Sign In Register
Mateo Stewart living

Why I chose Richmond over bigger cities

I'm retired and With a population of 35,551, Richmond is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $46,395 in Richmond. The median home value here is around $107,600, which is actually reasonable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The city has invested a lot in new development.

Pros:
- Close to nature
- Strong sense of community
- Good airport connections

Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Limited nightlife
- High property taxes
- Lack of diversity
Let me know your thoughts. Thanks for reading. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
11 upvotes

2 Replies

Lucy
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Aaron
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a pharmacist, 44, moved here 7 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in West and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The walkability situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Dallas, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
2 upvotes
← Back to Richmond Community