When William Byrd II first saw the James River bend at the fall line in central Virginia, the surrounding woodlands and calm waters reminded him of his home on the River Thames: Richmond Hill, London. He named the area in its honor, founding Richmond, Virginia in 1737. Today, Richmonders can see their city’s namesake view at Libby Hill Park in the Church Hill neighborhood, best known as the site of Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death,” revolutionary cry. The James River has always been integral to the city of about 230,000 residents, earning Richmond the nickname “The River City,” and locals flock to the James River Parks System’s outdoor spaces for white-water rafting, kayaking and hiking at all times of year. RVA also has a prominent local arts and food scene, bringing small galleries, creative cuisine and a unique culture to the city.
Richmond is a city of sides and ends. “The city expanded west,” explains Realtor and Richmond native Karen Stephens with Long & Foster Real Estate. “You’ll see newer homes the further west you get. But every area has its own charm and identity.” Locals refer to Northside and Southside when referencing neighborhoods north of Interstate 64 or south of the James River, and to the East End and West End when referring to those areas east of downtown or west of Parham Road (though that delineation also depends on whom you ask). In the middle of those four extremes is a kaleidoscope of different neighborhoods, ranging from historic urban chic in areas like The Fan or The Museum District to spacious elegance in areas like Windsor Farms or Westover Hills . The surrounding counties provide options to those who prefer suburban or rural settings. Chesterfield County offers expansive parks, like Pocahontas State Park and highly rated schools, while Henrico County provides suburban convenience and access to upscale shopping and dining. Hanover County, known for its historic charm and slower pace, appeals to those seeking a quieter lifestyle. These counties offer a range of housing options, from subdivisions to larger estates, all within driving distance of Richmond’s amenities and jobs.
Richmond’s history is inextricably linked to its time as the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War. For more than a century, statues of Confederate generals lined Monument Avenue. In 1890, about 150,000 people gathered for the dedication of the Robert E. Lee statue. In 2022, crowds cheered as it was taken down. The placement of these monuments was a longtime debate in The River City, but after the killing of George Floyd in 2020 and the summer of protests that followed, they were removed. This act is representative of the steps the city has taken toward a more progressive and inclusive future.
Another of those steps is the permanent installation “Rumors of War” by acclaimed artist Kehinde Wiley. Depicting a young Black man on horseback, the statue is a direct response to Confederate tributes. Today, “Rumors of War” has its permanent home at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Arthur Ashe Boulevard, the name of which was changed from Boulevard in 2019 to honor the Richmond native who broke racial barriers in professional tennis.
The James River bend is the influence behind Richmond's name.
Rumors of War stands tall outside of Richmond's Virginia Museum of Fine Art.
The Museum District residents visit the VMFA Sculpture Garden and enjoy a peaceful stroll.
The Arthur Ashe Monument can be found on Monument Avenue and Roseneath in the Museum District.
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River City's art scene and minor league sports
Richmond is an eclectic place fueled partly by the highly regarded fine arts programs at Virginia Commonwealth University and supported by an abundance of local creatives. RVA’s art scene is everywhere – from bodies to buildings. The city is often cited as one of the five most tattooed cities per capita, with 14.5 tattoo shops per 100,000 residents. The Richmond Mural Project, an annual event commissioning artists worldwide, colors the sides of buildings with unique, large-scale works. In the downtown Arts District, Broad Street’s art galleries open their doors during First Fridays, a free event that showcases new exhibits. With an amphitheater on Brown’s Island slated for completion in 2025, Richmonders anxiously await a larger concert venue that may draw bigger acts than the city is used to. For now, smaller venues like the National and the Broadberry host local and nationally known performers, accommodating RVA’s small but prominent music scene. On the banks of the James in Downtown Richmond , Brown’s Island is the site of various festivals throughout the year. Dominion Energy Riverrock is an all-day outdoor, summertime event, complete with rock climbing, paddleboarding and live music. Locals look forward to the annual end-of-summer Folk Festival’s unique, colorful flyer as much as the three-day event's local vendors, food trucks and live music. Beer tickets stick to the pavement and friends clink steins at St. Benedict’s Oktoberfest in the Museum District, while the summertime Watermelon Festival in Carytown is Virginia’s largest one-day festival.
In the Museum District, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has a comprehensive, global display of permanent exhibits. Its collection spans over 6,000 years, including works from Africa, America, Asia and Europe. The neighboring Virginia Museum of History and Culture, owned and operated by the Virginia Historical Society, researches, studies and displays the Commonwealth’s heritage. A few blocks away on Broad Street, in a sprawling Neoclassical building with large columns and a dome, The Science Museum of Virginia has hundreds of exhibits exploring various subjects through interactive technologies and exciting displays. Next door, the Children’s Museum of Richmond educates the city’s youngest residents through interactive play displays. Fans of author Edgar Allan Poe can learn more about his childhood in Richmond and his larger literary career at the Poe Museum downtown.
