Suburbs of Richmond LGBT friendly? (Chester: houses, neighborhood, purchasing)

[Jfd18]

Hello all,

I may have a job opportunity in downtown Richmond and have been researching suburbs near by, specifically chesterfield area/ bon air so far. My question is, if we move, we are planning on staying awhile, and my girlfriend and I would most likely be purchasing a home, raising a family in the area if this is where we decide to settle down. We are moving from the North ( currently PA, I'm originally from NY) and I just wanted to gauge the general acceptance in the area...Is there a large LGBT community? We are both educated, young professionals....I don't care how many "gay bars" there are....just what the general attitude is. Any information would be greatly appreciated and suggestions of other areas to research would be wonderful! Thank you.

[Charlesaf3]

The city is very lgbt friendly. And the center of lgbt life. Suburbs are going to vary, with those directly west of the city being much like the city. Chesterfield is more of a question mark to my mind then henrico, but I may be off.

Go into babes in carytown and ask, you'll get a better perspective than I can offer. But speaking as a straight man, the gays and lesbians I know are quite happy here

[ellieb128]

I live in a very conservative neighborhood - with Lesbian couples here and in the schools. Feels like - not a big deal at all. I'm in Chesterfield.

[jkang]

I am going to agree and say that the city is probably more LGBT friendly. I am thinking Stratford Hills, the Fan, Bellevue. Near West End, too.

[Jfd18]

Thank you everyone for your feedback... We were looking more towards the suburbs because we want a nice size house ( 250k range) with a decent size backyard. Is that possible in the areas you've mentioned? I'm still in the early stages of my research and am trying to familiarize myself with the area. Thanks again for the feedback, it is a lot more helpful than some of my google searches! Haha

[Riverdog]

Welcome!

My wife and I live in Stratford Hills - we're very comfortable, you could certainly get a nice size house in your price range here. However, it's in the city limits of Richmond, and I've heard that RPS schools are questionable. We don't have children, so that wasn't a concern for us.

Overall, it's been a non-issue in this area. Dancing at concerts and clubs, PDA, no one seems to care. We moved here 2 years ago, and have loved it.

Where in NY? I'm a Queens girl, myself.

[PickPatrick]

I think you will find your concern a non-issue is the metro RVA area..... You will love us!!

[Jfd18]

Riverdog,

I grew up on Long Island with family in Fresh Meadows and Whitestone. Being a New Yorker, I am worried that moving "down south" might be a bit of a culture shock for me. It sounds like your expierences have been positive, which is reassuring.

[novanwbie]

I would agree that the city proper is more mixed, but I think that's changing very quickly as Richmond's population changes, and I don't think (and would certainly hope!) the counties would be an issue. In your price range, I would also recommend Bellevue. It's older, but very cool and you would find it very welcoming, I feel certain. You'll have a city yard, and good schools at least through elementary. You could also look in our area of Midlothian, there are some very nice older houses in Walton Park, for example, under $250. With good yards and an outstanding school pyramid.

[novanwbie]

Oh, the posters who noted the bad reputation of Richmond Public Schools are right -- you do not want to be there if you can help it. With a few very notable exceptions -- Mary Munford, Fox, Ginter Park. I'm forgetting another one. But middle and high schools are not good, in general.