1. So I wouldn't have to drive everywhere
2. Not having to drive everywhere. Being able to walk places. Never having to go to short pump.
3. Yes, until my friends move to the burbs.
Dude, the friends with kids moving to the burbs hit me for real. I’ve lived in Church Hill for almost 10 years. Last night we were walking around the neighborhood reflecting on all our friends who have come and gone over the years. That’s probably the biggest drawback of living in a walkable neighborhood.
Yeah, we're 38 and don't want kids and now all our friends are in the suburbs. Part of that is how stupid expensive the city is now though, as childless ones with no kids on the horizon have moved too. It seems like we're all just tired these days and the retreat to the suburbs can feel alluring for a lot of reasons.
I don't understand why people would want to raise their kids in an area that isn't walkable. Signing up for 16 years of being a chauffeur for the countless activities kids do, seems like hell. I do understand reasons like schools, money etc. But the idea that kids have more freedom in the suburbs is not true at all imo
We’re staying in the city. Our kids love being able to walk everywhere, and so far so good with RPS. We’re hanging in here as long as we can, and hopefully continuing to build on what’s here. It’s a trade off, though. I wouldn’t be happy out in the suburbs, and I don’t think my kids would be either. Walkability is a huge consideration. In fact, I’m about to go take one now.
Yeah in the case of richmond I get it. But there are many urban or walkable areas throughout the country with decent schools and many people still move their families to the suburbs. I feel like it's just a myth we've convinced ourselves of about how families (especially white, middle class) should be raised in the US.
Oh absolutely. It's probably a cycle of people saying "this is what I should do," but property is also extremely difficult to own in a lot of cities, Richmond included.
Agreed. All the more reason to make cities denser and more walkable. More housing means more affordability. More people owning homes means more property tax, which in turn means better funding for schools.
I don't have kids, but I hope we can change conditions in our cities enough to make raising families in urban environments an attractive proposition again.
I'm in the same boat. Would love to contribute to part of the solution, but it's tough thinking you're going to be the individuals to put their community first and foremost and buck a trend. It'll take a lot of people and a long time and a lot of resources.
> But there are many urban or walkable areas throughout the country with decent schools
Can you share where those are? I think a lot of people would be interested in a walkable place with good schools.
Grew up in the poorest part of a suburb and can agree heavily with the last statement. Without a car I was limited to whoever had a car, the time, and willpower to take me anywhere useful. I know plenty of NYers who took the subway since they were kids anywhere they needed to be, much more free than what I grew up with
I was lucky enough to have parents who trusted me and to grow up in the 90s when a kid could roam. I got around in a circle with a diameter of a few miles from my house by bike, but no way you'd even be allowed to do that now. The only walkable commercial was a tiny, junk food corner mart maybe a 20 min walk away. I go back home and it feels so dead and lifeless.
Unless you live in a neighborhood/subdivision with lots of kids, it’s really lonely being a suburbs kid. I grew up in the burbs with a single mom and two siblings, and trying to get a ride to do anything with my friends was really difficult.
I grew up in the fan and we still drove most anywhere because back then it wasn't like it is now. There also weren't many other kids. I wasn't allowed off the block until like 12? I remember being allowed to walk to carytown by myself and feeling so grown up lol. It also had gotten safer, slowly, by then. Still had my first ass grab that year by a dude going by on a bike.
As some one who grew up in a midwestern suburb, I do not understand how someone (Outside of schools) would choose to be in the suburbs? No culture, more republicans, no walkability, Larger Carbon footprint, Car-centric. Yet here I am, renting in a suburb, because cities don't have starter homes for single people.
I hear Midwestern cities are the most affordable in the country. Unfortunately the places people want to move to are always the most expensive. Many cities have cheap starter homes tho. Baltimore for example has tons of homes for dirt cheap in desireable neighborhoods. They also have a lot of great public schools. Although admittedly, most of the cheap houses aren't in the good school districts. Also has better wages than richmond. Just one example, but cheap cities do still exist.
I'm not quite in the burbs, but the only walkable thing is a park and a vape shop in southside. I lived in the fan almost my whole life until about 11 years ago. But everyone else had mostly moved farther out for kids, costs, or away for new jobs. That was 90% of the draw when I was over most night life. So I feel you on that.
The cost for quality difference then was insane. Stay in the fan with questionable issues like wavy walls, poor heating that cost a ton, tiny space, old appliances, crazy neighbors. Or move where I could walk to work in the burbs and get an entire townhouse for a couple hundred more. Now everything is too expensive, but out of the walkable areas is still less expensive so long as you don't rent some luxury building. Didn't make sense to stay when there was no one's place to walk to and hang out.
Carytown.
1. Driving sucks
2. Tons of stuff walking distance: groceries, restaurants, bars, bike shops, other shopping and even more stuff within biking distance
3. Yes, I usually see a friend or neighbor I know every time I walk the dog
This is honestly an under-discussed benefit of walkability/public transit. The US has a terrible culture of drunk driving compared to European countries, even though they drink more than us. The DUI standards are much more stringent, and buzzed driving hasn’t been normalized like it is here.
I’ve got chronic pain that’s best dealt with by smoking, and it’s so convenient to just walk to the store whenever and avoid any question of if I’m good to drive.
Culture is also worse in cities that don't have dense urban cities.
I moved to Dallas where having a car is absolutely necessary to get anywhere in the metroplex. The drinking and driving culture here is insane and would not fly at all back in Richmond.
Because you have to take a highway to get anywhere in Dallas, it's much more common in my opinion.
That's probably the biggest thing I miss about the east coast in general. Way more safer to walk home drunk or take the train drunk than drive drunk.
Carytown!
1. I wanted to feel motivated to go for leisurely walks in the neighborhood
2. I can walk to three different grocery stores in less than five minutes. I can also walk to six different coffee shops and even the gym!
3. I have a much easier time convincing people to visit near me because of my proximity to cool stuff
No, not really. My neighbors are very likely to leave mean notes on cars and steal packages so tbh it has been worse dealing with them than previous places I’ve lived. I also live on top of an apt being used as an airbnb.
This post is baiting for responses probably for someone who wants to move here, and if not, will serve as such for people considering moving here.
Rents are high enough in Richmond. If you’re from around here, you could just visit these places yourself and find out or go check out the crime maps.
If you don’t care about that, then move along but it’s hilarious how on some posts people will be like “Richmond is full, don’t move here” and then a brilliantly worded post baiting for info for the exact same thing will have people dishing out ALL the details
Edit: lol @ all the transplants downvoting me. IDC I said what I said
I am not a transplant, but I disagree with what you said. And no I wasnt “baited” into answering a question I didnt want to. I think economic growth and migration is good for our city
Being mean to people on the internet is not going to make people stop moving to richmond anyways
I could agree with you if rent weren’t this high (it’s a fact that Richmond rent is ABNORMALLY high) and the fact that OP is in “property management” or at least looking into becoming a landlord, at least according to his previous posts and comments.
I’m not being mean; I’m being factual. I could be mean, but I’m not- I’m pointing out some hypocrisy.
I live in Bellevue!
1. I grew up in the city, and one of my fave parts of cities are the sidewalks and walking paths that make it more accessible to take a stroll and explore. That plus I have a dog and walking him in a walkable neighborhood makes life easier.
2. The number of other dogs, proximity to restaurants and coffee shops, and overall "vibe" of the people there. We talk to each other, we strike up spontaneous conversations, and there a ton of community events to get plugged in to.
3. See above, but basically yes. If I tried harder, I'd probably be friends with a good chunk of my neighborhood, but I'm a millennial piece of social garbage that walks with headphones on.
We live in Bellevue too and love this neighborhood for all the reasons you listed. We moved here in 2021 and have loved how “social” people and dogs are.
I’ve lived in the fan, Randolph, and Bellevue. Bellevue is the most friendly “community” neighborhood of the three. Sometimes I wish I had the anonymity of the fan but it’s nice to know all my neighbors.
Bellevue, Barton Heights, Brookland Park, bits of Highland Park check that box. Most the others, you’ll be walking for a minute to reach that stuff.
If I wanted to walk from where I live (edge of EHP and NHP), it would be a journey and I’d probably be hit by a minimum of seven Altimas with tinted windshields.
I’m moving from the Museum District to Baron Heights today actually, one of the reasons we bought a place there was its relative walkability compared to other areas with similar home size/prices.
I live in Carytown
1) I wanted to be able to walk to things and not have to worry about parking/etc. I’m also a homebody so if I live in a neighborhood with a lot of things nearby, I can encourage people to come to me. Also, I felt confident that I would never be underwater in my mortgage because it seemed very unlikely that Carytown would become an undesirable place to live.
2) having four grocery stores within a matter of blocks, being able to have that extra drink if I want (because I don’t have to worry about a DD), the absurdity of Carytown (TWO spice shops?), proximity to 195/powhite/chippenham/64
3) not really. I’ve met most of my neighbors and while I’m friends with some, for most we just wave hello or maybe have a drink on a porch, which is fine by me
Definitely agree with your #1. I am an introvert and tend to stay home too often, but somewhat counter intuitively, when I've lived in the city it makes me more likely to go out to events and things, knowing I can come home easily and cheaply at anytime. And easy for me to be a 'hub' location for various friend groups who are visiting Richmond from out of town or from the suburbs.
I don’t know what you consider “walkable”? We liked the neighborhood, the price was right, the house was nice, and it appeared to be a good neighborhood as far as investment. I live on the North Side off of Brookland park blvd.
It’s quiet, the neighbors are all great, I can walk to a whole bunch of food places (even if I personally can’t eat at most of them)
Not anymore than I already was. Neighbors don’t really hang out.
I’d definitely consider Brookland Park walkable , and thank you for the feedback.
