Relocating to Rihmond
 

I posted this the other day and it didn't show up.

Relocating to Richmond for work, but I've never been to the city. Office will be in Museum District, near Kensington & N. Blvd. What neighborhoods should my husband and I look at for safety and an easy commute? I would like to be able to walk to work, but he wants to live further out because he's worried about published crime rates. We don't have children so school district is not an issue. Also, how is public transportation?

Thanks!

Darn-- typo in Subject! Should be 'Richmond,' of course!

31 states have a city of Richmond.

I would assume you mean Virgina but you might want to clarify. All posts get dumped into the US Forum.

I'm sorry to tell you, but in my experience, Richmond is not too great. There are some nicer areas outside of Richmond...Goochland (more rural), Amelia (also rural, I believe). Midlothian is a decent "suburb", but shows signs of becoming a part of Richmond as it sprawls. Check out bestplaces.net...you can read the comments left about cities you are search for info about.

Sorry...Richmond, VA

I am assuming Richmond VA?

I am a suburban girl living west of Richmond. Your husband is right to want to live out of the immediate city. The downtown area is not the greatest.
Are you looking for a home or apartment?
The Fan area is very popular with young couples. I am not sure of the safety factors, but there are restaurants to walk to and it is more city like. The Near West End area is just west of the city (still in city limits)and one of the more expensive places to live. It is close to the city and yet removed from it. The upper part of Carytown is nice with shops and there is a museum (fine arts) in this area.
I am not sure if this has helped you at all. Since I am a suburban girl, and not a native here, I am not as familiar with city dwellers.

Just to clarify, I live in Midlothian, just south west of Richmond City. Goochland and Amelia are way too far out for you. I doubt you want to live out there. My area has good schools and the malls and would be great when you have kids. :)
I would recommend asking a realtor to show you the area near Carytown or just west of there. Still city and yet nice.

I live in Chesterfield County, just south of downtown Richmond. I do, however,work in the city. It's about 12 miles and in traffic is about a 30 minute commute. The Fan District is really nice. The closer you get to VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) the more rundown it appears. Hanover County, North of town, is nice and really growing. Your job location is close to the Downtown Expressway and easily accessible to both 64 and 95. If you look at the crime statistics for Richmond you will see that the majority of the crime occurs in the more financially "challenged" areas of the city. If you do decide to live in the city the public transportation is OK. Hope this helps.

Yes, Richmond, VA. Sorry!

Also, we are looking to rent, not own. We need to live there a while to see if we like it before purchasing anything. We've lived in Cleveland, NYC, and Ann Arbor, MI so living in the south will be a new experience!

I live in the Fan, about 6 blocks from the Museaum area. We've lived here for 30 years.

I have never been a crime victem. There is crime is in Richmond, but it is very localized to areas not under discussion.

The public transportation is OK, depending on where you want to go.

You can walk to over a hundred resturants from the Kensington area.

You can get more house for the money in the Museaum district than you can the Fan, and the area is quite similar. Houses in both the fan and MD are ~ 100 years old.

<The Fan area is very popular with young couples.> ... and I would add, young at heart.

\Good luck. Welcome to my favorite city.

I was held up at gunpoint in front of the Strawberry Street cafe on my way to lunch a few years ago. Not fun.

I like Carytown better than the Fan; I have friends in both that love living in the city. My coworkers like the West End but I'd fuss about the commute.

Be sure to live close to a Ukrops' grocery! Yum.

You are quite right to rent first...always nice to make a leisurely decision that fits your lifestyle/needs. Richmond is a beautiful area with much to offer and a great location -- 2 hours to the beach or the mountains. We've lived here 20 years (transplants from OH) -- Richmond is divided by the James River -- you either live on the South side or the West End -- West End tends to be more preppy -- South Side tends to be more newbies -- most older (as in over 40 years) homes are in the West End. You might do well to work with a realtor who specializes in relocation, as they work with corporations like Capital One and Westvaco that transfer folks in here all the time. Good luck, and welcome to the south!

I just moved away from Richmond a few months ago, and I miss it.

The suburbs of Richmond are very bland, and there are strip malls everywhere. We lived within the city limits (there is much that is still in the city, but away from downtown), in a fantastic neighborhood called Hampton Gardens (the Near West End). It's expensive by Richmond standards (I lived in the DC for 12 years, so I thought it was very reasonable), and not many rentals, but there were some really nice neighborhoods in that general area. You'll see Area 20 in the real estate section--it's a pretty safe bet. However, that would be a long walk to work.

I never rode the bus in Richmond, but there were always buses going up and down Patterson and Grove Avenues (the major streets bordering our neighborhood). And traffic in Richmond is pretty nonexistant. I got lost one morning and ended up driving through downtown Richmond at 9 a.m.--couldn't believe that I didn't get stuck in any traffic.

The Fan is also a good choice. I have a few friends who live in the Fan and they love it. They also have kids, and don't feel unsafe. When we were house shopping, we decided against the Fan only because we wanted a sizeable yard for our daughter.

I liked to hang out in Carytown, but I don't think I'd live there unless I was a student.