Eastern Henrico is changing quite rapidly as well, however. They just recently approved a massive 1,000 home project in Varina; surely other hosing developments and infrastructure will follow. https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/henrico-county/henrico-embraces-divisive-800-home-development-in-varina/ https://richmond.com/news/local/residential-community-planned-in-varina-would-create-1-000-new-homes/article_78b5f303-25c3-540f-828f-41606ca64b36.html |
Yes, I'm the pp and also a native Richmonder. I remember when Innsbrook was THE END. I don't really hear the phrase "western henrico" used much and its definitely not the same thing as "the West End" which is a very specific term in Richmond and does not include Short Pump. I was just using "western henrico" for the purposes of explaining to non-richmonders. But I agree that NW Henrico county would be more descriptive because the western edge of River Road is totally different. Although many (most) of the people in that area are using privates. The Short Pump area is exactly like Ashburn - lots of newer construction McMansions, lots of new money people willing to spend spend spend. Very white and asian, very type A. I agree that its nothing like Tuckahoe or River Road which is mostly "from heres" with almost no "come heres." |
But who is going to live there? Culturally the west and east sides of Henrico are very different and neither side seems upset by that. It’s ok. My BFF from childhood moved out to Quinton (New Kent) right next to Varina 30 years ago bc she wanted wide open spaces. She still lives there and she tells me while there is massive development, it is still pretty conservative. Like banning books, arguments over trans bathrooms, etc. It’s just different. And people from Richmond know that. It’s ok. |
| Culturally pretty southern. My BFF and my nextdoor neighbor are both from Richmond. They both wear pearls, pastels / Lily Pulitzer, Jack Rogers or Tory Burch sandals, and generally exude a Southern sorority girl vibe. My neighbor dresses her kids in smocked, embroidered outfits for every holiday and has oil paintings of her kids - very similar to our family friends in North Carolina. They are ALL about things like baby showers, meal trains, and all the traditional homemaker / Pinterest things I associate with southern women, Mormons, and stay at home moms. |
Exactly. The same can be said of Loudoun County. The western and eastern parts remain polar opposites, but that’s what’s beautiful about it. The rural yin to the urban yang. |
It sounds as though when you see "southern," you only hear "white southern." I'm not saying you're the only one on this thread who does that, but it's pretty telling. |
Southern doesn’t equal Mormon, at all. Does your BFF know you think these things? Oh no, meal trains when someone is sick or dies?! Baby showers! How nasty?! |
DP here. Actually Mormon wives and white Southern wives have a lot in common. Big emphasis on homemaking and being SAHM’s, having at least 3 kids, dressing them in matching or cutesy clothes, and in general just having their entire identify being motherhood and their children. |
+1. The city of Richmond is 40% black/AA |
It’s funny. People in nyc and Boston would consider the DMV to be “southern”. But somehow a 80 mile distance south of DC is considered “super southern” by DCUM standards. |
Well anywhere in Virginia that doesn’t have transplants is southern, so it’s understandable. Go out to Culpeper or 10 minutes north/south of fredericksburg, it feels southern. |
True! DC is southern and so is Richmond. That does not mean they are necessarily bad. |
That does not describe the average Richmond mother, at all. GMAFB. -Born and raised in Richmond |
This forum is full of DC transplants who have never stepped foot south of Woodbridge yet pretend they know all about richmonders. |
Democrats voted to decriminalize crime and defund the police. Now they act surprised when they themselves become crime victims, there are criminals in their neighborhoods, and there are fewer police to answer their 911 calls. Elections have consequences. |