Elkhardt

Right along the border of North Chesterfield and Richmond, Elkhardt’s suburban homes are anything but isolated. Bordered by State Route 150 to one side and heavily trafficked Hull Street Road to the other, the neighborhood’s placement along two major thoroughfares makes it easily accessible, but its position on the cusp of the city also makes it quiet. Hidden behind a small shopping center, the roads around Elkhardt are hilly and bursting with greenery, making it easy to forget the buzz of the city close by. “Elkhardt is a community that strikes a balance between tranquility and convenience,” says Regenia Carter-Pride, the principal broker and owner at EXIT Realty Digital who has over 40 years of real estate experience in Virginia. “It’s an ideal place for families, commuters and anyone looking for a peaceful yet well-connected place to call home in Richmond.”

Most people in Elkhardt rent their homes, with some owning single-family houses and condos. A sparse number of bungalows and cottages line Whitehead Road, with trees dotting their front lawns to provide privacy from through traffic. Gated condo communities sit opposite them, with brick and vinyl siding and black-shuttered windows that give the structures a homey Colonial look, and with neatly manicured lawns and backyards that lend a natural, residential feel. Some communities like Brookside have resort-style amenities such as an outdoor pool, clubhouse and fitness room. Condos here with two to three bedrooms start at $105,000 and sell for up to $195,000.

Families in Elkhardt can send their kids to Richmond Public Schools, including G.H. Reid Elementary, which scores a C-minus rating from Niche and is located just a couple minutes away up Whitehead Road. River City Middle is also nearby, with a brand-new building that was recently completed in 2020 to replace the old Elkhardt Thompson Middle. Huguenot High earns a C rating according to Niche, with an A for diversity owed to the school’s expansive English as a second language program, one of the largest in the area.

There are no parks in the neighborhood, but residents of Elkhardt are 3 miles away from Broad Rock Park, a 9-minute drive up Hull Street. Kids love climbing on the rope pyramid at the playground, and the year-round outdoor facilities are home to football, soccer and baseball programs for young athletes to get out on the fields. The tennis courts are also a great place for an impromptu game.

“Local restaurants, cafes and shops cater to diverse tastes, and you can also find larger shopping centers and grocery stores nearby,” Carter-Pride adds, referring to the vast selection of cuisines in the area. Pick up quick items at the Family Dollar or Dollar Tree, located in Chippenham Mall Shopping Center at the southern border of the neighborhood. For deli meats and fresh produce, locals head north up Hull Street Road to Food Lion or to specialty grocery stores like Mi Pueblo Market to the south. Plenty of eateries are also clustered in strip malls along Hull Street, like Café and Sabor Bakery and Restaurant. Order a Colombian coffee and pastry to-go from the counter or stop in for a while to enjoy traditional fare like empanadas. Residents can pick between local vibrant Peruvian and Mexican restaurants as well or grab a quick bite from any of the fast-food chains also situated nearby.

With an entrance to State Route 150 on the edge of the neighborhoods, residents of Elkhardt are 10 miles from downtown Richmond. For the toll-free and slightly more scenic route, drive up Hull Street and across the Manchester Bridge for stunning views of the James River and Brown’s Island below. Residents are also a stone’s throw away from Rosie’s Gaming Emporium to the north and only 5 minutes from the award-winning Chippenham Hospital in case of emergency, making Elkhardt a well-connected place to be.

Written By

Elliot Schorr

Photography Contributed By

Alicia Helm

Video By

Brandon Flash Craigie