Richmond will break your heart - 7/31/2009

I would have to agree with the multitude of negative comments on 'my' City. After living here for 8 years I feel like I've really wasted the best part of my life here. It is backwards with a black government at odds with the white anglo-jewish business elite. It is very Southern and a complete mess. The town itself is beautiful and hosts many, many talented people with no power. What a shame. Change could come but that is no possible in 5 years. It would take at least 15-20 years with a combined effort on the part of the three groups mentioned above. Good luck! As for the 'my' in quotes, that is how I've always felt here. You're never a Richmonder unless you were born here. OK, I get it, you can have it because it really does suck. I've lived in many different Southern towns. I'd even go back to Atlanta after living here. What a shameful mess you Native Richmonders have caused/allowed of 'your' town.

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Richmond will break your heart - 7/31/2009

I would have to agree with the multitude of negative comments on 'my' City. After living here for 8 years I feel like I've really wasted the best part of my life here. It is backwards with a black government at odds with the white anglo-jewish business elite. It is very Southern and a complete mess. The town itself is beautiful and hosts many, many talented people with no power. What a shame. Change could come but that is no possible in 5 years. It would take at least 15-20 years with a combined effort on the part of the three groups mentioned above. Good luck! As for the 'my' in quotes, that is how I've always felt here. You're never a Richmonder unless you were born here. OK, I get it, you can have it because it really does suck. I've lived in many different Southern towns. I'd even go back to Atlanta after living here. What a shameful mess you Native Richmonders have caused/allowed of 'your' town.

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Preparing to move - 7/27/2009

I have found this site very helpful. My wife and I are retired and we plan to move near our younger son who lives in Midlothian. We are looking either for a condo or town house (one story), or a house with the master bedroom on the first floor. If it is a single dwelling we desire very little, if any, yard. It is my understanding that there is a new development near the University of Richmond that is close to a shopping area that are condos. Please let us know if you will be able to help us, or who you recommend to assist us with our future plans. We plan and hope to move sometime between January to March of 2011. Thank you for your help.

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THIS PLACE SUCKS - 7/21/2009

I highly recommend not moving to Richmond, VA. The Public Schools suck--an 80 is not a "B", its a "C+", SUSPENSION 4 every little thing-laughing, talking. What ever happened 2 detention "FIRST"!! My 14yr old son-could drive better than these poeple. CONSTANTLY riding your bumper in a HURRY 2 get no where!! Northern's dont b fooled-the cost of living aint that much cheaper. The beautiful suburn homes in the nice neighborhoods that youre use 2 still would cost $300k or more! WHAT southern hospitally-poeple r just as rude & angry as they think NYERS r. Only certain areas has public transportation. The Police SHOULD spend MORE time on the gang voilence than "HARASSING" common folk 4 sitting out on thier front stoop, or having a "4TH OF JULY BARBEQUE"!!

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Overall - 4/3/2009

We've lived in Richmond for 2 years after spending 35 years in Fairfield,CT. There is always something going on in this area and everything is easy to get to. The airport is convenient, the highway system runs right thru Richmond and Amtrak has 2 stops here. 2 major universities in the city and the Univ of VA. is only 45 minutes away. There is a symphony, ballet and lots of clubs and concert venues. The cost of living is very low, especially coming from CT. Winters are non-existent and the 3 other seasons are long.

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Move to Richmond or deal with frigid Minnesota? - 3/22/2009

I am considering moving to Richmond but I wondering about the job market there?? Also, I am considering going back to college. Does anyone have any good recommendations? I live in Minnesota and the weather here has gotten unbearable for me.

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Richmond IS AWESOME! - 3/3/2009

Richmond, VA is awesome! Appears to be a slight crime problem as experienced in neighborhoods closer to town. You can not find a better place to live for housing, neighbors (great people) affordability, quality of entertainment and activities (close to Mountains and Beach) and absolutely the BEST restaurants in the WORLD!!!! Check out the Croaker Spot, Buzz & Neds and Dots Back Inn. All the Richmond haters can take a hike, AWESOME TOWN! You'll Love It!

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Richmond Housing - 8/19/2008

While there is a wide variety of housing types, the most desirable locations to live are considerably more expensive than the average home price. Price in the City is based on two factors: distance from Center City and school zone. In the City the schools are awful but the priciest real estate is west and north of the James River. In the suburbs, housing price is ontrolled mainly by schools your child will attend. As Richmond is an older and more conservative city, there is a long-standing tradition that anything south of the James River is for lesser folk, even though Chesterfield County has very attractive housing.