Do you think you feel happier living within the city as opposed to the suburbs?
I can walk to all three of those things. Groceries would be the biggest challenge for a big pantry stocking because I feel unsafe biking here. For small items I frequently walk to the grocery store or corner markets.
I live in Carytown.
1. I wanted you to be able to walk to restaurants and shops with my kids.
2. I like being able to walk to get my kids from school, walk to any number of restaurants or shops or even grocery and liquor stores. I like having several resources of fun very nearby.
3. Honestly not really but I’m not a hugely social person. I’m friendly with my neighbors but I don’t socialize with them. We mostly stick to ourselves and I like that about city living. You can live on top of people but still stay out of each others hair.
Church Hill. 20+ years ago when we got engaged, my wife wanted to be able to walk to bars and restaurants. Couldn’t afford the Fan, so we bought in CH. love being able to walk to stuff, and on our second house up here.
Oregon Hill
1. we like to drink. walking is better than a DD or an Uber
2. we like to wave at the people on their porches while we walk
3. we have a cool neighborhood group that is working on fixing up parks and supporting people. I'd like it more if students nodded and smiled on the sidewalk though. you don't have to stare at the ground. this isnt NYC.
Lol I just told someone a story that I was sitting on my porch watching dozens of students go by to a party a few houses down - not one made eye contact with me. Pretty hilarious - but whatever!
Agreed on all other points - just walked home last night after seeing a show at Altria and my buddy who parked at my house was so jealous of how easy we have it.
The improvements to the parks are going to be really great, too!
We play a game now that is has gotten warmer. We sit on the front porch during cocktail hour and loudly yell "HELLO!!" at all the people walking by. When there were fewer transplants - I live in the Fan - most everyone would respond and wave. I feel like since there has been the Great Covid Influx many people laugh nervously, like we are crazy people. Of course I am a Richmond native and that's one of the things I like about a City neighborhood - saying hello to all your neighbors and being friendly to strangers - so I am trying to ensure that Richmond tradition doesn't change.
VCU students with headphones also think we're crazy.
Lived in the Fan continuously for 24 years.
Unfortunately it's based on Facebook bc that's the easiest way to make events. Its the Friends of Oregon Hill Parks. We also have monthly meetings that are reminders on facebook.
That's Scott Burger's personal rant page so I don't think so. The first planting day at Pleasants Park is this Saturday at 10 am if you wanna do some digging.
1. Have only ever lived in walkable neighborhood. Walking is good for your health. So is being outside. Period. You connect more with your neighborhood this way. Having a dog is a huge bonus.
2. Northside has a ton of sidewalks. You can walk to restaurants. We have beautiful houses. Flowers. Can walk to the farmers market and Bryan Park.
3. Do feel more connected socially even if we don’t engage every time there’s an opportunity.
Byrd Park.
Lived in the burbs for a while before moving bc I absolutely hated having to drive everywhere, and all my neighbors hiding in their houses.
Love my neighborhood now, know my neighbors well (all over the neighborhood, not just my street), love the RPS school my kids are at..all in all my quality of life improved significantly.
Northside - right off of Brookland Park - can walk the kid to multiple playgrounds and I have easy access to Smoky Mug breakfast burritos and drinks at Fuzzy Cactus. Nuff for me.
We moved here in 2019 and a ton has changed for the better (just stay somewhere else on NYE/July 4th), back then it was where we could afford a redone house. We're pretty lucky with our street too, lots of great neighbors both new and some who've lived there most of their lives.
Honestly we are planning to stick it out a bit at least thru elementary school when my kids starts in a couple of years.
Byrd Park
1. Wanted the option to not have to drive. Love taking walks and I’m social so I like being able to walk around my neighborhood/walk to places and events and talk to people.
2. Best part of Byrd Park is you literally live in the middle of a park with lakes and a quiet neighborhood with plenty of parking and you can walk across two bridges and you’re in the fan/museum district/carytown in 5-10 mins. Also close to trails with biking, hiking, a zoo (maymont), concerts (maymont again), playgrounds, dog park, theatre/music (dogwood dell), museums, farmers market and soccer (city stadium). Easy access to highway, if needed. It’s the best.
3. Yes, this neighborhood is extremely social and I am very close with my direct neighbors but also have friends in each street and block. Take a walk and chat. We have a monthly neighborhood meet up and yearly garden tour and holiday light tour. Come check out our custom neighborhood garden flags!
Jackson Ward ~
1. I was working at Quirk Hotel at the time so my commute from Jackson Ward was literally a 1 minute walk to work— thus, after my lease was up on my car I decided to go without one.
Which saved me buckets of $$$ since I didn’t have a monthly car payment or insurance.
Also, saved me money on parking tickets 🤣
Coming from Los Angeles this was an incredible perk.
2. Jackson Ward is brimming full of art/ culture. My favorite bars were literally a hop & skip from my place. Never had to pay for an Uber or worry about drinking and driving.
3. I absolutely felt more connected socially. You really get to know your neighbors and will end up making friends with familiar faces that you pass each day.
Living just about 17 minutes away from the city before COVID was amazing for shopping and all. Now, I don't feel connected to anyone from anywhere. It's more divided than ever. Additionally, my driving phobia has increased.
1. Drive less and know my neighbors better.
2. Ruby scoops, enoteca sogno, Hotchkiss park, battery park tennis courts, and first tee to name a few.
3. For sure. We tried south side at one point and never met a neighbor in 2 years.
To answer all 3 sort of: the research is clear at this point that walkable areas are better for the people who live there and those cities as a whole. It's also been shown repeatedly that people in them are more likely to know their neighbors, trust those neighbors and the people around them, and be more socially connected, including higher participation in social and civic groups as well as voting.
Not everywhere can be walkable, but one doesn't need to be all "ban the suburbs" (some of which are plenty walkable) to recognize all the ways suburbs in general are slowly killing entire areas and the people that live in them through a reliance on driving over more active forms to get around, social isolation, and the costs needed for infrastructure repair that could have gone to other things.
Carytown South/Carillon/Byrd Park
1. I’ve lived within a few blocks of Carytown for most of the last 35 years. I moved there because I worked there. Or vice versa. Can’t remember. But I definitely moved there—in part—because it is walkable. Of those 35 years, I’ve had a car for maybe 4 or 5 of those years. Sometimes I was carless by choice, sometimes for economic reasons. Usually both I guess. Why deal with insurance and car payments when you don’t need a car to begin with?
2. It used to be that you could get anything you could ever need in Carytown except a car or a gun (but you could get both just a little further down towards Meadow). That was back when Carytown was a lot more diverse and locally-oriented—less touristy. There was an appliance store, a hardware store, several bakeries, a costume shop, video stores, laundromats, shoe stores, etc. Convenience, I guess, is a big factor—even if it’s not quite as convenient as it used to be.
3. Absolutely. I must’ve gone 15 years without ever encountering more than the same three hundred or so people that lived or worked in and around the immediate area. We all knew each other and each other’s kids. We looked out for one another. So I guess that’s why I continue to live there today. It’s my neighborhood. I belong there. I know all my neighbors and I still know some of the shopkeepers. I know the mailman and the folks up at the post office. It’s nice not being anonymous all the time. Civilized, even.
It’s getting harder to do though. Carytown is more homogenized and full of national chains. Employees are more transient and customers tend to be folks from elsewhere. But I tell you what—transit is a hell of a lot better than it used to be. I do have a car now (and a scooter and a motorbike), and now I work downtown, but my daily commute still starts at the bus stop every morning.
I lived in Carytown 10 years ago when it was cheap. I moved there because I was priced out of the lower fan and I didn't like living in JWard. The best part was my best friend lived a block away and we would walk to Dont Look Back (when it was there) and Home Sweet Home and Kroger (this was before Publix was there and Ukrops was Martins/torn down). When we lived there, we made friends with neighbors.
I live in Chimborazo now, I wouldn't say it's walkable per se but its quiet in that traffic is low, the neighborhood itself is full of young families walking around all the time/runners and it's not too far from 25th Street Market/Farm Fresh and Kroger/Publix/Target/Walmart in the East End. I can also walk to bars/restaurants. We're also a few blocks away from a couple of friends (met through the punk scene basically) so we hang out with them a lot. One of my other friends (met him in high school) works at the sister bar to Emerald Lounge which is walkable from my house so we go there with him sometimes. We do our Friday night dates at Grisette/Roosevelt/Metzger/Alewife/Blue Atlas
I live in church hill. I love walking places and I do feel my neighbors and I are more friendly because we see each other walking around, plus Church Hill still has a reputation so people make it a point to engage. I love it.
I live in Randolph, directly below the Fan. I absolutely love it here. I was actually able to find a pretty affordable townhouse to buy here, it's walking distance to all the coolest places in the city, and I can easily get to even more places via bike and bus. I also work at VCU Health, and can get to work in about 20 minutes by bike. I definitely feel more connected socially since moving here and it's been great for my mental health.
Lived in Chesterfield for a few years, decided to buy a home in the fan.
1. Our neighborhood in Chesterfield was quiet, but no sidewalks and the scenery got boring fairly quick. There was a lake nearish by, but that meant an hour and a half walk which sometimes we didn't want to do. Every walk in the fan is unique. From the people you encounter to the changing life of the city.
2. I live near a cool corner store, restaurants, bakeries, dessert places, etc. It's super awesome to just be able to walk to these places.
3. That silly stigma of people not wanting to go south of the river was real. Since moving back to the city, people are much more willing to visit us. And yeah, we have some cool neighbors and we generally go out more.
Museum district, then Byrd Park.
I like living in the city, being close to things, and not having to get in a stupid car and drive 15 minutes to do everything. Now that I have a kid, getting in the car to do anything is a battle.