Richmond residents don’t want a professional sports team – it would kill the city’s lowkey vibe. But RVA’s minor league teams are very popular. In the spring, baseball fans head to The Diamond to watch the Richmond Flying Squirrels play, staying until after the game for a fireworks show. CarMax Park, a new baseball field, is scheduled for completion in 2026. The Richmond Kickers, a semi-professional soccer team, also have a dedicated following, with fans crowding City Stadium each game.
Virginia Commonwealth University, better known as VCU, anchors The Fan.
Dominion Energy Jazz Café had local music students performing at VMFA.
The Virginia Museum of History and culture was founded in 1831.
Midtown Richmond residents can enjoy a game at The Diamond.
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The James River Parks System and other outdoor spaces
The James River is the geographical center of Richmond and its recreational activity, although water quality can vary. According to a 2023 water analysis by the James River Association, the river's health is a B, with a 66% quality level, but there are efforts to raise this to an A. This is the only U.S. city with class III-IV rapids, and “river rats” – a local nickname for those who spend lots of time on the James – love whitewater rafting over steep gradients or kayaking on smoother parts of the water. The James River Parks System offers numerous spots to access the water, and downtown’s Belle Isle is one of the most popular. A pedestrian bridge dangling from an overpass leads to the island, where trails guide visitors to large rocks used for sunbathing or summertime day drinking.
Currently, 75% of Richmonders live within a 10-minute walk from a public park, and city planners aim to increase that number to 100%. The Parks and Recreation Department works with neighborhood organizations to gather input on specific neighborhood park amenities, aiming to incorporate not only residents’ desires but also local artwork and other public displays that reflect each individual neighborhood’s character while showcasing local talent. Current plans for park development include the addition of five new parks on the city’s Southside.
Established in 1851, 7.5-acre Monroe Park is the River City’s oldest green space, where paths crisscross at a central stone fountain and college students read on benches. It sits adjacent to VCU and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, the limestone Italian Renaissance Revival seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond. Maymont is one of the area’s most beloved outdoor spaces, where families and field trips visit the petting zoo, couples walk down the aisle at the Italian Gardens and a carriage collection nods to the former estate’s history. Byrd Park’s Carillon Bell Tower is visible throughout the city, and birds fly over lakes and trails at the nearly 300-acre green space. Bryan Park, with its azalea gardens and ponds, is great for nature walks, bird watching or fishing; it hosts the RVA Big Market, an outdoor farmers market that takes place 11 out of 12 months of the year. About a 30-minute drive from most of the city, in Chesterfield County, the nearly 8,000-acre Pocahontas State Park offers a more secluded outdoor experience, with miles of hiking trails and campgrounds.
Richmond sees all four seasons. The summers are hot and humid, with average highs in the 80s and 90s. In late summer, afternoon thunderstorms are common. Winters are generally mild, with temperatures in the 30s and 50s. Snow and ice sometimes occur; however, they don’t stick around for long.
Monroe Park serves as a path from class to class for Richmond's VCU campus.
A couple creating memories while mesmerized by the colorful reflections.
Carillon stands tall among the westside neighborhoods of Richmond, Virginia.
Richmond residents enjoy going to the RVA Big Market to shop local businesses.
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Richmond neighborhoods, surrounding counties and how to get there
Richmond’s neighborhoods have their own identities, and many remain largely unchanged since their conception, giving the city bygone charm. A product of the early 20th-century City Beautiful Movement, the aesthetic of Monument Avenue is defined by historic mansions uniformly set back from cobblestone streets separated by a grassy, tree-lined median. Just off Monument, The Fan District’s colorful rowhouses and Victorian multifamily properties are within walking distance of corner coffee shops, trendy restaurants and shaded pocket parks. Brick sidewalks in Shockoe Bottom lead to bars, the Canal Walk and high-rise offices, while Queen Anne and Federal-style single-family homes on the steep roads of Church Hill are near some of the most historic sites in the city. Richmond’s housing prices vary depending on the neighborhood; along the winding roads of Windsor Farms, a neighborhood built to feel like an English Village, prices reach into the multimillions, while homes needing repairs in less popular areas can fall below $150,000. Daphne MacDougall, a local Realtor with The Steele Group/Sotheby’s International Realty who has been representing Richmond-area real estate transactions for more than two decades, neighborhoods that include Colonial Place , Malvern Gardens and Westover Hills are the most competitive. “In general, those areas are seeing multiple offers and increasingly high prices,” she says. “In other neighborhoods throughout the city, great listings go fast. Houses that need a lot of work tend to sit longer.”
Home prices in Richmond tend to be lower than in the neighboring counties. As of 2024, Richmond’s median home price was around $380,000, reflecting its mix of historic properties and revitalized areas. In Henrico County, prices are higher, with homes selling for a median price of around $390,000, particularly in suburban areas like Glen Allen. Chesterfield County also sees slightly higher prices, with homes selling around $415,000 on average, driven by a demand for larger properties. Hanover County, known for its mix of suburban and rural character, has some of the highest prices, with the median values hovering around $450,000 due to its larger lot sizes and newer developments.