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Moved from York PA to Richmond VA - 8/5/2008

I moved to Richmond, Va in 2004. Before this I lived only in York, PA. I really like it here. There is so much to do compared to York, of course it is bigger too. The cost of living is a little higher; however, I prefer living here than York because of all the friendly people here.

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Wonderful to live in Midlothian, VA - 5/25/2008

Midlothian Virginia is located south west of the city of Richmond. It is an upper end, well educated area. You get a big group of transplants from all over the USA. Most people are very down to earth, hard working and very educated. Houses are still afordable and the neighborhoods are great! Schools are good, and we have a lot of private schools. Having the ability to go to the beach 1.5 hours, the moutains, 1.5 hours, and DC, 1.5 hours is like being in the middle of it all! Great shopping, great look and feel, and you are still near a city!

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The worst place to live! - 3/31/2008

I moved to Richmond, VA nearly 12 years ago and I must tell you this is the most racist place I have ever live. I was very surprise since there are so many other cultures living there. The Virginians I met are not aware they are free. It is very boring and some of them treat new comers like outsiders. The job market is geared for Caucasins only. If you are of another culture you will be waiting to get a job as long as 8 months and this is with a degree. I am so happy I moved from this place. I do not recommend Richmond as a place to live. Also, the crime is out of control.

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DON'T MOVE HERE - 3/27/2008

I'VE LIVED HERE 2 TIMES DUE TO WORK AND BOTH TIMES IT HAS BEEN AWFUL.PEOPLE ARE SNOBISH. JOBS PAY POORLY. EVERTHING HAS A HIGH PRICE TAG,AND I MEAN EVERYTHING. EVEN EVENTS THAT ARE FREE IN THE VIRGINIA BEACH AREA- COST LOTS HERE! ROADS ARE IN TERRRBLE SHAPE. TOLLS ARE BEING INCREASED. CRIME IS TERRIBLE. HUMID IN SUMMER. FREEZING IN THE WINTER. IT HAS A LOT TO DO- AS LONG AS YOU HAVE LOTS OF MONEY. ECONOMY COMES AND GOES -MOSTLLY GOES. LOTS OF DRS. AND HOSPITALS. TAXES ARE TERRIBLE. POLITICS ARE A ONE MAN SHOW. PLENTY OF RELIGIONS- BUT IT SEEMS TO BE MORE A WHO HAS THE BEST CLOTHES AFFAIR. MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE IF YOU CAN-A I'LL BE HEADING TO FLORIDA TO RETIRE IN 10 YEARS-THANK GOODNESS! GOOD LUCK!

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City Life - 3/25/2008

Richmond is multi-cultural and is always working hard to improve quality of life. Current Mayor Doug Wilder, is a no nonsense kind of guy, and I believe things will continue to improve. City schools have been pretty bad for a long time, but they are definitely on the up swing now. Because of Richmond's mid U. S. Atlantic position, with continuing conscientious attention to its schools, controlling crime, and tightening up of the government, it will soon be a major player in attracting more new businesses. There is some new emphasis on restoring some of the old downtown to it's past charm, which will make the city more attractive to all.

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Richmond - The good bad and ugly - 3/10/2008

I moved from Columbus Oh to Richmond VA 8 years ago and wish I hadn't. The quality of life in this town is all based on whether or not you root for Virginia Tech or University of Virginia and if you are from Virginia. If you aren't, then you are snub. I knew a lawywer that had been here for about 30-40 years and he still felt like an outsider. It's like the war still goes on and if they can't fight a racial war it's going to be a war against outsiders. Then there is the job thing. There are no decent jobs, they do not want to pay for quality. I was with a large company in Ohio and I just can't seem to find a decent job here. Again it's who you know and if they like you. Though I've been here for 8 years I still am considered an Ohian which at this point, I will gladly accept. There is no southern hospitality in Richmond. Richmonders even divide themselves by which side of the James River they live on. If you live on the "wrong" side your snubbed. Though cost of living, traffic and other things may be better. Richmonders think they are the best but yet have never really traveled outside of their 4 walls. I've been invited and socialized with some of their uppper crust blue bloods who from my own upbringing have no social manners whatsoever. So at this point, if they want to consider me an Ohian, I am proud of it. We know are manners, have a better economy and we don't sue our Mayor to spend hundreds of the tax payers dollars. Richmond is a joke and I am ready to move anytime.

