Montrose also straddles the city county line, and county bills and taxes are cheaper. Houses aren't as old, or as large, so staying under 400K and not having to pour money into massive renovations is definitely possible in Montrose.

Thanks for the tip! I will definitely consider this option going forward.

I'm going on nearly 2 years to sort out our water/trash bill with the city after we moved- they confirmed in writing multiple times that we had requested shutoff on X date and that we shouldn't have been billed for the next 4 months when we didn't live there, but the bill wasn't adjusted. They tried to take my tax refund last year, I contested it, they gave me my refund but are STILL sending me bills. I'm gearing up for the fight again this year now that I have filed. If it was less than $100 I would just let them take my money so I could move on...

Check out the Montrose area- we lived in Church Hill for I think 7 years? Love it so much but it was getting pricey. We found a place to rent just over the line in Henrico that was only $100 more a month, but with a yard 10x the size and a house with 2x the sq feet. Our utility costs are the same as before. And other posters are right about the hill being noisy- you trade that noise for the occasional roars of airplanes and helicopters here, but being close to the airport comes in handy. White Oak (shopping area with multiple groceries sores, target lowes, etc.) is 10 minutes away, and we still hop in the car for the quick 5 minute drive up the hill to get coffee and sit in the park with the dog. You don't have to fight for off street parking. No sidewalks, but not a ton of traffic either, and since a lot of people in the neighborhood walk their dogs and go on jogs, the traffic you do encounter is expecting you, so it's pretty safe. Even though we are not planning on buying right now, I'm always looking up the houses for sale and there are plenty in the 250 to 300 range, and they aren't super old like the houses you will find in other areas.