Traveling around the city and to more distant destinations is made easier by the fact that both U.S. Interstate 64 and U.S. Interstate 95 run through the middle of the city. Residents are less than 100 miles from the beach, the mountains and the nation’s capital. The Richmond International Airport is 10 miles east of downtown and offers direct service to 30 different major domestic destinations as a hub for Delta, American and United Airlines. For those seeking to avoid airline connections, Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport is just over 100 miles north of downtown, providing direct service to more than 100 domestic and six international destinations. Richmond is also home to two Amtrak train stations with commuter service to Washington, D.C. and regional service to destinations from Miami to New York City.
The Greater Richmond Transit Company provides transportation to more than 31,000 Richmond residents every weekday through its extensive network of bus lines. GRTC buses go as far west as Short Pump and as far south as Petersburg, and both the Northside and East End have extensive coverage.
Richmond residents travel the historic and beautiful Monument Avenue for their commutes.
Colorful Floyd Avenue townhouses add to the unique charm of The Fan.
Residents of Windsor Farms have safe, pedestrian friendly streets to walk on.
Unique architecture is found on nearly every street of Richmond's Church Hill neighborhood.
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Specialty and Governor’s schools in Richmond Public Schools district
Richmond Public Schools receive a C-plus from Niche. Serving over 20,000 students, the district has five preschool centers, 25 elementary schools, seven middle schools and five high schools. The city has four specialty schools, including Franklin Military Academy; Open High School; Richmond Community High School and Thomas Jefferson High School – International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and two Governor’s Schools, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology and Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies. Both Chesterfield County Public Schools and Henrico County Public Schools receive B-plus scores from Niche, while Hanover County Public Schools receive an A-minus. On average, individual schools in these counties consistently rank higher than those in the city.
Richmond is also home to many private schools. St. Catherine’s School and St. Christopher’s School are the highest ranked in the city, holding the top spots over public and private options and receiving A-plus scores from Niche. Saint Gertrude High School and Benedictine College Preparatory School provide a Catholic education and rich traditions, while The Steward School and Collegiate School have open-air campuses, educating kindergarteners to high school seniors.
The city has two major universities, the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University. The University of Richmond was ranked the No. 25 national liberal arts college in the country by US News & World Report, and Virginia Commonwealth University is designated a Carnegie Mellon Research I University.
George W. Carver Elementary School is a C-minus-rated school according to Niche.
Albert Hill Middle School is a B-rated school according to Niche.
Thomas Jefferson High School is a B-rated school according to Niche.
Mary Munford Elementary School maintains a 21:1 student to teacher ratio.
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Strolling Carytown, shopping at Short Pump and major employers
Richmond is a foodie town, with restaurants scattered throughout the city rather than one dining district. “Tucked into corners, there are really good restaurants,” Stephens says. Multiple James Beard Award semi-finalists have brought their talents to RVA, and the city has an eclectic assortment of restaurants featuring regional and international influences and cuisines. In 1935, the first can of beer ever sold was purchased in Richmond. Today, the city has an impressive beer scene, with more than 40 breweries in the area. Scott’s Addition , an industrial area turned trendy neighborhood of young professionals and recently built apartments, is home to 10 breweries, three distilleries, two cideries and one meadery. Nearby Carytown, a strip of brightly colored storefronts and restaurants, is a popular place to spend a weekend window shopping. One-way, walkable Cary Street features everything from local boutiques and bookstores to upscale eateries and gritty bars. The Byrd Theatre, a French Empire-style movie house and local icon, shows classics and new releases, including a month of horror movies in October and holiday films throughout December. About a 30-minute drive outside city limits, Short Pump Town Center offers upscale shopping and dining options.
Richmond is home to a variety of employers across different sectors. The city is a hub for healthcare, with VCU Health System and HCA Virginia Health System being some of the largest employers in the region. Dominion Energy, Altria Group and Carmax are all headquartered in Richmond. The city has a growing tech sector; Capital One has a significant presence, while Costar Group employs those working in the real estate industry and plans to open its new office, the tallest building in Richmond, in 2025. Additionally, as the state capital, the city has numerous state and federal agencies.
The Byrd Theater is Richmond's location for events like film festivals and private showings.
Ellwood Thompson's Market is a Richmond staple for fresh, locally grown produce.
CoStar Group is among Richmond's top employers.
CarMax's headquarters found its home in Richmond in 1993.
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Crime
According to FBI data, the violent crime rate in Richmond is similar to the national average and has remained fairly consistent over recent years. However, Richmond’s property crime rate is higher than the national average. The Richmond Police Department reported a 9% jump in property crimes in 2023, with theft from a motor vehicle largely accounting for this increase.
Nicole Lee (Niki) has proudly called Richmond home for 25 years and is a trusted neighborhood expert in the Glen Allen area. She works all over the area from Dinwiddie to the Rivah area . As a dedicated foster mom and dog mom, Niki brings compassion, care, and a personal touch to her work. With years of real estate experience, she specializes in helping buyers find their dream homes and guiding sellers to maximize their property's value. Niki’s in-depth knowledge of the local market, combined with her strong negotiation skills and attention to detail, ensures every client receives exceptional service. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, Niki is your go-to resource for all things real estate.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
