Review of Richmond, Virginia


White Trash Capitol
Star Rating - 4/24/2017
The local people in Richmond are a special breed. Rude, arrogant, antagonistic, entitled, stupid, and just all around low-lifes.
Socio-economic factors don't alter the aforementioned. I've lived in lots of places where people are noted for being obnoxious. SF, NYC/NJ, Miami to name a few. But none hold a candle to this special southern hell mouth. I remember Shelley Winters playing the villainess matriarch of the Gorgon family in 'Pete's Dragon' when I was a kid. They were a vulgar, primitive, repulsive bunch who would skin alive their own families with the glee of opening a Christmas gift. That was for dramatic effect in fiction. The people here are the modern day equivalent in reality. There's an innate mean ugliness in these people. It can be almost funny and sad to witness. I'm in a special position where I don't rely on locals for socializing or business so for me it's probably a much milder experience. But still. Even having to stand in a line or ride an elevator with these people makes a person cringe. There's an exhausting sense of second hand embarrassment for people who are too mean and stupid to have shame.
Having said all that it's relatively cheap and convenient to live in Schockoe Bottom. I have lots of beautiful places to jog and can mostly avoid interacting with locals except for running errands occasionally. But be forewarned before moving here. You'll need to live a pretty cloistered or isolated/sheltered life to retain any semblance of discernment, intellect, sanity, or humanity.

Emma | Richmond, VA
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3 Replies


Emma that is the best description of Richmond, ever. Period.
Jessica | Hopewell, VA | Report Abuse

I totally agree and well said. I've tried to date for almost 5 years since moving here. The women are all versions of troubled people in troubled relationships. There are the cheaters, the married acting singles, victims of abuse, the wine-a-holics, and every combination of all of those on the list. The men treat their wives and girls friends like garbage and the women expect that treatment. I was told it is normal man behavior. Seriously, Emma has it right.
Stephen | Richmond, VA | Report Abuse

This review is well written and intriguing. The person who wrote it sounds cultured and articulate, but I had to wonder how she was able to make such judgements. She did not cite much experience with locals other than riding in an elevator or standing in line with then, which leads one to question, how can you understand the depths of someone's depravity just by looking at them or exchanging a quick remark on the weather? By their hairstyle. Am skeptical. Being from Richmond, I am surely not able to see all the aspects of local people that offend the writer, but I will say that there is a lot of diversity in the city. If you take even one public school in the western suburbs, for example, you will find people from several continents and maybe 80 different linguistic groups. As far as areas for improvement, Richmond's growth is very skewed by unequal compensation. Tech jobs are in the west end, and that's where the middle class people with familie all want to live, even though the city has many beautiful neighborhoods. The current Mayor is trying hard to make Richmond even more green and progressive, and I applaud him and the many other smart people with the same objective. Before judging others so harshly, shouldn't one at least take time to try to look for positive characteristics in other people? Being critical of others does not make a person virtuous or superior. I hope Emma takes a second look and finds more to like by volunteering her time. Anywhere you go, sometimes the very nicest people look for opportunities to do some good. Richmond does have plenty of nice folks if you try to find them.
A | Manakin Sabot, VA | Report Abuse
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