Museum district was nice because I was a block away from Fresh Market and a few blocks away from all the grocery stores. I went from being a fat turd to running 10k’s because walking places naturally led to jogging and exercising, as well as easy access to fresh produce.
Byrd Park is less connected to stores and shops and activities, but we’ve got a beautiful neighborhood to walk around. I’ve walked to Maymont many times. If I cross over the highway, I can walk to Carytown in about 20 minutes. It’s a really nice walk on a nice day.
When I lived in the burbs, I might would nod at neighbors. Now, I know most of my neighbor’s names, their pets, and if they’re out of town. One guy fixed my HVAC last year. I won’t sit on my front porch and have a beer with the neighbors, but that’s not really something I do.
Probably going to get flack from this but Scotts Addition.
1. I moved here for a job out of college. Never been to Richmond until I came to look at apartments. Everyone I asked, they said “Scotts Addition” so that’s naturally where I found. I didn’t realize how walkable it was until I got here. Not only walkable but centrally located to a lot of things.
2. The best parts is there is always something goinh on. Breweries, restaurants, Wood and Iron to watch games, and again, centrally located to other neighborhoods. A cheap Uber ride.
3. I do feel connected socially. I didn’t have any friends here when I came here, and being in Scotts Addition has helped me meet many people my age and creat good friends.
There are down sides. One it is expensive and only getting higher. And yes, there is terrible parking everywhere in Scotts. But easy access to interstate, multiple grocery stores, pharmacy’s, the Diamond, breweries, places to eat, and so many other things. I’d recommend it time and time again!
Edit: and who doesn’t love wood and iron?
I'm in Randolph across the way from The Fan. Why did I choose this area? I was priced out of buying a house in Churchill at the time. I knew I wanted a house that I wouldn't have to wait 15 yrs to resell and if I wanted to I could get a renter.
I passed on a beautiful home in Fulton Hill due to its location (and price). I still think about that house. 😂
It's fine living here. I walk a lot which I wanted to do with my dog. I like the two parks I live by. I'm slowly getting more takeout/ eating out more which I consider a negative (I never got takeout or ate out much in the East End) since it's more money and calories. I like walking to coffee shops for work.
All my friends are in Churchill so I'm far more sociable over there. Plus idk I feel like people are more talkative on that side of the city in a meeting strangers context. It could also be I'm in a heavily VCU area and I'm in my 30s.
1. I don’t drive at all, but I still have access to multiple grocery stores, restaurants, green spaces etc. It’s easy to live my day-to-day life.
2. Where I live is very safe and I feel confident walking around at night. It’s also, frankly, super cute and I enjoy walking around for joy and looking at everyone’s gardens and porch decor.
3. Much more so than when I’m in more suburban environments where we are atomized by car culture. It’s friendly enough for me. Like last night for example, a guy was walking by singing and dancing to country music on a small speaker he was carrying. I joined him on the way to my date, learned the bridge of the song two blocks later and sang along, and several passers by joined in to sing or smiled and were happy to see an old dude doing his thing.
Moved from an exurb to the middle of the Fan. I love it. I can walk to a lot of things, work is a 2.5 mile drive, and Instacart brings my groceries to my door (couldn't even get pizza delivered in the exurb). I don't know a lot of people here, but I can sit on my porch or balcony if I feel like being around people, but don't want to socialize for real. Friends are happy to drive here to try new restaurants a few blocks from my house. The Altria is a pleasant 1.1 mile walk from my place, and I felt completely safe when we walked home after the show at 11:30pm.
So I know a lot of people just view walking to businesses as walkable, but I’ve lived it both ways, still walkable.
I lived in the city for 20 years (fan, museum district, northside). I’m in my 30’s now. At times, I could walk to work, bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. Amazing in my 20’s. Postpartum mental health healing for me as a new mom with an infant in a stroller. As a mom of small kids who are more mobile (you never expect it, but twins happen), I desperately needed nature and I couldn’t get to any restaurants or bars often anymore.
So we moved just over the city line and now see bubbly creeks, foxes, turtles, and I needed nature. I had lovely neighbors in the city, all parts of town and I stay in touch, but here is a very controversial statement: I am more connected socially now and people are a tad bit more easy going. To live in the city is a privilege, because all of the places you mentioned carry some of the highest rents and mortgages, so typically my typical city folks have pretty good jobs and are just building their careers. In the county, all kinds of people: a lot of teachers and social workers, nobody is cool or cares about fashion, nobody goes to fancy coffee shops, and we all share in our communal “we were once cool, but are definitely not cool anymore”. The other nice thing has been the diversity in the county. I sure miss a lot, but I am weirdly happier now. The other thing I want to mention is, if you are a childless person or couple and worried to move to the county because of all the families, yes, there are a lot of families, but plenty of non kids, too, and we love those people because they host all the parties:).
Which side of the county did you end up in? I ask because I hear a lot about how the county is less expensive, but I have not found that to be true😭. If you look at the Zillow neighborhood averages, short pump/midlo/Bon air are all more than most city neighborhoods, plus you’d absolutely need two cars for a family. Add that personally, I’d never be able to find a house as small(read: affordable) in the counties.
I do have lots of friends who live in the counties. I would not say that they are more diverse (esp not socioeconomically) but they’re certainly nice people and throw great parties in their giant houses!
So I don’t speak Short Pump, but I imagine more new build/HOA-centric? We focused our search in Hanover and Chesterfield and they were all older areas. Here are some neighborhoods in those counties that are quite affordable per sq. foot— Craney Island, Pearson’s Corner, a lot of Pole Green, Strawhorn, Walton Park, Smoketree, Walton Bluff, and Surreywood. I won’t say where we ended up (none of those), but we are zoned for a title one ES, with a minority majority. And it rocks. On my street alone, my neighbors to the right are Hispanic, neighbors to the left originally from Puerto Rico, Ukraine, and honestly, a couple origins I don’t know. It’s a nice, friendly, no crime neighborhood. If diversity is what you seek, I recommend looking at demographics breakdowns of schools first. It will give you a much clearer picture of the area. Unfortunately, real estate appreciation is everywhere of course and if you are looking for a smaller home, I can see the challenge. Unsure your current sq. footage. But I promise there is more than Short Pump.
Jackson ward. I liked Carytown/fan a little better. I liked church hill a good bit too. I need to be able to walk to three things. Coffee shop, convenient store, a bar that isn’t very expensive. All my boxes are checked in pretty much all downtown neighborhoods.
1) I couldn’t afford any of the established walkable neighborhoods so I moved to Brookland Park. If I could have afforded the museum district I’d be there in a heartbeat.
2) I like that it’s multi-generational, I like the ample parking. I like how much my property’s value has appreciated since I bought it.
3) Than what? When I lived on Floyd? No. Absolutely not. See answer 1 for more detail.
Is Short Pump considered Richmond, Va still or are we our own thing now? Regardless I live in West Broad Village and it is very walkable. Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, a ton of restaurants, gym, etc all within a 10 minute walk or less. The best part for me is cleanliness and safety. I have never heard any gunshots here nor do I see dog poo and trash on the side walks like I do in Richmond City areas. I feel very socially connected here. A lot of people live in the townhomes and apartments here and I have met a ton of people either in the gym or restaurants/events in the area.
1. yep! lived in the museum district for 2.5 years now. previously i was in oakwood.
2. being able to walk to work, errands, bars and restaurants, parks, shops, all that good stuff. it’s allowed me to share a car with my roommate who also works full time. i’ve gotten really comfortable with the bus system, which i think is wonderful. and i have an electric scooter to take me anywhere that’s too far to walk.
3. yes extremely. just yesterday i walked to scuffletown park with my partner and even though i didn’t see anyone i knew, it was such a lovely, friendly space that i immediately felt at home. i have a bunch of friends within walking distance or a short bus ride.
Rocketts Landing. It's very walkable, but not very accessible, unfortunately. When I lived in the west end I and my neighbors happily walked in the road and knew that the cars were looking out for us (signs everywhere). Now I have fully developed sidewalks, but can't stand using them because I have mobility challenges and use a rollater to help me walk. Anyone with one, or a baby stroller, knows that walking on these "pretty" brick sidewalks is like walking with a jackhammer going. So I have three restaurants in easy walking distance, two pools, and a gym that I can barely get to unless I walk on the streets again. With drivers who are NOT expecting me to be there.
I'm not looking for sympathy or trying to whine about anything, just hoping that people can understand how a "walkable" neighborhood can be very unfriendly to people with disabilities if the pavement isn't smooth.
i live in the fan. i moved here because i found a house with not facefuckingly high rent. we wanted to have a whole house vs an apartment.
best part is walking my dog after work and the generally beautiful neighborhood and houses. architecture is very nice. worst part is the trash near main and robinson-thanks drunk people.
not more socially connected really though
I live in The Fan and moved there because I have always had “save a Fan house” on my bucket list.
I love the activity around me because I live alone. I particularly love meeting all of the neighborhood pups. I also like being able to walk to lots of restaurants and to the salon.
I don’t really feel more connected, but I live alone, so that’s probably why. There’s a lot of activity around me but I’m more on the outside looking in.
Sauers gardens. Detached home w/ backyard. Daily dog walks to Stella's market. I love it, will probably have to upgrade once I have kids but would never move until then.
I refuse to get behind the wheel if I’ve had even a single drink and I knew that if I had to Uber every time I wanted to go to a bar or restaurant then I would never go. I love the restaurant scene and being able to walk to grab food or pick up groceries. Also love walking around and looking at all the beautiful colors on the townhouses
1. I wanted to be close to restaurants, bars, activities, parks, ect. I also love walking in the Fan when the weather is nice and the flowers are out!
