National rankings call Richmond thriving, though residents say the lived experience is more complicated than the headlines suggest. (Reddit)
Richmond is often described as a smaller, affordable city with good food, entertainment, and a growing economy. (Reddit)
Richmond residents report a difficult job market, with one applicant citing extremely low odds of getting hired. (Reddit)
School choices divide families, with some unable to afford alternatives to Richmond Public Schools. (Reddit, Reddit)
“I love the bars, breweries, and event venues around the city” (a resident)
Who tends to love Richmond, VA
Hikers and trail seekers: Trails like Cole Mountain Loop and the Richmond slave trail offer scenic and meaningful hikes.
Social joiners: Clubs like the Board Game Society and River City Social Sports Club make it easy to build friendships.
Festival goers: The Richmond Folk Festival is seen as excellent and the city could support even bigger events.
Healthcare seekers: VCU Medical Center and several HCA hospitals provide strong medical options.
Outdoors and trails
One resident said the Cole Mountain Loop or Mt. Pleasant Loop trail is challenging in sections with amazing mountain views. Pleasant Loop trail is challenging in sections and the views from on top of the mountains are amazing(Reddit)
One resident said the Richmond slave trail hike is both enjoyable physically and humbling. The Richmond slave trail hike is both enjoyable physically and humbling(Reddit)
Jobs and work
One applicant said the job market feels brutal, estimating only a 0.4 percent chance of getting hired. the current job market gives applicants a 0.4% chance of getting hired(Reddit)
One resident noted that the job market in Richmond is currently rough, similar to other places. Richmond is no exception to the rough job market at the moment(Reddit)
Making friends
One resident suggests joining the Scott's Addition Board Game Society and groups like Sports Backers running groups or cycling. Scott's Addition Board Game Society meetup. Try to join groups around activities like the Sports Backers running groups, cycling(Reddit)
One resident describes the River City Social Sports Club as a beer league that involves playing music and making friends. River City Social Sports Club or whatever it is called. is all beer league, playing music and making friends(Reddit)
One resident says after living in Richmond for almost two years it still feels nearly impossible to make friends or connections. I have lived here close to 2 years and it feels close to impossible(Reddit)
Nightlife and social
One resident says they are not the type to walk into a bar and make friends with strangers, finding adult friendship surprisingly difficult. I'm not really the type who can walk into a bar and make friends with strangers(Reddit)
One resident stopped going out because even dive bars charge $6 or more for a bad beer. I stopped going out since even dive bars are $6+ for a bad beer(Reddit)
Events and festivals
One resident says the Richmond Folk Festival is the best festival in town and suggests going elsewhere for more options. The Richmond Folk Festival is the best festival in town(Reddit)
One resident explains that Richmond lacks good concerts due to its size and venues, but praises The National as a great venue. lack of venue, and The National is fantastic(Reddit)
One resident believes Richmond could support a festival as large as Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza that draws major national acts. Richmond could support a festival on the scale of Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza(Reddit)
One resident says groups are often formed to attend concerts and festivals together, which helps them keep up with local events. put groups together to go to concerts, festivals, events(Reddit)
Cost of living
One resident noted that rent and housing prices have increased dramatically in Richmond. cost of living in terms of rent (I'm told) and housing prices have increased quite dramatically(Reddit)
Getting around
One resident advised against commuting long distances and suggested living in Richmond if working there. you don't want to drive around 100 miles to come to and from work(Reddit)
Healthcare
One resident listed HCA hospital locations including Johnston Willis, Henrico Doctors Parham and Forest, and Retreat Hospital. HCA is also Johnston Willis, Henrico Doctors Parham and Forest locations, and Retreat Hospital(Reddit)
One resident said VCU Medical Center is an excellent academic medical center alongside HCA facilities. VCU in Richmond is an excellent academic medical center(Reddit)
Through the year
Fall: Mid October days in Richmond typically see highs near 72 degrees and lows around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
What Richmond, VA is known for
Richmond Folk Festival (October): Free three day festival celebrating American music and culture
Dominion Riverrock: Outdoor sports and music festival
2nd Street Festival: Festival in Historic Jackson Ward
More on Richmond, VA
The full Varro guide adds rent and home prices, local taxes, schools, healthcare, getting around, weather by month, and a quiz that shows how Richmond, VA fits what you want.