Formally accepted a job last week that requires a move to the Richmond area - searched the board and didn't find any dedicated threads. Looking for general recs on what to look out for during the move. Best neighborhoods for 30 yr old married couple? We rent now so my relocation package is based on that - ideally I think we would want to rent for the first 6 months to a year before looking to buy a place. Have been to Richmond a few times and am pretty excited. Hoping there are enough posters on the board that maybe a full time thread can come out of this. The Atlanta thread was really helpful when we moved here 3 years ago.
Current Richmond resident checking in, I live downtown in what is know as "The Fan". Grew up in Richmond and just recently moved back this summer. I'll post a general breakdown of the neighborhoods/recs when I get home from work tonight. I think you'll find it to be a nice change of pace from the ATL grind.
I live roughly 20 miles north of richmond, work another 20 minutes north from there so I only go into the city every so often
I've been living in Richmond for almost 6 years now and also live in "The Fan" . As far as which neighborhoods to look at - are you looking for something quiet in the burbs or more of the young professional crowd with closer proximity to restaurants/bars? Also the budget you have for housing might help us recommend certain areas.
the latter of the two neighborhoods you describe. we pay ~$1,300/month for a 2/1 house in Atlanta and I would like to stay in that range if possible
If you're looking to rent then I'd say start your search in the Museum and Fan districts; however, you're mostly looking at condos/apartments that have been converted from row houses. These two neighborhoods are going to have a younger crowd and there's tons of restaurants/bars within walking distance. The houses in this area are the most expensive in the city so you'll likely look in a surrounding neighborhood when buying. I've lived in the Fan since I moved to Richmond and love the neighborhood (I'm 28 - not married but in a serious relationship). Another area I'd recommend to consider would be Church Hill (lot of revitalization of this neighborhood has occurred over the last 5-10 years) which is just East of downtown.. Very good restaurants. The area can get a little sketchy the further northeast you go so make sure you drive around a bit if you find a place here that you like. Scott's Addition is becoming the booze capital of Richmond. There's 4 breweries and 2 cideries there with a couple more breweries opening up soon. There's not a lot of residential area but there are a lot of new apartment complexes that have been converted from old warehouses. Libbie & Grove is just west of the city and a nice neighborhood. Some decent restaurants/bars but also close to Univ of Richmond which is full of mostly douches. The area can be a little pretentious as it's a lot of old money. Northside/Lakeside is a nice area where a lot of younger people move to once married/having kids but still want to be close to the city. Hope this helps and if you have any questions about an area where you find a place just let me know and I'd be happy to provide any insight. Richmond is an awesome city and I think you'll like it here a lot.
Grew up in Short Pump, suburb about 13 miles west of downtown. If you want the burbs, that's the one. Obviously I'm a little biased but it's a great area. If I got the opportunity to move back I'd do it without hesitation, I really miss that area.
Live in ATL now but both my parents are from Richmond and I have a lot of family and friends there. I have family that live in the West End, Northside, and Bon Air area. Most of my friends live in the Fan, although a lot are moving out as they buy places. If your goal is to move and rent for a year or so, I'd definitely start your search there (the Fan). You'll be centrally located. Only caveat would be if having a yard or some outdoor space was important to you. And, of course, where you work will be important too.
I grew up in Richmond and haven't lived there full time since a brief stint in 09. Great summary. Most all of my friends live in the Fan/near west end except for one who took the plunge and bought out past CCV. Choose wisely dawgonit.
I've got a couple friends who live in Church Hill and it sounds a little like where we live now in Atlanta - recent revitalization with some sketchy spots. I'll be working mostly east and south of the city so the ability to be on the east side of downtown is attractive. thanks for this summary. this is precisely what I pay for.
two dogs - so a yard is a requirement and as I posted above my territory for work is basically all of southeastern Virginia - lots of driving time regardless of the exact spot we live. ideally I'd like to be able to get out of town easily/quickly in the morning. wherever my wife finds work will end up really determining where we settle in long term.
Access to 64 or 95/85 is not a problem from most places remotely near downtown. All of the neighborhoods you're looking at are fine in terms of getting out of town. Especially coming from ATL, you will think Richmond has never experienced real traffic.