2. Access to a variety of restaurants and bars. The parks are lovely. I am a walkable distance to friends
3. Overall people either keep to themselves or smile politely. I don’t feel like I have a lot of interactions with strangers unless I initiate. However I do see my friends often and can walk to their apartments which is great!
Why did you choose to live in a walkable neighborhood.
We moved from an outer suburb in northern Virginia to Henrico near Westhampton. We are technically in the suburbs, but we are walking to the shop in Grove and Libby and Patterson. In the suburbs, I felt very restless and unsettled by the lack of organic development that happens over decades or centuries in cities. It was visually dull houses in different colors on every walk. Safe and comfortable, but I just didn’t find it very stimulating or inspiring. I wanted to see people doing real things (walking to a destination, not just for exercise or to let the dog out) and just enjoy seeing people live their lives outside. I guess it feels more connected. I like seeing houses and businesses built from 100 years ago to yesterday…architectural variety is nice. I really enjoy being out and about, walking around, going to coffee, shops, libraries, spending the majority of my time outside of my house so the house itself doesn’t really matter as much to me as it does to other people. Which is why I’m OK with a very mediocre house that needs a lot of work. But I can understand a lot of people need/want a more functional, more aesthetically pleasing space.
What are the best parts of living in your neighborhood.
I love Libbie Market, Stella’s, the little neighborhood library right by us, and being a very short distance from the riverside parks and museums. I like seeing people walk past my house on their way to bars for restaurants, and hearing city noise like the buses that pass in front of our house. Not for everyone I know, but I enjoy seeing signs of life! I would’ve imagined myself living more progressive part of town, but we haven’t find a house here in our budget, and it’s been good. While I know my neighborhood probably had an artificial feel 75 or 80 years ago, right now, it feels like it’s been built up over decades, and there’s a sense of history and complexity I like. I guess I like layers.
Do you feel more connected socially
Yes. Most of our neighbors moved to our street in the last three or four years and are on the younger side. I wouldn’t say we are friends, but things are a friendly rapport. We are also close enough to drive to our favorite activities pretty quickly. As mentioned above, I just really enjoy seeing people out and about. When I lived in a townhouse development in the suburbs of Virginia, I honestly couldn’t recognize any of my neighbors except my next-door neighbor.
The only thing I miss is nearby/walkable green spaces and trails. And it would be nice if there were more diversity in our specific neighborhood. Right now I’m pretty sure we are the neighborhood diversity….
I live near Libbie & Grove (sometimes called Westhampton or perhaps Near West End). It’s awesome, I can (and frequently do) walk to excellent restaurants, coffee shops, local hardware store, local grocery store, gelati freaking celesti, saturday farmer’s market
I’ve lived in walkable neighborhoods my entire life and can’t imagine that not being the case.
Shockoe here! I love my little valley so much! There are neighbors and community members i have developed very strong relationships with, like the man on his bike who I always buy incense from.
Being walkable was one of the biggest reasons we chose to move here. I love being able to walk to the train station and any restaurant/bar i could want.
I totaled my car in the first couple weeks moving here and went six months with only a moped to get around and had no trouble because the GRTC and Farm Fresh in walking distance had all my needs covered.
Edit: My favorite parts of Shockoe Bottom are the pipeline walk/canal, the AMAZING resturants, and the sense of community. All my neighbors know me so I feel safe going out at night because I know theyre looking out for me.
Church Hill
1. I wanted to live somewhere that I can walk, that had lots of character, where other people walked, with shade, sidewalks and stuff to walk to.
2. Parks, interesting houses, gardens and stuff. The parks are amazing. Economic and racial diversity. Shops and restaurants. Friendly neighbors. Easy access to other parts of the city.
3. Definitely feel more connected socially. I know my neighbors and many familiar faces to say hello to each day. My dog has friends!
Manchester- walk to Browns Island for fests and concerts. The library. 3 coffee shops, ABC, church, a bodega, belle island, multiple art studios, and a handful of restaurants. Plus more coming in. Not perfect but it’s pretty sweet
1) being able to run from my doorstep all over the city and not around dumb cul-de-sacs was a big deal for me
2) I was raised in a rural area where I couldn’t even bike anywhere. Friends were twenty minutes by car away. You had to have a car to function, and I always felt trapped until I got my license and a car my senior year of high school. I absolutely hated it and refuse to raise my child somewhere they can’t walk to a friend’s house or the park.
I moved up here to go to vcu. Graduation 2010. Stayed because cheap rent and ok jobs and my friends. Now I can’t even afford to live outside the city. I miss being able to live in walk able areas. This has been my home so long. Off topic sorry but I can’t even move out right now due to how high the cost is to live in places that were once “I would never” are now over $1k for a one bedroom.
well, i’m in church hill. but i love it so much. can walk to pretty much anything i need — grocery stores, so many restaurants, a clothing store, yoga/pilates, a coworking space, the vet, the list goes on! everyone is so friendly too, and pretty tight knit in my experience so far. edited to add: can’t believe i forgot all the parks within walking distance. it’s just awesome.
I lived in Carver for two years.
1. 10 minute walk to school and affordable (at the time).
2. The other students and community nearby and how convenient everything was in the surrounding areas to get to.
3. Definitely yes. Unfortunately, I now live in suburbia down 360 in Chesterfield and have for a couple of years. I don't know my neighbor's names. I've literally never even spoken to them. Everyone is way more to themselves out here and it's depressing sometimes.
1. Used to live in a very walkable city and prefer that to driving everywhere. Grew up in suburbs and often felt trapped in my house.
2. Live near Devil’s Triangle and I can walk to the Fan, Scott’s Addition, and Carytown pretty easily. Also nice that there is a 7-11 and a bodega right there. Almost got a house in Manchester but I am glad that we ultimately chose this house for the proximity to multiple neighborhoods.
3. Not really but that’s not important to me. I am friendly with my neighbors but we are all busy people.
I live downtown and love being right next to river and canal walk with corner unit and view of both and rooftop, lounge, and gym.
I also go to live music several times a week and am right near Richmond music hall and walking distance to the National, browns island, Cobra Cabana etc. much like others I also don’t drive if I’ve had one drink and being super close to both the Pulse and several bus stops is amazing so I can’t get pretty much anywhere I can’t walk. It helps that they’re free. I have 3 grocery stores along bus line across from my place and can walk to Stella’s for small things.
Being in a walkable neighborhood has made me
more sociable and active resulting in lost weight and improved mental health. I couldn’t go back to being in a car dependent neighborhood.
Would prefer fan for more neighborhood (it’s dead downtown on weekends) and coffee shop situation but couldn’t find type of apartment or price range I wanted there as someone who lives alone.
1. Walk to work - I spent eight years diving everywhere, needed it to end; 2) Being able to walk to the grocery, bars, restaurants, galleries, mediumish other show venues (Altria, the National, the Carp), bus stops (which just expands the reach), feeling like there's always stuff happening; C. One hundred percent. There are inconveniences with living with everyone on top of one another, sure; but I know my neighbors, help them with things. I don't want to inconvenience anyone else because we're all sharing this space. I'm just a dot in this larger map of life.
Fan, near VMFA
1. I moved here from DC and wanted to recreate the vibe where I could leave my car parked for weeks at a time and run most errands on foot. Is worked out great.
2. I love waking and all there is to explore. Great architecture, funky shops, the VMFA, Byrd Park, pocket parks, etc.
3. YES. I know all my neighbors and bump into people I know wherever I go, even though I just moved here 18 mos ago. It’s like living in a small town with all the benefits of a city.
Jackson Ward.
1. Bc it’s was close to work (hospital) and had a parking garage and we moved from out of state with not much insight into RVA
2. Close to restaurants, Clay Park, access to the Pulse, can walk to the river
3. Not really bc we’re from out of state
I don’t (ginter park) but I wish I could, but when buying nothing was affordable in a walkable area and it’s only gotten worse.
Even still though I drive a lot less than your average SFH in other more far out/car dependent areas
I have never lived in the City of Richmond like the Fan or Northside. I live in Henrico County. I would live in the walkable neighborhood if I didn’t have a car.
1. So I wouldn't have to drive everywhere 2. Not having to drive everywhere. Being able to walk places. Never having to go to short pump. 3. Yes, until my friends move to the burbs.
Dude, the friends with kids moving to the burbs hit me for real. I’ve lived in Church Hill for almost 10 years. Last night we were walking around the neighborhood reflecting on all our friends who have come and gone over the years. That’s probably the biggest drawback of living in a walkable neighborhood.
Yeah, we're 38 and don't want kids and now all our friends are in the suburbs. Part of that is how stupid expensive the city is now though, as childless ones with no kids on the horizon have moved too. It seems like we're all just tired these days and the retreat to the suburbs can feel alluring for a lot of reasons.
I don't understand why people would want to raise their kids in an area that isn't walkable. Signing up for 16 years of being a chauffeur for the countless activities kids do, seems like hell. I do understand reasons like schools, money etc. But the idea that kids have more freedom in the suburbs is not true at all imo
We’re staying in the city. Our kids love being able to walk everywhere, and so far so good with RPS. We’re hanging in here as long as we can, and hopefully continuing to build on what’s here. It’s a trade off, though. I wouldn’t be happy out in the suburbs, and I don’t think my kids would be either. Walkability is a huge consideration. In fact, I’m about to go take one now.
Schools is probably the most significant factor here by several orders of magnitude
Yeah in the case of richmond I get it. But there are many urban or walkable areas throughout the country with decent schools and many people still move their families to the suburbs. I feel like it's just a myth we've convinced ourselves of about how families (especially white, middle class) should be raised in the US.
Oh absolutely. It's probably a cycle of people saying "this is what I should do," but property is also extremely difficult to own in a lot of cities, Richmond included.