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tons to do - 2/29/2008

Richmond is full of fun things to do every night of the week. There are all varieties of cultures, people and events. Overall a great city.

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Good cycling and running community - 2/26/2008

You can ride anywhere it th area. Great running races for all ages and fitness.

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Richmond has possibilities - just an opinion - 1/5/2008

So far I see the possibilities of growth in this area, having moved here several months ago. What I see as a problem is that alot of folks here spend alot of money (since I work in retail) - yet, they may be overextended on their credit - which could hurt them in the long run. If folks would concentrate more on keeping their neighborhood areas upgraded and the city looking attractive - instead of worrying about how 'they' look in comparison - there may be some good news in all of this. Neighborhoods here seem to be lacking in cleanliness - "hood" kids seems to run rampant in a few of the malls - and so far, I've seen more overweight people here than any other city I have lived in (such as Houston, TX). Mostly among the middle income - eating out seems to be the entertainment exercise among many. Beware of Buffet restuarants - they are the demise of the human race! The weather is pleasant most of the year, even with the heat and humidity. And comparing that to Texas, it's a far cry from being bad. So, you would think more people would involve themselves in outdoor activities. What I have seen lacking has been good musical venues for the baby boomers, piano bars or light musical places that are not 'rowdy-type bars', better restuarants are few and far between, and more upscale department stores. There is some interest going on in the Petersburg area that I have looking into with their Art scene, etc. The possibilities of more coming in are happening slowly. They are out there, but miles from one another. With the pros and cons, I find this area promising, and hopefully it will have the job market to inspire more growth. If a person wants to start their own business - be sure to have a cushion to fall back on. It will happen, but just not right away. News is that there are major companies transferring to this area in the upcoming years. Juliana

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Cost of Living - 10/19/2007

The cost of living in RIchmond is still reasonable. However, as the renovations and improvements happen/continue, I imagine that it will rise.

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weird place - 9/14/2007

I'm sure all our views are shaped by our prior experiences, but I have to say my experience has been mixed at best, ghastly bad, at worst. Richmond suffers from being quite small, cut off from the modern world/society, and draped in some ugly past history... They still seem to harbor resentment from their big loss during the Civil War and the racism and sexism I've witnessed has blown me away. (I came from much bigger cities in the Midwest, but was no stranger to the South. Richmond has more intense conservative streaks than Kentucky, Florida, or Louisiana, in my experience.) When the Republican Senator Allen, Richmond native hero, got caught in his racist "macaca" comment last year, the nation registered a shock wave. Well, get ready with your shock absorbers in Richmond! I myself have been shocked and dismayed. I even had my married boss come on to me without the slightest concern re: sexual harassment liability. I learned I wasn't alone in this ordeal! It was commonplace and this manager is a powerful Richmond native. It's old school here in some ways, Medieval in other ways... I also didn't care for the cool, snobby, pretentious quality toward 'outsiders' at times. As someone who usually makes loyal friends and admirers very easily, I thought it wasn't too friendly in Richmond. Cordial on the surface, but not warm, in general. It has been a weird place for me! On the flip side, the history of the Civil War, the best of the Antebellum South, slavery, colonial times, and the founding of Jamestown is significant and highly interesting. This place is a living textbook of history. It almost seems haunted. I GREATLY recommend Richmond and Virginia, in general, as a must-see tourist destination in America! The weather is fabulous- mild temperatures, but sunny, too. I like the greenery, surrounding landscape, and nearby coastline. I loved the climate and ocean. (See the dolphin tour just off the beach!) If only the social atmosphere were comparable for me... Frankly, I have never been treated so badly for being a woman (who won't commit adultery with a manager) and had never witnessed such open racism in my life. And I lived and worked, without incident, in 5 other states. That's all I can tell you.

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Hmmm... - 9/10/2007

I guess I'm an "outsider" who relocated from several states away, but I have been underwhelmed by the people and culture here. I don't find the people very engaging or genuinely sociable. They tend to be pretty insular with their families and other Virginia natives- snobby even!... In comparison to many other places I've resided, it's just not that friendly, although people do love to keep tabs on you and gossip in a catty way. (more than I've ever been exposed to in far bigger cities) Maybe they are just more insecure or provincial here. Also, a Civil War/Confederate conservative mentality lives on, so it may be a shocker if you're a more up-to-date "Yankee." (history everywhere!) The weather is so nice though and there is much potential. That's why it seems all the more frustrating!

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