Georgians to upsized Cape Cods. Anchor landmarks are St. Christopher’s and St. Catherine’s private Episcopal high schools, the Country Club of Virginia, the University of Richmond, and The Avenues of Libbie & Grove, an eclectic retail area. North of Patterson Avenue you are in Henrico County, where the properties are more modest and the taxes are lower. (Tuckahoe Terrace, Windsor Farms, and Hampton Gardens houses’ average square footage of 3,675 x recent cost per square foot of $241 = $886,000 average cost home).

The West End

Three Chopt / Horsepen Roads to Gaskins Road and from the River to I-64 to the north. Like a tidal wave moving outward, “College Hills,” “Westham,” and other neighborhoods became the suburban place to go in the 50’s if you wanted more land, newly built houses – ranchers, tri-levels, etc. – and county taxes. In the the 60’s it was “Sleepy Hollow” with modern, single level living. Then in the 70’s and 80’s “Countryside” and “Mooreland Farms” had the New England salt boxes and half acre plus lots. Now the area has matured and offers a variety of price points: from $300,000 to $3,000,000. The western most point of the West End is convenient to the James River Club of the Country Club of Virginia as well as the Collegiate Schools (private, co-ed). (Countryside and Mooreland Farms houses’ average square footage of 3,800 x recent cost per square foot of $165 = $627,000 average cost home).

The Fan

Named for the way the streets “fan out” between Belvedere’s Monroe Park and The Boulevard, Richmond’s landmark street - Monument Avenue - and West Cary Street, this is “Georgetown south.” There are lot’s of zero-lot-line, brick and slate row houses; single family, condominiums, and apartments in numerous cohesive little neighborhoods. A number of restaurants, small stores, churches and synagogues, and a large urban university... Virginia Commonwealth University … make up an area that is 119 square blocks. Famed Monument Avenue from Stuart Circle to The Boulevard boasts some of the grandest properties in the area. (The Fan homes’ average square footage of 2,100 x recent cost per square foot of $191 = $401,000 average cost home)

East End

The Hills: Church Hill, Union Hill and Federal Hill

A 19th century neighborhood, that overlooks the city from the east between Main and Venable and 18th and 39th streets. Just below is Richmond’s entertainment center, Shockoe Bottom. Known for its history and now its diversity, the area boasts gas lights, brick streets, historic landmarks, and brick & slate as well as frame houses. Here you can find both fixer-uppers or stunning remodeled properties, row houses and full sized, zero lot lines and larger. Church Hill residents tend to be an eclectic, cohesive group that “wouldn’t live any other place.” Union Hill and Federal are quickly becoming the same. (Church Hill houses’ average square footage of 3,500 x recent cost per square foot of $138 = $483,000 average cost home).