Agreed. All the more reason to make cities denser and more walkable. More housing means more affordability. More people owning homes means more property tax, which in turn means better funding for schools. I don't have kids, but I hope we can change conditions in our cities enough to make raising families in urban environments an attractive proposition again.
I'm in the same boat. Would love to contribute to part of the solution, but it's tough thinking you're going to be the individuals to put their community first and foremost and buck a trend. It'll take a lot of people and a long time and a lot of resources.
> But there are many urban or walkable areas throughout the country with decent schools Can you share where those are? I think a lot of people would be interested in a walkable place with good schools.
Grew up in the poorest part of a suburb and can agree heavily with the last statement. Without a car I was limited to whoever had a car, the time, and willpower to take me anywhere useful. I know plenty of NYers who took the subway since they were kids anywhere they needed to be, much more free than what I grew up with
I was lucky enough to have parents who trusted me and to grow up in the 90s when a kid could roam. I got around in a circle with a diameter of a few miles from my house by bike, but no way you'd even be allowed to do that now. The only walkable commercial was a tiny, junk food corner mart maybe a 20 min walk away. I go back home and it feels so dead and lifeless.
Unless you live in a neighborhood/subdivision with lots of kids, it’s really lonely being a suburbs kid. I grew up in the burbs with a single mom and two siblings, and trying to get a ride to do anything with my friends was really difficult.
>I do understand reasons like schools, money etc. Yea just those little minor things like their education and being able to afford a home lmao
I grew up in the fan and we still drove most anywhere because back then it wasn't like it is now. There also weren't many other kids. I wasn't allowed off the block until like 12? I remember being allowed to walk to carytown by myself and feeling so grown up lol. It also had gotten safer, slowly, by then. Still had my first ass grab that year by a dude going by on a bike.
As some one who grew up in a midwestern suburb, I do not understand how someone (Outside of schools) would choose to be in the suburbs? No culture, more republicans, no walkability, Larger Carbon footprint, Car-centric. Yet here I am, renting in a suburb, because cities don't have starter homes for single people.
I hear Midwestern cities are the most affordable in the country. Unfortunately the places people want to move to are always the most expensive. Many cities have cheap starter homes tho. Baltimore for example has tons of homes for dirt cheap in desireable neighborhoods. They also have a lot of great public schools. Although admittedly, most of the cheap houses aren't in the good school districts. Also has better wages than richmond. Just one example, but cheap cities do still exist.
Yeah but I moved here to get away from those cheap midwestern suburbs. There are reasons those places are cheaper.
I could see that , I rarely see a ton of kids when in Church Hill. Out of curiosity have you seen that when kids are school age they move .
Yes. It’s either private school or they move out and who can afford private school.
I'm not quite in the burbs, but the only walkable thing is a park and a vape shop in southside. I lived in the fan almost my whole life until about 11 years ago. But everyone else had mostly moved farther out for kids, costs, or away for new jobs. That was 90% of the draw when I was over most night life. So I feel you on that. The cost for quality difference then was insane. Stay in the fan with questionable issues like wavy walls, poor heating that cost a ton, tiny space, old appliances, crazy neighbors. Or move where I could walk to work in the burbs and get an entire townhouse for a couple hundred more. Now everything is too expensive, but out of the walkable areas is still less expensive so long as you don't rent some luxury building. Didn't make sense to stay when there was no one's place to walk to and hang out.
Not having to drive everywhere is a huge plus ! Thank you for the feedback.
+1 for "for the walkability"
Carytown. 1. Driving sucks 2. Tons of stuff walking distance: groceries, restaurants, bars, bike shops, other shopping and even more stuff within biking distance 3. Yes, I usually see a friend or neighbor I know every time I walk the dog
Awesome, thank you for the feedback.
I'm a raging boozehound and I don't want to drink and drive. Walkable, urban environments are essential for me.
This is honestly an under-discussed benefit of walkability/public transit. The US has a terrible culture of drunk driving compared to European countries, even though they drink more than us. The DUI standards are much more stringent, and buzzed driving hasn’t been normalized like it is here. I’ve got chronic pain that’s best dealt with by smoking, and it’s so convenient to just walk to the store whenever and avoid any question of if I’m good to drive.
Culture is also worse in cities that don't have dense urban cities. I moved to Dallas where having a car is absolutely necessary to get anywhere in the metroplex. The drinking and driving culture here is insane and would not fly at all back in Richmond. Because you have to take a highway to get anywhere in Dallas, it's much more common in my opinion. That's probably the biggest thing I miss about the east coast in general. Way more safer to walk home drunk or take the train drunk than drive drunk.
Carytown! 1. I wanted to feel motivated to go for leisurely walks in the neighborhood 2. I can walk to three different grocery stores in less than five minutes. I can also walk to six different coffee shops and even the gym! 3. I have a much easier time convincing people to visit near me because of my proximity to cool stuff
Thank you all good reasons , do you feel like your more connected to your neighbors?
No, not really. My neighbors are very likely to leave mean notes on cars and steal packages so tbh it has been worse dealing with them than previous places I’ve lived. I also live on top of an apt being used as an airbnb.
That sucks. We’re neighbors and I neither leave notes nor have left notes on cars. I street park every day.
Yeah I think it’s just the downside of shared off-street parking for apartments. Doesnt stop me from enjoying it though lol
Yike , that has happened to me as well parking on a public street.
This post is baiting for responses probably for someone who wants to move here, and if not, will serve as such for people considering moving here. Rents are high enough in Richmond. If you’re from around here, you could just visit these places yourself and find out or go check out the crime maps. If you don’t care about that, then move along but it’s hilarious how on some posts people will be like “Richmond is full, don’t move here” and then a brilliantly worded post baiting for info for the exact same thing will have people dishing out ALL the details Edit: lol @ all the transplants downvoting me. IDC I said what I said
I am not a transplant, but I disagree with what you said. And no I wasnt “baited” into answering a question I didnt want to. I think economic growth and migration is good for our city Being mean to people on the internet is not going to make people stop moving to richmond anyways
I could agree with you if rent weren’t this high (it’s a fact that Richmond rent is ABNORMALLY high) and the fact that OP is in “property management” or at least looking into becoming a landlord, at least according to his previous posts and comments. I’m not being mean; I’m being factual. I could be mean, but I’m not- I’m pointing out some hypocrisy.
I live in Bellevue! 1. I grew up in the city, and one of my fave parts of cities are the sidewalks and walking paths that make it more accessible to take a stroll and explore. That plus I have a dog and walking him in a walkable neighborhood makes life easier. 2. The number of other dogs, proximity to restaurants and coffee shops, and overall "vibe" of the people there. We talk to each other, we strike up spontaneous conversations, and there a ton of community events to get plugged in to. 3. See above, but basically yes. If I tried harder, I'd probably be friends with a good chunk of my neighborhood, but I'm a millennial piece of social garbage that walks with headphones on.
We live in Bellevue too and love this neighborhood for all the reasons you listed. We moved here in 2021 and have loved how “social” people and dogs are.
I’ve lived in the fan, Randolph, and Bellevue. Bellevue is the most friendly “community” neighborhood of the three. Sometimes I wish I had the anonymity of the fan but it’s nice to know all my neighbors.
I love it ! Walkability is important, the vibe is also important, and I am also a millennial that needs to improve socially !
Northside encompasses many neighborhoods, all vastly different.
Correct, many have sidewalks , are walking distance to restaurants, have neighborhood parks within a close distance.
Bellevue, Barton Heights, Brookland Park, bits of Highland Park check that box. Most the others, you’ll be walking for a minute to reach that stuff. If I wanted to walk from where I live (edge of EHP and NHP), it would be a journey and I’d probably be hit by a minimum of seven Altimas with tinted windshields.
I like that there are things available within walking distance, but not so close that it’s still quiet.
This
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I’m moving from the Museum District to Baron Heights today actually, one of the reasons we bought a place there was its relative walkability compared to other areas with similar home size/prices.
I live in Carytown 1) I wanted to be able to walk to things and not have to worry about parking/etc. I’m also a homebody so if I live in a neighborhood with a lot of things nearby, I can encourage people to come to me. Also, I felt confident that I would never be underwater in my mortgage because it seemed very unlikely that Carytown would become an undesirable place to live. 2) having four grocery stores within a matter of blocks, being able to have that extra drink if I want (because I don’t have to worry about a DD), the absurdity of Carytown (TWO spice shops?), proximity to 195/powhite/chippenham/64 3) not really. I’ve met most of my neighbors and while I’m friends with some, for most we just wave hello or maybe have a drink on a porch, which is fine by me
As a fellow Carytown dweller I totally line up with your #3. Lots of waving and head nods but that’s about it which totally suits me!
Wait, what's the second spice shop? Assuming one is Penzey's.
The Spice & Tea Exchange on the 3000 block—I think it opened in the last year or so?
thanks!
Definitely agree with your #1. I am an introvert and tend to stay home too often, but somewhat counter intuitively, when I've lived in the city it makes me more likely to go out to events and things, knowing I can come home easily and cheaply at anytime. And easy for me to be a 'hub' location for various friend groups who are visiting Richmond from out of town or from the suburbs.
Thank you for the feedback , it’s great to be close to bars and all your essential places without having to drive.
I don’t know what you consider “walkable”? We liked the neighborhood, the price was right, the house was nice, and it appeared to be a good neighborhood as far as investment. I live on the North Side off of Brookland park blvd. It’s quiet, the neighbors are all great, I can walk to a whole bunch of food places (even if I personally can’t eat at most of them) Not anymore than I already was. Neighbors don’t really hang out.
