Thinking of calling the East Coast your next home? Well, here's the good news: you're not just picking any city in Virginia; you're going for the very best, and that's Richmond!
The River City seamlessly combines rich cultural heritage with modern affluence, making it the perfect place for those seeking a fresh start.
Before you pack those bags to set sail, there are a few need-to-knows while moving to Richmond that could make your stay more enjoyable.
Sneak Peek into Richmond, VA
- Population: 226,610
- Median Age: 34.8
- Median Household Income: $58,988
- Area Vibe: Urban-Suburban Mix
- Quality of Life: Good
Let's dive right into more details about Richmond.
Living Costs are Affordable
There's no better way to put it: life in Richmond is cheap. It's 4% less expensive than most other cities in the state and the country.
To put it into perspective, if you live in the nation's capital, Washington DC, and you stay pretty comfortably on an annual salary of $35,000, you will need only about $22,795 to maintain similar living standards here in RVA.
- Average Rent: $1,483
- Median Home Value: $380,000
- Mortgage Rate: 6.98%
Life in RVA is even better with its diverse job market and a low unemployment rate of 2.5%, which means the average Richmonder can afford a basic living. The only things you can consider a tad pricier above the national normal would be tuition fees and utility bills.
Note:
For those using
Richmond movers as their chauffeurs into the city, a simple discussion would reveal that the state of Virginia offers several financial aid programs to offset the high costs of things like education for its residents.
It's The City of Rich Craft Beers
Nothing beats the master craftsmanship of the brewery in Richmond!
Still in doubt? A nice trip to the Richmond Beer Trail would convince you you're in the national beer destination capital. Some resident's favorite spots here include Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, The Veil Brewing Co., and The Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop.
If you can't handle the craft beers, hard ciders are also cool options for your bellies.
Here is a fun fact… Richmond was the first city to sell beer cans in the U.S.
Plenty of Strong Historic Ties
Speaking of history, there's plenty of that going around in Richmond—300+ historic landmarks.
RVA is a former British Colony with ties to the American Civil War and Revolutionary War. Patrick Henry began the revolution on the grounds of this city in St. John's Church with the famous line, "Give me liberty or give me death!" from his speech.
Other key historical facts you will come across in Richmond include:
- The Virginia State Capitol—the oldest legislative senate chamber in the U.S.
- American Civil War Museum—housing artifacts from the Civil War
- Old Stone House / Edgar Allen Poe Museum—the oldest building in Richmond containing original manuscripts from the poet
- The Richmond Slave Trail—details the paths taken by formerly enslaved Africans brought to Virginia
Just know that if it's history you want, moving to Richmond would feed you a lot of that!
Weather: All Four Distinct Seasons
If you are coming from up North or down left of West, your heavy winter jackets and clothing aren't quite needed here. Of course, the city gets chilly and snows (about 11 inches annually), but nothing too crazy.
In the summer, it can get hot, characterized by high levels of humidity, temperatures reaching above 90° sometimes, which tends to be challenging.
Average seasonal temperature:
Winter — 43°
Fall — 61°
Spring — 60°
Summer — 78°
Depending on who you ask, fall and spring are probably the nicest seasons (maybe not for people with allergies). During these seasons, you'll get the most rainfall, about 44 inches annually—more than the national average of 38.
Public Transportation is Much Better
Forget what you have heard about the poor public transportation system in Richmond; the city has fixed that.
The major issue with transportation using the GRTC Transit System was its limited services; however, recent upgrades were implemented to foster more routes. Plus, there are loads more buses to take you to your destination with the RVA Rapid Transit.
Know this about Richmond: it's a highly walkable and bikeable city with enough paved paths. If you don't have personal bikes, RVA Bike Share allows you to rent for easier transportation in the city.
The average commute time in RVA is 22 minutes.
Art on Every Corner
What is the best thing about living in Richmond? It's the art scene!
The love for art in RVA is evident, and just a few minutes in the city will make you notice this. With tons of street art and murals on buildings throughout Richmond, you would feel tempted to grab a paintbrush yourself.
Not only with the stroke of each brush, Richmond's theater and orchestral opera performances at the University of Richmond's Modlin Center for the Arts will captivate your senses.
Here are ways you can engage in some of these arts and performances:
- Check out fine South Asian and world arts at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Browse through and purchase original pieces from artists during the annual Arts in the Park festival
- Get tickets to watch stunning stage performances from the Richmond Ballet
- Take part in viewing the monthly First Friday Art Walk event that transforms Broad St. into an art heaven
Richmonders Love Festivals
If the low living costs and craft beers aren't convincing enough, the abundant annual festivals are sufficient reasons why you should move to Richmond.
From January through to December, there's something to keep you going in Richmond; you just have to love the consistency.
Some fun festivals to plan for while moving to Richmond include:
- Enjoy folk music and performances at the Richmond Folk Festival on Brown's Island in October.
- Sample brews, whiskey, and dine on hog barbecue at the Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival in July at the Meadow Event Park
- Get funky with jazz and blues during the Richmond Jazz Festival in August at Maymont.
- Delight your taste buds with tasty meals at Broad Appetit in June on Broad St.
- Challenge yourself to a good run during the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K in April at Broad St. & Harrison St.
- Experience everything Greek at the Richmond Greek Festival, held in late May or early June at the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
- Stretch your body with yoga classes, rock climbing, and other fitness activities at the Dominion Energy Riverrock Festival in May by the James River.
There are Sports Fanatics Here
The sporting world comes alive here in Richmond! From soccer to basketball, baseball, football, and car racing—there's a professional team to cheer on while in RVA.
So, pick your interest.
Would you be going all out for the Richmond Kickers soccer squad, the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team, or the Washington Redskins NFL footballers?
Perhaps you like the rush of NASCAR racing at Richmond Raceway or sitting courtside at the Siegel Center to catch the VCU Rams Men's Basketball Team.
There's a sport everyone loves in Richmond!
Crime: Clench Your Purses
Is Richmond safe?
It's not exactly all roses and smiles in RVA. Some people want to leave, not because the living conditions are bad, but simply because they chose neighborhoods more prone to crime.
On average, Richmond is safer than about 6% of U.S. cities, which isn't much of a good stat. However, depending on your neighborhood, there's assurance of some level of security.
Your chances of falling victim to violent or property crime here is 1 in 27.
More detailed figures on crime rate compared to the state and national average:
| per 1,000 residents |
Richmond Average |
Virginia Average |
National Average |
| Violent Crime |
3.66 |
2.34 |
4.0 |
| Property Crime |
34.08 |
16.96 |
20.0 |
Note:
Safe neighborhoods you might want to find an apartment before moving to Richmond include:
- The Fan West
- Church Hill South
- Stratford Hills
- Westover Hills
- Woodland Heights
Key Takeaway—Moving to Richmond
The Richmond way of life is high-quality, and you can't take that away from residents' minds.
While the crime data might make you doubt the city, it's not outrightly terrible. Let the low living costs, craft beer spirit, excellent art culture, and love for festivals and heritage be your drive for moving to Richmond.
So, pack your bags and saddle your horses because RVA will blow your mind with its richness.
By Chris Bates
