There is a superficial friendliness. I am from NJ and people don't talk to you if they don't want to. (in NJ)
If they take the time to talk to you, they are sincere.
I think that Richmond is a wave hello town and mind your own business. I have people waving to me that I have no idea who they are. But I am sure they would not bother to invite me over.
I am sorry you haven't found your niche. I think it is like anywhere else. If you grow up there, you have your childhood friends. It took me awhile and I have better friends now than I ever had in my life. So, it happens and it works. I have lived here 8 years and the first couple were lonely. Oh and by the way, I only have a couple of local girls as friends. Most of my friends came from some place else (many from the north!:) )

I know you asked for advice on this topic several years ago. I just created a post because we are considering the area and sending our daughter to st. catherine's. do you have any suggestions for neighborhoods near that school. we ideally would like to walk to restaurants,etc. from home. i would love any help you could offer. we are avid bicyclists also.

I just was browsing around, trying to see what people are saying about where I live. I must say, this is ridiculous. If you want a "community feel" then you have to put yourself out there and meet people.

If you want to walk to restaurants then you should move downtown. The fan area is very nice and the museum district, and Carytown. There are a lot of up and coming neighborhoods as well. Bicycling is very common around here. Downtown,and around the river in various places. College kids on their way to school and people just trying to exercise.

Also I have lived in a few suburb neighborhoods and some people do not hang out, and some they do. Most people who live in the burbs grew up in the burbs of around Richmond and they still have the same friends from high school. Also if you have children, they make friends at school and then you meet their parents... unless you join something and meet people that way, you want be making friends. It is not the job of others to make you feel comfortable. Why don't you invite you neighbors over for dinner if you feel so lonely.

Many of my friends went to St. Catherine's, and it is a very good school. Most lived in neighborhoods around the West End, and many in the Southside (like Settlers Landing). I grew up in Midlothian, and I like it very much.

Sorry that was all over the place, trying to help you, and also I am irritated by the insane amount of stereotyping.

Also Richmond has southern charm but I would not say it's a southern city by terms of people and fashion and nightlife by any means. On every block in Carytown there is a boutique clothing store and three trendy restaurants. http://www2.richmond.com/restaurants-food/

Bmeyer -

My daughter is going to VCU art School in a couple of months. I just stumbled on this thread and thought I would read a bit - i moostly scrolled to the bottom and saw yours!

I wish I had a question right now for you! We are not from that area but have visited before and I really like it. She will not have a car Freshman year, but it seems like the fan district has great restaurants, shops etc.....??

I am glad to see a local from that area here - i may pick your brain later if ok??

Hey annesherrod! Congrats to your daughter. That is a very good art school. She doesn't want or need a car there. I don't live in Richmond (I'm in Williamsburg) but there are a few Fodorites that do, among them girlonthego and JanetKMR. I'm sure any of your questions can be answered. I'm sure move-in time will be very busy but let us know if you'll be visiting another time.

VCU is a wonderful art school!!! Tons of places to eat and things to do. Of course with every city there are places you shoud not go alone to at night.

Will you daughter be in the dorms? I will be going back to school there hopefully in the fall.

Most of the people I know ride bikes to school, but a lot of people walk. Most of the people from the area that move downtown for school already have cars. But they def. arent required. I am sure she will make friends, and if there is anywhere she must go that isn't close enough someone will be able to give her a ride.

Its a very trendy artsy area. They host a number of art type events like First Fridays.http://www.firstfridaysrichmond.com/

There a ridiculous number of venues for concerts and we get a few broadway shows here at the Carpenter Theater http://www.richmondcenterstage.com/

VCU is sooooo big that it has basically been cleaning up the city because of all of the buildings they have been purchasing. 32000 or so students.

Good for her!!

thanks Birdie and Bmeyer!! It is always good to hear from people where your children will attemd college.

I would love to do a GTG - i will hopefully be going ther the next 4 years for visits!!
Stay tuned as I am sure I will have mre questions as August approaches!!

annesherrod, I also agree that VCU's art school has a great reputation! One of my friend's daughters was seriously looking at it, but is going to Boston U instead to get out of her hometown, I think.

I reread some of my answers above and they are ancient now. We live in one of the best (flat) bike riding neighborhoods around and not too many kids on bikes. (too hot in the summer!)
I have really liked living here in the burbs, but Bmeyer is right,I don't hang out with my neighbors, well maybe a few. I have lived between two families for 12 years and we have little to do with one another. We are very nice, but it just isn't there.
I have lots of friends from all over and some true natives. I agree if you want city life, to move in closer. The fan area has lots of young people. What about monument ave area Bmeyer? I went on a house tour there and it was definitely a family with all the sports equipment hidden behind the door! :)Lovely old homes.
I think that Windsor farms is close to the city, but still far enough out that you have the neighborhood feel.
We have really liked living in richmond. A local get together would be fun.
Oh and VCU has really cleaned up downtown.they have done a nice job of expanding and expanding taking over block after block and putting up school buildings. I am sure she will love it.

I was talking with a young woman from Richmond here in Nantucket last summer.

She told me her boss, from Chicago, hated Richmond. "But then,", she said, "He lives in Chesterfield and works in Short Pump. What would he know about Richmond at all?"

In Richmond, neighborhood is all.

So true, Richmond is a relatively small city. Your mail might say Richmond, but that doesn't mean you aren't in the burbs. You just can't compare Chesterfield or Henrico to a place like Chicago. If I was from Chicago and move to a subdivision of Richmond I probably wouldn't know what to do with myself. It is definitely one of a kind and you really need to jump in if you want to know your neighbors. My grandparent have been living in Salisbury for over 25ish years and they know there neighbors. In fact, one was over for dinner today :] Richmond really is strange. All of the civil war era history and buildings and then you have all this New York style fashion and dining, and music scene.

Monument ave is nice too, depending on which portion. They have some very beautiful buildings. I'll be getting to know the downtown area more since I am going back to school at VCU in the fall.

I am a Richmond native and love my home town. I grew up in the near West End and life on each side of the river, and the burbs vs. the city is very different.

My daughter and SIL recently bought a home in the Westover Hills area of the city and their block is a true neighborhood. Their first night living there the neighbors across the street invited them over for pizza and beer and there are many cookouts, people bringing their dogs, etc.

I live in Midlothian but my heart is in the city.....we venture out very often.

My brother lives in an apartment downtown. I find the Near West End more charming and friendly than the Far West End (Short Pump, Glen Allen)and the South of the River more welcoming than the West. Also the Far West End is overpriced IMO for what you get and where you are.

VCU is downtown and there are plenty of places to walk to, including a number of my favorite restaurants. It definitely has a city feel. As does The Fan District where my daughter lived when she was renting.

And I would love to have a GTG!

My trip to Spain may get cancelled....:(
If so, I will be in Richmond with DD mid July - she will be in Orientation. While she is doing that I would love to set up a GTG!
Sorry to hijack this thread....

Keep us posted annesherrod....sorry that your trip may be cancelled but would love to meet you and other Fodorites!