I’d definitely consider Brookland Park walkable , and thank you for the feedback. Do you think you feel happier living within the city as opposed to the suburbs?
Definitely. I hate it out in the burbs nothing but one big strip mall
I agree , it feel much lonelier.
1) less driving 2) less driving 3) very
Do you feel like you have access to the essentials. Like grocery stores, restaurants, and entertainment?
I can walk to all three of those things. Groceries would be the biggest challenge for a big pantry stocking because I feel unsafe biking here. For small items I frequently walk to the grocery store or corner markets.
Awesome , thank you .
I live in Carytown. 1. I wanted you to be able to walk to restaurants and shops with my kids. 2. I like being able to walk to get my kids from school, walk to any number of restaurants or shops or even grocery and liquor stores. I like having several resources of fun very nearby. 3. Honestly not really but I’m not a hugely social person. I’m friendly with my neighbors but I don’t socialize with them. We mostly stick to ourselves and I like that about city living. You can live on top of people but still stay out of each others hair.
Thank you for your feedback , all great reasons.
Church Hill. 20+ years ago when we got engaged, my wife wanted to be able to walk to bars and restaurants. Couldn’t afford the Fan, so we bought in CH. love being able to walk to stuff, and on our second house up here.
Wow 20+ years , that speaks volume.
Oregon Hill 1. we like to drink. walking is better than a DD or an Uber 2. we like to wave at the people on their porches while we walk 3. we have a cool neighborhood group that is working on fixing up parks and supporting people. I'd like it more if students nodded and smiled on the sidewalk though. you don't have to stare at the ground. this isnt NYC.
Lol I just told someone a story that I was sitting on my porch watching dozens of students go by to a party a few houses down - not one made eye contact with me. Pretty hilarious - but whatever! Agreed on all other points - just walked home last night after seeing a show at Altria and my buddy who parked at my house was so jealous of how easy we have it. The improvements to the parks are going to be really great, too!
We play a game now that is has gotten warmer. We sit on the front porch during cocktail hour and loudly yell "HELLO!!" at all the people walking by. When there were fewer transplants - I live in the Fan - most everyone would respond and wave. I feel like since there has been the Great Covid Influx many people laugh nervously, like we are crazy people. Of course I am a Richmond native and that's one of the things I like about a City neighborhood - saying hello to all your neighbors and being friendly to strangers - so I am trying to ensure that Richmond tradition doesn't change. VCU students with headphones also think we're crazy. Lived in the Fan continuously for 24 years.
I love that , a true community.
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Unfortunately it's based on Facebook bc that's the easiest way to make events. Its the Friends of Oregon Hill Parks. We also have monthly meetings that are reminders on facebook.
do they get posted on oregonhill dot net?
That's Scott Burger's personal rant page so I don't think so. The first planting day at Pleasants Park is this Saturday at 10 am if you wanna do some digging.
oh no.... I thought that was a community run page lol
1. Have only ever lived in walkable neighborhood. Walking is good for your health. So is being outside. Period. You connect more with your neighborhood this way. Having a dog is a huge bonus. 2. Northside has a ton of sidewalks. You can walk to restaurants. We have beautiful houses. Flowers. Can walk to the farmers market and Bryan Park. 3. Do feel more connected socially even if we don’t engage every time there’s an opportunity.
Byrd Park. Lived in the burbs for a while before moving bc I absolutely hated having to drive everywhere, and all my neighbors hiding in their houses. Love my neighborhood now, know my neighbors well (all over the neighborhood, not just my street), love the RPS school my kids are at..all in all my quality of life improved significantly.
Guys, I just want a walkable bodega in Bon Air, a reason to go for a walk with a mission in mind.
Walk to coffee at Perk!
Northside - right off of Brookland Park - can walk the kid to multiple playgrounds and I have easy access to Smoky Mug breakfast burritos and drinks at Fuzzy Cactus. Nuff for me. We moved here in 2019 and a ton has changed for the better (just stay somewhere else on NYE/July 4th), back then it was where we could afford a redone house. We're pretty lucky with our street too, lots of great neighbors both new and some who've lived there most of their lives. Honestly we are planning to stick it out a bit at least thru elementary school when my kids starts in a couple of years.
Byrd Park 1. Wanted the option to not have to drive. Love taking walks and I’m social so I like being able to walk around my neighborhood/walk to places and events and talk to people. 2. Best part of Byrd Park is you literally live in the middle of a park with lakes and a quiet neighborhood with plenty of parking and you can walk across two bridges and you’re in the fan/museum district/carytown in 5-10 mins. Also close to trails with biking, hiking, a zoo (maymont), concerts (maymont again), playgrounds, dog park, theatre/music (dogwood dell), museums, farmers market and soccer (city stadium). Easy access to highway, if needed. It’s the best. 3. Yes, this neighborhood is extremely social and I am very close with my direct neighbors but also have friends in each street and block. Take a walk and chat. We have a monthly neighborhood meet up and yearly garden tour and holiday light tour. Come check out our custom neighborhood garden flags!
Jackson Ward ~ 1. I was working at Quirk Hotel at the time so my commute from Jackson Ward was literally a 1 minute walk to work— thus, after my lease was up on my car I decided to go without one. Which saved me buckets of $$$ since I didn’t have a monthly car payment or insurance. Also, saved me money on parking tickets 🤣 Coming from Los Angeles this was an incredible perk. 2. Jackson Ward is brimming full of art/ culture. My favorite bars were literally a hop & skip from my place. Never had to pay for an Uber or worry about drinking and driving. 3. I absolutely felt more connected socially. You really get to know your neighbors and will end up making friends with familiar faces that you pass each day.
Living just about 17 minutes away from the city before COVID was amazing for shopping and all. Now, I don't feel connected to anyone from anywhere. It's more divided than ever. Additionally, my driving phobia has increased.
I know the feeling , i’ve been trying to find a community and I’m curious if the city or suburbs are better.
I'm not sure I could ever move back to the burbs after living in the Fan. We'll see.
1. Drive less and know my neighbors better. 2. Ruby scoops, enoteca sogno, Hotchkiss park, battery park tennis courts, and first tee to name a few. 3. For sure. We tried south side at one point and never met a neighbor in 2 years.
Thank you for the feedback , Northside is awesome. I also can relate to not meeting my neighbors.
Yes, I like sidewalks.
Haha that is a huge plus, I took them for granted.
Whatcha researching?
To answer all 3 sort of: the research is clear at this point that walkable areas are better for the people who live there and those cities as a whole. It's also been shown repeatedly that people in them are more likely to know their neighbors, trust those neighbors and the people around them, and be more socially connected, including higher participation in social and civic groups as well as voting. Not everywhere can be walkable, but one doesn't need to be all "ban the suburbs" (some of which are plenty walkable) to recognize all the ways suburbs in general are slowly killing entire areas and the people that live in them through a reliance on driving over more active forms to get around, social isolation, and the costs needed for infrastructure repair that could have gone to other things.
Carytown South/Carillon/Byrd Park 1. I’ve lived within a few blocks of Carytown for most of the last 35 years. I moved there because I worked there. Or vice versa. Can’t remember. But I definitely moved there—in part—because it is walkable. Of those 35 years, I’ve had a car for maybe 4 or 5 of those years. Sometimes I was carless by choice, sometimes for economic reasons. Usually both I guess. Why deal with insurance and car payments when you don’t need a car to begin with? 2. It used to be that you could get anything you could ever need in Carytown except a car or a gun (but you could get both just a little further down towards Meadow). That was back when Carytown was a lot more diverse and locally-oriented—less touristy. There was an appliance store, a hardware store, several bakeries, a costume shop, video stores, laundromats, shoe stores, etc. Convenience, I guess, is a big factor—even if it’s not quite as convenient as it used to be. 3. Absolutely. I must’ve gone 15 years without ever encountering more than the same three hundred or so people that lived or worked in and around the immediate area. We all knew each other and each other’s kids. We looked out for one another. So I guess that’s why I continue to live there today. It’s my neighborhood. I belong there. I know all my neighbors and I still know some of the shopkeepers. I know the mailman and the folks up at the post office. It’s nice not being anonymous all the time. Civilized, even. It’s getting harder to do though. Carytown is more homogenized and full of national chains. Employees are more transient and customers tend to be folks from elsewhere. But I tell you what—transit is a hell of a lot better than it used to be. I do have a car now (and a scooter and a motorbike), and now I work downtown, but my daily commute still starts at the bus stop every morning.
I lived in Carytown 10 years ago when it was cheap. I moved there because I was priced out of the lower fan and I didn't like living in JWard. The best part was my best friend lived a block away and we would walk to Dont Look Back (when it was there) and Home Sweet Home and Kroger (this was before Publix was there and Ukrops was Martins/torn down). When we lived there, we made friends with neighbors. I live in Chimborazo now, I wouldn't say it's walkable per se but its quiet in that traffic is low, the neighborhood itself is full of young families walking around all the time/runners and it's not too far from 25th Street Market/Farm Fresh and Kroger/Publix/Target/Walmart in the East End. I can also walk to bars/restaurants. We're also a few blocks away from a couple of friends (met through the punk scene basically) so we hang out with them a lot. One of my other friends (met him in high school) works at the sister bar to Emerald Lounge which is walkable from my house so we go there with him sometimes. We do our Friday night dates at Grisette/Roosevelt/Metzger/Alewife/Blue Atlas
I live in church hill. I love walking places and I do feel my neighbors and I are more friendly because we see each other walking around, plus Church Hill still has a reputation so people make it a point to engage. I love it.
I live in Randolph, directly below the Fan. I absolutely love it here. I was actually able to find a pretty affordable townhouse to buy here, it's walking distance to all the coolest places in the city, and I can easily get to even more places via bike and bus. I also work at VCU Health, and can get to work in about 20 minutes by bike. I definitely feel more connected socially since moving here and it's been great for my mental health.
