Hi everyone, i would like to send my message out in hopes of getting some recommendations on great places to live and work in Virginia. I have never been and thought i would start with this discussion board to research good communities.
What is important to me above all in choosing a place to work is a definite preference for smaller, reputably safe communities as i would be relocating with my family and this is priority #1. I love the outdoors so access to the forests and mountains are definitely a plus also. I would of course be looking for an area that is affordable and reasonably priced in terms of accommodation if there is such a thing!
Hope you can help, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I live in northern virginia and one of the most populated areas next to DC. IF there was a 1 way train out of here I would take the next one... no offense to those who love this RAT RACE!!! It is not for me!!!!
You can't really touch a "nice house" for less than $650,000.00 and the pay scale for nurses has not increased at the rate of the increase in cost of living. We pay $3.00 a gallon for gas and sit in traffic forever! Of course, everyone around you does not really know there is a lot of traffic because they are too busy eating, talking on the cell phone, checking their email, tuning their IPODs and reading the newspaper all at the same time as their race down the roads at 65mph. Physically driving their vehicle safely seems to be a real inconvenience here. I lived in the bay area of San Francisco and the cost of living was comparable and I made a LOT more there. I would not go back there either.
Hey~ I'm a Richmonder.... and would just like to say that I feel VERY safe here! I moved to Richmond four years ago and love it. It has great culture, awesome shopping, lots to do -- free concerts, parks, the river, it is central to the mountains, beach, DC, everything.... The cost of living is quite reasonable (esp in relation to Cali). There are some parts of the actual city -- which please aren't nice But remember Richmond is the city, Henrico county and Chesterfield county... There is no reason why you'd ever even need to go in the pockets in the city that aren't nice. The safety issues 99% of the time are in those pockets. However, in the city --- the fan, carytown, and Shockoe Bottom are all perfectly safe. These are the only places that you'd ever want to go (shopping, restaurants, etc)
As far as where to live --- it depends on what type of feel you want... Midlothian area, Bon Air, and out by Lucks Lane (all in Chesterfield) are nice areas -- in Henrico you'd want to be in "the West End" or Short Pump (the new area to be). If you want a city like feel the fan is very cute, nice, safe, etc. If you want a more rural feel -- Goochland is the place to go. Not too far from downtown but you can have your wide open spaces.
I work at MCV -- now known as VCU Health Systems. It is the large, teaching facility. I have worked there since I came to Richmond. I disagree with the poster who says that the pay isn't that great -- -I know for a fact I make more here than coworkers of mine who have gone to the smaller community hospitals as hourly employees or whatever. MCV was recently named a Magnet Hospital, has great benefits, and also does a great job of letting nurses expand their horizons (6 credits per semester paid for school, etc) There are so many learning opportunities on campus. I can't speak for the other hospitals in the area but I know that safe ratios are a very important aspect for administration and it is quite rare (even with call ins, etc) that recommended ratios are not followed... ICU it is 1:2 unless the patient is a 1:1, our stepdowns are 1:3, our med surg floors are 1:4, L&D is 1:2...
I don't know what type of hospital you are looking for -- community vs large teaching.... I have also heard good things about Bon Secours hospitals--- St Marys, St Francis... ST Fran is the new one in town -- absolutely beautiful but just opened in the last year so there are the typical just opened kinks.
Please feel free to PM me with any questions... I'd be happy to answer any!!!
I live in northern virginia and one of the most populated areas next to DC. IF there was a 1 way train out of here I would take the next one... no offense to those who love this RAT RACE!!! It is not for me!!!!
You can't really touch a "nice house" for less than $650,000.00 and the pay scale for nurses has not increased at the rate of the increase in cost of living. We pay $3.00 a gallon for gas and sit in traffic forever! Of course, everyone around you does not really know there is a lot of traffic because they are too busy eating, talking on the cell phone, checking their email, tuning their IPODs and reading the newspaper all at the same time as their race down the roads at 65mph. Physically driving their vehicle safely seems to be a real inconvenience here. I lived in the bay area of San Francisco and the cost of living was comparable and I made a LOT more there. I would not go back there either.
Specializes in medical, oncology,correctional, ortho.
Hi All.
I live in West Virginia, and work in Virginia. I work at Winchester Medical Center, and I am very happy there. We are treated well! The area is lovely, here in the Shenandoah Valley. It is close to DC about 90 minutes, so you can have it all, quiet life, and the city is just a quick drive down the road
i am not afraid of richmond. there are several surrounding counties that are wonerful and plenty of hospitals to chose from that have great reputations. personally, i live in mechanicsville (hanover county) and the school system has a very good reputation and for another report, read what money magazine had to say:
mechanicsville cited as among best places to live
july 17, 2007
money magazine has ranked mechanicsville as #54 on its list of the top 100 "best places to live." the ranking appears in its july issue, now out on newsstands, as well as on its web site at http://money.cnn.com/. glen allen is #66 on the same list.
"some places have everything any family could want - economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a sense of community," according to the magazine. the magazine calls mechanicsville "a portrait of small town living, hosting local events like the yearly tomato festival."
"it is within driving distance to washington, d.c., as well as historic williamsburg, which are about 100 miles and 50 miles away, respectively," the magazine states. "mechanicsville also has a rich history of its own as the site of key civil war battles."
communities were ranked by job, income and cost-of-living data; housing affordability; school quality; arts and leisure opportunities; ease of living; health-care access; and racial diversity. cities and towns with populations above 7,500 and under 50,000 were eligible.
mechanicsville's ranking was the highest of any town in virginia, followed by glen allen and vienna (#70).
Chesterfield and Midlothian which are both outside of Richmond (about 15 mins or so) are both pretty safe areas. I've got friends there and they love it.
We used to live in Midlothian (just outside Richmond) and LOVED it. I would go back in a heartbeat! Housing prices were great and we were sorry to leave. When we bought our next house, in Rockingham County (near Harrisonburg) we almost fainted when we saw the housing prices. Plus with so many hospitals to choose from in the Richmond area a nurse could find just about whatever he/she could want. I hope this helps.
I live in West Virginia, and work in Virginia. I work at Winchester Medical Center, and I am very happy there. We are treated well! The area is lovely, here in the Shenandoah Valley. It is close to DC about 90 minutes, so you can have it all, quiet life, and the city is just a quick drive down the road
C:balloons:
Please tell me more about Winchester Medical Center. I have heard that they do not treat their employees well. Is this true?
hey...im from richmond!! i'm still alive..haha if you live in the county it is ok. VCU health systems is a wonderful place to work, and they are magnet!!
money magazine has ranked mechanicsville as #54 on its list of the top 100 "best places to live." the ranking appears in its july issue, now out on newsstands, as well as on its web site at 
. glen allen is #66 on the same list.
nursprl
104 Posts
What's so funny? Wouldn't you agree?