Richmond, located 100 miles south of Washington, D.C., is the third largest metropolitan area in Virginia and is among a handful of mid-sized cities offering a flourishing cultural community with several first-class museums, its own symphony, professional ballet and opera, and numerous art galleries. Richmond is located at the fall line of the James River which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, and is ideally located for easy access to the ocean, mountains and our nation's capitol. Richmond also features its own attractions, including trendy boutiques and restaurants, one of the nation's largest river park systems, and an abundance of historical landmarks. Outside Magazine calls Richmond one of the Best River Towns in America. Second only to New Orleans in its concentration of cast iron architecture, Richmond is home to a unique collection of cast iron porches, balconies, fences, and finials.
After the settlement of Jamestown in 1607, attempts were made to settle the area of Richmond, but were abandoned when the indigenous Powhatan tribe resisted their attempts. In 1645, Fort Charles was erected at the Falls of the James, and new settlers moved in, establishing a trading post. In 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous, "Give me Liberty or Give me Death", speech in St. John’s Church in Richmond, helping to ignite the American Revolution. After the American Revolutionary War, Richmond emerged an important industrial center. Richmond became home to some of the largest manufacturing facilities in the country, including iron works and flour mills. Virginia voted to secede from the United States and joined the Confederate States, and the Confederate government moved its capital to Richmond. The city emerged from the Civil War as an economic powerhouse, with iron front buildings and massive brick factories. Canal traffic slowly gave way to railroads, allowing Richmond to become a major railroad crossroads. By the early 20th century, the city’s population had reached 85,050. Between 1963 and 1965, a construction boom led to the development of more than 700 new buildings in the city. A flood wall was constructed in 1995 to protect low-lying areas of city resulted in a transformation of the River District into an entertainment zone with dining and nightlife activity as well as a pedestrian walkway along the city’s former industrial canals. Explore more Richmond history with the following link.
Partly due to proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Richmond experiences humid summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures can reach or exceed 90 °F, especially during July and August. Precipitation is rather uniformly distributed throughout the year. Snowfall is generally light, rarely exceeding 3" in a 24 hour period and rarely staying on the ground for more than a few days.
The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) provides bus service throughout the Richmond metropolitan area seven days a week. Express routes serve commuters in the surrounding area who choose to take advantage of GRTC’s Park ’N Ride program. Besides the City of Richmond, GRTC services Henrico County and parts of Chesterfield County, and also provides express service to Petersburg. Amtrak has two stations in Richmond, providing rail service to coastal destinations, including Washington, D. C., New York, Georgia, and Florida. Richmond International Airport is served by six carriers, and direct flights are offered to many major destinations, including Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Cleveland.
Cost of Living in Richmond
The cost of living in Richmond, Virginia is very close to the national average, with lower housing costs offset by higher utility and health care costs. Determine how far your budget will go in Richmond with these cost of living calculators.
Three separate school districts serve the Richmond metropolitan area, including Chesterfield County Public Schools with 64 schools serving 58,000 students, the Henrico County School District with 71 schools serving 50,000 students, and the Richmond City School District with 49 schools serving 24,000 students. Additionally, 71 private schools and one charter school serve the Richmond area student population.
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center is the top-ranked medical facility in Richmond and in the entire state. This hospital provides general medical and surgical services and is also a teaching hospital. If you’re planning a move to Richmond, it’s a good idea to know the medical resources available.
Richmond Real Estate
Richmond’s historical neighborhoods make the city special. Whether you are looking for a cozy cottage in a quiet neighborhood or a modern condo in the heart of the city, Richmond has a neighborhood and a home that meets your desires. The median price for a home in the City of Richmond is $185,000. Among the 16 neighborhoods that make up Richmond, the area surrounding Monument Avenue is particularly notable, featuring many historical homes. Explore homes for sale in Richmond with the following links.
There are great places to stay in Richmond when you visit. The Omni Richmond is located in the heart of historic Shockoe Slip, a vibrant downtown area known for its cobblestone streets and mix of eclectic shops and restaurants. The Linden Row Inn offers great value in downtown Richmond, featuring garden rooms that are accessed by veranda walkways. The Jefferson Hotel brings both history and elegance to your stay with Beaux Arts style architecture dating from 1895, with paintings on the ceilings, detailed woodwork and a grand staircase that is a must-see. Find more great places to stay with the following links.
With over 150 restaurants in Richmond, you will undoubtedly find dining choices that please your palate. Edo’s Squid is easily the best Italian restaurant in Richmond. Julep’s is one of Richmond’s finest restaurants and serves Southern cuisine in a classy old-fashioned dining room set inside a restored 1817 building. Tarrant’s is a warm and inviting spot to linger over fish tacos, pizza, or crab cakes. The Ipanema Cafe attracts the art-student crowd, with a selection of vegan and vegetarian fare, plus moules-frites, tuna melts and a few other non-vegetarian options. Discover your perfect dining experience with the following links.
Things to Do in Richmond
There is no end to the activities you will find when visiting or living in Richmond, Virginia. Swimming, kayaking, and rock-hopping are popular pastimes in the James River. Built in 1926, the Landmark Theatre attracts popular Broadway shows. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is well-known throughout the world and is the 10th largest art museum in the USA. The Poe Museum contains the world’s largest collection of manuscripts and memorabilia of poet Edgar Allan Poe, who lived and worked in Richmond. Located in an 1861 gun foundry, the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar is a fascinating site that explores the causes and course of the Civil War from various perspectives. For cheap eats and fresh produce, check out the bustling 17th Street Farmer’s Market which runs from early May through October. Then enjoy the Canal Walk, stretching 1.25 miles along the James River and the historic Kanawha and Haxall Canals. The walk presents four centuries of Richmond’s history interpreted through medallions, monuments and exhibits. Find more fun things to do with the following links.