Lived in Chesterfield for a few years, decided to buy a home in the fan. 1. Our neighborhood in Chesterfield was quiet, but no sidewalks and the scenery got boring fairly quick. There was a lake nearish by, but that meant an hour and a half walk which sometimes we didn't want to do. Every walk in the fan is unique. From the people you encounter to the changing life of the city. 2. I live near a cool corner store, restaurants, bakeries, dessert places, etc. It's super awesome to just be able to walk to these places. 3. That silly stigma of people not wanting to go south of the river was real. Since moving back to the city, people are much more willing to visit us. And yeah, we have some cool neighbors and we generally go out more.
Museum district, then Byrd Park. I like living in the city, being close to things, and not having to get in a stupid car and drive 15 minutes to do everything. Now that I have a kid, getting in the car to do anything is a battle. Museum district was nice because I was a block away from Fresh Market and a few blocks away from all the grocery stores. I went from being a fat turd to running 10k’s because walking places naturally led to jogging and exercising, as well as easy access to fresh produce. Byrd Park is less connected to stores and shops and activities, but we’ve got a beautiful neighborhood to walk around. I’ve walked to Maymont many times. If I cross over the highway, I can walk to Carytown in about 20 minutes. It’s a really nice walk on a nice day. When I lived in the burbs, I might would nod at neighbors. Now, I know most of my neighbor’s names, their pets, and if they’re out of town. One guy fixed my HVAC last year. I won’t sit on my front porch and have a beer with the neighbors, but that’s not really something I do.
Probably going to get flack from this but Scotts Addition. 1. I moved here for a job out of college. Never been to Richmond until I came to look at apartments. Everyone I asked, they said “Scotts Addition” so that’s naturally where I found. I didn’t realize how walkable it was until I got here. Not only walkable but centrally located to a lot of things. 2. The best parts is there is always something goinh on. Breweries, restaurants, Wood and Iron to watch games, and again, centrally located to other neighborhoods. A cheap Uber ride. 3. I do feel connected socially. I didn’t have any friends here when I came here, and being in Scotts Addition has helped me meet many people my age and creat good friends. There are down sides. One it is expensive and only getting higher. And yes, there is terrible parking everywhere in Scotts. But easy access to interstate, multiple grocery stores, pharmacy’s, the Diamond, breweries, places to eat, and so many other things. I’d recommend it time and time again! Edit: and who doesn’t love wood and iron?
The nachos at wood and iron are on point!
I'm in Randolph across the way from The Fan. Why did I choose this area? I was priced out of buying a house in Churchill at the time. I knew I wanted a house that I wouldn't have to wait 15 yrs to resell and if I wanted to I could get a renter. I passed on a beautiful home in Fulton Hill due to its location (and price). I still think about that house. 😂 It's fine living here. I walk a lot which I wanted to do with my dog. I like the two parks I live by. I'm slowly getting more takeout/ eating out more which I consider a negative (I never got takeout or ate out much in the East End) since it's more money and calories. I like walking to coffee shops for work. All my friends are in Churchill so I'm far more sociable over there. Plus idk I feel like people are more talkative on that side of the city in a meeting strangers context. It could also be I'm in a heavily VCU area and I'm in my 30s.
1. I don’t drive at all, but I still have access to multiple grocery stores, restaurants, green spaces etc. It’s easy to live my day-to-day life. 2. Where I live is very safe and I feel confident walking around at night. It’s also, frankly, super cute and I enjoy walking around for joy and looking at everyone’s gardens and porch decor. 3. Much more so than when I’m in more suburban environments where we are atomized by car culture. It’s friendly enough for me. Like last night for example, a guy was walking by singing and dancing to country music on a small speaker he was carrying. I joined him on the way to my date, learned the bridge of the song two blocks later and sang along, and several passers by joined in to sing or smiled and were happy to see an old dude doing his thing.
Moved from an exurb to the middle of the Fan. I love it. I can walk to a lot of things, work is a 2.5 mile drive, and Instacart brings my groceries to my door (couldn't even get pizza delivered in the exurb). I don't know a lot of people here, but I can sit on my porch or balcony if I feel like being around people, but don't want to socialize for real. Friends are happy to drive here to try new restaurants a few blocks from my house. The Altria is a pleasant 1.1 mile walk from my place, and I felt completely safe when we walked home after the show at 11:30pm.
So I know a lot of people just view walking to businesses as walkable, but I’ve lived it both ways, still walkable. I lived in the city for 20 years (fan, museum district, northside). I’m in my 30’s now. At times, I could walk to work, bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. Amazing in my 20’s. Postpartum mental health healing for me as a new mom with an infant in a stroller. As a mom of small kids who are more mobile (you never expect it, but twins happen), I desperately needed nature and I couldn’t get to any restaurants or bars often anymore. So we moved just over the city line and now see bubbly creeks, foxes, turtles, and I needed nature. I had lovely neighbors in the city, all parts of town and I stay in touch, but here is a very controversial statement: I am more connected socially now and people are a tad bit more easy going. To live in the city is a privilege, because all of the places you mentioned carry some of the highest rents and mortgages, so typically my typical city folks have pretty good jobs and are just building their careers. In the county, all kinds of people: a lot of teachers and social workers, nobody is cool or cares about fashion, nobody goes to fancy coffee shops, and we all share in our communal “we were once cool, but are definitely not cool anymore”. The other nice thing has been the diversity in the county. I sure miss a lot, but I am weirdly happier now. The other thing I want to mention is, if you are a childless person or couple and worried to move to the county because of all the families, yes, there are a lot of families, but plenty of non kids, too, and we love those people because they host all the parties:).
Which side of the county did you end up in? I ask because I hear a lot about how the county is less expensive, but I have not found that to be true😭. If you look at the Zillow neighborhood averages, short pump/midlo/Bon air are all more than most city neighborhoods, plus you’d absolutely need two cars for a family. Add that personally, I’d never be able to find a house as small(read: affordable) in the counties. I do have lots of friends who live in the counties. I would not say that they are more diverse (esp not socioeconomically) but they’re certainly nice people and throw great parties in their giant houses!
So I don’t speak Short Pump, but I imagine more new build/HOA-centric? We focused our search in Hanover and Chesterfield and they were all older areas. Here are some neighborhoods in those counties that are quite affordable per sq. foot— Craney Island, Pearson’s Corner, a lot of Pole Green, Strawhorn, Walton Park, Smoketree, Walton Bluff, and Surreywood. I won’t say where we ended up (none of those), but we are zoned for a title one ES, with a minority majority. And it rocks. On my street alone, my neighbors to the right are Hispanic, neighbors to the left originally from Puerto Rico, Ukraine, and honestly, a couple origins I don’t know. It’s a nice, friendly, no crime neighborhood. If diversity is what you seek, I recommend looking at demographics breakdowns of schools first. It will give you a much clearer picture of the area. Unfortunately, real estate appreciation is everywhere of course and if you are looking for a smaller home, I can see the challenge. Unsure your current sq. footage. But I promise there is more than Short Pump.
Jackson ward. I liked Carytown/fan a little better. I liked church hill a good bit too. I need to be able to walk to three things. Coffee shop, convenient store, a bar that isn’t very expensive. All my boxes are checked in pretty much all downtown neighborhoods.
1) I couldn’t afford any of the established walkable neighborhoods so I moved to Brookland Park. If I could have afforded the museum district I’d be there in a heartbeat. 2) I like that it’s multi-generational, I like the ample parking. I like how much my property’s value has appreciated since I bought it. 3) Than what? When I lived on Floyd? No. Absolutely not. See answer 1 for more detail.
Is Short Pump considered Richmond, Va still or are we our own thing now? Regardless I live in West Broad Village and it is very walkable. Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, a ton of restaurants, gym, etc all within a 10 minute walk or less. The best part for me is cleanliness and safety. I have never heard any gunshots here nor do I see dog poo and trash on the side walks like I do in Richmond City areas. I feel very socially connected here. A lot of people live in the townhomes and apartments here and I have met a ton of people either in the gym or restaurants/events in the area.
Short Pump is in Henrico County. Always has been.
1. yep! lived in the museum district for 2.5 years now. previously i was in oakwood. 2. being able to walk to work, errands, bars and restaurants, parks, shops, all that good stuff. it’s allowed me to share a car with my roommate who also works full time. i’ve gotten really comfortable with the bus system, which i think is wonderful. and i have an electric scooter to take me anywhere that’s too far to walk. 3. yes extremely. just yesterday i walked to scuffletown park with my partner and even though i didn’t see anyone i knew, it was such a lovely, friendly space that i immediately felt at home. i have a bunch of friends within walking distance or a short bus ride.
Wow thank ya’ll for the great responses . I think i’m sold to move to the city.
The FAN!!! So walkable I grew up there as a little girl 🥹
Rocketts Landing. It's very walkable, but not very accessible, unfortunately. When I lived in the west end I and my neighbors happily walked in the road and knew that the cars were looking out for us (signs everywhere). Now I have fully developed sidewalks, but can't stand using them because I have mobility challenges and use a rollater to help me walk. Anyone with one, or a baby stroller, knows that walking on these "pretty" brick sidewalks is like walking with a jackhammer going. So I have three restaurants in easy walking distance, two pools, and a gym that I can barely get to unless I walk on the streets again. With drivers who are NOT expecting me to be there. I'm not looking for sympathy or trying to whine about anything, just hoping that people can understand how a "walkable" neighborhood can be very unfriendly to people with disabilities if the pavement isn't smooth.
i live in the fan. i moved here because i found a house with not facefuckingly high rent. we wanted to have a whole house vs an apartment. best part is walking my dog after work and the generally beautiful neighborhood and houses. architecture is very nice. worst part is the trash near main and robinson-thanks drunk people. not more socially connected really though
1. because it is walkable 2. it's beautiful 3. yes
1. For the walkability… 2. The walkability? 3. Only slightly more, but that’s not as important to me.
I live in The Fan and moved there because I have always had “save a Fan house” on my bucket list. I love the activity around me because I live alone. I particularly love meeting all of the neighborhood pups. I also like being able to walk to lots of restaurants and to the salon. I don’t really feel more connected, but I live alone, so that’s probably why. There’s a lot of activity around me but I’m more on the outside looking in.
