Richmond MLS areas explained

So you want to move to Richmond. A colleague gushes about the fun she had there when she went to VCU. The food. The culture. The nightlife. They talk about the city so much that it has to be a place that you send some time.

But initial research doesn’t make sense. Your colleague recommends particular neighborhoods, but all you find are areas like !0, 20, 30 and so on. Ummm… What?

Don’t worry. Here’s a quick breakdown on the zones and how they correlate to neighborhoods—and real estate—around the region. It’s good to note that you have the city of Richmond, then surrounding counties and cities that make up the region.

City of Richmond

Area 10 — Church Hill to Carytown. Wonderful architectural homes filled with neighborhood eateries and pubs. Very pedestrian

Area 20 — Powhite Pkwy to the University of Richmond .Some of the highest valued real estate in the city. Libbie and Grove is considered part of this zone. As well as Windsor Farms, Glenburnie and University of Richmond.

Area 30 — Northside. Considered one of the first suburbs of RVA, find a lot of Craftsman style homes with small, easily maintained yards. Neighborhoods include Bellevue, Ginter Park, Brookland Park

Area 50 — Southeast Richmond .More industrial, that can have larger homes at lower price points. Sometimes considered an investor’s goldmind.

Area 60 — Manchester to Bon Air. If you want that city vibe, but not feeling the price point, Area 60 might be a good option. Just south of the river, you can arrive here from the Nickel, Huguenot or downtown bridges. Some neighborhoods are Westover HIlls, Stratford Hills, Bon Air and Manchester.

Henrico

Area 22 — The West End. Consisting of established neighborhoods like Westham and Sleepy Hollow, Raintree and Barrington and Wellesley, Henrico’s West End is a highly sought-after suburb of Richmond City—and can be a quick bike, walk or drive in. Some of the most desirable real estate in the county for the mid-to-upper-middle range.

Area 32 — Central Henrico. Adjacent to Richmond’s Northside, you’ll find Central Henrico gems like Lakeside and Chamberlayne Farms.

Area 34 — Glen Allen. Over the past 10 years, Glen Allen has exploded in growth. Even if you’re a new resident, you may have heard of Twin Hickory, Wyndham and Cross Creek. But there are tons more that are just waiting for you. Many developments in Glen Allen are on the newer side—think 90s.

Area 40 & 42 — Eastern Henrico. Just east of the city, you’ll find established neighborhoods in Varina and Highland Springs, as well as newer developments in Rocketts Landing and Kingston Meadows. While still Henrico, it’s much less built up than it’s westernmost cousin.

Chesterfield

Area 52 & 54 — Southeast Chesterfield. Expect a mix depending on where you are. But you can find quite a few large newer home developments—many at a fraction of the cost of the West End. Plus, amenities like Lake Chesdin and Pocahontas State Park make nice backyards.

Area 62 — Midlothian to Hull Street. Neighborhoods in this neck of the woods have been quite popular since Rt 288 was built. People who live here say they live in Midlothian (Midlo) in popular neighborhoods like Woodlake, Brandermill, Roundtrey, Hallsley and even the newer Mosley.

Area 64 — Bon Air to Midlothian With some of the oldest homes in the county, area 64 is packed with established communities with mature trees.

Hanover

Area 36 — Western Hanover. Hanover a very popular county. It’s definitely experiencing a growth surge, party due to it’s affordability. Whether you’re looking for a planned development, or an off-the-beaten-path home sitting on multiple acres, you can find that here. Included in this area is the more populated the town of Ashland (and Randolph Macon College), the Atlee area and King’s Charter, as well as rural locales like Beaverdam and Montpelier.

Area 44 — Eastern Hanover consists of the Mechanicsville/rt 360 corridor. While it still has a rural feel, you can still find numerous planned neighborhoods as well as the larger tracks of land. While you’re house hunting, enjoy goodies from Pole Green Produce, a large farmer’s market near Bell Creek.

Goochland

Area 24 — Goochland. Continue West on Broad Street, Patterson or River Road and you’ll get to Goochland. Here' you’ll find planned estates with more land acreage than it’s Henrico cousin. You also have ample options if you’d like to forgo the developments, or larger lots for sale on which to customize your dream home. Given the space, you can find some palatial homes and tons of privacy—and sometimes you’re own pond or paddock for livestock.

Amelia County

Area 59 — Amelia is 35 miles southwest from Richmond off Rt. 360. With a population just under 20K, the vibe is friendly, with down-to-earth, hard-working folks who enjoy a more rural way of life. But city life is only a short drive away when you need your fix.

Dinwiddie County

Area 61 — Dinwiddie Just south of Chesterfield County, Dinwiddie is significantly smaller with more affordable real estate.

Surrounding independent cities

Area 55 — Colonial Heights. Sometimes considered a part of Dinwiddie, Colonial Heights is a small independent city approximately 20 miles from Richmond and 5 minutes from Fort Lee, a U.S. Army training installation. Property values here can be lower than what you’ll find in other parts of the metro area. Together with Hopewell and Petersburg, it' makes of Richmond’s Tri-cities.

Area 56 — Hopewell. Southeast of Richmond, easily accessed via I 295, Hopewell is located at the confluence of the James Appomattox Rivers. Because it’s a small town with access to deeper water, waterfront can be more affordable here than in other parts of the metro area. Though you have to be patient; the opportunity isn’t always available. Together with Colonial Heights and Petersburg, it' makes of Richmond’s Tri-cities.

Area 57 — Petersburg. About 20 minutes south of Richmond, you’ll find the Civil War history-rich city of Petersburg. Over the past 5-10 years, Petersburg has dedicated time and resources to preserving it’s historical legacy, including the quaint Old Towne Historic District. Here you can find some stately homes, at more reasonable prices. Together with Hopewell and Colonial Heights, it' makes of Richmond’s Tri-cities.