So, Homes are going for about $205,900 on average. Average temperature is around 56--F, so the weather is moderate. Rent is about $860/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $205,900, which is actually reasonable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Is this normal for Richmond? TIA! Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
8 upvotes
30 Replies
Claire Martin
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 58, moved here 5 years ago from New York. I've lived in Oak Park and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Affordable housing options
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Oak Park: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 New York, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
40 upvotes
Grace Myers
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. community vibe used to be much growing but now it's hit or miss.
39 upvotes
Eliana G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
37 upvotes
Dominic Sanders
This.
36 upvotes
Arianna Richardson
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Maple Ridge area are decent. Kids love it here.
36 upvotes
Bennett Hill
noted, appreciate it
35 upvotes
Everly Murphy
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
31 upvotes
Amy R.
I've been living here for 3 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The cultural scene is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Ryan Flores
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from New York about 11 years ago. The main reasons were school and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Audrey Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Hazel Ross
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 48, moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Greenfield and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 San Francisco, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
26 upvotes
Santiago Myers
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to Miami it's excellent.
24 upvotes
Isabelle Bennett
hard disagree but ok
24 upvotes
Eliana
Saving this thread
22 upvotes
Jeremiah Rodriguez
wish I knew this sooner
22 upvotes
Ellie Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 11 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Can feel isolated. Homeless population growing downtown. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Caroline Cook
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is average in most areas.
19 upvotes
Grayson R.
I'm a chef and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
19 upvotes
Everett Murphy
following this thread
16 upvotes
Lori E.
Weather-wise, the summers are tough and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
15 upvotes
Melanie Hernandez
I work in construction here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is decent. Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Nathan C.
Moved here from Chicago about 14 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to public transit but Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Vivian Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 54, moved here 9 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. surprisingly good 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 Houston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
11 upvotes
Genesis Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in West. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in education. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
11 upvotes
Owen K.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Korean places. it was the best decision I ever made.
11 upvotes
Addison Diaz
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Southern places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
9 upvotes
Eleanor Moore
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want outdoor recreation, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Mason Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 37, moved here 7 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in West and Sunset, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Sunset: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
3 upvotes
Parker W.
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Indian places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
2 upvotes
Valentina Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
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