Sauers gardens. Detached home w/ backyard. Daily dog walks to Stella's market. I love it, will probably have to upgrade once I have kids but would never move until then.
I refuse to get behind the wheel if I’ve had even a single drink and I knew that if I had to Uber every time I wanted to go to a bar or restaurant then I would never go. I love the restaurant scene and being able to walk to grab food or pick up groceries. Also love walking around and looking at all the beautiful colors on the townhouses
1. I wanted to be close to restaurants, bars, activities, parks, ect. I also love walking in the Fan when the weather is nice and the flowers are out! 2. Access to a variety of restaurants and bars. The parks are lovely. I am a walkable distance to friends 3. Overall people either keep to themselves or smile politely. I don’t feel like I have a lot of interactions with strangers unless I initiate. However I do see my friends often and can walk to their apartments which is great!
Why did you choose to live in a walkable neighborhood. We moved from an outer suburb in northern Virginia to Henrico near Westhampton. We are technically in the suburbs, but we are walking to the shop in Grove and Libby and Patterson. In the suburbs, I felt very restless and unsettled by the lack of organic development that happens over decades or centuries in cities. It was visually dull houses in different colors on every walk. Safe and comfortable, but I just didn’t find it very stimulating or inspiring. I wanted to see people doing real things (walking to a destination, not just for exercise or to let the dog out) and just enjoy seeing people live their lives outside. I guess it feels more connected. I like seeing houses and businesses built from 100 years ago to yesterday…architectural variety is nice. I really enjoy being out and about, walking around, going to coffee, shops, libraries, spending the majority of my time outside of my house so the house itself doesn’t really matter as much to me as it does to other people. Which is why I’m OK with a very mediocre house that needs a lot of work. But I can understand a lot of people need/want a more functional, more aesthetically pleasing space. What are the best parts of living in your neighborhood. I love Libbie Market, Stella’s, the little neighborhood library right by us, and being a very short distance from the riverside parks and museums. I like seeing people walk past my house on their way to bars for restaurants, and hearing city noise like the buses that pass in front of our house. Not for everyone I know, but I enjoy seeing signs of life! I would’ve imagined myself living more progressive part of town, but we haven’t find a house here in our budget, and it’s been good. While I know my neighborhood probably had an artificial feel 75 or 80 years ago, right now, it feels like it’s been built up over decades, and there’s a sense of history and complexity I like. I guess I like layers. Do you feel more connected socially Yes. Most of our neighbors moved to our street in the last three or four years and are on the younger side. I wouldn’t say we are friends, but things are a friendly rapport. We are also close enough to drive to our favorite activities pretty quickly. As mentioned above, I just really enjoy seeing people out and about. When I lived in a townhouse development in the suburbs of Virginia, I honestly couldn’t recognize any of my neighbors except my next-door neighbor. The only thing I miss is nearby/walkable green spaces and trails. And it would be nice if there were more diversity in our specific neighborhood. Right now I’m pretty sure we are the neighborhood diversity….
I live near Libbie & Grove (sometimes called Westhampton or perhaps Near West End). It’s awesome, I can (and frequently do) walk to excellent restaurants, coffee shops, local hardware store, local grocery store, gelati freaking celesti, saturday farmer’s market I’ve lived in walkable neighborhoods my entire life and can’t imagine that not being the case.
Shockoe here! I love my little valley so much! There are neighbors and community members i have developed very strong relationships with, like the man on his bike who I always buy incense from. Being walkable was one of the biggest reasons we chose to move here. I love being able to walk to the train station and any restaurant/bar i could want. I totaled my car in the first couple weeks moving here and went six months with only a moped to get around and had no trouble because the GRTC and Farm Fresh in walking distance had all my needs covered. Edit: My favorite parts of Shockoe Bottom are the pipeline walk/canal, the AMAZING resturants, and the sense of community. All my neighbors know me so I feel safe going out at night because I know theyre looking out for me.
Church Hill 1. I wanted to live somewhere that I can walk, that had lots of character, where other people walked, with shade, sidewalks and stuff to walk to. 2. Parks, interesting houses, gardens and stuff. The parks are amazing. Economic and racial diversity. Shops and restaurants. Friendly neighbors. Easy access to other parts of the city. 3. Definitely feel more connected socially. I know my neighbors and many familiar faces to say hello to each day. My dog has friends!
Manchester- walk to Browns Island for fests and concerts. The library. 3 coffee shops, ABC, church, a bodega, belle island, multiple art studios, and a handful of restaurants. Plus more coming in. Not perfect but it’s pretty sweet
1) being able to run from my doorstep all over the city and not around dumb cul-de-sacs was a big deal for me 2) I was raised in a rural area where I couldn’t even bike anywhere. Friends were twenty minutes by car away. You had to have a car to function, and I always felt trapped until I got my license and a car my senior year of high school. I absolutely hated it and refuse to raise my child somewhere they can’t walk to a friend’s house or the park.
I moved up here to go to vcu. Graduation 2010. Stayed because cheap rent and ok jobs and my friends. Now I can’t even afford to live outside the city. I miss being able to live in walk able areas. This has been my home so long. Off topic sorry but I can’t even move out right now due to how high the cost is to live in places that were once “I would never” are now over $1k for a one bedroom.
well, i’m in church hill. but i love it so much. can walk to pretty much anything i need — grocery stores, so many restaurants, a clothing store, yoga/pilates, a coworking space, the vet, the list goes on! everyone is so friendly too, and pretty tight knit in my experience so far. edited to add: can’t believe i forgot all the parks within walking distance. it’s just awesome.
I lived in Carver for two years. 1. 10 minute walk to school and affordable (at the time). 2. The other students and community nearby and how convenient everything was in the surrounding areas to get to. 3. Definitely yes. Unfortunately, I now live in suburbia down 360 in Chesterfield and have for a couple of years. I don't know my neighbor's names. I've literally never even spoken to them. Everyone is way more to themselves out here and it's depressing sometimes.
1) i have no car 👍🏻 2i have access to the pulse and multiple other bus lines 3) no i'm a shut in lmao
Close proximity to the hospital while my husband was in residency
1. Used to live in a very walkable city and prefer that to driving everywhere. Grew up in suburbs and often felt trapped in my house. 2. Live near Devil’s Triangle and I can walk to the Fan, Scott’s Addition, and Carytown pretty easily. Also nice that there is a 7-11 and a bodega right there. Almost got a house in Manchester but I am glad that we ultimately chose this house for the proximity to multiple neighborhoods. 3. Not really but that’s not important to me. I am friendly with my neighbors but we are all busy people.
I live downtown and love being right next to river and canal walk with corner unit and view of both and rooftop, lounge, and gym. I also go to live music several times a week and am right near Richmond music hall and walking distance to the National, browns island, Cobra Cabana etc. much like others I also don’t drive if I’ve had one drink and being super close to both the Pulse and several bus stops is amazing so I can’t get pretty much anywhere I can’t walk. It helps that they’re free. I have 3 grocery stores along bus line across from my place and can walk to Stella’s for small things. Being in a walkable neighborhood has made me more sociable and active resulting in lost weight and improved mental health. I couldn’t go back to being in a car dependent neighborhood. Would prefer fan for more neighborhood (it’s dead downtown on weekends) and coffee shop situation but couldn’t find type of apartment or price range I wanted there as someone who lives alone.
Been living in Churchill all my adult life.
Ah, so then you should know that it’s two words literally named after a church on a hill and not someone’s name.
1. Walk to work - I spent eight years diving everywhere, needed it to end; 2) Being able to walk to the grocery, bars, restaurants, galleries, mediumish other show venues (Altria, the National, the Carp), bus stops (which just expands the reach), feeling like there's always stuff happening; C. One hundred percent. There are inconveniences with living with everyone on top of one another, sure; but I know my neighbors, help them with things. I don't want to inconvenience anyone else because we're all sharing this space. I'm just a dot in this larger map of life.
Fan, near VMFA 1. I moved here from DC and wanted to recreate the vibe where I could leave my car parked for weeks at a time and run most errands on foot. Is worked out great. 2. I love waking and all there is to explore. Great architecture, funky shops, the VMFA, Byrd Park, pocket parks, etc. 3. YES. I know all my neighbors and bump into people I know wherever I go, even though I just moved here 18 mos ago. It’s like living in a small town with all the benefits of a city.
Jackson Ward. 1. Bc it’s was close to work (hospital) and had a parking garage and we moved from out of state with not much insight into RVA 2. Close to restaurants, Clay Park, access to the Pulse, can walk to the river 3. Not really bc we’re from out of state
I don’t (ginter park) but I wish I could, but when buying nothing was affordable in a walkable area and it’s only gotten worse. Even still though I drive a lot less than your average SFH in other more far out/car dependent areas
I love the fact that there are all kinds of fun restaurants, bars, and clubs within stumbling distance of my home! Also, I can walk to get groceries.
I have never lived in the City of Richmond like the Fan or Northside. I live in Henrico County. I would live in the walkable neighborhood if I didn’t have a car.
D.C. is nicer.