Ah, Richmond
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4/20/2006
I have lived in Richmond for a long time- That is, since my parents relocated from Roselle Park, NJ in 1990.
Since I have grown up here, I would have to say that depending on the county, the school system is good on funding, but they are no different from any other school system when it comes to violence. The high school I went to in Chesterfield automatically locks all the doors from the outside, so 1) you cannot skip class and come back, and 2) so if you are 2 seconds tardy you have detention (because the classroom doors lock from the outsdie too).The schools are overcrowded, and they keep building schools... but only in the areas that are higher income.
The city of Richmond has been a ghost town, until VCU and other outside entities started pumping money into Richmond. The city government could have cared less. Doug Wilder (former governer) is now the Mayor and I think he is trying to turn crime around, but that will take forever. This state is a Commonwealth State, so it acts like its own little country. All the old timers in the local governments are only concerned with politics, which is why the city had gotten to the low that it had.
As a result of all of these drastic changes, housing has doubled in the past 4 years! And cost of living follows right behind. Unfortunately, rate of pay has not changed. For example, my first job right out of high school was at a credit card call center (its probably in your wallet) and they started me at 21,900 per year in 1999. They just put out a billboard because they are hiring again (I have since found another job), and they are starting at THE SAME SALARY!!! Let me tell you, I work for a company and make $27,000 per year and I cannot afford a house. And there are not a ton of jobs either.
If you look outside of Richmond and to its surroundings, you will the best reasons to be here. The Appalachian mountains are about 2 hours west, the beach is 2 hours east, and DC (the only real city in your proximity) is 2 hours north. You can also enjoy Charlottesville which is 45 miles west at the foothills of the mountains.
I personally am looking to make a change before I settle down, I am 26 and I am not pleased with what Richmond has to offer me. I want more culture, to be able to work 1 job and afford a house, and to not live in a place that is haunted by being the ex- capital of the Confederacy... it still feels like it is.
lbm | Laurel, VA