Lakeside sounds like the perfect fit for you - and Dukes' overview was comprehensive and accurate. Tidewater area would be awful for any richmond commute - you get 10 minutes East of Richmond and you'll hit shitty traffic frequently Charlottesville is the greatest town in the history of the world, though that commute is an hour - I know plenty of folks who do it, but I don't recommend it. If cost over access to fun/urban things is an issue, Chesterfield is suburbia right off the interstate and Goochland is farmland county right west of Richmond, I've known a handful of friends start families and relocate to there. Middle of nowhere type stuff, though.
I live downtown and love it, but you won't have a yard for your dog. Short Pump sucks and has no soul.
Dukes nailed that review. If I moved back I would move back to the fan/carrytown/museum district or scotts addition.
Not much to add to Dukes post, pretty spot on. Here are a couple maps that may help for context/reference. Spoiler: Richmond Metro Map Spoiler: Enhance Spoiler: Enhance
RVA People - Feel like I've heard for years about how Shockoe is on the up and up, but nothing ever comes of it. Is that still a cool area or has the hype surrounding it died down?
I was up for work a few months back and drove through there on the way to get a burger with my boss (Poe's Pub). it struck me as having some promise in the vein of West Midtown/Krog Street industrial feel. lots of foot traffic and some cool looking spots
Yeah, that was always the vibe and I'm really into that style. I also loved going to the river as a kid so I always thought if I were to ever move there, I'd look in that area.
Still a pretty solid area, there are a lot of nice new apartments and lofts in the Bottom/Church Hill area. The talk about building the new baseball stadium down there 3-4 years ago generated a ton of hype, but that's pretty much dead in the water. City has said they are looking at property on the Boulevard, near the Diamond.
I moved to Richmond about 2 years ago, bought a house in chesterfield in dec. I lived in bob air before that. I think downtown is overrated. I work in the west end and they have some great neighborhoods like chesterfield and pretty quick commute to downtown if you want to go there.
My family is distributed between:" "Old men with beard but no mustache" "Seemingly Normal" "White parents with kids under 12" and "Meh" Checks out 1000%
looked up one of these for Atlanta and we live in "Decatur ft. Murder"/"Dirty Hippies" - so something along those lines I guess...
Friday Cheers starts tonight...kinda an underwhelming line-up this year imo. Galactic and Peoples Blues of Richmond will be solid though. http://www.richmond.com/entertainme...cle_be97db0c-da61-5845-bd3a-fbfb674914e5.html May 5: Kings (6:30 p.m.) and Lee Fields & the Expressions (8 p.m.); $5 May 12: Red Baraat (6:30 p.m.) and Con Brio (8 p.m.); $5 May 26: RVA Music Night featuring Richmond bands Ohbliv (6 p.m.), Angelica Garcia (7 p.m.) and People’s Blues of Richmond (8 p.m.); $5 June 2: Big Thief (6:30 p.m.) and Conor Oberst (7:45 p.m.); $10 June 9: The Congress (6:30 p.m.) and The Record Company (8 p.m.); $10 June 16: Sleepwalkers (6:30 p.m.) and Rainbow Kitten Surprise (8 p.m.); $10 June 23: Future Prospect (6:30 p.m.) and Galactic (8 p.m.); $10 June 30: Car Seat Headrest (8 p.m.) with 6:30 opener to be announced; $10
heading back up Monday searching for a lease. today is my last day working in ATL. excited to get up there full time
Yea pretty lackluster compared to the past several years. I'm guessing Browns Island is going to be a swamp tonight given all the rain this morning
Signed a contract on a house in Lakeside near Bryan Park this past weekend. Practically right on the Richmond/Henrico line but falls on the Henrico side. Was slightly bummed about not having a Richmond address until I found out that I'll save over $1,000/year in property taxes for being 1/10th of a mile outside of the city.
The bottom is pretty good, I've done a ton of apt projects down there. The bar scene there is college age/ early twenties get real drunk and clubs.
Went to Ponies & Pints in the bottom last Thursday to watch the NFL draft/Caps game. It's a OTB and craft beer bar w/ 50 taps. Have about 15 big screen TVs too. First time I've been, but will definitely be going back.
Never heard of that, I know a lot of people will go to Southern Railway Taphouse, they have a wide selection. I haven't lived in RVA in 2.5 years and when I come back I go out in the fan, so haven't really seen what's new down there.
signed a lease in Church Hill, move in July 1st until then crashing with a buddy in Near West End during the week